He was never meant to survive her world... but now, he might be the only one who can. Luca DeLuca was born into money, not power. Soft-spoken, overlooked, and broken by betrayal, he's the last man anyone would expect to catch the attention of Valentina Romano the ruthless mafia heiress feared across continents. She's deadly, untouchable, and used to bending men to her will. But when she sets her eyes on him, everything changes. Dragged into a world of blood-soaked secrets, rival families, and shadows of a brother he thought he lost, Luca must confront the truth: he's not just a pawn he's the key to something much bigger. As Valentina tests his loyalty, pushes his limits, and pulls him deeper into her empire, the lines between captor and protector, weakness and power, love and obsession begin to blur. And when bullets start flying and enemies close in, the question is no longer why her? It's can he survive loving her at all?
Luca Navaro leaned against the steel wall.His whole body ached, his muscles tired from the weight of years spent in his family's house. His world seemed too weak like it would collapse any moment as his body is beginning to.
He remembered looking in the mirror showed him who he was now , very fragile. His suit that once felt too tight, his clean appearance, his bubbly and energetic self , his once neat buzz cut lost it's sheen.
Unfortunately he wasn't the powerful mafia heir his father has once hoped for. He was now a weak, shattered and a disappointment. And this was until he met her.
The sound of her heels clicking on the marble floor broke him from his thoughts. And when he looked up he swear his heart skipped a beat as the queen of every room entered.
Valentina Rossi the mafia princess wasn't just a name or a character but a torture itself . Her eyes were cold and calculating but there was something that glimmered in them , something very dangerous ,very dark.
He could not look away , because he was shrinking under her gaze though no one could do that or make him feel weak except her.
" Don't you have manners ?, is this how you welcome your guests, Navarro?" . Damn! his surname ? That was rough though her voice was smooth but had threat behind it.
Luca swallowed hard stammering he said ; " I didn't see you".
" Of course you never do", she answered coolly, inching closer, her presence swallowing like the storm.
" Your father has done his best to you away huh ! thought he tried hard but guess what ? , the truth always finds its way to resurface. Doesn't it ?
He winced at the words she uttered , his whole family his father especially had always kept him in the background. Not worthy of the empire, not strong enough to possess the power they commanded.And Valentina , the only person who could worsened everything just by a glance, was here to remind him of everything he wasn't? Woah....! His life couldn't be more messy.
She narrowed her eyes, curling her lips into a small almost unnoticeable smile. " You're in trouble, Luca", she whispered smoothly and softly almost as if she was enjoying his discomfort. " And I am her to FIX that" she added with a soft chuckle.
Luca's heart skipped a beat , I mean who wouldn't? He had always heard rumors about her , whispers of how ruthless she was, along with her rise to power and her ability to break anyone who stood in her way just with a word. But never in his years of living did he ever think she'd grace him with her presence more like torment him. Not directly, no not like this.
" Fi-x it ?" His voice cracked with panic, his vulnerability seeping through though he tried his hardest to mask it up but he failed to suppress the attempt. With courage he asked " What do you want from me, Valentina?".
She scanned him , her gaze as sharp as a dagger.
"What do I want from you ?" Haha tilting her head , as if in thoughts. " I want you to know your place , Luca and also to realize something-"
She stepped closer and faced him , inches apart till he could feel the heat of her breath against his skin.
" YOU ARE MINE NOW"
Luca stood frozen too stunned to move ,every nerve in his body rose with panic. He always knew his fate was bad but to be tied by mafia ? He didn't know it would come like thus too. Valentina's words echoed in his head, a cruel whisper he couldn't escape. And as if the weight of her presence wasn't enough, he heard a faint sound and footsteps, quickly approaching. But unfortunately they were not too quiet , elegant steps of someone used to power. These steps were heavy, rushed steps , and they were coming from the hallway outside.
Before he could process everything and say something, violaaa the door to the penthouse was slammed open.
And standing at the entrance of the hallway with a gun in his hand was no other person than Luca's father
Aria, the ambitious heir to a prestigious family empire, has always dreamt of breaking free from her family's oppressive expectations and forging her own identity. But when she uncovers a chilling conspiracy that sees her framed for financial misconduct, her world spirals into chaos. The betrayal runs deep- her charming ex-fiancé, Julian, is not just a casualty but a mastermind behind the plot orchestrating her downfall, alongside her own family members whc prioritize legacy over loyalty Determined to reclaim her freedom and rightful place in the business, Aria embarks on a treacherous journey filled with emotional turmoil and shocking revelations. As she navigates a treacherous landscape of deception, she must build alliances with unexpected allies, face painful truths about ner family's dark past, and confront her unresolvec feelings for Julian, who struggles with his own demons. With each step, Aria transforms from a woman burdened by her lineage into a force of nature, ready to defy the constraints imposed upon her. Yet, as the battle for her identity intensifies, she must grapple with the fine line between revenge and justice. Will Aria rise to claim her power, or will the very bonds that tie her to her family keep her shackled in a life she refuses to accept?
In the high-stakes world of politics and power, Beyond the Veil of Power tells the gripping story of three ambitious individuals entangled in a dangerous game of manipulation, betrayal, and passion. Aiden Hayes, a charismatic young politician, is determined to reform a corrupt system from within. His idealism is tested as he navigates the murky waters of political ambition. Just as he begins to find his footing, he crosses paths with Elara Fox, a sharp-witted investigative journalist with an unyielding passion for truth. When Elara uncovers a conspiracy linking powerful corporate interests to government corruption, she finds herself in her head-but not before capturing Aiden's heart. As Aiden and Elara's forbidden romance blossoms, they delve deeper into the dark underbelly of political intrigue, discovering that the most dangerous threats do not always come from outside forces. Marcus Blackwood, a manipulative billionaire wielding his influence like a weapon, seeks to control Aiden's rise to power while hiding his own agenda. With a silver tongue and dark past, Marcus becomes both ally and adversary, complicating the relationship between Aiden and Elara further. As the trio grapples with their ambitions, love, and the ghosts of their pasts, they are drawn into a whirlwind of deception and unexpected alliances. Faced with a shocking betrayal that rocks their world, Aiden and Elara must decide what they are willing to sacrifice for love and whether their ambitions can coexist with their desires. In a thrilling narrative filled with plot twists and moral dilemmas, Beyond the veil of power explores the intricate dance between desire and ambition. Can love truly conquer all, or will the thirst for power unravel their dreams? . In this modern tale of ambition and heart, true strength lies in integrity, trust, and the unwavering belief that love can prevail even in harshest of landscapes.
Trigger warning!!! Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, poseesive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries. ***EXCERPT*** Blood everywhere. Trembling hands. "No!" My eyes blurred. His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved-dead. Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother. *** Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move. At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession. Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom. The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her. On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother. She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his. But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
The dream of everyone with regards to marriage is to be able to find that special someone and settle down with them. Even arranged marriages grant you an opportunity to meet your partner briefly before the wedding. How will you feel about waking up in the morning with someone sleeping next to you who is not just anyone but your legally married partner yet with no memory of how that had happened in just a few hours of going out the previous day? This is the story of Jason Haward and Julia Harrison, two strangers trapped in a marriage they never planned. The quest to find out why led to the unfolding of a mystery which made them realize they are both living a lie. To find out more, read this amazing story of love, betrayal, revenge and murder.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
June Rivera was divorced by her husband after three years of marriage because he wanted to be with her sister who was pregnant for him. Kicked to the curb with a divorce and rejected by her parents,she struggles to make ends meet and get a job until she saves Luis Ambrose from an accident - the only child of Rafael Ambrose, a widowed man and the CEO of Ambrose Corporation. When little Luis asks to have her as a nanny, and Rafael's mother pressures him to get married, they draw a contract. To be Luis's nanny and his fake wife for one year in exchange for 50 million dollars!
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.