Deserved Crossword Clue

All Annabelle Gracia wanted was a quiet life. But after losing Mama—the only mother she knew, she poured herself into running their flower shop (the legacy Mama left behind), selling flowers and wrapping them into powerful portrait designs and around her aching heart. Sold into an arranged marriage to Antonioni D’Angélo, a ruthless billionaire mafia king known as “The Shadow King” A man who sees love as a weakness and betrayal as inevitable. Now, Annabelle is the price of a deadly deal, thrown into a world of power and shadows. She becomes a pawn in a dangerous game of secrets and betrayal all because of her father's accumulated debts from gambling, causing her to be trapped in a world of danger. But then, amidst Antonioni's ruthlessness, lies a feeling he has for Annabelle that he fought hard to control. Antonioni didn’t expect Annabelle’s fire, her defiance, or the way her quiet strength drew him in. Their nights are an intoxicating mix of pain, raw pleasure, and control. Yet, in her innocence and softness, she tries to shield herself from his cruelty. Antonioni finds something he thought the world had beaten out of him long ago—hope. As enemies and hurt close in from all sides—old rivals, betrayals, and hidden threats, Annabelle becomes more than a pawn in Antonioni’s world; she becomes his unexpected ally, and her courage steadies him. In protecting her, he learns how to protect himself from the deadly shadows within. Together, they must navigate a battlefield of purpose, blood and trust. Each battle forges them into something stronger. And when the truth about her past threatens to burn everything down, he must choose—will he cling to the darkness he's known forever? Or fight for the one he never deserved? Find out in the story.

Riley Monroe thought she finally had a clue about what really happened to her father—whose mysterious death five years ago had been casually ruled an accident. But before she could dig deeper, her world crashes again. Her mother drops a bombshell: she’s getting remarried… to a billionaire. Riley wants no part of it. Not after everything. But with her mother’s health failing and a heart transplant hanging in the balance, she’s forced to stay silent and smile. Her soon-to-be stepfather, Daven Carter, is the CEO of Cartier Jewelleries—and he's promised to cover all their bills, including the expensive surgery. Feeling cornered and desperate, Riley hatches a secret plan with her friends to escape the Carter mansion before the wedding and after the treatment. But first, she wants to take control of one thing: her virginity. That night, in a haze of tequila and heartbreak, she gives herself to a stranger—and accidentally tells him everything about her escape. Only… he’s no stranger. Killian Carter, the two-faced ruthless, fuckboy and dangerously charming son of Daven Carter, had chosen to have fun with his soon-to-be stepsister before the disclosure of his identity and which led to a steamy night with her. A night he can't get over no matter how many girls he fucked. When he realizes that Riley was still going one with her plan despite his knowledge of it, he crafts another. Getting pregnant for him. That way the wedding will be off no matter what but it was already too late, Daven has seen her moves, her body curves, bouncy tits and he wants to taste them more than anything. The idea was crazy—but to Riley, it might just work. Until it all begins to spiral.

Claire was KCPD homicide detective at Kibich central precinct. She was engaged to Adams, a mythology professor at Kibich University. Their life together was perfect until one fateful morning. Detective Claire woke to a phone call that notified her of her father’s mysterious death. She called her mother; they had separated with the father, to let her know of the news. In the confusion of her father’s death, across the street from the scene, she saw a man watching. She went to confront him but he was long gone when she got there. Before she could go back to the crime scene, she received a call from her mother with a question of whether ‘Vivienda de Vampiros’ meant anything to her. Without a clue, her mother apologized to her and promised to let her know more about her family history, who she really was and, BLOOD CITY. Later, her mother explained to her that she was born in a vampire hunter’s family. She was meant to be a vampire hunter. From that moment on, her life took a much-unexpected turn to the worst. She took her time to study more about vampires. As she was busy hunting her father’s killer, she crossed paths with Daniel, a vampire that, against all odds was protecting her and her family. The unfolding of events led to her having feelings for the Vampire. This became a wedge between her and Adams. Later Adams was manipulated by Catherine in the name of love to get close to Claire but was finally turned which led to his death. Later, she was able to defeat and kill Thomas and Catherine with the help of her mother and Daniel. In the end, Claire and Daniel married and lived happily ever after.

Once again the oxygen from my lungs was stolen at the sight of her. I cursed my night vision and knew I was going to be punished when I got home for what I was about to do. Just a kiss. One little kiss wouldn’t hurt, would it? I took a deep breath as I moved closer to her. She shifted nervously. “I-” I pulled her against my body, silencing her words with a passionate kiss. She gasped and I took the opportunity to thrust my tongue inside of her mouth. When she melted against me, I lost control. This was not the plan, but I couldn’t resist her. I picked her up before pressing her against the wall behind her. I know I had been warned against pursuing her, but it was too late for that. I had claimed her first kiss, and now I wanted all of her firsts. My hand moved under her short skirt to brush her wetness. I closed my eyes as she spread her legs. Fuck. I was screwed. I knew it was wrong. She was just a freshman who deserved her first time to be somewhere better than a closet full of musty coats with a junior who had a girlfriend. I pulled back to look into her eyes, trying to resist temptation. She touched her lips, and her eyes closed. Fuck. I was so screwed. I knew at that moment that she was going to be my first, too. ******** Sequel to Hunting Her Hunters. This is Osprey's journey to finding his mate. Follow his path that is full of twists and turns, misunderstandings, and a love so deep that it transcends the normal bounds of a mate bond from day 1.

His hand gripped the waistband of her drawers, but Celia’s small hand grabbed his before he could pull it down. “Xavier please...” Xavier shook his head, stepping even closer. “That’s exactly how you had begged me that day...you had laid so vulnerable in my bed, looking like a ball of perfection. You remember it, don’t you?” Celia’s eyes glanced away from him as she nodded. “Yes...” “Then how could you really believe that I’d let anybody else see you naked? You became mine that very day.” He leant down, his lips resting in the crook of her neck. “You need to behave though, be a good girl...can you do that?” Celia nodded again, the closeness of his proximity driving her mad. “Yeah.” “Then let go of my hand.” - Celia Cobourne betrayed her pack in aid of being with him; her one true mate, and yet instead of accepting, he abandoned her. She deserved it though, didn't she? She was already branded, she was already used...and futhermore, what would an alpha king really do with a Rogue...? _ Xavier Macre or Rather Kaheel Macre as he came to know, ranked up from a rogue to an Alpha King after finding his real parents...he had stepped on many people for revenge and revenge got him on the throne he now sat on... But with nothing but a throne and a crown, what joy would he have? Could he go back to his mate? The rogue one, the stepping stool that brought him where he was today? Or should he try to get with her twin sister...the happily mated one...the one that stole his heart, then broke it for his brother? BOOK 2 IN THE UNWANTED SERIES

CASTELLO DI CARTE MAFIA CHRONICLES, BOOK 1 [Also known as PRECARIOUS: THE GAME OF HEARTS] 𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 When my mother's declining health forced me to reconsider my career options, my boss steered me in an unexpected direction. The was simple: get in, get the information, and get the out. Except, it wasn't that easy. Especially when my target was the most nefarious man alive in New York. The closer I got to him, the more I saw sides of him I never expected. He burned me with his scorching touch, demanding and eager gazes. He was determined to have me at all costs. One might think he would stop at that, but—devil, help me—he needed more. More than I was ready to give. There was a reason I never wanted to the Underworld. When my past came crashing onto my doorstep, every lie unravelled, but nothing prepared me for the worst. The truth about the connection between the man I desired and my dead sister. 𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐒 We all know what they say about sweet things: when consumed excessively, they turn from savoury to bitter. That was what she was. A poor excuse for a sweet I wanted to devour. I wanted to make her suffer with the same intensity. She deserved it. And so did her scheming sister. Only, I didn’t know the latter was dead, and I might be the one at fault. But did that stop me from craving her? , no. My desire to have her magnified. She became mine the moment she walked into my life with those hauntingly blue eyes. She could give me the one thing I never had in life: happiness. But being the master at ruining everything, how could I ever be the man she wanted me to be?

Betrayal--- I thought it was the worst pain I could feel, until I found out my husband wasn't just cheating on me with my sister... He had poisoned me to kill our unborn child so he could finally get married to my sister. 'Sign the divorce papers if you want to save your child , Rose' Wallowing in pain, I watched the man who had once sworn with his life that he loved me with everything in him. The man whom I've sacrificed everything for. My career, my dreams, my identity, and my heart. Was it in exchange for this betrayal all along? My heart twisted in my chest resentfully as tears blurred my vision. His betrayal cut deeper than a dagger, but my only thought at that moment was my unborn child. He was innocent. He didn't deserve to die. He deserved to live no matter the monster his father was. My hand trembled as I signed the divorce paper, my blood soaking every page that I turned. "I have signed the divorce papers, Mathew... Please take me to the hospital. I need to save our baby." I pleaded, my hand clutching my stomach tightly as pain shot through it. I was scared that I might lose my baby if I spent any more minute bleeding. He looked at me, without remorse, his arm wrapping around my sister's waist as a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Why should I? Just pack your things and leave." And with that, he turned his back on me, walking away without sparing me another glance as if I didn't exist. As darkness came looming over, my strength slowly draining off, only one question echoed in my mind. Is this really the end?

“I don’t love you dammit. Why don’t you understand I was just faking it to take my revenge!” His hands drop from her. Moving back. Gone those loving tender eyes. “Fine if this is what you choose. No one will stop you from leaving but before that...you will have to grant me one last wish.Your last punishment. Which will make everything even." He speak gulping the throat burning liquid. To see her look at him over her shoulder.To spits the words impatiently. " Speak. What's it!" Moving closer to her from behind. He moves aside her hair from her neck. To stare at his mark on her. Speaking in a cold deadly voice. " I want to fuc* you one last time my little wife." " Fine. " She speaks unaffected. Successful in breaking his heart but no way in hell will he let her get away from him this easily. She will beg for him. And he will make sure that she never gets him. Sniffing her perfume scent. By placing his chin on her shoulder. He whisper in her ear in a voice that sent chills down her spine. " On your knees.NOW!" And that’s  when she drops down. Without resisting. Letting him take his revenge. Which she knew she deserved in every sense. ....... She was just his Beta. Someone he trusts.Someone he can rely on. Until one day she leaves him. Making him realise how much he needs her. Years passed . He moved on. He now has a fiance. But what happens when his Beta comes back. And he feels more than just attraction for her. Will he fulfill his Kings positions honour or will he loose his heart to her? Come find out in ' The Beta girl'

I'm Caleb Jennings. When I announce my early retirement, everyone in the city cheers. Only Nathan Sloan, my junior from the police academy, who claims to be able to see things from the criminal's perspective, panics at the news. During the party organized in his honor, he openly states his intention to find me. "I owe my success to the guidance Caleb Jennings has provided me all along. I hope everyone can help me find him and bring him back into the police force." Scoffing, I choose to ignore that. … In my previous life, I was the celebrated captain of a criminal investigation team. Yet, whenever I uncovered a clue, Nathan, a rookie in the city police department, would announce it first, beating me to it. After multiple incidents like this, everyone started saying that I was past my prime. To prove myself, I worked myself to the bone for three months before finally locating the hideout of a human trafficking ring. However, when I arrived on the scene with my team, Nathan had already swept through the place. He was launched into stardom, becoming the rising star detective that everyone adored. As for me, the public mercilessly tore me apart, labeling me as incompetent and shaming me. Due to the pressure from work and the negative public opinion directed at me, my mind was distracted. I ended up getting killed while hunting down the remnants of the trafficking ring. When I open my eyes again, I find that I'd gone back in time—to the day we launch a raid on the human traffickers' hideout.

Ember accepted her lot in life. On the run, she only wishes to find out the truth behind her dreams and solve the memory of her past. Keegan has only cared about protecting his pack, but when he sees the beauty dancing on stage and the flicker of flames in her eyes his body screams, Mate! Can Keegan tame the flames of Ember and together solve the mystery of her missing past? Or will they all burn together? Excerpt: “This is the reason I’m always tired,” I think to myself. Twenty-four years of coming here and still not a single clue, but every time I close my eyes, I return to this place. I know my surroundings perfectly. Oddly the place is beautiful to the eyes. The old house sat among flowers growing around all sides. The aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine fill my lungs filling me with a moment's peace. I’m sitting in my usual spot. Gripping the ropes of a swing in the front yard held by a large oak tree. Waiting I begin pushing my legs back and forth sending me in motion. I know something is about to happen. It happens every night. The house moves in front of my eyes. I see the shadows coming, but I don’t stop swinging. They are black as night but I can see smiles within the shadow grinning bright. “What is this place!” I cry, fed up with this nightly repetition, but no sound emerges. A noise can be heard from the back of the house. One of the shadows turns toward it. I jump down to follow only to have the other shadow hold me back. “Don’t go. Not yet. Listen to me!”