A Mafia’s Trillionaire for Christmas
Lauren thought she had her life figured out—until her boyfriend of three years dumps her just days before Christmas, calling her a "liability." To make matters worse, he’s now engaged to her coworker, Rosette Goldberg. Humiliated and heartbroken, Lauren devises a bold plan to save face: at the company holiday party, she introduces the mysterious and devastatingly handsome trillionaire Alexandro "Lex" Castello as her new boyfriend.
What starts as a harmless lie quickly spirals out of control. Alexandro, intrigued by Lauren’s fiery spirit and audacious scheme, agrees to play the part. But he’s not one to do anything without a motive, and Lauren can't shake the feeling he’s hiding something.
As their pretend romance takes them from glittering galas to intimate moments, sparks begin to fly. Yet with the media circling, jealous exes scheming, and secrets threatening to surface, the line between make-believe and reality blurs.
Will Lauren and Alexandro’s arrangement unravel under the pressure—or could it be the start of something neither of them expected?
**Fake it until you feel it, or risk losing it all.**
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Chapter: Chapter FourtyTHE WHISPERS~LAUREN’S POV~I pretend I don’t hear them. Pretend I don’t see the way they stare, their eyes sharp enough to cut through bone. But the thing about pretending? It doesn’t make anything less real. The whispers crawl beneath my skin, burrowing into the spaces I don’t have the energy to protect. The group chat is worse. Every message is a tiny stab, shallow but precise. "I still can’t believe she’s dating Alexandro.""She acts so innocent like she’s better than everyone.""I felt bad when Patrick dumped her, but what if she was the one who dumped him first?"I squeeze my phone, my fingers pressing into the edges. For a second, I consider typing back. Maybe telling them they have it all wrong. They don’t know me, don’t know my side of the story. But what’s the point? I glance over my shoulder. More eyes. Always watching, always assuming. Some were filled with curiosity, others with something colder. This. This is exactly why I wanted to end things with Alexandr
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: Chapter Thirty NineCHECKMATE.~ALEXANDRO’S POV~I chuckled, dragging a hand through my hair as I tossed my phone onto the desk. Stubborn little thing. She was learning—fast. I thought the press would crush her, thought she’d cave under the weight of the headlines. But no, she held her ground. A little shaken, maybe, but not broken. I underestimated her. A mistake I wouldn’t make again. “I can’t decide if you’re still just playing with her or if you’re starting to believe your bullshit.” Mario’s voice dragged me out of my thoughts. He was sprawled across my couch, a glass of scotch in one hand, a cigar in the other. Casually watching. Always watching. He set his drink down, picked up a magazine, and skimmed through it like it was the morning paper. “What happened to keep her at arm’s length?” he asked, not even bothering to lift his gaze. I smirked, making my way to the bar in the corner of my office. The half-empty bottle of aged Scotch stared back at me, a gift from an old associate i
Last Updated: 2025-02-12
Chapter: Chapter Thirty Eight STRANGER IN THE ELEVATOR.~LAUREN’S POV~I tossed my phone onto my desk and leaned back in my chair. Rubbing my temples.Alexandro was infuriated.Smug, arrogant, and too damn aware of the effect he had on people—on me. He knew exactly how to push my buttons, and worse, he enjoyed it.And now, thanks to last night, I had the media turning my life into some soap opera.Just perfect.A sharp knock on my desk pulled me from my thoughts. But before I could respond. Rosette closed my laptop, causing me to look up from where I sat.Beside her stood the same man who had pulled me from the reporters earlier. I stiffened slightly, my brows drawing together.“Morning, Rosette,” I greeted flatly.Rosette folded her arms, clearly not liking my tone, but she knew too well than to cause a scene or accuse me of anything in front of everyone.“Deal with him,” she said, not even leaving room for more explanation as she turned on her heels and left. I stared at her, confused, before turning to look at
Last Updated: 2025-02-11
Chapter: Chapter Thirty Seven NEWEST OBSESSION.~LAUREN’S POV~My table clock alarm blared, pulling me out of sleep as I groaned. The morning sunlight found its way through a small gap in the curtains, casting a glow over my bedroom. I rolled onto my back, staring blankly at the ceiling. Last night… well, it was intense. My mind drifted to Alexandro—his kiss, his touch. Every moment with him replayed in my head like a broken record. Did I hate it? No. It felt different. Those feelings. I had dated Patrick long enough to know that whatever I was experiencing with Alexandro wasn’t the same. Around him, I didn’t have to try. He always knew the right words, and the right actions, making me feel like a lovesick fool. And last night had been undeniable proof. I didn’t need this. My breakup with Patrick—or rather, me getting dumped by Patrick—hadn’t even been a few months ago. I wasn’t ready to be dragged back into love, especially not into something this complicated. Sighing, I reached for my phone on the n
Last Updated: 2025-02-09
Chapter: Chapter Thirty-six MIXED FEELINGS.~LAUREN’S POV~I should have stepped back. But I didn’t. The night air felt heavy with an energy I couldn't describe. The space between us was gone, and now he was just there—his presence was strong, and his scent wrapped around me like a powerful spell.I hated that my body responded before my mind could catch up. Alexandro didn’t touch me, not completely. His hands remained braced against the railing on either side of me, caging me in, but his body heat seeped into mine, and his breath was maddeningly close. Waiting. Daring. A slow smirk tugged at his lips as if he could feel my hesitation as if he knew exactly what was happening inside my head. “Tell me something, mi amor,” he murmured, his voice a quiet rasp against the night air. “Are you shaking because of him?” His dark gaze flickered to my parted lips. “Or because of me?” Damn him. I sucked in a sharp breath, forcing my spine to straighten. “You’re full of yourself, Señor Castillo,” I said co
Last Updated: 2025-02-08
Chapter: Chapter Thirty FiveA RECKONING~LAUREN’S POV~ "Tell me, amor… what scares you more? That you hate me? Or that you don’t?"His words wouldn’t leave my head. They clung to my thoughts like a whispered curse, threading through my veins, tightening around my ribs. I wanted to tell him he was wrong. That I wasn’t scared. That I despised him. That I felt nothing. But that would be a lie. And Alexandro Castello? He thrived on the truth beneath the lies. His fingers brushed against my cheek, the warmth of his touch bringing down the cold wind that bit at my skin. My pulse betrayed me, hammering against my ribs, loud enough that I was sure he could hear it. I hated this. Hated that he knew exactly how to intimidate me, how to crack me with just a look. But before I could step back, before I could regain even a shred of composure— “Sir.” A sharp voice cut through the tension, breaking the moment like a shattered pane of glass. Hilda. Alexandro’s ever-efficient assistant. She stood just beh
Last Updated: 2025-02-06
Chapter: Chapter 65~MORE THAN A MAID~Sunlight streamed into Gemini’s room as she slowly opened her eyes. She stared at the small bird chirping on the balcony, its tiny frame hopping along the railing. Last night’s conversation with Simon echoed in her mind. "A family," Gemini whispered, a soft smile curving her lips. Sitting upright, she let her hand rest on her belly, gently caressing it. She looked around the room—it felt familiar, comforting. She was back in her space. She sighed. Reaching for her phone, she noticed a missed call from Nanny Lauren. Frowning, she dialed the number back, pressing the phone to her ear. It rang. And rang. No answer. That was odd. Nanny Lauren always picked up her calls immediately. She tried again. Nothing. And then a third time. Still nothing. "Strange," Gemini murmured. She placed the phone back on her nightstand. *I’ll just see her at Dad’s place later when I go to get my things,* she decided before pushing the thought aside and getting out of b
Last Updated: 2025-02-22
Chapter: Chapter 64~GETTING RID OF PROBLEMS~Nanny Lauren's face turned pale as she listened in on their conversation. Madam Ciara had been poisoning Sir Saint. She knew she couldn't stay there for long before someone caught her spying. She needed to inform Ma’am Gemini. *These people are devils. How could they?* she thought. “Why are you so surprised, Ciara?” Gustavo asked, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. “You think I don’t know about all your dirty dealings?” He took a slow, deliberate step toward Tiara, his eyes assessing her from head to toe. She was trembling—it was almost pathetic to watch. “How dare you threaten me with that?” Mrs. Ciara spat, her hands clenched into fists. “You think if I go down, you won’t go down with me? I know all about the funds you've been siphoning from Saint.” Gustavo smirked. He was impressed that she still had the guts to stand up to him. But he also knew she wouldn’t do anything with that information. “Should I be scared? Compared to me, you
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: Chapter 63~No Going Back~Tiara hurried after her mother, desperate to stop her from doing something that could ruin her chances with Gustavo. She *couldn’t* lose him. She needed him—not just for herself, but for their unborn child. “Mom, please don’t do this,” Tiara pleaded, her footsteps quickening. “Stay out of this, Tiara. This is between me and that bastard,” Mrs. Ciara snapped, her voice sharp with anger. Her fury wasn’t just about Gustavo—it was about the insult of it all. He had come from nothing, a nobody from the slums, and now *he* dared to entangle himself with her daughter? Tiara was only nineteen. She had a future ahead of her. A future *far* beyond Gustavo. And yet, here she was, pregnant with his child. He would *regret* ever messing with her daughter. Mrs. Ciara stormed outside, her eyes immediately locking onto Gustavo as he was about to get into his car. Without hesitation, she called out to him. “Gustavo.” Her voice was cold, cutting through the air like a b
Last Updated: 2025-02-03
Chapter: Chapter 62~HIDDEN TRUTH~Gustavo’s eyes shifted from the passing scenery to the rearview mirror. Saint was fuming with rage, his expression dark and unyielding. Gustavo didn’t know what he and Brandon had talked about, but it was clear it hadn’t been a friendly, lighthearted catch-up. Not that it mattered to him at the moment.His main focus was on obtaining those documents from Tiara. Those papers were crucial—they could set his plans into motion.The sting of Simon’s public humiliation still burned fresh in his mind. Simon would pay for that, Gustavo vowed silently.The imposing silhouette of the Saint mansion came into view, its grandeur doing little to calm Gustavo’s nerves. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus as the car pulled into the garage. The driver stepped out and made his way to Mrs. Ciara’s side of the vehicle, opening the door for her with practiced precision. Meanwhile, Gustavo unlocked the door for Mr. Saint, who stepped out with an air of icy authority. Gustavo
Last Updated: 2025-01-09
Chapter: Chapter 61Chapter 61To Protect You.Simon kept his eyes fixed on the road as he drove Gemini to his villa. He knew he wasn’t going to let her return to her father’s house—not after that confrontation. The nerve of that man.“Simon,” Gemini called out, but he didn’t respond, his jaw clenched in frustration. Was he angry at her? She hadn’t done anything wrong. “Are you angry with me?” she asked again, her voice tinged with confusion.Silence met her, and Simon continued to ignore her. He didn’t want to engage in an argument, not now, not when his temper was already flaring. “Seriously? You won’t even answer me?” she pressed, annoyance furrowing her brows.Finally, Simon arrived at his villa, parking the car in the garage. He stepped out and unlocked the door, gesturing for Gemini to follow. She hesitated for a moment, unsure, but eventually complied.As he walked ahead, she trailed behind, irritation bubbling inside her. Why had he brought her here instead of taking her back to her father’s hou
Last Updated: 2024-11-12
Chapter: Chapter 60Chapter 60JEALOUSY.Gemini made her way toward Gustavo, who had been drinking heavily since the event began. It was obvious that something was bothering him.“Didn’t you drive here?” Gemini’s voice cut through Gustavo’s tension, causing him to focus on her. His green eyes, usually bright and sharp, now appeared dull.“Is that concern I sense in your voice?” he replied, a smirk playing at the corner of his lips as he studied her. When was her due date? Her stomach was so prominent, yet he hated that he still found her incredibly attractive.The dress she had chosen for the evening accentuated her baby bump beautifully; she looked slender and had been keeping in shape. Her golden-blonde hair fell straight and perfectly down her back, and her sea-blue eyes seemed to shimmer more than usual, deepening in color. Her fair skin glowed under the warm lights of the room.Gustavo couldn't shake off the bitterness he felt toward Simon for taking her away from him. This beauty standing before
Last Updated: 2024-11-09
RECKLESS VOWS
[A BILLIONAIRE DARK ROMANCE BOOK]
"Without obsession, life is nothing" -John Waters.
Lyra eagerly seized an opportunity for quick cash when her best friend, Jane, presented a bold idea. She didn't think through the likely fallout.
*************************
Jane needed someone to step in as her stand-in bride for Ryker Blackwoods, a reclusive billionaire shrouded in mystery due to her parents' debts and promises. Jane had no intention of entering into a loveless marriage with a man she had never met. Fortunately, Ryker had no clue what Jane-or Lyra-looked like.
In exchange for a substantial sum, Lyra agreed to take Jane's place, sign the marriage documents, and occupy Ryker's estate while he was away. The plan was simple: Lyra would create enough chaos to provoke Ryker into seeking a divorce once he returned.
However, when Ryker finally arrived home after six long months, everything changed. Rather than the distant figure she expected, Ryker turned out to be a man who pushed past her limits, a contradiction to Jane's descriptions. He was captivating yet infuriating-an undeniable force who seemed to derive pleasure from her discomfort.
Lyra found herself regretting her decision. The money no longer mattered; she just wanted to escape this marriage. But Ryker calmly asserted that she belonged to him now, insisting that this was her punishment for her greed.
He knew the truth-she was simply an imposter in a life she hadn't chosen.
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Chapter: Chapter Eighteen ~KEEPING THINGS IN ORDER~Lyra grabbed Adrian by the wrist, slamming the door shut behind her. Mrs. Hargrave, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, stood frozen in the hallway, her mouth slightly open in shock. “Lyra,” Mrs. Hargrave whispered to herself, confused. Why had that man called her Lyra instead of Jane? And who was he? Adrian chuckled darkly, his laugh low and alarming, as Lyra yanked him through the hallway and out onto the driveway. Once they were outside, Lyra released his wrist as though touching him any longer would burn her. Her chest heaved, anger and panic bursting in her chest. Her sharp eyes darted around to make sure no one was watching before she turned on him. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice cold and cutting. “How did you find me?” Adrian smirked, the same arrogant smirk that used to charm her but now made her stomach churn. Lyra’s heart pounded in her chest. How had he found her? She had covered her tracks meticulously.
Last Updated: 2025-01-24
Chapter: Chapter Seventeen~A VISIT FROM THE PAST~ Lyra let the warm water cascade over her skin, washing away the remains of her restless morning. Ryker’s presence had stayed long after he’d left, like a shadow she couldn’t quite shake. His words, his gaze, the way he always seemed to take up all the air in the room—it was maddening. Still, she was glad he was gone, if only for a few days. His absence gave her the time and space she so desperately needed. She had plans—starting with Jane. If giving back the money was the only way to regain control of her life, she’d do it without hesitation. Turning off the shower, she stepped out and wrapped herself in the soft robe hanging nearby. As she padded back into the bedroom, her eyes fell on the chair where Ryker had sat that morning. The memory of his sharp gray eyes watching her churned something she didn’t want to name. He was infuriating, she reminded herself. Overbearing. Impossible. And yet, there was no denying his presence—the way he seemed to c
Last Updated: 2025-01-11
Chapter: Chapter Sixteen~BUILDING A LIFE TOGETHER ~The warm morning light spilled through Lyra's window, bathing the room in a golden hue. She stirred, stretching lazily under the covers before letting out a soft yawn. Her eyes fluttered open, landing on the shadowy figure seated on the armchair by the window. She froze, clutching the sheet to her chest as she fully registered who it was. “For Christ’s sake, what are you doing in my room?” Lyra snapped, her voice groggy with sleep but laced with irritation. Her gaze darted to the birdhouse-shaped clock on her bedside table. “It’s six o’clock in the morning!” Ryker didn’t flinch. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his tie slightly loosened. His sharp gaze met hers, unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his expression—amusement, maybe. “You talk in your sleep,” he said, leaning back in the chair as though this were the most normal thing in the world. Lyra blinked, her annoyance quickly morphing into disbelief. “Are you ki
Last Updated: 2025-01-10
Chapter: Chapter Fifteen A KISS FOR SILENCE.The party ended quicker than Lyra had expected. The drive home was wrapped in silence, with her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Ryker sat beside her, his attention entirely on her. His piercing eyes watched her intently, as though studying her every move. “What were she and Marcus discussing?”“You should stop staring,” Lyra said, her voice low and tired. She didn’t even bother to glance his way. Ryker smirked, the mischievous grin she’d come to associate with him spreading across his face. “I can’t stare at what’s mine?” he teased, his voice laced with mockery and arrogance. Lyra’s jaw clenched. He was relentless, always pushing, always testing. “How long do you plan to keep up this stubborn act, Jane?” he asked again, his tone challenging now. Her fingers tightened around her dress as she fought the urge to lash out. “Can we not do this tonight?” she finally managed to say, her voice strained with exhaustion. “That’s going to be
Last Updated: 2025-01-08
Chapter: Chapter Fourteen THE PARTY Lyra sat stiffly at the dining table, staring down at the elaborate spread of food. She wasn’t hungry, not with Ryker seated across from her. His calm, organized manners were enraging, especially after last night. She could still feel the phantom touch of his hands on her skin, his words replaying in her head like a taunt she couldn’t escape. Ryker’s voice broke the tense silence. “We’ll leave for the party at eight. I expect you to be ready.” Her head snapped up, her frustration bubbling over. “I’m not going.” He didn’t even look up from his plate as he cut into his omelet. “Yes, you are.” “No, I’m not.” Her voice was firm, her hands clenched into fists on the table. “I don’t care what kind of spectacle you’re trying to make, but I’m not going to be part of it.” Ryker finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. He set his knife and fork down with deliberate precision, his movements calm—too calm. “This isn’t a discussion, Jane.” Her jaw tightened. “I don
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
Chapter: Chapter Thirteen THE CHALLENGERyker leaned against the doorway of the kitchen, arms crossed as he watched Lyra stretch on her tiptoes to reach for a glass in the upper cupboard. She was muttering to herself, frustration clear in every sharp movement. He couldn’t help the faint smirk tugging at his lips—there was something disarming about the sight. But disarming wasn’t the right word for Lyra. She was dangerous, an irritation he hadn’t anticipated. And that unpredictability was as maddening as it was enchanting. When she didn’t notice him after a few seconds, he stepped inside, his movements deliberate. “Need help?” Lyra jumped at the sound of his voice, spinning to face him with wide eyes. “What are you doing here?” He ignored the question, closing the distance between them with measured steps. Her gaze flicked to the cupboard, and she quickly turned back to try again, pretending he wasn’t there. She stretched higher this time, but the glass was still out of reach. Ryker raised an eyebro
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
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