Better Off Dead: A Jack Reacher Novel Novels & Stories

When I learned that the villain was a merman who dropped pearls whenever he cried, I took out the discarded pregnancy test stick from the trash can and headed toward the rooftop. "Well, how many babies do you merfolk have in one pregnancy? Do they eat fish food or baby formula?" Theo Atwater, who was attempting suicide, slipped and almost fell from the 18th floor. I shook my head with a sigh. "Forget it. I'll just throw the baby into the sea after giving birth." Later, when the baby was born, Theo was too scared to sleep, fearing that I would release the baby into the sea. When the female lead, Melody Carlisle, and the male lead, Reagan York, were arguing and came to see us, he was looking at our baby’s swimming results and roaring, "You're one of us merfolk. How could you be afraid of water?"

In the shadows of Italy's underworld, one rule reigns: 'Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.' Alessandro Morano, a Mafia Godfather, walks a thin line between loyalty and deception. When Amelia Cooper enters his life, Alessandro must choose: Protect his empire or risk everything for love.

My name is Athena Argos, and I’m the future Gamma of the Blood-Moon pack. I should be training to take over my position, but instead, I’ve left my pack to find the truth about the horrific attack that killed my father two years ago. He was my hero, and I can’t stand by and allow the pack responsible to get away with his murder. Follow the story of Athena and her lycan, Enyo, as they uncover the truth about who attacked their pack. What will happen when they find out that they are chosen by the Moon Goddess to fulfil a centuries-old prophecy, and are the reason why their father is dead? Will Athena and Enyo be able to protect the ones they love and fulfil the prophecy? Trigger Warnings: Violence This story includes random and/or deliberate acts of violence towards others which may be triggering to some readers with lived experience. Please proceed with caution. Physical Abuse This story contains descriptions of physical and/or verbal abuse, including SA, which may be triggering to readers with lived experiences. Mental or Emotional Abuse This story contains descriptions of mental and/or emotional abuse which may be triggering to survivors. Kidnapping This story contains descriptions of kidnapping, which may include forceful deprivation of/disregard for personal autonomy, which may be triggering for readers with lived experiences. Death This story includes references to death, violence, and/or abuse. Please proceed with caution. Blood This story includes descriptions of horror, blood, and/or violent behaviors. Please proceed with caution.

THIS IS A DARK ROMANCE FEATURING DARK CONTENT AND MORALLY AMBIGUOUS CHARACTERS. Peyton has been in her marriage, enduring the pain of watching Odin, her husband, flirt and cheat in the guise of an open marriage—a decision he made without her agreement. She hit a dead end when Odin broke the number one rule: bringing one of his flings to their home, their bed. That's when she made an impulsive decision—cheat and not feel guilty. He wants her to get a boyfriend? No, she'd do him one better. One night, that's all it took, and the next day she finds herself tangled with her husband's brother. Axel—He's a live wire, pure mischief and untamed. He doesn't just give Peyton what she's been starved of; he ignites a fire she didn't know she had, making her crave the wild freedom only he offers. With Axel, it's not just a fling; it's an explosion of everything forbidden. Raphael—A little unhinged? More like a master of controlled chaos. He's the kind of man who sears himself into your soul, leaving an unforgettable mark deep in your memories. Raphael doesn't just flip a switch in your brain; he rewires it entirely, making you question every sane choice you've ever made. Ready to dive deeper into Peyton's dangerous game?

Scholarship student Zara Corven came to Blackthorn University for a fresh start, desperate to escape a scandal that nearly destroyed her life. But Blackthorn is ruled by the untouchable elite, and Zara is an outsider until Damon Thorne, the school’s golden boy, suddenly claims her as his own. He drags her into a fake relationship, promising to protect her secrets in exchange for her playing the perfect girlfriend. ​The arrangement comes with one condition: stay away from Kai Ryder. ​Kai is Zara’s academic rival, the boy who seemed determined to make her life hell. Yet, between heated arguments and late night conversations, Zara sees the broken boy behind the arrogance. The night he cries in front of her is the night she realizes she’s falling for him. But the arrival of Elias, her long lost best friend who confesses his love, complicates everything. After a blurred night at a party, Elias is forced to watch Zara stand beside Damon the brother he has always hated. ​Jealousy turns love dark. Soon, the video Zara tried to bury is leaked to the entire university by the person she trusted most. Her reputation is ruined, but instead of ending the fake ruse with Damon, Zara stays—this time, to make Kai jealous. ​Just as Zara finally chooses the boy she truly loves, her life shatters. A sudden illness wipes her memory, leaving her with only one "fact": She is Damon Thorne’s girlfriend. She forgets the betrayal, the secrets, and the boy she gave her heart to. When the truth finally resurfaces, who will she choose?

"Are you insane? What the hell are you doing here? Why are you so dumb? Don't you know to be safe? How the hell did you get in? God!" I pushed her aside and she fell on the couch. Her innocent child-like face has a bright smile. Is she deaf? I'm yelling at her and she is smiling like an idiot. "So, it's you! You are Mr. Stranger! I'm so happy." She hugged me. She didn't know what trouble she had gotten herself into. I totally lost my cool and pulled her away and slapped her hard across her face. Yadav Rishid is a hot young business-man who is the heart-throb for young girls in south India now. He is responsible for all the wet dreams of girls right now. He attracts so much attention in his field that every young heroine and young models end up in his bed. He is named a very talented, strict, arrogant and punctual man. He is labelled as a play boy! I went behind him and hugged him, pressing my bosoms on him. He stopped talking, I stopped thinking. "I love you, Yash." He took my hands off and turned to me. He took my face in his palms and crashed his lips on mine and sucked the life out of me! Akshitha is a simple girl of 21yrs living in Coonoor. She has just finished college and was selected in campus interview to work in Chennai. She is a happy playful girl who enjoys every little thing in her life. What happens when our simple girl's admiration for the star turns into deep love? Will they meet? Will she convey her love to him? Are they destined to be together? What happens when they are thrown together in dangers risking their life?

I'd been engaged to Ivan since we were kids. When he went off to the military, I stayed behind—ten years of caring for his paralyzed mom, putting my whole life on pause. By the time he came back, I was at the age where most women were settling down. And he showed up with someone else. Ivan laid it out, stone cold: "Nadia's my comrade's widow. If you want to marry me, you'll have to accept her too. Most of my pay goes to her. I promised I'd take care of her. She gets first pick of everything in the house. Don't like it? Then forget about getting married." I looked past him. Nadia stood there, tears dripping down her cheeks, playing the poor little victim. Right then, I ended it. No drama. No regrets. Signed up for the Rural Teaching Support Program the same day. Left love behind. Threw everything I had into teaching.

BLURB NB::This book contains several steamy contents!! Orpheus Bathory is a transcendent vampire who is naturally gifted with the powers of an original vampire making it impossible for him to be killed. He's naturally able to control higher animals and transform to whatever animal he so desires and he's naturally blessed with dark magic which made him revered in the realms of ancient witches. An affinity with night, darkness, and shadows ritual is to be held and the blood of a virgin hybrid is requested and to prove himself worthy of being the next vampire king he volunteers and breaches the human world. After years of wasted efforts, he finally bumps into Lucinda Orlok and his life takes a twist as he is lost in his love enchantment. Lucinda Orlok, is a vampire-werewolf hybrid. The ritual description fits into her as she was of a rival clan and she was extremely powerful. Lucinda is blinded by her adoration of Orpheus which makes her not know who truly he is. Orpheus for the first time is deceived by the spell of glamour as he also thinks she's human. And gradually their friendship turns into obsession as they are bound to each other. Will their deadly obsession for each other survive the bitter revelation or would vengeance quench their love which once burnt like a fiery inferno?

Raven is a sweet girl, but when her parents disappeared after a mission her life turned upside down. Everyone started abusing her.Nobody cared, not even her brother, he was the next Beta in line and his best friend was the future Alpha. Yet they joined in.When it turns out the future Alpha is her mate things only get worse. He doesn't reject her, he just doesn't accept her and makes sure everyone else doesn't accept her either.Will her life ever turn around or will she be living a life of unofficial rejection forever?

On Halloween, I was secretly reunited with my long-lost mafia parents. They offered to take me home, but because I couldn't bear to leave the three brothers in my foster family, I refused to go with my parents. Getting back home, I changed into the white dress and bracelet given to me by my brothers as gifts. However, this triggered the jealousy and crying tantrums of their biological sister, Tiana. To avoid putting my brothers in a difficult position, I agreed to take off the dress and bracelet. Despite that, she wasn't satisfied. To appease their biological sister that they had been separated from for years, my three brothers forcefully locked me inside a transparent decorative coffin, despite knowing that I suffered from severe claustrophobia. Suffocating, I frantically banged on the coffin's glass, begging them for help. Tiana stood on the side, smirking at me maliciously. "Sarah, aren't you a professional actress? Why is your acting so exaggerated and fake? You're just locked inside, not being strangled, so why are you gasping?" My brothers knit their brows in annoyance. "It's just a little prank. How can you not even last ten minutes? Can't you just tolerate it for a bit?" "I checked it myself. The coffin has air vents and we're standing right here watching you the whole time! You won't be in any danger, and it's impossible for you to suffocate!" "If you didn't want to make Tiana happy, you could have just said you aren't willing! There's no need to fake being miserable and pitiful just to get our attention and sympathy!" But I wasn't faking. The phobia triggered a severe stress response and it brought on an asthma attack, cutting off my airway. Through the glass, I looked at them in sheer agony and despair. I was really going to die...