loyalty lisa scottoline

Isabella Marino has spent her life toeing the line between duty and desire, torn between her family’s expectations and her dream of freedom. When her father arranges her marriage to Leonard Ricci, the most powerful and ruthless mafia boss in Italy, she’s thrust into a world of power, violence, and deception. She knows Leonard’s reputation—a man feared by his enemies, respected by his allies, and untouchable in the criminal underworld. But as their marriage forces them into each other’s lives, Isabella soon discovers the man behind the ruthless façade—a man scarred by betrayal, driven by loyalty, and desperate to protect the empire he’s built. In the shadowy world of mafia politics, where trust is a rare commodity and enemies lurk at every corner, Isabella and Leonard must navigate a dangerous game of power and survival. As secrets unravel and bloodlines are tested, Isabella faces an impossible choice: follow her heart and risk everything, or remain loyal to a family that sees her as a pawn in their game. But Leonard has his own battles to fight, and in a world where love is a dangerous weakness, the only thing more treacherous than their enemies is the growing connection between them. Power. Betrayal. Love. When the stakes are life or death, can two souls caught in the crossfire find a way to save each other, or will they be torn apart by the very forces that brought them together?

Hezekiah, a strong and independent woman find her life, completely upside down when she works as an assistant for Darius Hedalgo, a mysterious and ethically ambiguous man. Despite having a stable job and loyal boyfriend, Sandro, a one night stand encounter with Darius pulls her into a world of secrets and Hidden motives. She gives in to temptation and indulges in the moment, only to find herself pregnant. As the truths unfold, Hezekiah must choose between loyalty and her own desires, taking on a journey of love, revenge and self-discovery. Temptation. Secrets. Sacrifice. Will Hezekiah risk everything to find herself? Or will the truth destroy her first? Get ready for a heart-pounding story of love, betrayal, and the seductive power of the unknown.

Oliver Reynald, a twenty-seven-year-old man, disguises himself as a bodyguard for the youngest daughter of the Franklyn family, driven by a desire for revenge, particularly against Lucas Franklyn, whom he believes killed his mother. This long-held grudge leads Oliver to trap the youngest Franklyn daughter, Yoursa, making her fall in love with him. However, one truth Oliver has never known about his mother’s death—and his own identity—is that the mastermind behind her death has always been close by. As Oliver uncovers the full truth about his mother’s demise, his world unravels. As time goes on, Oliver becomes increasingly entangled in Yoursa’s life, and his heart is torn between his thirst for vengeance and the genuine affection that grows between them. Yoursa, initially caught as a victim in Oliver’s sinister plan, feels warmth and protection she has never experienced before. However, the peace they build together is threatened by the dark secrets lurking in the shadows. On their journey to uncover the truth, Oliver and Yoursa must battle the forces that seek to tear them apart, including betrayal from those closest to them. Can Oliver bring justice for his mother while preserving the love they’ve found? Or will his thirst for revenge destroy everything, even the most precious of relationships? In this emotionally charged tale, Oliver’s decisions will shape their futures and test the limits of true love, which may endure even when shackled by secrets and lies. In a world where loyalty is fleeting, and enemies disguise themselves as allies, Oliver must confront the ghosts of his past and decide what truly matters—his quest for revenge or the unexpected love that has blossomed amidst the darkness. Can their love survive the haunting legacy of betrayal, or will it crumble beneath the weight of unforgiven.

The CEO of LORENZO DIAMOND FACTORY asked his wife for a divorce on their wedding anniversary which happens to be on Christmas Adam. Sarah, The CEO's wife was frustrated and confused, she needed time to process the whole thing. She decided to go to her Mother's house for Christmas, she took her 20 year old daughter Lisa along. On Christmas Eve, Lisa invited her college friend, Kelvin over for dinner. While Lisa was introducing Kelvin to her family, Kelvin couldn't take his eyes off Sarah. He fell in love with Sarah at first sight. Sarah couldn't help but fall in love with Kelvin who was her daughter's age mate. Unfortunately the whole world came to know of their relationship, and Sarah was forced to let go of Kelvin. What will happen to the love they shared? Will age win over love? FIND OUT ON “in love with the billionaire’s ex wife.”

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?

In the shattered remains of a divided world, Rivermirror stands as a city of shadows—ruled by chaos, secrets, and ruthless ambition. Among its broken streets and hidden corners, two lives converge: Hound, a mercenary cursed by visions of fractured futures, and Argent, a deadly assassin whose silver-braided hair slices through enemies as easily as her carefully crafted lies. Bound by a soul brand, their uneasy alliance thrusts them into a heist that ignites a chain of betrayal, war, and unimaginable consequences. When a daring raid on River's military vault unearths a dark attribute symbiote and a mysterious core relay, the balance of power between two fractured nations is forever altered. As commanders plot revenge, and Rivermirror’s elites spin their webs of deceit, Hound and Argent must navigate a labyrinth of loyalty, survival, and ambition. But trust is a luxury in a city where betrayal is currency, and every choice pushes them closer to a future neither can fully control. With the line between villain and hero blurred, how far will they go to escape their fates? And what price are they willing to pay to survive in a world where hope is as fleeting as shadows? Dark, gripping, and unapologetically raw, Deep Down Your Black Heart is a dystopian fantasy that delves into the depths of ambition, morality, and the haunting weight of choices.

Officer Emma Winter is one of the most decorated members of the police force, having successfully solved every case she has taken on. Her commitment and keen instincts have made her a standout in law enforcement. She’s now assigned to investigate the unsolved murder of CEO Franco Gil, uncovering links to the infamous Crimson Brotherhood, led by the ruthless billionaire and CEO Thorne Crimson. To her shock, Thorne isn’t just a powerful mafia boss; he’s the leader of the group that bullied her in college, his name bringing back painful memories from her past. Fueled by a thirst for revenge and the need for evidence, Emma plans to enter Thorne's world by pretending as a seductive woman at a bar. As she gets closer, her quest for vengeance becomes complicated when Thorne grows obsessively protective and captivated by her. Caught between her need for revenge and surprising feelings for the man who once bullied her, Emma must confront her past while dealing with the strong chemistry between them. As their relationship deepens, Emma faces a tough choice: betray the man she’s falling for to uphold her duty as a police officer and expose the Brotherhood’s dark secrets, or risk everything for the love of a powerful mafia leader who could destroy all she’s built. In this intense struggle between loyalty and desire, will Emma choose love over revenge, or will she stick to her mission and break the mafia’s heart?

Emmeline Gray's fate was sealed. Her father, Lord Gray, had betrayed the Lunar Council, and now she had to pay the price. The Council had condemned her to serve the ruthless Rogue King, Cedric Silver. As Emmeline entered the dark castle, she felt trapped. The air reeked of malice, and Cedric's piercing gaze cut through her like a knife. "Speak out of turn, and you're dead," Cedric warned, his voice low and menacing. His eyes seemed to bore into her soul, and Emmeline felt a shiver run down her spine. "You'll submit, Emmeline," Cedric continued, his voice dripping with an undercurrent of desire. "Your father's sins won't be forgiven, but maybe you can earn redemption." Emmeline's heart pounded in her chest as their gazes met. She recognized the unmistakable spark – Cedric Silver, the feared Rogue King, was her mate. Cedric's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire as he took a step closer to her. "You're mine now, Emmeline," he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. "And I always claim what's mine." Emmeline's pulse quickened as she felt the weight of Cedric's gaze. She knew she should be afraid, but a part of her was drawn to the darkness that lurked within him. Tied to the man who embodied her family's destruction, Emmeline's life was now a twisted dance between loyalty, survival, and her own heart. Would she find redemption, or would darkness consume her?

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.

BLURB When Ember Vaughn's long-awaited shift reveals a weak white wolf, she's forced into a desperate bid for survival. Sold as a substitute bride, she discovers her mate in Alpha Landon Blackthorn - but their love is short-lived. His infidelity shatters her heart, and she's banished, left to face the darkness alone. Fate intervenes when Alpha Kieran Blackthorn, Landon's stepbrother, claims Ember as his mate. As they build a new life together, the ghosts of her past refuse to fade. Landon's obsession with Ember's child sparks a deadly rivalry between the two Alphas. Torn between loyalty and love, Ember must navigate treacherous pack politics and ancient secrets. But when a shocking betrayal threatens to destroy everything, she's forced to make a choice: surrender to the shadows or rise as the Luna she was born to be. Will Ember find redemption and love, or will the tangled web of power and deceit consume her?