To Have And To Hold

Wealthy art dealer Damien Kennedy has successfully avoided two things: returning to the hometown that haunts him and taking a wife. Now thanks to his controlling grandfather’s machinations, he’s reluctantly ended up doing both. But Regina Duquesne quickly proves she’s no mere platonic bride of convenience. The only way she can make this marriage outlive their one-year agreement is if she can make her sexy husband open his heart and forget the demons of the past... before it’s too late. Because there’s an enemy on the horizon, threatening to take away all they hold dear, including their newfound passion.

Arranged marriage, age-gap, forbidden love, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, Romeo and Juliet vibes, family saga, Mafia/cartel romance, slow burn, redemption, morally gray hero, dangerous romance The Roríguez cartel is spinning out of control, tragedy putting the alliance and our future in question. I’m Emiliano Ruiz and throughout the last few years, I’ve witnessed my sisters being doled out to members of the Luciano Mafia. The cartel has also taken famiglia women. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Luciano famiglia’s turn to take a bride. My mind is set—it’s my turn. I never imagined marrying a young bride until I caught sight of Isabella Luciano. She’s only eighteen, and with her long yellow hair and big brown eyes, she’s a vision to behold. She sees me, however, through the tinted lens of her father’s hatred. Carmine Luciano’s disdain of the cartel and the alliance isn’t a secret. His opinion won’t stop me. I’ll prove to Isabella that even bad men can be good husbands. No matter what her father says or what happens in our war, Isabella will be mine. Have you been Aleatha’d?

"Just because we're married, doesn't make us a real couple. Take it as a contract" He said in a business tone before leaving. "Like I want to be with you" I muttered under my breath as my tears threatened to spill. Natalie learns that she has been promised to the eldest son of the mighty and powerful Maxfields. She has no choice but to accept reality and decides to proceed with the arranged marriage her parents and grandparents had fixed, long ago. Little did she know that she would be treated as a contract wife. ------------------------------------------- "You force your children to get married. Force them to fall in love as if they were key operated toys and now that they've fallen in love, you want to separate them?" Natalie questions, tears threatening to fall, her voice almost on the verge of breaking. ------------------------------------------- Read more to find out All the images that I use in the story belong to the rightful owners. I do not own any of them.

A sharp pull by my wrist bought me back to the wall. I hold my breath for a moment. "what the hell" I cussed. "Shh, baby girl" he exclaimed. I cringed with the endearment he used. He brought his face near to my face. His breath is fanning all over my lips. It raised my heartbeat to a different level. It must be heard by him also. His smirk face saying it all. His eyes are gazing my lips and he started closing the small gap we have between our lips to be mingled into one. Sensing his intentions I closed my eyes & moved my face to the left. He stopped right away & increase the gap between us which I really appreciate but the hold of his hand on my wrist is very tight. It started paining me slowly. "Now listen to me very carefully, we might be lawfully wedded husband & wife. But you are nothing to me. I have only married you because of my doll" he said rudely to me. I forcefully release my hand from his hulk like grip which resulted into breaking my bangles & a piece of glass cut into my hand. It hurt me like hell. There must be a big cut in my hand. Ignoring the pain in my hand. I showed my other hand finger towards him and said "even I was not interested in this marriage. I am kind of forced into this" Which I am not, my subconscious mocked me. But I won’t give him that satisfaction. Although I was not forced but I had no other option than to accept this marriage. _______________________ This is the story of Payal Mehra and Kabir Khurana who are bound by vows in the sacred bond of marriage which was not in their to do list. But yet they are.

Choosing who to marry was never in Nicole's fate and having her husband's brother obsessed with her was something she wouldn't have imagined in her wildest of dreams. Stuck between desire and responsibilities, all she can do is succumb to the erotic whispers and touches he plants on her – marking her as his possession.

Years ago, they were inseparable–two boys bound by a love they were never allowed to name. But when family expectations tore them apart, one was forced to leave, chasing a future that came at the cost of everything they once shared. Now, fate brings them together again. He returns as a famous actor–wealthy, distant, and untouchable. The other, burdened by hardship, takes a job as a house assistant in a luxurious home, desperate for money and stability. He never expected his new employer to be the man he once loved. And he never expected to find a wedding ring on his finger. Forced to stay under the same roof, old memories begin to resurface–soft glances, lingering touches, and emotions that refuse to stay buried. While one struggles to hide a love that never faded, the other finds himself drawn to a stranger who feels strangely familiar. But some feelings are dangerous. Some love is forbidden. And some pasts refuse to stay hidden. As desire grows stronger and boundaries begin to blur, they must face the truth. Do you think a love once broken will ever be reclaimed? Or will it destroy them both all over again?