loyalty lisa scottoline

I gave him everything—my love, my loyalty, my sacrifices—only for him to betray me with another woman. He thought he was trading up, but little did he know, he abandoned a diamond for a worthless stone. But fate has a way of making fools out of the ungrateful. I am the heiress of a powerful family, and now, I’ve found a man who loves me the way I deserve. While I bask in true love, he will regret his choices, cry bitter tears, and choke on his own mistakes. Let him drown in his misery—I’ve already moved on to something better.

Beneath the charming harbor town of New Haven lies a world ruled by kingpins—where empires rise and fall, love is a dangerous game, and betrayal exists in every corner.- Tag Cassandra Reed is no stranger to survival. Between being an underground deliveryman, waitress by day, and stripping at The Velvet Mirage by night, her life is a delicate balance of secrets and sacrifices—all for the sake of her mother’s medical bills. But one fateful night, everything changes. A mysterious man ends up dead in her arms, and Cassandra becomes the prime suspect in a murder that pulls her into the dark, dangerous underworld of New Haven’s mafia elite. Alexander Wolfe is cold, calculating, and determined to avenge his family’s downfall. Cassandra might hold the key to uncovering the conspiracy that threatens his empire, but her defiance and vulnerability stir something he thought he’d buried long ago. As the walls between captor and captive crumble, a deadly game of trust, betrayal, and passion begins. Together, they unravel a web of secrets tied to a stolen ledger, corrupt politicians, and a rival mafia boss with a thirst for domination. But as enemies close in, Cassandra must make an impossible choice: sacrifice her freedom to protect the man who’s captured her heart or risk everything to take down the woman who destroyed her life. In this world, love is dangerous, loyalty is deadly, and power comes at a price. Can two fractured hearts survive a war built on vendetta? Or will their love be consumed by the shadows of desire? Perfect for fans of dark romance and thrilling mafia story, His Shadowed Desires delivers unexpected twists, unforgettable characters, and a love story forged in the least likely of places. Prepare to be captivated until the very last page.

"You take me for a fool?” He yelled, gripping my arms tightly, his fingers making sure to leave marks. “I would never lie about something of utmost importance, Diego”, I tried to convince him while earnestly trying to save myself from his strong grip. “No one dares to look me in the face and lie.” He said while gripping my arms more strongly than ever. “Yet, you stand here, lying to my face. You want to use me against my father as your revenge, isn't that right Adriana?” With that, he let go of my arms, shoving me aside angrily—whilst I hit my head against a door frame. _______________ A strong-willed yet vulnerable young lady from a mafia family finds herself stuck in a marriage with a rival heir arranged by both families as a means to stop bloodshed among them. Her husband, being the mafia heir, is a stern person who is feared by members of the syndicate. He hates negotiating and solves his problems on his own. But, when he falls in love with the daughter of the rival family, will it complicate his plans? What will happen when circumstances force them to choose between love and loyalty to their families? How will it affect their lives? A tale where love and vengeance intertwine and the hearts of two individuals are tested against the ultimate betrayal.

In this captivating romance novel, Jane, a young and ambitious employee at West&Co, finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected love. When her father sells her away to the wealthy and powerful West family, Jane is forced to marry the enigmatic and demanding Liam West. As they embark on a journey of pretending to be a happy couple, Jane and Liam must navigate their complicated feelings, hidden agendas, and the scrutiny of their families and the public eye. But when Jane discovers the secrets behind their engagement and marriage, she must confront the consequences of her own actions and the true nature of her relationship with Liam. Jane finds herself torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing feelings for Liam, who is hiding secrets of his own. With the added threat of a rival company sabotaging West&Co and Liam's ex-girlfriend, Fiona, refusing to let go, Jane must make a bold decision that will change the course of her life forever.

The Crown’s Bargain Emilia Valoria has spent her life in the shadows of her royal lineage, content to be overlooked as the second princess of the Kingdom of Avariel. But when her elder sister defies tradition and elopes, Emilia is thrust into the spotlight, forced to fulfill the royal obligation her sister abandoned: an arranged marriage to the stoic and enigmatic Prince Kael of Arindale. Determined to protect her kingdom from the fragile alliance's collapse, Emilia reluctantly agrees to the union. However, her first encounter with Kael proves more tumultuous than she expected—his cold demeanor hides a kingdom scarred by betrayal, and his heart, she suspects, is locked away behind impenetrable walls. As Emilia navigates the intrigue of a foreign court, political machinations threaten to tear the kingdoms apart. Bound by duty but drawn together by fleeting moments of vulnerability, Emilia and Kael must decide whether their marriage will remain a mere contract or evolve into something neither of them dared to hope for: love. Caught between loyalty to her kingdom and the desires of her heart, Emilia must find her voice in a world that demands silence, proving that even in an arranged marriage, she has the power to rewrite her own destiny.

Catherina Kent believed in the promises of young love holding onto Anthony’s vow that he would return from America to marry her. But when he comes back it’s with another woman Natasha whom he’s married under his mother’s pressure. Heartbroken and betrayed Catherina tries to move on yet her life spirals into an unthinkable nightmare when she marries Philip a violent man who thrives on her suffering. The twisted fates of Catherina and Anthony entangle again forcing them to confront their love loyalty and the true intentions of the people around them. Will Catherina find her way out of the darkness or will her love for Anthony bring only ruin?

"She was rejected. He was destined. But fate has a way of setting fire to the past." Karen Lukeman has spent her life as an omega—unseen, unheard, and utterly disposable. When her arrogant first mate, Alex Scott, cruelly severs their bond before it even began, she flees, determined to carve out a new life far from the humiliation and heartbreak. The Shadow Moon Pack offers her sanctuary, a place to bury her pain and embrace her gift as a healer. But the moment she crosses paths with Jackson Bonnet, the young Alpha King with a reputation for not taking no for an answer, her world tilts on its axis. Having being raised in a loving home with siblings and parent who live for each other, Jackson dreams to find a mate he can completely dot on. The moment their eyes lock, the mate bond ignites with an intensity that terrifies her. Karen is determined to resist, convinced love is just another kind of surrender. But Jackson refuses to let her push him away. He’s a king who is determined to love what he wants, and what he wants is her—body, soul, and the shattered pieces of her heart. But as their passion deepens, so do the threats. Alex, consumed by regret and a twisted obsession, will stop at nothing to reclaim what he threw away. Rival packs circle like vultures, hungry for the power Karen possess, while dark secrets claw their way to the surface, threatening to destroy the fragile trust between Karen and Jackson. In a world where loyalty is tested and love is a fragile thing, Karen must decide: Is she strong enough to claim her destiny? Or will the ghosts of her past devour her future before it even begins?

"In the quaint town of Ritcheton Falls, Northern California, Maddie Ried's life is turned upside down. The feisty single mom and coffee shop owner discovers her ex-husband's shocking betrayal and that their child was swapped at birth. Desperate to reunite with her biological son, Maddie's five-month search ends in a stunning revelation - billionaire CEO Theon Kennel is the father, and his son Thomas is her true child. Driven by love and determination, Maddie proposes a contract marriage to Theon, navigating the complexities of family, loyalty, and trust. As they confront their complicated pasts and growing attraction, will their arrangement blossom into true love, or will the secrets and lies that brought them together tear them apart?"

In the dark underbelly of Philadelphia, two opposing crime families—the Morgans and the Rinaldis—have maintained a tenuous peace. However, when a merciless Japanese gang executes the killings of their leaders to instigate turmoil, the equilibrium of power breaks, sending the city into a lethal battle of trickery, treachery, and vengeance. Sierra Morgan, the unacknowledged and overlooked daughter of the Morgan clan, is plunged into a perilous task: wed Dominic Rinaldi, the icy and strategic new Don of Il Condottiero, and deceive him for the sake of her vengeful half-siblings. It’s a task she cannot decline, but as Sierra enters the foe's lair, she realizes that Dominic is not the cold-hearted villain she thought he was. Underneath his harsh facade exists a man marked by grief, allegiance, and hidden truths. As their arranged marriage develops into an unforeseen situation, Sierra feels conflicted between her allegiance to her family and the increasing emotions she harbors for the man she was meant to ruin. But betrayal runs deep on both sides, and when shocking truths emerge—including a secret child, forbidden affairs, and an insidious mole within the Rinaldi clan—Sierra realizes the true enemy may not be who she thought. With bloodshed escalating and time running out, Sierra must make an impossible choice: protect the man she loves or betray him to save herself. Can love survive in a world where loyalty is bought with blood, and betrayal is just another business transaction? A story of forbidden love, power struggles, and shocking twists, this gripping tale will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

No Escape is a gripping werewolf hybrid romance centered around Aspen, who finds herself bound to four powerful brothers. While three embrace the bond, Dimitri resists, hiding a dark secret. As passion and conflict collide, Aspen must navigate a treacherous path filled with danger and betrayal. Can love and loyalty overcome the challenges, or will their fragile union be torn apart? Dive into this intense tale of destiny, secrets, and the unrelenting pursuit of acceptance.