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 Sixty Eight QUEEN BEES AND QUITE WARS~LAUREN'S POV~I watched as Rosette stood from her seat, heels clicking against the floor with sharp precision as she walked toward me. Her arms folded across her chest, eyes slicing through me like daggers.“Right,” she drawled, her tone dripping with mockery. “You said you sent a mail. Probably ended up in my trash. Do you think I’m stupid enough to read it?”Expected.“At least you admit you saw it,” I replied, holding her gaze.Rosette’s lips curled in a snarl, and for a second, I swore she growled like a feral dog. She hadn’t expected me to talk back—but I was done letting her trample over me. I had survived worse. Guns. Blood. Silence. Fear. Rosette? She was a storm I’d already weathered.“It seems you’re not getting the situation here,” she hissed. “You think growing a backbone and talking back is going to save your job?”I frowned. What was she talking about?“Oh, you poor, clueless soul,” she spat. “I just did you a favor. You don’t have to worry ab
Last Updated: 2025-04-11
Chapter: Chapter Sixty Seven WELCOME BACK, MISS TRENDING ~LAUREN'S POV~I watched as the company’s security made their way toward Ethan, Antonio, and Luca. Eyes followed them—then flicked to me. The murmurs started before I could even react. My fingers tightened around the strap of my bag as I instinctively bowed my head, heat creeping up my cheeks.Why was Ethan suddenly acting out? Why now?Antonio had finally lowered his hand from Ethan’s chest, and Luca was already deep in conversation with one of the guards, trying to smooth things over. I exhaled a shaky breath and took a step forward, weaving my way to Ethan, who stood stiffly, still glaring at Antonio like he wanted to punch something—or someone.Antonio tried to say something to me as I passed, but I shot him a sharp look.No. Not now. He might’ve been following Alexandro’s orders, but that didn’t give him the right to decide who could or couldn’t speak to me. I wasn’t some precious doll to be guarded every second.He stepped back, sensing my irritat
Last Updated: 2025-04-11
Chapter: Chapter Sixty Six IF SHE DIES, I BURN~ALEXANDRO'S POV~I should have never let her leave. But three days of silence. Three nights of her body in my bed but her eyes somewhere else. She didn’t yell. She didn’t cry. She simply shut down, and somehow, that was worse than if she’d put a bullet through my heart. So I let her go. Home. Work. Routine. Normal. As if any of this shit was normal. But I’d be damned if I let her walk away unguarded. Still—sending guards wasn’t enough. My gut twisted like something was off. So when Mario called about a body down by the docks, I knew. My father was sending a message. The sea crashed violently against the rocks as I stood at the edge of the coast, the salt biting the air. The sky was gray. Fitting. Mario stood beside me, smoke curling from his lips like he was waiting on a goddamn dinner date. His leather coat billowed in the breeze, and he didn’t even flinch as the body was hauled from the rocks.“You really didn’t have to call me for this,” I mutte
Last Updated: 2025-04-10
Chapter: Chapter Sixty-Five CRAZY FIRST DAY ~LAUREN’S POV~It still surprised me that Alexandro let me go back home. Well… it took a lot of arguing, some pleading, and a whole lot of ignoring him before he finally gave in. But of course, it came with a price. I bit my lower lip as I sat in the back seat of the sleek black car he'd sent. I wasn’t expecting a car. And definitely not this car. It screamed wealth. Power. A warning wrapped in luxury. And it came with two guards. According to Alexandro, my safety came first. He said he didn’t know when his father might make another move, and he wasn’t about to take that risk again. And honestly? After what I experienced… neither was I. Nightmares had been my new normal. And this—this was the price of being in Alexandro Lex Castello’s world. The car pulled into the parking lot of Storm Publishing. I took a deep breath, grabbed my bag, and stepped out. So did the guards. I froze and turned around, brows furrowed. “What are you doing?” I asked, alrea
Last Updated: 2025-04-10
Chapter: Chapter Sixty FourI WANT TO GO HOME~ALEXANDRO’S POV~I poured myself a glass of scotch, letting the burn of it settle deep in my chest, but it didn’t do a damn thing to silence the words echoing in my head. ‘I want to go home.’Of course, she does. Of course, she wants out of this mess—out of my world, out of my reach. And I should let her. Hell, I should be the one pushing her away. But the thought of her leaving? Of her walking away from me for good? Yeah. That shit sits heavier than any drink ever could. A voice cuts through my thoughts. “I guess we’re drinking tonight.” Mario. I don’t turn right away, just take another slow sip, staring at the fire. “I thought you left.” He steps closer, dragging out a chair across from me. “I was going to.” He flicks his cigar, watching the ashes fall into the tray. “But your father is a persistent son of a bitch, and I figured I’d stick around. Besides, I’m too damn tired to drive.” Mario scans the bar, wrinkling his nose at my drink. “Still dro
Last Updated: 2025-04-03
Chapter: Chapter Sixty ThreeDO NOT BELONG.~LAUREN’S POV~The water was warm, almost burning, but I didn’t mind. I let it rise around me, the heat sinking into my skin, easing the tension in my muscles. The effect of tonight, of everything, felt lighter in the water.Steam curled around me, blurring the edges of the dimly lit bathroom. The villa was quiet—too quiet. It left too much space for my thoughts, for the replay of gunshots and blood and Alexandro’s voice telling me to leave.I leaned my head back against the tub’s edge, breathing out slowly, my body finally beginning to relax.Until I felt it.The weight of a stare.My lashes fluttered open, and there he was—standing in the doorway.Alexandro.He was freshly changed, the crisp white shirt hanging loose over his chest, sleeves pushed up to his forearms, exposing the ink winding over his skin. His dark hair was damp, still wet from his shower, a single drop of water tracing the sharp angle of his jaw before disappearing beneath his collar.He looked li
Last Updated: 2025-04-03
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.
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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
Chapter: Chapter 88~A GIRL IN LAVENDER~Brandon didn't look back.He took another sip of his whiskey, the Amber liquid sliding down his throat with practiced ease.The voice behind him didn't speak again…didnt need to. It was enough that it had spoken at all.That it was her voice.His grip tightened on the glass, and he finally turned his head slightly, just enough to catch the shadow shift near the old staircase.There was nothing there now—only darkness and the soft ticking of the antique clock above the mantle.FLASHBACK : (THE DAY OF MAYA INCIDENT) SAN FRANCISCO: The rain had been relentless that night. Thick fog clung to the hillside roads like breath on cold glass, and the Pacific winds howled in protest as the luxury sedan swerved along the coastal edge.Inside, Maya gripped the steering wheel harder, her heart pounding. She was never supposed to find the documents. But she had.And now she was being hunted for them.She glanced at the sealed manila envelope on the passenger seat, her handwrit
Last Updated: 2025-04-12
Chapter: Chapter 87~THE SECRET OF RUE DE LILA (2)~Gemini sat in the passenger seat of the car Simon had rented, the ride was quite. The car engine hummed softly beneath us, gliding past narrowed streets lined with old stone building and the golden tint of morning sunlight spilling through the trees.Gemini hand gently rested in her baby bump. She rubbed it absentmindedly in small, slow circle, her thought elsewhere.Vita was with her nanny and Penelope and Benson decided to spend the rest of the day exploring. They knew whatever Gemini came to Paris for she wanted to do it alone.And they respected her decision.Her bump has grew fuller…now, heavier.Simon glance over to her from the driver’s seat, his hand shifting from the wheel to rest over hers. She didn’t flinch, didn’t look away from the window where she stared at the soft, rolling hills beyond the edge of the city.“You’re quiet,” Simon said gently, his voice cutting through the silence like warm butter. “Is it the place?”Gemini turned to him,
Last Updated: 2025-04-12
Chapter: Chapter 86 ~THE SECRET OF RUE DE LILA (1)~ The morning had started better than Gemini expected. Simon had prepared a full breakfast feast, and she stood in the elegant dining section of the suite he’d privately booked for them. “What did he say we were having again?” Benson leaned over to whisper in Gemini’s ear. She smiled softly, her gaze drifting over the beautifully arranged table. She always knew Simon could be a bit over the top, but this? This was something out of a movie. Vita tugged gently at Gemini’s hand, pulling her attention to the three-year-old standing beside her with wide, excited eyes. “Daddy’s here,” Vita said happily. That’s right—she had been fast asleep when Simon arrived last night. “Yes, sweetheart,” Gemini replied with a giggle, brushing a curl from Vita’s forehead. “Daddy’s here, and he’s doing the usual Simon Sinclair thing.” “I’m officially jealous,” Penelope chimed in, nudging Gemini’s shoulder playfully, making her laugh. “A romantic breakfast in the city
Last Updated: 2025-04-11
Chapter: Chapter 85~A CITY OF ART~Gemini didn’t hesitate. The moment Simon uttered those words “You need to get out of there”—she was already packing. She didn’t need an explanation. She trusted Simon. By the time the clean-up crew arrived, she was already handing the keys to them with strict instructions to finish by the morning.Penelope and Benson had watched her with matching expressions of concern. Benson, being Benson, had tried to keep the mood light. “You know, Gem,” he said as they walked into the lobby of the luxurious hotel she had booked at the last minute. “For someone who claims to want a quiet life, your life is pure telenovela material.” Gemini forced a smile as she handed her credit card to the receptionist. “I’d say it’s more of a psychological thriller at this point.” Penelope crossed her arms. “Gem, are you okay? You barely said a word in the cab.” “I’m fine,” Gemini lied, forcing another fake smile.”Benson squinted. “That was the fakest smile I’ve ever seen.” She g
Last Updated: 2025-04-04
Chapter: Chapter 84~A TRIP TO PARIS~The moment their plane touched down in Paris, Gemini felt a strange mix of excitement and unease settle in her chest. The last time she had been here, she was a child—clutching her mother’s hand as they walked through the streets, listening to her talk about dreams, art, and love.Now, she was returning with a mission.Benson stretched as they stepped into the arrivals terminal, adjusting his oversized sunglasses. “Ah, Paris. The city of love, croissants, and my future sugar daddy.” Penelope rolled her eyes. “We’ve been here for five minutes.” “I like to manifest.” Gemini chuckled but quickly turned serious as she pulled out the letter again, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.It had to be her mother’s. And there was only one place that could hold the answers she needed—her mother’s house in Paris.A sleek black car was already waiting for them, arranged by Simon, of course.“Tell me, Gem, how rich are you now?” Benson teased as he slid into the back
Last Updated: 2025-04-04
Chapter: Chapter 83~A CRUEL CONFESSION~It wouldn’t look good if I didn’t visit Tiara. I had enough on my plate already—keeping an eye on Jerome, who was hell-bent on becoming a problem, and now Simon, who was digging into things that were none of his damn business. Simon needed to be dealt with—soon.As I stepped into the hospital hallway, my sharp gaze swept over the doctors and nurses bustling past me. I exhaled, rolling my shoulders before stopping in front of Tiara’s room. Just as I reached for the door handle, a nurse appeared, blocking my way. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, adjusting the noteboard in her arms. “May I ask who you are?” I turned to her, flashing my most charming smile. The blush that crept up her neck told me it worked. “A close friend of the patient,” I said smoothly. She hesitated, biting her lip. “That’s nice, but I’m afraid she’s not accepting visitors—strict orders from her mother.” Ciara. That insufferable woman. Did she know I’d come?I sighed dramatically, tilti
Last Updated: 2025-04-04
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