EmmaI woke up in the middle of the night, my throat dry and aching for water. I already knew why —I was still recovering from all the sex of last night. After all that crazy sexual passion, it was a miracle I could even stand.Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, my gaze landing on Zane’s sleeping form beside me. His arms were wrapped around me tightly, as if even in sleep, he was making sure I wouldn’t disappear. His face was peaceful, his strong features softened in the dim light. For a moment, he didn’t look like the ruthless mafia boss he was. Just a man lost in deep sleep.A small smile tugged at my lips as I studied him. He was breathtaking, almost unreal. Without thinking, I reached out and my fingers traced the sharp lines of his face. His straight nose, his sculpted cheekbones, the defined curve of his lips. He was perfect. If the devil had a face, it would be Zane’s.He stirred slightly under my touch, but instead of waking, he only pulled me closer, his grip tightening around
Emma"What the fuck is this?" I hissed, rising to my feet and facing him. My voice was sharp and shaky with rising anger. The file shook in my grasp, evidence of the truth I desperately wanted to be wrong about.Zane didn’t flinch. He stood there in the doorway, his expression still unreadable. Stone cold, devoid of any emotion. As if my world hadn’t just shattered at his feet.A desperate part of me clung to the hope that I had misunderstood. That somehow, this was all a mistake."You shouldn’t have come in here.” He said in a calm and controlled voice, like he wasn’t watching me fall apart right in front of him.I let out a bitter laugh, a tear slipping down my cheek. "Did you plan a fake wedding?" My voice cracked, raw with disbelief.Zane’s gaze flickered to the file for a brief second before meeting mine again. His jaw tensed, his hesitation confirming the worst before he even said the words."Yes."The world tilted beneath my feet. A strangled gasp left my lips as my stomach tw
Emma“Do you, Emma Ramirez, take Zane Mendoza as your lawfully wedded husband?” As the words sliced through the stillness of the chapel, my lips parted, but no sound came. I stood there, frozen, feeling the weight of my wedding dress suffocating me as my heart beat wildly in my chest. How the hell had I ended up here again? My gaze drifted to the man standing before me, tall and commanding in his custom black suit. Zane Mendoza. The man who once held my heart in the palm of his hand only to crush it five years ago. His dark, cold eyes bored into mine. He looked as infuriatingly handsome as ever with a sharp jawline, perfectly tousled dark wilt cut hair, and lips that had once whispered promises I was naive enough to believe. I couldn’t decide what was worse —the fact that I was marrying the same man who had handed me a divorce paper five years ago or the fact that he knew exactly how trapped I felt and seemed to be enjoying it. Back to the first time I had stood across from Z
EmmaAs I stood in front of the mirror in my new room, running a towel over my damp skin, I tried not to think about how ridiculous I looked pretending this was normal. The silk robe I had draped over the chair caught my eye, but I ignored it, opting for my usual lacy black set. The truth? I didn’t feel like dressing for comfort. I didn’t feel like giving him the satisfaction of thinking I was trying to impress him, even indirectly. This was not a second honeymoon. I tugged the strap of my bra into place and pushed my damp hair off my shoulders. My reflection stared back at me and that was when I noticed a figure standing by the doorway like some smug predator who knew exactly what he was doing. Zane. I gasped wide eyed, grabbing the robe from the chair and pressing it against my chest as I spun around. “What the hell are you doing here?” I demanded, my heart pounding loudly against my chest. Jesus Christ! This man had just seen me half naked!Zane leaned against the doorf
EmmaI woke up to the shrill ringing of my phone. For a moment, I didn’t know where I was. My body felt stiff, tangled in the oversized sheets of a bed that wasn’t one that I was used to. The events of last night came crashing back into my head and for a fleeting second, I considered ignoring the call altogether. But then, I saw the name flashing on the screen. It was my cousin; Eleanor.Sliding out from under the heavy duvet, I sat on the edge of the bed and answered with a raspy, sleepy voice.“Emma!” Eleanor’s voice exploded in my ear, followed immediately by Isla’s excited giggle. “Congratulations!” They shouted in unison, their voices gleeful and carefree. Despite myself, I smiled. It had been weeks since I last heard Isla’s voice, and I didn’t realize how much I had missed her until now. “Thanks.” I said softly, holding the phone close. “Emma, this is a big deal!” Eleanor’s voice was filled with exaggerated drama. “Do you know how many women would kill to be in your shoe
EmmaThe next morning, I got an unexpected call from my best friend, Rachel and I picked it without any hesitation.“Emma! Guess where I am!” She squealed before I could even say hello. “Where?” I asked, chuckling slightly as I sat up. Rachel had always had this uplifting energy around her that could make a person’s mood go from a zero to a ten in the snap of a finger.“New York City!” She squealed again and I joined her in squealing this time. We agreed to meet at a quaint cafe she had picked out in Greenwich Village. Without wasting any more time I got dressed in casual jeans and a tee shirt. As I was about to leave the mansion, I met Zane at the foyer, seated as hot and handsome as always and casually going through his phone. “Where are you headed to, Mi Reina?” He asked me without even lifting his gaze to glance at me. I pursed my lips and replied.“Out. With my friend from Boston.”“Male or female?”I quirked my brow and scoffed in disbelief. “Are you serious right now?”“A
Emma“Lie down on the bed.” Zane’s first words hit me just as we stepped into my bedroom. I frowned, feeling completely lost.Throughout the ride back to the mansion, he hadn’t said a single word. And now, he was asking me to lie down on the bed? What did he even mean by that?“Excuse me?” I asked him, raising an inquiring brow. But Zane did not look like he was in for a joke. His eyes were dark and cold, and his jaw was set like a stone.That was enough to let me know that arguing was the last thing I should do at this moment.“Don’t make me repeat myself, Em. Just do like I said.” His voice was low and dangerous as he replied to me, his fingers unfastening the cuffs off his sleeves.My heart thudded in my chest and I swallowed hard. “But why?” I managed to ask. I could hear the vulnerability in my voice and I hated that he made me feel so small and confused like a little child.“Fucking lie on the goddamed bed, or I swear to God, I’m going to scoop you into my arms and set you on
EmmaAs I stepped into the kitchen carefully, my fingers fidgeted with the sash of the silky robe that was draped around my body, pulling it tighter against my waist.The air was thick with the aroma of fresh coffee, butter and something savory. My heart thudded as I walked into the kitchen. But it wasn’t the aroma that made my heartbeat thud in my chest. It was him.Standing at the stove was a shirtless Zane, his broad back turned against me as he made breakfast and his gray sweatpants hanging low on his hip. My teeth subconsciously bit my bottom lip as I watched his muscles shifting beneath the ink that curled up his spine and across his shoulders. The tattoos looked like pieces of art, but to him, I was certain that they were more than art.They were warnings. Declarations of power and that he was the most dangerous man in the city. One who shouldn’t be messed with. Breaking out of my trance, I cleared my throat to alert him of my presence.He glanced over at his shoulder to see m
Emma"What the fuck is this?" I hissed, rising to my feet and facing him. My voice was sharp and shaky with rising anger. The file shook in my grasp, evidence of the truth I desperately wanted to be wrong about.Zane didn’t flinch. He stood there in the doorway, his expression still unreadable. Stone cold, devoid of any emotion. As if my world hadn’t just shattered at his feet.A desperate part of me clung to the hope that I had misunderstood. That somehow, this was all a mistake."You shouldn’t have come in here.” He said in a calm and controlled voice, like he wasn’t watching me fall apart right in front of him.I let out a bitter laugh, a tear slipping down my cheek. "Did you plan a fake wedding?" My voice cracked, raw with disbelief.Zane’s gaze flickered to the file for a brief second before meeting mine again. His jaw tensed, his hesitation confirming the worst before he even said the words."Yes."The world tilted beneath my feet. A strangled gasp left my lips as my stomach tw
EmmaI woke up in the middle of the night, my throat dry and aching for water. I already knew why —I was still recovering from all the sex of last night. After all that crazy sexual passion, it was a miracle I could even stand.Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, my gaze landing on Zane’s sleeping form beside me. His arms were wrapped around me tightly, as if even in sleep, he was making sure I wouldn’t disappear. His face was peaceful, his strong features softened in the dim light. For a moment, he didn’t look like the ruthless mafia boss he was. Just a man lost in deep sleep.A small smile tugged at my lips as I studied him. He was breathtaking, almost unreal. Without thinking, I reached out and my fingers traced the sharp lines of his face. His straight nose, his sculpted cheekbones, the defined curve of his lips. He was perfect. If the devil had a face, it would be Zane’s.He stirred slightly under my touch, but instead of waking, he only pulled me closer, his grip tightening around
Zane By the time I got home, Emma still wasn’t back.Frowning, I headed straight to my room, undressed, and stepped into the shower. As the hot water streamed down my body, I pushed my hair back, my mind consumed by a single thought. Emma.It was late. Too late. Where the hell was she? I had expected her to be home by now. My jaw tightened as an unsettling thought crossed my mind. Could she be with that bastard, Asher Dominguez?They have been spending more time together lately. Getting closer.My teeth clenched. I was already in a standoff with his father. Asher would be a fool to get under my skin too.Maybe I should get rid of him —take him down along with his father.But he was just a civilian.I let out a frustrated groan, gripping the back of my neck. As long as he wasn’t involved in his father’s business, I had no reason to touch him. He may have come from a mafia family, but he had cut ties with them and built his own name in the business world.No. I would find something i
ZaneAfter leaving Emma’s dessert bar, I drove straight to my second mansion —the one I used for my ‘business’ dealings. Now that Emma was living with me as my wife, I didn’t want her anywhere near the dark, brutal side of my world. She was too pure for that.As soon as I arrived, Miguel was already waiting at the entrance. Without a word, he turned and walked beside me into the house. He led me to the foyer, where my men were gathered. They greeted me as I sat down, their expressions tense.I glanced at my wristwatch, growing impatient. I didn’t want to be here —not tonight. I should be at home, waiting for Emma and the little ‘surprise’ she had planned for me.“Don Carlos is stepping out of line, boss.” One of my men finally spoke, breaking the silence.I lifted my gaze to meet them. I had expected this conversation the moment Miguel called me here, but that didn’t stop the anger from bubbling up again. I forced myself to keep it contained.“Did you fail to stop the delivery?” My vo
EmmaDetermined to boost my dessert bar’s popularity, I decided to try a marketing tip I had seen on the internet the next day. First, I created an Instagram account and started posting pictures of our desserts. They were pictures of beautifully plated pastries, creamy cheesecakes, and chocolate-drizzled delights. To make things more fun and engaging, Eleanor and I took a few selfies, making goofy, silly, and cute faces while holding some of the desserts.Under each post, we added hashtags to increase visibility. #SweetIndulgence #BestDessertsInTown #MadeWithLove #FreeTastingTodayThen, to attract foot traffic, we printed out colorful flyers and planned to distribute them to passersby, inviting them in for a free tasting in the bar. From what I had read, my launch event had been a grand affair, mostly catering to elites. But I wanted to make sure everyday people —the kind who might become my most loyal customers— also got to experience my desserts.So, while I waited inside, hopin
EmmaOh my God.Walking in on Asher and Rachel in such an intimate position was the last thing I ever expected to see tonight. Or ever.I had accepted Asher’s invitation not just because we had made up, but because I needed a break from Zane’s jealousy and the cold treatment he had been giving me since the charity event.Only to walk in on this.“Emma.” Asher called my name, his voice heavy with shock. He quickly pushed Rachel away and fumbled to fasten his belt as he shoved his cock back into his trousers.Rachel’s head snapped toward me, her face frozen in surprise and her lips slightly parted.“I… um…” I stammered, struggling to decide how to react. Asher wasn’t my boyfriend anymore, neither was he my husband. So, I had no right to be upset. But seeing my best friend on her knees with her mouth around his cock, giving him one hungry blow job was impossible to wipe off my memories. And somehow, it upset me slightly, no matter how I tried to deny it. Forcing a small smile, I clear
AsherI placed the last plate on the kitchen table, stepping back to admire the meal I had just finished preparing. The spicy aroma filling the air, caused a small smile to cross my lips. I was still wearing my suit trousers, but my shirt and jacket had been discarded the moment I got home. Although I was quite a good cook, I never really enjoyed it. But tonight was special.Emma was coming over for dinner.I had texted her last night, inviting her over after she left the charity event with Zane. Surprisingly, she had agreed. I bit down on my lower lip as I smiled again, shaking my head at myself. It was almost ridiculous how easily she could get to me, how all the anger and heartbreak from the past seemed to fade the moment she lowered her guard and apologized.She had broken me once —shattered me back in Boston. And yet, here I was, chasing after the smallest opportunity to be with her again.I wasn’t the kind of guy to fall in love easily. In fact, before Emma, I had never truly
Zane Asher Domínguez. That fucking bastard.I should kill him. I really should. And then, sendhis head to his father’s billionaire estate as a warning and start a war that had been long overdue.How dare he get so close to my woman? The nerves! Didn’t he know who I was?I was Zane Mendoza! The most ruthless, unforgiving, mafia boss in the entire city. No one dared mess with something that was mine…A sharp nudge to my hand snapped me out of my thoughts.“Psst! Psst!”I turned my head to see Sanchez grinning at me, his curious eyes narrowing as he leaned in.“You good?” he asked.I cleared my throat, shifting in my seat to sit up straighter.We were in the middle of a board meeting, but my mind had been elsewhere —on Emma and Asher.Yesterday, I overheard my chauffeur answering a call from her. When I questioned him, he told me she had called to be picked up from a charity event.A charity event. She had never mentioned anything about a charity event to me. Only thing she told me was
EmmaThe next day, I attended the charity event with Asher. I didn’t tell Zane, knowing exactly how he would react. If he found out, I was certain his controlling ass could try to chain me to the bed so that I wouldn’t go out.So, I told him a small lie —I said I was going to the dessert bar. From there, Asher picked me up, and we arrived at the venue together.As we stepped into the grand ballroom, my eyes were drawn to the crystal chandeliers casting a golden glow over the room. Elegantly dressed guests clinked their champagne glasses as soft violin music played in the background.“You still haven’t told me why you insisted I come with you.” I said, politely declining a glass of wine offered by a passing waiter.Asher smiled, casually shaking hands with a few people. “Because this was the only way I could get some real time with you since you’re so determined to avoid me.”I scoffed, shaking my head. I couldn’t believe I had fallen for his tricks just because I was desperate to save