Chapter: Epilogue ONE YEAR LATER: ~SWEET VENICE~ The Venetian night air was thick with expectation as Simon and Gemini returned to their luxurious suite, the soft glow of the city’s lights screening through the curtains. The evening was full of exciting tastes and feelings, but nothing matched the strong desire between them. Gemini's unexpected striptease sparked a passion in Simon, and as they entered the dimly lit room, the tension was clear.The necklace he’d gifted her sparkled around her neck, a subtle reminder of the love they shared, but it was the raw, unspokendesire that dominated the moment.Gemini moved with deliberate grace, her panties and bra the only walls between her and Simon’s hungry gaze. She approached him slowly, her hips swaying to an imaginary rhythm, her eyes locked on his. Simon stood by the window, his breath shallow, his chest rising and falling with anticipation. She reached him, her hands resting on his shoulders, and began a slow, tantalizing lap dance. Her body pr
Last Updated: 2025-05-04
Chapter: Chapter 101~DESPERATE MEASURES~Gemini threw herself sideways, wrenching open the car door and tumbling onto the pavement as a deafening crack split the air. More shouting, the sound of running feet, another gunshot. She scrambled away from the car, disoriented, ears ringing.Strong hands grabbed her shoulders—one of the officers, pulled her behind the cruiser for cover. "Stay down," he ordered."My daughter," Gemini gasped. "He has my daughter. Black SUV headed north. My husband—"The officer's radio crackled with static and urgent voices. "All units, be advised that the suspect vehicle is located at the intersection of Mulholland and Coldwater. The child is secured and appears unharmed. Suspect in custody."Relief made Gemini's knees buckle. "Maya's safe?""Sounds like it," the officer confirmed, his attention divided between her and the standoff at the Tesla. "We had units already en route to your home. 911 call came in about twenty minutes ago from a neighbor who saw a struggle."Another
Last Updated: 2025-05-04
Chapter: Chapter 100~SIN OF THE MOTHER~Ciara's face crumpled. "I didn't know he would... that he would make her lose the baby. He gave her something, told her it was just a drink...""And when she started hemorrhaging? When she was rushed to the hospital?" Maya pressed. "Did you stand up for her then? Did you confront Gustavo?"Tears streamed down Ciara's face. "I couldn't. He threatened to tell George I was stealing from the company. Said he'd make sure I went to prison, that Tiara would be left with nothing.""So you chose yourself over your daughter." Maya's words were quiet but cutting. "Just like you chose George's money over our friendship.""What was I supposed to do?" Ciara cried, her voice rising enough that the guard at the door shifted, alert. "You had everything! Everything I ever wanted! The career, the marriage, the child, the adoration—everyone called you a goddamn goddess! Do you have any idea what it was like living in your shadow?""I never put you in my shadow, Ciara. You chose to st
Last Updated: 2025-05-04
Chapter: Chapter 99~BECAUSE I HATE YOU~Two days later, Gemini stood beside her father's hospital bed, watching as the doctors reduced his sedation. Maya and Brandon waited outside—neither ready to face George just yet.Slowly, George's eyes fluttered open, confusion giving way to recognition as he focused on Gemini's face."My daughter," he rasped, his voice weak from disuse."Hello, Father," Gemini replied, the formal address deliberate, a signal that things had changed.George's eyes darted around the room. "Where's Gustavo? I need to speak with him immediately.""Gustavo won't be visiting," Gemini said calmly. "He's currently in federal custody, along with Ciara."An alarm flashed across George's face. "What have you done?""What you taught me to do. Protect what's mine." Gemini leaned closer. "I know everything, Father. About Grandfather. About Mother. About what you've done to Saint Tech."George's expression hardened. "You understand nothing. Everything I did, I did to build an empire worthy of t
Last Updated: 2025-05-04
Chapter: Chapter 98THE RECKONINGThe Saint Tech boardroom fell silent as the heavy oak doors swung open. Gustavo Montreal, standing at the head of the table mid-sentence, froze when he saw who entered.Gemini Saint walked in first, her posture straight and confident, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit that meant business. Behind her came Simon, then Brandon Greyson, and finally Jerome—Gustavo's supposedly crime in partner."I apologize for the interruption," Gemini said, her voice steady and clear as she addressed the board members seated around the massive table. "But I believe this meeting was scheduled to begin at ten, and I wouldn't want to miss it."Ciara Edwards, seated at Gustavo's right, recovered first. Her perfectly manicured nails tapped an impatient rhythm against the polished mahogany. "Gemini, darling, how unexpected. We thought with your... recent delivery, you'd be taking some much-needed rest.""I'm touched by your concern," Gemini replied, the ice in her voice belying her
Last Updated: 2025-05-04
Chapter: Chapter 97~THE FINAL THREAT~Gemini's phone buzzed on the nightstand. She glanced at the screen and frowned, immediately recognizing Gustavo's number. After everything that had happened in the past twenty-four hours—discovering her mother was alive, learning the truth about her father's crimes—the last person she wanted to hear from was Gustavo Montreal.Still, she answered it. Know your enemy, her father had always taught her."What do you want, Gustavo?" Her voice was cold, detached."We need to talk, Gemini." His tone was urgent, almost desperate. "In person. It's important."She let out a bitter laugh. "I have nothing to say to you.""It's about your father," he pressed. "About the board meeting tomorrow. Things you need to know before you make a mistake you can't undo."Gemini hesitated, her mind racing. Was it possible he knew about their plans? About Maya being alive?"Fine," she said finally. "Where and when?""The café at the Riverside Hotel. In an hour.""That's across town. I need m
Last Updated: 2025-05-04
Chapter: Chapter Eighty-Seven BENEATH THE SURFACE~LAUREN'S POV~Morning light came through the curtains, casting golden stripes on Alexandro as he slept. I had been awake for almost an hour, watching him, something I had never done before.When he slept, his face looked softer. The deep lines between his brows smoothed out. He appeared younger and almost innocent, which made me smile because it seemed so strange.Alexandro Castello and innocence were strangers to each other.My fingers drifted over a scar on his shoulder I hadn't noticed before last night, a puckered line about three inches long, too precise to be accidental. Beside it, a smaller mark, round like a…"Enjoying the view?" His voice, rough with sleep, startled me.His eyes were open now, watching me with that scary passion. No grogginess, no slow waking, he was instantly alert, a predator even at dawn."Just wondering how many scars you're hiding," I said, fingers finally making contact with the mark.He caught my wrist, his grip gentle but unmistak
Last Updated: 2025-05-03
Chapter: Chapter Eighty SixSTORM WARNINGS~LAUREN'S POV~The villa was a palace disguised as a home.I leaned against the balcony railing, enjoying the view of the private beach as the waves playfully danced against the soft, golden sand. The afternoon sun casts a beautiful glow over everything. I noticed some storm clouds starting to roll in from afar—a reminder to be on the lookout!"Do you like it?" Alexandro's voice came from behind me, smooth as the expensive tequila he'd poured when we arrived.I turned to find him leaning against the doorframe, jacket disposed of, the top buttons of his shirt undone. The casual stance did nothing to reduce his power. If anything, it stretched it."It's beautiful," I admitted, gripping the railing. "Though 'villa' seems like an understatement."His mouth quirked upward. "Would you prefer 'obscenely expensive beach compound'?""At least it would be honest."He stepped forward, joining me at the railing. Close. Too close. The scent of his cologne—sandalwood and something
Last Updated: 2025-05-01
Chapter: Chapter Eighty five NECESSARY EVIL~LAUREN'S POV~The morning after our lovemaking in the car left me with more than just bruises on my hips and bite marks along my collarbone. It left me with questions.Who was this man who could shift from calculated businessman to wild possessor in the space of a heartbeat? And why did I keep surrendering to him like my body wasn't my own anymore?I traced the marks on my neck as I stood before the bathroom mirror, watching my reflection through the steam. The hot shower had done little to wash away the memories of his hands on me, his voice in my ear—"You're mine."Those words shouldn't have made me shiver with want. But they did.My phone buzzed on the counter. Alexandro's name flashed across the screen—speak of the devil and he appears. I wrapped my towel tighter and answered."I'm sending Luca to pick you up in an hour," he said, no greeting, no warm-up. Just commands, as usual."Good morning to you too," I replied, rolling my eyes even though he couldn't see me
Last Updated: 2025-05-01
Chapter: Chapter Eighty-Four DAMSEL IN DISTRESS ~ALEXANDRO’S POV~The call came without warning, slicing through the night like a blade. Luca’s voice, low and rough, fed me the details of my little bird’s latest adventure.I laughed. Actually laughed. Because of course, she would be sneaking around in the middle of the night like some reckless kitten with no idea she was walking straight into the wolf’s mouth.Mario had warned me once—joked that she would keep my hands full. He had no idea how right he was.Between Collin’s little brother breathing down my neck and Lauren playing secret agent, it was a wonder I was not already on a killing spree.I should have been pissed. Should have stayed away and let her deal with the consequences of her recklessness.But no.She was mine.And the thought of anyone else touching her, looking at her, breathing the same air as her—It made the monster inside me rise. Hungry. Ready to destroy.Getting into the building was effortless. When you own the walls, the locks, and the
Last Updated: 2025-04-27
Chapter: Chapter Eighty ThreeSEX ON THE TABLE SONG PLAYED: “Call Out My Name” by The Weekend ~LAUREN’S POV~I did not need a psychic to tell me how Alexandro found out I was here. We all knew who the snitch was. What I did not understand was how the hell he got in without me noticing.He stepped out of the shadows like a ghost summoned by bad decisions, moving into the dim light that cut through the office like a blade.His back was to me, eyes scanning the space like he owned it. Like he was counting sins.A black shirt clung to his body, sleeves rolled to the elbows, exposing strong forearms, and a watch that caught the moonlight like it had something to say. His slacks fit too well, his dark hair was a delicious mess, and he radiated the kind of danger you begged to touch you.Hot. Brooding. Irresistible.“Now, Amore,” he drawled, voice smooth as sin and twice as dangerous. “Let’s get the story straight. What the hell are you doing snooping around?”He turned to face me, and heat crawled up my neck like it
Last Updated: 2025-04-26
Chapter: Chapter Eighty TwoMISSION IMPOSSIBLE.~LAUREN’S POV~“So, let me get this straight,” Sophia said, twisting toward me in the back seat like she had not just spent the last ten minutes making soulful eye contact with Luca through the rearview mirror. “We’re breaking into your ex’s office to look through his files. On a Friday night. Wearing lip gloss.”“Yes,” I said. “And for the record, we’re not breaking in. I have my access card. This is technically still above board.”“Right. Above board. Legal. Super classy,” she muttered, flicking a glance at Luca. “Just like your driver here. What's his name again? Luca? Or Tall, Dark, and Possibly Packing?”“I can hear you,” Luca said from the front, eyes still focused on the road….but the edge of his mouth twitched. I saw it.“Just making sure your ears work,” Sophia joked, crossing her legs like a Bond girl. “You do have nice ones, by the way.”Luca said nothing.But he adjusted the mirror, To look at her. I choked on air. Sophia gave me a little shrug like, o
Last Updated: 2025-04-25
RECKLESS VOWS
[A BILLIONAIRE DARK ROMANCE BOOK]
"Without obsession, life is nothing" -John Waters.
Lyra eagerly seized an opportunity for quick cash when her best friend, Jane, presented a bold idea. She didn't think through the likely fallout.
*************************
Jane needed someone to step in as her stand-in bride for Ryker Blackwoods, a reclusive billionaire shrouded in mystery due to her parents' debts and promises. Jane had no intention of entering into a loveless marriage with a man she had never met. Fortunately, Ryker had no clue what Jane-or Lyra-looked like.
In exchange for a substantial sum, Lyra agreed to take Jane's place, sign the marriage documents, and occupy Ryker's estate while he was away. The plan was simple: Lyra would create enough chaos to provoke Ryker into seeking a divorce once he returned.
However, when Ryker finally arrived home after six long months, everything changed. Rather than the distant figure she expected, Ryker turned out to be a man who pushed past her limits, a contradiction to Jane's descriptions. He was captivating yet infuriating-an undeniable force who seemed to derive pleasure from her discomfort.
Lyra found herself regretting her decision. The money no longer mattered; she just wanted to escape this marriage. But Ryker calmly asserted that she belonged to him now, insisting that this was her punishment for her greed.
He knew the truth-she was simply an imposter in a life she hadn't chosen.
Read
Chapter: Chapter Eighteen ~KEEPING THINGS IN ORDER~Lyra grabbed Adrian by the wrist, slamming the door shut behind her. Mrs. Hargrave, who had been watching the entire scene unfold, stood frozen in the hallway, her mouth slightly open in shock. “Lyra,” Mrs. Hargrave whispered to herself, confused. Why had that man called her Lyra instead of Jane? And who was he? Adrian chuckled darkly, his laugh low and alarming, as Lyra yanked him through the hallway and out onto the driveway. Once they were outside, Lyra released his wrist as though touching him any longer would burn her. Her chest heaved, anger and panic bursting in her chest. Her sharp eyes darted around to make sure no one was watching before she turned on him. “What are you doing here?” she demanded, her voice cold and cutting. “How did you find me?” Adrian smirked, the same arrogant smirk that used to charm her but now made her stomach churn. Lyra’s heart pounded in her chest. How had he found her? She had covered her tracks meticulously.
Last Updated: 2025-01-24
Chapter: Chapter Seventeen~A VISIT FROM THE PAST~ Lyra let the warm water cascade over her skin, washing away the remains of her restless morning. Ryker’s presence had stayed long after he’d left, like a shadow she couldn’t quite shake. His words, his gaze, the way he always seemed to take up all the air in the room—it was maddening. Still, she was glad he was gone, if only for a few days. His absence gave her the time and space she so desperately needed. She had plans—starting with Jane. If giving back the money was the only way to regain control of her life, she’d do it without hesitation. Turning off the shower, she stepped out and wrapped herself in the soft robe hanging nearby. As she padded back into the bedroom, her eyes fell on the chair where Ryker had sat that morning. The memory of his sharp gray eyes watching her churned something she didn’t want to name. He was infuriating, she reminded herself. Overbearing. Impossible. And yet, there was no denying his presence—the way he seemed to c
Last Updated: 2025-01-11
Chapter: Chapter Sixteen~BUILDING A LIFE TOGETHER ~The warm morning light spilled through Lyra's window, bathing the room in a golden hue. She stirred, stretching lazily under the covers before letting out a soft yawn. Her eyes fluttered open, landing on the shadowy figure seated on the armchair by the window. She froze, clutching the sheet to her chest as she fully registered who it was. “For Christ’s sake, what are you doing in my room?” Lyra snapped, her voice groggy with sleep but laced with irritation. Her gaze darted to the birdhouse-shaped clock on her bedside table. “It’s six o’clock in the morning!” Ryker didn’t flinch. He was impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his tie slightly loosened. His sharp gaze met hers, unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his expression—amusement, maybe. “You talk in your sleep,” he said, leaning back in the chair as though this were the most normal thing in the world. Lyra blinked, her annoyance quickly morphing into disbelief. “Are you ki
Last Updated: 2025-01-10
Chapter: Chapter Fifteen A KISS FOR SILENCE.The party ended quicker than Lyra had expected. The drive home was wrapped in silence, with her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window. Ryker sat beside her, his attention entirely on her. His piercing eyes watched her intently, as though studying her every move. “What were she and Marcus discussing?”“You should stop staring,” Lyra said, her voice low and tired. She didn’t even bother to glance his way. Ryker smirked, the mischievous grin she’d come to associate with him spreading across his face. “I can’t stare at what’s mine?” he teased, his voice laced with mockery and arrogance. Lyra’s jaw clenched. He was relentless, always pushing, always testing. “How long do you plan to keep up this stubborn act, Jane?” he asked again, his tone challenging now. Her fingers tightened around her dress as she fought the urge to lash out. “Can we not do this tonight?” she finally managed to say, her voice strained with exhaustion. “That’s going to be
Last Updated: 2025-01-08
Chapter: Chapter Fourteen THE PARTY Lyra sat stiffly at the dining table, staring down at the elaborate spread of food. She wasn’t hungry, not with Ryker seated across from her. His calm, organized manners were enraging, especially after last night. She could still feel the phantom touch of his hands on her skin, his words replaying in her head like a taunt she couldn’t escape. Ryker’s voice broke the tense silence. “We’ll leave for the party at eight. I expect you to be ready.” Her head snapped up, her frustration bubbling over. “I’m not going.” He didn’t even look up from his plate as he cut into his omelet. “Yes, you are.” “No, I’m not.” Her voice was firm, her hands clenched into fists on the table. “I don’t care what kind of spectacle you’re trying to make, but I’m not going to be part of it.” Ryker finally met her gaze, his expression unreadable. He set his knife and fork down with deliberate precision, his movements calm—too calm. “This isn’t a discussion, Jane.” Her jaw tightened. “I don
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
Chapter: Chapter Thirteen THE CHALLENGERyker leaned against the doorway of the kitchen, arms crossed as he watched Lyra stretch on her tiptoes to reach for a glass in the upper cupboard. She was muttering to herself, frustration clear in every sharp movement. He couldn’t help the faint smirk tugging at his lips—there was something disarming about the sight. But disarming wasn’t the right word for Lyra. She was dangerous, an irritation he hadn’t anticipated. And that unpredictability was as maddening as it was enchanting. When she didn’t notice him after a few seconds, he stepped inside, his movements deliberate. “Need help?” Lyra jumped at the sound of his voice, spinning to face him with wide eyes. “What are you doing here?” He ignored the question, closing the distance between them with measured steps. Her gaze flicked to the cupboard, and she quickly turned back to try again, pretending he wasn’t there. She stretched higher this time, but the glass was still out of reach. Ryker raised an eyebro
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
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