Chapter: Chapter Sixty-NineThey guided him through Alastor’s house towards a vast hall. A gazebo was erected in the center, the sides draped with sheer curtains. He could make out tiny details of her silhouette that filtered through.Lupine folk knelt all around, prostrating and weeping, many ripping the skirts of their deep blue robes. The Oracle sat near the entrance, rocking herself back and forth as she mumbled in Greek.Ronin stumbled forward, catching himself against the post.“I’m fine.” He shrugged off Lucien’s helping hand. He didn’t want it.Flipping the curtain aside, he dragged himself in. She lay on a bed of furs and flowers, dressed in a shimmering blue gown, a white rose crown nestled on her head. Her long hair was fanned out over her shoulders, framing the necklace around her neck, which no longer had light.Her hands cradled her belly, almost like she was still protecting their cub.“Liora,” Ronin choked, reaching his trembling hand towards her cheek. It was so cold. His knees gave way and he c
Last Updated: 2024-12-01
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-EightThis could not be happening.It wasn’t real.It couldn’t be.She couldn’t be dead.Ronin denied it a thousand different ways inside his head. But her silent heart was too big of a truth for him to ignore. Liora was gone.He killed her.“den me timórises arketá?!” Haven’t you punished me enough? He howled at the moon, holding on to her body like an anchor keeping him from drowning. The colder her skin became, the deeper he sank.He couldn’t think about Maia, sobbing a few feet away. He couldn’t spare a second for Nikolai, who still hadn’t moved from his slumped position.“You can’t be dead,” Ronin coaked, stroking her cheek with trembling fingers. “I can’t do this without you, Liora. Open your eyes!” He touched her lids softly, willing them to pop open, for a blush of red to color her cheeks and for the blue hue in her lips to fade.Kaon, his wolf, recoiled deep into his subconscious, seeking a quiet corner to hide from the agony. Ronin would give him no reprieve.Ronin got to his feet
Last Updated: 2024-11-30
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-SevenLiora cried softly into the crook of Nikolai’s shoulder as he carried her through the dense forest. She could feel the sorrow of the pack, hitting her in waves. So many were injured. So many dead.Who would be so cruel, showing no mercy to women and children?What manner of foe was this that drove them from their home?Liora wished she could snap her fingers and make it all go away. The most she could do now was to share in their pain and grief and send soothing words across the mind link.‘Everything’s gonna be okay,’ She resonated. ‘By the Goddess.’“Luna.” Nikolai’s voice sounded tight. Liora didn’t realize how close her lips had inched to his neck. She had no urge to bite him, but she could sense that he still craved it.“Sorry.” She eased away, wiping her eyes. “Can you put me down? I’d like to walk for a while.”“Walk to where?” Callie scoffed, giving Liora a pointed look. She looked way too comfortable perched over Alastor’s shoulder. “You can barely walk a yard with that ten-p
Last Updated: 2024-11-29
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-SixLiora’s lips pressed into a thin line as she watched Ronin go down the hillside. Fine. She turned to Maia, grabbing her hand tightly, “Find Callie. She’ll be hiding somewhere around the old cabins.”“Everything’s going to be fine, Luna.” Maia planted a kiss on her wrist. “I’ll come find you later. Let’s go, Lucien.”They ran to the treeline with Thaddeus and Derith close behind. Liora let Nikolai lift her into his arms as smoky tendrils curled around Enas and the Oracle. When the smoke cleared, they were courtyards of the Beta den. Lupine folk were rushing toward the left backwoods path tucked at the end of the rows of buildings. Guards directed the flow of people while monitoring the entrance gates for mercenaries.A hand lightly touched her shoulder and she jumped. When did the Oracle get so close?“Apologies, Luna. I didn’t mean to startle you.” Inclined her head. “Enas and I will go ahead first and assist Alastor’s pack in receiving the pliveíos.” The Oracle clutched Liora’s hand
Last Updated: 2024-11-28
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-FiveLiora’s eyes popped open when she felt a strange sensation in her chest. It was as if a hot wax strip was applied and ripped off without warning. High off euphoria, closed her eyes again, not thinking too much of it.Fifteen minutes ticked by before she noticed that the incessant urge for lupine flesh was gone.It was... gone?!The first thing that came to her mind was to tell Ronin, but she couldn’t interrupt him. So, she did the next best thing.“Caius!” She elbowed him repeatedly, unable to contain her laughter.“Yes, Luna?” He looked at her through one lazy eye that widened in surprise. “Your eyes– they’re normal.”Liora nodded, “I can’t feel the curse in my bond anymore. It’s gone!” If her belly wasn’t so big, she would run out into the feel and frolic like a carefree cub. “How is this possible, Caius? Does that mean Ronin is cured too?!”“I’m the last person you should be asking,” He laughed. “This is a time of miracles. Better not look the gift horse in the mouth.”Light grey s
Last Updated: 2024-11-27
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-FourAs the sun made its descent on the horizon, the lupine folk slowly started to fill the clearing. It started with one or two until the entire field was filled with silhouettes dressed in white robes. The adults lounged around in circles, talking animatedly, while the cubs frolicked and chased each other in vigorous play.Looking farther out, Ronin could see Gamma and Delta warriors standing along the perimeter fence, clad from head to toe in tactical gear. Naturally, he couldn't see the shadow assassins, but he was confident they would be well hidden and vigilant.The golden crown on his head felt too heavy as if he would crumple under the weight. Would he be able to wear it after tonight? Would he be worthy? He wasn’t sure. All he could do was count down the minutes until the Rites would begin and he could cure his mate once and for all.Ronin felt the air shimmer beside him. He didn’t have to look to know it was Nikolai. “Everything’s set?”“Yes Alpha, it is all in place according to
Last Updated: 2024-11-26
![Traded To The Mafia [Dark Possessive Mafia Romance]](https://acfs1.goodnovel.com/dist/src/assets/images/book/43949cad-default_cover.png)
Traded To The Mafia [Dark Possessive Mafia Romance]
Anateya Berretta had her entire life mapped out.
Get good grades, get her MBA, and take over her papi's security company as his sole heir.
However, papi messed up and now she was a bargaining chip held hostage by New York's No. 1 Mafia Lord.
It certainly didn't help that she'd met the man before, and yearned for him like no other.
Romero Bartolone was at the peak of his rule when he lost his favorite casino in an organized attack. Now he was out one billion, with countless elitists jonesing for the returns on their backdoor investment.
She was only supposed to be a hostage, but he couldn't stay away from the alluring light inside her that called to his darkness. First things first, a debt was owed-- and if someone had to pay-- why not her?
Besides, she was entangled in the game of the underground now, and he was the only monster who could keep her safe.
Still, with dangers lurking all around, they remain vulnerable in the most high-stakes game of all, the game of hearts.
And he'd burn the world... so as long as he didn't lose.
[Nb: This is a dark romance book intended for mature audiences. Reader's discretion is advised.] No. of Chapters To Be Released: ~50
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Chapter: …There's A War.Anateya kept her expression blank as Romero’s warm hand settled on the small of her back, guiding her through the lobby of Premise Enterprises. Employees who flitted back and forth gave them a wide berth, whispering behind their hands– no doubt about Gage’s mystery daughter and her powerful new husband.It reminded her of when her papa brought her to an aquarium as a small child. She pointed and gawked at the sea creatures for the better part of an hour, asking a million questions a minute. Looking back, she wondered if they felt as exposed and vulnerable as she did now.This was her legacy, yet it didn’t feel quite like hers. Anateya didn’t know these people, their culture, or their language. A few weeks ago, she was technically a nobody. Now, her face was splashed on the front page of every news outlet.It certainly didn’t help that Romero was trying to take her birthright before she could make sense of it.“After you,” Romero gestured for her to get into the elevator. Bodyguards fi
Last Updated: 2024-08-28
Chapter: Where There's A Will…The moment her mind cleared from the high, Anateya scrambled off the bed and hurried towards the bathroom.“Anateya, Ana-wait! Dammnit.” Romero cursed, fist slamming against the door that shut before he could stop her.Reaching for the robe hanging next to her, she shrugged it on, wrapping the belt tightly around her waist. Pressing her back against the door, she let out a shuddering breath, willing her heart to settle.She couldn’t make head nor tail of her emotions. She wanted to stay angry at Romero, but she melted every time he touched her. A rush of heat bloomed between her thighs at the thought of how she shamelessly gave herself to him, begging just like he said she would.As much as she hated to admit it. Romero was right. Her father had a choice, and in his desperation, he chose to use her as leverage, dragging her into a war she had no business being in the middle of.She just wanted to go to college and do d
Last Updated: 2024-08-24
Chapter: Oh, The Ties That Bind (Pt. 2)“What’s wrong with you?” Romero questioned, dropping a kiss on her neck. “Despite everything, I know you want me. That’s the one thing we could never deny between us. So, why the sudden change?”After hearing her vows, it took every ounce of willpower not to ditch the rest of the ceremony and bring her home where he could have her all to himself for hours on end.“I don’t know, maybe because you forced me to marry you mere days after losing my father?!” She snapped. “What, are you gonna force me to sleep with you too?”His brows furrowed, “This is the second time you’ve mentioned that tonight. You were never worried about that before. Why are you acting like this? Tell me.”He pulled back, studying her features. Her face was flushed, eyes averted. Her chest rose and fell with short erratic breaths and her lips were pressed into a thin line. His petarda looked skittis
Last Updated: 2024-08-23
Chapter: Oh, The Ties That Bind (Pt. 1)Anateya felt her throat constrict as the altar drew closer and closer.This wasn’t how it was supposed to be.She’d envisioned her nuptials a million times since she was ten. In her fantasy, her father was by her side, happily giving her away– not Antino– stiff and fuming with rage. She would say I do to a loving doting man, upstanding in society and fit to be her husband.Instead, at the end of the aisle, she would meet a monster who was determined to have his way by any means necessary. Even if it meant robbing her of the one special moment she looked forward to most.She’d never felt so conflicted.Her desire clashed with the grief of losing her father and she could find no way to rationalize Romero’s actions. Still, she craved him like her next breath. What did that make her? A traitor to those who cared for her? A victim of Stockholm? Or a reckless angel–willingly throwing herself over the edge to fall for a devil?And what
Last Updated: 2024-08-23
Chapter: Empty Space (Pt. 2)He’d never admit it, but he was pleased that she caved and decided to come to him of her own volition.Yes, he forced her hand with what was the biggest bluff of his life, but it got the job done.It got her to stay.It would’ve been unfortunate if she had held out and he ended up doing something out of prideful madness.He regretted that Gage died. They worked well together in the past and Berretta always protected his interests. Still, Romero refused to take the blame for his demise. He made his choice.Romero always followed his instincts, and when he saw Antino Dellator getting too handsy with Anateya, he suspected that something was amiss. It was shortly confirmed by the mini-explosions throughout the cemetery. If he’d been just 3 minutes late, she would have been gone and he’d probably never find her again.Berretta’s people were annoyingly good at staying hidden.Anateya didn’t spare him a single glance when t
Last Updated: 2024-08-22
Chapter: Empty Space (Pt. 1)Anateya’s mind drifted as she stared blankly at her father’s freshly covered grave.According to Wallace, the Sosa Kartel had found out about her father being a mole and they’d strapped C-4 to his body and left him in an abandoned building.There was nothing left to bury, so they committed an empty casket.Like countless times in the last few days, her mind drifted to the moment when her world fell apart.She refused to believe what the majordomo had said, demanding that they find him and bring him back. She’d attacked Romero with equally blind rage and grief. He’d held her tightly to his chest, murmuring in her ear, trying to center her.There was no centering her with her father gone. She was hysterical to the point where Romero had no choice but to knock her out.Those moments of unconsciousness, of nothingness… were a short reprieve from the grief that assaulted her heart
Last Updated: 2024-08-22
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