loyalty lisa scottoline

Zarek's laughter cut me off, a harsh jeering sound. "Sacrifices?" he repeated, his voice oozing disdain. "You think killing your own brother was a sacrifice? You did that for me, didn't you, Kaidaira?" I felt the weight of my heart as it sank to the anchors of despair. "Yes," I whispered, the memory of that night flooding through my mind. "I did it to protect you-to protect our pack." Zarek was grinning from ear to ear. "And now, that same pack will profit from your sale. Poetic, don't you think?" I felt a chill dread creeping over me. "You used me," Zarek shrugged. "You were useful. Now you're not." ~~~~~~~~~ Being sold off by the one man you loved the most would leave any woman maimed for life.. In a world where fate and ruin are intertwined, one such fate will forever bind Kaidaira to the pack she has sworn to protect. But her heart belongs to Thane-an alpha, mysterious and brooding, who once stood on the receiving end of her blade. Torn between loyalty, love, and revenge, Kaidaira must choose: protect her pack or surrender to the all-consuming passion binding her to Thane. But one fact will not take long to be made clear as the darkness deepens, their love can definitely prove to be the one thing to bring about their doom. Thane was the only one who could defy the odds and save Kaidaira from herself, but will their bond survive against this encroaching darkness, or is this a love which has been forever entwined in a curse that will now claim them in its dance of self-destruction? No power greater, than that of a scorned woman.

In the heart of a city ruled by chaos, Armando Romos stands as the ruthless leader of the Demented Devils MC. Known for his fierce loyalty and unyielding power, he thrives in a world where weakness is a sin. But everything changes when a sudden ambush leaves him bleeding in a park, a bullet wound signaling an unexpected turn in his tumultuous life. Maya Connor, a compassionate nurse seeking a moment of peace, stumbles upon Armando's crumpled form. Initially, Armando's pride and fierce independence resist her offer of help; he's a man used to being in control, not relying on anyone. Yet as the blood pools around him, desperation forces him to confront his mortality and the bitter betrayal that led him here. With no choice but to surrender to Maya's care, he discovers that she sees beyond the ink and anger etched on his skin. As she tends to his wounds, a spark ignites between them, bridging the divide between their worlds-a world of violence and a realm of healing. Caught between the violent loyalty of the Demented Devils and a burgeoning passion for the woman who saved him, Armando must face his past and make a choice: embrace the chance for redemption with Maya or be dragged back into the darkness that claims so many.

"A web of lies, love, and betrayal—where secrets are born, and destinies collide.” In a world where ambition clashes with loyalty and love battles against betrayal, lives are forever entangled by secrets. Solo Delaney, a gifted designer, seeks a fresh start far from her turbulent past, only to find herself drawn into a web of deception that threatens her newfound peace. Dominic Hale, heir to a powerful empire, is haunted by the woman he threw away to reunite with his first love, unaware she carries the key to his future. Their paths cross again five years later, but schemers lurk in the shadows, fueled by greed and vengeance. Buried truths threaten to surface, Solo and Dominic’s lives spiral into chaos. With lives at stake, manipulations unraveling, and a love that refuses to die, can they overcome the forces determined to tear them apart? Or will the past claim their future forever? Love, betrayal, and secrets collide in this gripping saga, where every choice reshapes destiny.

"I have Two Rules For You. One; Do Not Fall In Love With Me. Two; Never Forget Rule Number One!" *** Jonathan Black, a formidable mafia tycoon, finds himself ensnared in a personal hell. Scarred by a previous distraction that cost him the life of his own brother, he swore an oath to prevent history from repeating itself. But little did he know, fate had other plans in store. Desperate for redemption, Jonathan is confronted with an unthinkable proposition—a marriage to his late brother's widow, the alluring and mysterious Hazel. As they embark on this union, the lines between loyalty and love blur, igniting a tempestuous attraction that defies all reason. Bound by the levirate contract, Jonathan and Hazel try to resist the magnetic pull between them. Yet, like an unbreakable elastic band, their desires only grow stronger, threatening to shatter the delicate balance they have meticulously built. In this high-stakes game of passion, each touch, each stolen glance, becomes a dangerous step towards a perilous edge. But beware, for the consequences of letting go are dire. As Jonathan begs for absolution, he teeters on the precipice of a choice that could either lead to their ultimate salvation or plunge them into an abyss of irreversible destruction. Will they succumb to the intoxicating allure of their hate-love, risking everything they hold dear? Or will they find the strength to resist, knowing that the consequences could be devastating for both their souls? Can Jonathan Black find redemption and hold onto the woman he craves, or will his insatiable hunger for absolution condemn them both to an eternal torment?

Liana was betrayed by the people she trusted the most—her father, who forces her to be marked by Rowan, a barbarian for whom women are a plaything. She knows that Rowan has no interest in her and will kill her eventually. Forced to flee her pack, she finds herself in the dangerous territory of Alpha Darius, a ruthless leader and Rowan's archenemy. Desperate, she strikes a deal: her loyalty for his protection, sealed by a witch bond. But as Liana navigates dangerous alliances, jealousy brews within the ranks. Elara, fueled by envy and ambition, schemes to destroy her, forcing Liana to fight at every step. With enemies closing in and trust shattered, Liana must decide: is survival worth risking her heart? In a world of betrayal, power, and forbidden bonds, can Liana and Darius find something real in the lies? Or will they lose everything?

“You disgust me.” I blinked back the tears that wanted to fall and forced myself to move forward. This was just another challenge I had to face, another hurdle in my mission. I couldn’t let Hunter break me, no matter how much he seemed to enjoy tormenting me. I would survive this. I had to. Even if it meant swallowing my pride and scrubbing floors until my hands bled. *** As an Omega from a rival pack, Faelen Earhart’s mission is clear: infiltrate the ruthless Howle Wulf Pack and pose as a servant. But blending in proves harder than expected, especially when she catches the eye of Alpha Hunter Blackethorn—a notorious playboy who loathes weakness and makes Faelen’s life a living nightmare. Despite his cruelty, Faelen finds herself drawn to him, sparking a dangerous attraction that’s as thrilling as it is confusing. When Faelen uncovers an imminent attack from her own pack, she faces an impossible choice: remain loyal to her pack or protect the man she’s come to care for. Her warning changes everything, forcing Hunter to confront his own feelings. In the battle that follows, Faelen’s courage will redefine her loyalty, Hunter’s heart, and the future of both packs.

BLURB: Where loyalty is a luxury, love is a deadly sin Emma Carter's world is turned upside down when her sister's treacherous actions destroy all she cherishes. She is compelled to wed Luca Moretti, a merciless mafia leader, and finds herself ensnared in a complex web of lies and longing, altering her destiny forever in a world where loyalty can be deadly. As Rexxie's malice escalates, Emma's heart is torn between vengeance and vulnerability. Luca's secrets whisper darkness, yet his touch ignites a forbidden passion. Will Emma succumb to the shadows of her past or risk everything for a future with a man who may destroy her? Dive into a world of twisted loyalty, heart-wrenching betrayal, and intoxicating love."

"I will forever be your nightmare and you can't run from me, you are my whore!", David whispered into her ears as tears rolled down her cheeks Elena Brooks was tortured, abused, and betrayed by her husband, David Paul, the very man she loved with all her heart. And after she was cast out to die and rot in shame, she crossed paths with a daredevil who was no other person than her husband's top enemy and uncle, Mark Russell. A ruthless man whose wealth commanded respect and fear in the entire city. Will she offer her loyalty to the feared billionaire in exchange for an opportunity to get revenge on her ex-husband and make him suffer?. Or run back to David and beg with tears, to redeem herself and their broken relationship?. Read to find out the intriguing, sad, and heartbreaking paths of this journey.

Kaida's life is a delicate balance of survival and secrecy. As the daughter of a fallen Alpha, she’s determined to carve her own path, unaware that her destiny is bound to the one person she strives to avoid—Alpha Atlas, her fated mate. Torn between her growing feelings for a mysterious lover who consumes her nights and the intense connection she feels around Atlas, Kaida finds herself caught in a web of emotions she can’t untangle. For Atlas, the choice is no easier. Protecting his pack means solidifying alliances, even if it means standing by Akira,the arrogant girl he is forced to make a luna. But his wolf’s relentless pull toward Kaida threatens to unravel everything he’s built, forcing him to question where his loyalty truly lies: with his pack, or with his mate. When secrets are exposed and passions ignite, Kaida and Atlas must face an impossible choice. Can they overcome the obstacles and embrace the mate bond?

CEO's Affair is a gripping tale of love, betrayal, and survival set against the dark, high-stakes world of the mafia. Isabella "Izzy" Romano is a single mother struggling to pay for life-saving medical treatment for her young daughter. Desperate for work, she takes a job as a waitress at a luxury restaurant, but her world is shattered when a dangerous mob threatens her. The last person she ever expects to save her is Dante Vieri, her former boyfriend turned ruthless mafia boss. Once a man who promised to protect her, Dante now demands that Izzy become his mistress in exchange for his protection. Trapped by her circumstances and the dangerous world Dante now rules, Izzy reluctantly agrees. As she is pulled deeper into his shadowy empire, old feelings of resentment and lingering passion resurface, forcing her to confront the man he has become and the man she once knew. The stakes escalate when Izzy’s long-held secret—Dante’s daughter—threatens to unravel everything. As the mafia world closes in, Izzy faces a devastating choice: reveal the truth about their child or risk losing everything to the empire that Dante has built. Torn between protecting her family and surviving in Dante's world, Izzy must navigate the blurred lines between love and loyalty, while Dante grapples with his own feelings of guilt and unresolved desire. In CEO's Affair, both Izzy and Dante are forced to confront their pasts, their deepest fears, and their complicated emotions for each other. Can they rebuild the trust and love they once shared, or will the deadly forces of the mafia tear them apart for good?