Chapter: BETWEEN FIRE AND DESIREElara’s POVOn the trigger, Mara's fingers quit. I'll shoot if you go one more step.I choked hard. "Would you?," asked?Still quiet.Her hand trembled just for a split second.And it was all the required assurance.Though she had always been frigid and manipulative, Mara was not a killer. Not in reference to me specifically.Dmitri also noted it.His delighted look veered toward something worse."She won't pull the trigger," he said, sneering. But I will.Time slowness.Dmitri pulled his rifle.Leo pushed me back behind him.Still another shot rang out, deafening and breaking through the darkness.I was startled.Leo stumbled."No!," I gasped.Blood in particular. His blood. Staining his shirt. A red bloom spreads too quickly.Leaving one knee down, Leo grabbed his side.Though she hadn't fired, Mara's gun was shaking now. She stood still.Dmitri moved forward, gun still trained toward Leo."You ought to have stayed out of this," Dmitri said, sounding nearly casual. But you have to p
Last Updated: 2025-02-26
Chapter: A DEAL WITH THE DEVILElara’s POVMy bones sank with a frigid coldness. Then what are our next steps?He bent forward, laying his forearms on the table. "We head for the docks. But not just by themselves.I scowled. "The said message—that is,""I know what it said," he added, interrupting. But do you honestly think I would let you leave there without backup?I let out a sneer. "Leo, should they spot someone else, they could kill you right away."His lips drew into a grim smile. Then I suppose I will simply have to be invisible.I started to blink. "You seem to have a plan."always. His eyes sparkle. And you are going to believe me.The air smelled strongly of gasoline and salt, and the water lapped gently against the wooden piers. Every shadow seemed to be a pair of eyes waiting on me.My heart hammering as I approached the meeting point, I moved slowly, deliberately.Then I turned to see her.Mari.With arms crossed, she stood close to the edge of the dock, her face invisible.I paused just a few feet apa
Last Updated: 2025-02-26
Chapter: BETRAYAL IN THE DARK Elara’s POV"You’re going to regret this, Elara," he seethed.I glared back. "Get in line."Leo covered us as we rushed toward an escape. Just as I reached the door, I peered back—Mara hesitated, appearing torn."Mara!" I shouted.She swallowed hard, then followed.We broke into the night air, rushing for the SUV parked a block away."Get in!" Leo ordered.We barely slammed the doors shut before he sped away, tires roaring on the tarmac.My heart was still racing. My hands wouldn’t quit shaking.I turned to Mara. "Start a conversation. These days.She did not look at me.Mara!She inhaled and sucked. "Elara, I had nowhere to choose from. Dmitri is the owner of me.Leo laughed. "That's a darn handy justification."She gasped but did not object.I started to tighten my hands. "For what duration?"Mara gasped. "A year."Over me a cool wave passed. "a year?"She said yes. "Elara, I got in hot water. I bargained with Dmitri to guard you. He left you alone if I worked for him, he told me. T
Last Updated: 2025-02-25
Chapter: A LINE IN THE SAND Elara’s POVYou are not obliged to do this.Leo's voice was tight, his grip strong on my wrist as if he could physically stop me from walking into the storm we were about to unleash.My pulse thundering, I wrenched free. " I'm not sprinting. Not with Dmitri. Not drawn from this struggle.His jaw contracted. "This is more than simply a struggle, Elara. It is a war. You believe Dmitri sent that email merely to intimidate us? He left already.My stomach turned, but I spoke steadily. "We then strike back."Under his breath, he muttered and ran a hand over his hair. "Damn it, Elara; you do not grasp—"Then make me understand! I snapped and pushed him to look at me, walking closer. "Because I refuse to sit in the shadows while you risk everything alone."His chest surged and dropped as his irritation collided with the heat flickering between us. At last he said, his voice hoarse and low, "You're too important to me." "I won't let go of you."I gulped hard, emotions stranding around my neck.
Last Updated: 2025-02-25
Chapter: BETWEEN FIRE AND DESIREElara’s POVOn the trigger, Mara's fingers quit. I'll shoot if you go one more step.I choked hard. "Would you?," asked?Still quiet.Her hand trembled just for a split second.And it was all the required assurance.Though she had always been frigid and manipulative, Mara was not a killer. Not in reference to me specifically.Dmitri also noted it.His delighted look veered toward something worse."She won't pull the trigger," he said, sneering. But I will.Time slowness.Dmitri pulled his rifle.Leo pushed me back behind him.Still another shot rang out, deafening and breaking through the darkness.I was startled.Leo stumbled."No!," I gasped.Blood in particular. His blood. Staining his shirt. A red bloom spreads too quickly.Leaving one knee down, Leo grabbed his side.Though she hadn't fired, Mara's gun was shaking now. She stood still.Dmitri moved forward, gun still trained toward Leo."You ought to have stayed out of this," Dmitri said, sounding nearly casual. But you have to p
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: A DEAL WITH THE DEVIL Elara’s POVMy bones sank with a frigid coldness. Then what are our next steps?He bent forward, laying his forearms on the table. "We head for the docks. But not just by themselves.I scowled. "The said message—that is,""I know what it said," he added, interrupting. But do you honestly think I would let you leave there without backup?I let out a sneer. "Leo, should they spot someone else, they could kill you right away."His lips drew into a grim smile. Then I suppose I will simply have to be invisible.I started to blink. "You seem to have a plan."always. His eyes sparkle. And you are going to believe me.The air smelled strongly of gasoline and salt, and the water lapped gently against the wooden piers. Every shadow seemed to be a pair of eyes waiting on me.My heart hammering as I approached the meeting point, I moved slowly, deliberately.Then I turned to see her.Mari.With arms crossed, she stood close to the edge of the dock, her face invisible.I paused just a few feet apa
Last Updated: 2025-02-03
SOLD TO THE MAFIA HEIR
Sold to the highest bidder to pay off a blood feud, I never imagined I would be the pawn in my father's fatal game. Still, here I am before Enzo De Luca, the most vicious mafia leader in the city. Though appealing, he is cold, deliberate, and as lethal. Though my heart races just from his proximity, it is his touch that ignites me. My body betrays me and reacts to him in ways I am powerless over. And I melt as he softly, commandingly says my name.
Enzo loves neither me nor another. In his deadly kingdom, I am only another bargain, another transaction. But every time we are alone, the conflict between us snaps—desire becomes a terrible addiction. Although I detest him for everything he stands for, I yearn for the way he consumes me, body and soul.
He has made it quite evident—our marriage is more about power than love. Still, every angry gaze and every snatched moment in the shadow reveals something different. Benevolent underneath his icy façade lies something broken that appeals to the darkest sides of me. But depending on a man like Enzo may mean losing everything.
Bound to him now, for better or worse, I am caught in a world where loyalty is brittle and treachery carries a bullet. Our friendship gets more perilous the more truths about his empire I find. And as the past calls for us, I have to question myself: will our passion be the thing that ruins us both or can I survive loving a guy like Enzo De Luca?
Burning in his arms is me. But in his universe, I could roast alive.
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Chapter: COST OF SECRETS Isabella's POV I confront Enzo in the dimly lit confines of his office and my pulse hammers. Thick, electric, like the charged quiet before a thunderstorm, the air is Every muscle in my body is stiff, coiled as I wait, ravenous for answers yet afraid of what they could expose. Enzo leans against the desk, his eyes hard on me, unyielding as stone, but something raw, buried makes me hold my breath in response.Tell me what you're concealing, Enzo; my voice is steadier than I would want.He turns aside, his face quivering from a tightened jaw. "You feel you can manage the truth?" His voice is low, nearly a growl. Once you know, you cannot go back.Part of me wants to back off, to give up this road and hang to whatever remains of routine. I am past that stage, too far in his world to think there is any way out right now.Try me, I reply, not making eye contact.He pauses sharply, then looks back at me. "Fine," he replies, approaching with a dark gaze. Though you believe this marriage was
Last Updated: 2025-02-26
Chapter: RISING INTO THE FIRE Isabella's POV The air between us seems like it could blow out. Enzo's jaw is firm, his eye fixed on mine with a force that causes my pulse to surge. I find myself unable to turn away. Not backing down. not right now."Tell me the truth, Enzo," I say, my voice cutting more precisely than I anticipated. "Everything."He pauses and for a moment I perceive doubt—something I hadn't seen before. maybe even regret. But it disappears fast as well, replaced by the icy, unreadable mask he has mastered."Careful, Isabella," he adds in a low, cautious voice. Some facts are not meant for you.I get closer, against his advice. "Maybe you ought to have considered that before you pulled me into your world, married me off like I'm some pawn in your game."He closes his mouth and tightens his hands at his sides. "This is exactly the reason I wanted you not to get engaged. You are not clear on the stakes involved.Then help me to comprehend, Enzo! I yell, the wrath pouring out before I can control it.
Last Updated: 2025-02-26
Chapter: THE MOMENT OF BREAKING POINT Isabella's POV There is an intolerable quiet in the room. Enzo is here, his face shadowed from the low light coming in through the big windows. Outside, the city sparkles, not knowing the storm building between us. One I can hardly control, my heart rushes and I am stuck between wrath and a maddening tug toward him. But tonight there needs to be a give. I cannot keep running this game.So, what was it? At last I inquire, voice no more than a whisper. "Another night out 'handling business' while I'm here, locked away like some prisoner?"He exhales gently, as though he were accumulating patience he does not really possess. Isabella, you told me before; this planet is deadly. I can only guarantee your safety by keeping you here."Safe?," I shook my head and laughed angrily. " Safe from what? Right now, I seem to be caught in this... Enzo, you have created this cage. Just a pawn, pushed around to fulfill whatever need you need me for; I am not even sure who I am anymore.His black stare
Last Updated: 2025-02-24
Chapter: STUCK IN SHADOWS Isabella's POV Like the air before a storm, our quiet is dense. Arms crossed, Enzo stands opposite from me in his penthouse office and watches me with a look that cuts into every defense I have tried to create around myself. Though his eyes stay dark as darkness, the city lights flutter past the glass walls behind him and create shadows on his face.I inhale slowly and try to seem cool, collected even though everything inside me feels as if it is disintegrating. "You told me this marriage was about power," I continued, voice low but consistent. "An alliance is one approach to keep our family secure. Nothing about this, Enzo, seems safe, though.He doesn't move, but his countenance changes to something delicate, menacing. "That's because Isabella, you still have to learn the norms of this planet."And who's meant to be teaching me? You too? I laughed silently, devoid of comedy. "You're off doing who knows what, confined me like some prisoner, guarded like some prisoner. You believe I
Last Updated: 2025-02-24
Chapter: THE HEAT OF BETRAYAL Isabella's POV The evening seems sharper somehow, as though every shadow in the room had sharpened to a knife. Apart from that I need answers, I'm not sure why I'm in his office pacing like an imprisoned animal. Possibly even closing. But I am sure Enzo will not provide either.The door opens, and I swivel around, heart hammering between my ribs as Enzo walks inside. His eyes are stern, inscrutable, yet when he sees me he flashes surprise."Isabella," he adds in a quiet, under control voice. "I assumed you were—"."Where on earth you left me?" I cut him off, an explosion of wrath building in my chest. "Do you truly believe I am some puppet you could control? That I would just sit there while you engage in whatever game this is?Though it doesn't matter; I can feel the storm building between us, every word like a spark just ready to strike. He closes the door softly. Isabella, what are you doing here?I straighten my shoulders to squarely meet his stare. "I might ask you the same. You
Last Updated: 2025-02-23
Chapter: THE EDGE OF CONTROL Isabella's POVWhen Enzo's eyes fix on me, burning with a fire that both terrifies and excites me, I hardly could breathe. Though none of us is ready to touch, a live wire neither of us is pulled to—to each other, here we are—drawn to each other, by some twisted, unbreakable force."You didn't have to follow me," I remark, voice low as I lean against the marble countertop, seeming calm even though my heart is pounding.Enzo's eyes close. "You shouldn't have come here Isabella alone." His words are sharp, menacing, yet I feel a flutter of something gentler under. Anxiety? Enzo De Luca is not worried. He orders and he governs.My arms cross to challenge him. "Perhaps I do not need a babysitter. Or is it difficult for you to swallow?He advances, his shadow covering me and narrowing the space between us. "Your continuous need to put yourself at risk is difficult to accept." His hand stretches out to catch the counter next to me, stranding me between his massive arms.I ought to shove him
Last Updated: 2025-02-23
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