Hard Knocks Novels & Stories

she whispered, fierce and quiet so she would not wake the baby. The billionaire looked down at the woman defending her territory and felt a strange surge of respect for her defiance. The women in his world often folded under his intimidation, but Maren had a core of hardened steel forged by tragedy. "Your vulnerability is the least of my concerns when our mutual enemy is at this moment plotting a legal execution," Gideon said, gesturing toward the screen.

In the video, Ryan not only attacked everything I had done, but he deliberately smeared my reputation, exaggerating and distorting the truth. "Who understands this pain? I worked at a company for nearly five years, breaking my back for them. In the end, the company made tens of millions in profit, and the $850,000 bonus they promised us just vanished. And on top of that, that idiot boss used every dirty trick to squeeze us out. "I was forced into a dead end and had no choice but to resign." On screen, Ryan cried with snot and tears streaming down his face, pouring out his so-called suffering. It instantly stirred sympathy from other working-class viewers.

“Please. You don’t scare me, cowboy. I deal with drunks and druggies and bikers all damn day. But one thing my sister and I do have in common? We’re both fighters. Hardheaded.You determined to get your way is not gonna be easy. For either of you.” He didn’t rise to the bait. Nor would he back down. “Nothin’ worthwhile ever is.” India considered him without malice. “No pain, no gain, huh?” “Not the phrase I’d choose, but yeah, I suppose that fits.” “Good luck, because, man, are you gonna need it.” Kade grinned. “Oh, I don’t need luck. I’ve got something even better.”

Before he was overcome by passion—he would immediately stop this. Ugh! Amel kicked Hardin's leg. As Hardin stepped back in pain, he held his leg. That was Amel's chance to escape. “Damn it..” Hardin hissed. “I’ve never been short of women. But getting just one is so hard and draining. I can’t even sleep with her.” Hardin punched the wall again. “Damn it!” ~~

After being abroad for five years for work, I followed the address given by my boyfriend, Gavin Hayes, and arrived at what was supposed to be our future home. The door swung open, and a young woman stood there holding a child in her arms. “Who are you looking for?” Before I could even gather myself from the shock, she spoke again. “A colleague of my husband Gavin, are you? “Did he trouble you with dropping off food for me? “I’ve told him countless times. It’s my second pregnancy—he really needs to stop getting so worked up over it.” She stepped back, then invited me inside. “Why don’t you come in and sit for a bit?” Watching her beam with joy, all I could think of was Gavin’s promise to take