Blank Featureless Mask

"You bastard, you rotten bastard. . . I will make you pay for this.”Lucianda threatened in a provoked voice but Prince Hakeem only laughed outrageously as he glinted down at her exposed breasts. "You and who will do that?" He made a mocking sound. "My dear Lucianda, the only reason you escaped from my wrath was because my findings indicated you are a decent woman, but don't try to take advantage, you will pay dearly for it." He warned coldly and Lucianda shivered physically. Laughing devilishly at her fear, Prince Hakeem kept his eyes on her pouty breasts and just when Lucianda felt she would die from the embarrassment and the unwanted passion washing over her body, he gave an insulting snort as he got up from the bed, and before she could do anything, with a blank expression, he covered her body with a wrap. “Try to know your place.” He said before striding out of the room. Only then did Lucianda give way to tears. What was her offence? She was just a disillusioned widow trying to get over all that had happened in her life and here is another cruel soul, trying to create more problems for her. ***** Lucianda Castos, the widow of the late powerful Alex Castos, refused to mourn the death of her husband. All she wanted was to start the process of healing. Prince Hakeem, her husband's equally powerful but ten times deadlier rival, would not permit her to do that. He had another thing planned and Lucianda did not know what that meant for her. She hated her husband and everything that had to do with him. And she would avenge the pain they made her go through. She has only two missions; to protect her son and to hurt those who hurt her.

"I'm sorry." She said clearing her throat unnecessarily in embarrassment. Oh Gosh, he was even more handsome up close and personal. Gosh, and he was bigger, could her day get any more better? He smiled and she melted, inside. On the outside, she has a blank face. Wow, his smile was breathtaking "I'm Luke" He said extending his hand out to her "Lena." She said, slipping her hand into his. Perfect fit, his hand was both soft and hard at the same time, somewhere in between. "Can I get you a drink?" "I already-" Vero kicked her thigh again and she closed her eyes for a second. "I already have a drink. But yes, I would love you to get me a drink" He smiled at her again, for some reason, admired her unmoved faze. He'd seen how her friend kicked her. "Two shots of devil spring" He said to the bartender and drew a seat for himself "By the way. This is my friend, Veronica." "Hi" He nodded "Hi." "I'm Luke" "Yeah, I know" She said with a smile, said something to Lena and left. Lena did not seem to happy about it he could tell. "So, uh... What brings you here tonight? Thank you" He referred to the bartender as he set their drinks on the table. "Uh... I guess I just wanted to get out." "No". She raised a finger up, bringing her beer to her mouth. "Don't try to ask questions. I know what you want. Okay" He smiled "And quit smiling. I've seen enough of your dentals already. Okay let's get drunk first so I'll have some courage. Lets do this"

Book One: "Eight years ago Julius DaLair, New York's most eligible bachelor, married childhood friend Macey Grayson. Six years ago he made the biggest mistake of his life and she disappeared. Unbeknownst to him she has been living in Paris raising their twins and under the protection of his father who helped her leave New York and supported her while she returned to her studies. Julius is about to learn there is more to the woman he married and their children than meets the eye. Can he win back her heart? Does he have secret helpers hoping to bring them all together?” Book Two: For ten years Lynn has dedicated her life to her triplets working long hours as a waitress she manages to eke out a living providing for two growing boys and a daughter struggling with a degenerative eye disease. When she was younger she had a crush on Silas Prescott the son of her father's biggest business rival. Lynn was content to let her feelings go unvoiced and herself unnoticed. Then one morning she finds herself in bed with the very man she has always loved but he could not be more disgusted. Throwing a blank check at her he orders her to disappear and never show herself in front of him again. While she was raising their children Silas has been desperately searching for her. For ten years he assumed the woman he found in his room was a maid, not the woman of his dreams. Somehow he has to find away to win her back and earn the trust of his children who have been quietly plotting their revenge on anyone who hurt their mother. Silas learns very quickly there is more to them than meets the eye.

I grew up in a glass tower—protected by badges, blinded by lies. My father, the Commissioner, built walls around me so high I never saw the darkness creeping through the cracks. Not until one reckless night led me into the Inferno Club… and straight into the arms of Chicago’s most dangerous men. Three kings rule the shadows. Each more lethal than the last. Each is determined to claim me. Jaxon shatters me and puts me back together with his hands and his hunger. Maddox weaves riddles and seduction until I forget my own name. Ronan strips away every mask I wear and demands surrender I never knew I could give. They think I’m just another spoiled rich girl playing with fire. But I’ve been burning since the day my mother died—and now I’m ready to show them exactly how dangerous a caged viper can be. In Chicago’s underworld, love is a weapon. And I’m learning to wield it like a queen.

The only thing Kyle Rutherford ever lived for is revenge. After the murder of his billionaire parents, he lost not only the wealth, but he was forced into hiding and left with nothing but rage. Now, years later, with a new surname and a deadly plan, he’s ready to strike. But everything changes when he meets someone at the Masked Ball who gives him hope, desire, maybe even love. Until he discovers the truth. The one person who makes his heart race, is the son of his greatest enemy, Williams Thorne. Williams was groomed to rule. Not to feel. But something about the masked boy haunts him. And when secrets start to unravel and desires start to burn where hatred once lived, Kyle is torn between two fates: Destroy the Thorne’s Legacy or Fall for the one person he was never supposed to love. Because some mask don’t just hide who we are, they show us who we could have been all along. Will he go through with his plan for vengeance? Or will love become the most dangerous game of all?

"We both know that this match is not our will, for that I offer you a contract." my eyes widened in surprise Henry's words, an open offer from a man she had met for the first time. What the average family couldn't do, this sort of thing happened easily with the righ folks I went over several points of the written agreement there. *Do not intervene in personal life * Maintain the confidentiality of the marriage contract agreed to by both parties *The marriage lasts at least two years, but if the separation is still difficult to implement, it can be extended until circumstances permit. I read some interesting points. Although this type of contract is not natural for a couple who is about to get married. For me, the prenup made me more prepared than having to guess what would happen later when she became part of the Marcus family. "I deliberately left the last page blank, please write your wish" Henry swung his finger lightly. Skillfully, Henry's assistant handed me a ballpoint pen. * Appreciate parents on both sides as a family *No physical contact *Stay in separate rooms *** I am someone who prefer being alone and I have never had a boyfriend and she dont care. Unfortunately, my sister who does have a boyfriend has been betrothed to a billionaire's son who she will now be forced to marry. I pitied my sister and decided to replace her... Well, Henry, the billionaire's son doesn't want to marry someone he doesn't know so he proposed a contract to me. I found that helping, huh? Two years later, we will file a divorce and that will be the end of us or so we thought.

Adele Wilson, a bloodthirsty revenge seeker returned to LA just to find the killer of her parents. She never let her secrets and dark sides trace the well-preptended ordinary and simple life.But darkness was the only thing that pulled her like a magnet and she let herself drown into that.*** Albert Knight who was known as a cold, arrogant, rich and overbearing business tycoon was actually a heartless and ruthless mafia gang leader. He was a devil monster who was addicted to blood, power and money. But he never wanted the world to touch his darkness. Because once you stepped in, there would be no way out.*** He was compelled to marry her for the sake of his business. And she agreed just to keep her secrets safe. Neither he was interested in this marriage nor she cared. When he hid his soft heart behind his beast, she kept her secrets under the mask of a normal life. Both of them were bound to darkness, yet walked on a different paths for years. Is it possible to find any trace of light when their darkness collides?

She thought her life was over when the man she loved betrayed her and stole her career. Her family forced her into an arranged marriage with a cold, mysterious billionaire; rumored to be old and impotent. Everyone pitied her, calling her the substitute bride. But they were wrong. When Amelia Quinn married Alexander Sterling, she didn’t expect love. She expected silence, distance, and a cage. Yet behind the billionaire’s mask lay secrets of his own, and behind Amelia’s pain burned a fire no one saw coming. When fate reunites her with her betrayers and an unexpected ally offers her a chance to rise again, Amelia takes it. She sheds her name, hides her scars, and returns to the world as someone else; smarter, bolder, and ready for revenge. But Alexander is watching. And the more she hides, the more he wants to know who his substitute bride truly is. In a game of love, lies, and redemption, Only one truth remains: The woman they thought was replaceable will become unstoppable.

Layla Backwood was a victim of an accident that claimed an entire family leaving her as the only survivor. When she revived in the arms of a charming man, Julian, who didn't hesitate to make her his wife, she thought she had it all; a man to love, a career on thrive, a future at close aim. But everything changed in just one night of betrayal. She finds Julian, the only man she loves, in the arms of another woman, her world shattered. Just then Viktor Douglas entered the picture. A ruthless, dreadful and magnetic billionaire CEO, who offered her everything she had long wished for: comfort, revenge, passion and a kind of love that screamed dangerous and capable of consuming everything in its path. Now layla is hung between the man who shattered her very being ad the man who ignited her darkest desires. Then revelations of truth that shakes her very core surfaced, the man behind Viktor's mask and Julian deception. But Layla must rise for herself and her secret child. Will she navigate the pile of lies, secrets, betrayal and temptations and still choose love?

I replaced my sister. Stepping into Claire’s wedding gown, I vowed myself to Tobin Voss, the most feared mafia lord in the city. It was the perfect deception, my way of punishing her for a lifetime of betrayal. With every smile I gave him, every lie I told, I slipped deeper into her life, hiding my true name beneath the mask of a devoted bride. I thought I could control the game. Pretend. Lie. Survive. But Tobin is not a man easily deceived, and his world is built on blood, power, and loyalty. One slip and I’m dead. Then Claire returned. Broken but ruthless, and hungrier than ever to claim what I stole. Her husband, her throne, her place at his side. Now I am trapped between his dangerous desire, her merciless vengeance, and the secrets that could burn me alive. He thinks I am his bride. She thinks I am her enemy. And I don’t know which one will destroy me first.