I've Got No Strings To Hold Me Down

"You're a dangerous woman, Elena," He reached, turning on the shower beside her head. "I think your demons are making you see things wrong, Mr. Rossi," she murmured through the water spilling down her head. He laughed, "They are right; you're my trigger," his nose buried into the crook of her neck, he muttered, sending shivers down her spine. "And too bad a lot of people cross you..." ***** Her life came crashing down when she signed a contract marriage with the calm President Nikolai Rossi, who only had eyes on one woman who wasn't her. To make matters worse, she couldn't help but fall in love with him and his son, knowing he'd never reciprocate. After a terrible divorce, three years later, Elena Vero is a mother of one. She now has to return to Italy for business, unfortunately falling into the waiting palms of her ex-husband, who surprisingly wants her back. But being his wife has never been a bed of roses and never will it be, especially when she finds out he isn't all that he seems.

I stare at the email on my screen, unable to move my fingers. Tomorrow is our company's crucial product launch, and I just learn that the patent for the algorithm I spent three years developing is now filed under Matthew Ashford's new assistant, Sophie Bennett. I storm into Matthew's office to confront him. Sophie sits on his desk with her legs crossed, looking completely innocent. She claims that she filled out the form by mistake. "It's just a clerical error. The patent still belongs to the company. What's the big deal?" Matthew stands up from his chair, positioning himself in front of Sophie. I can't believe what I am hearing. "Matthew, this is my research!" "Emma, you're thirty-five. Why are you picking a fight with a twenty-three-year-old intern?" He frowns. Then, he turns to Sophie. "Starting tomorrow, you're the new CTO. Emma needs… some time off." I'm utterly stunned. A decade of marriage and five years dedicated to building a company together have been shattered by a few casual words from him. Thirty minutes later, Sophie posts a photo on social media of herself sitting on Matthew's lap. They are both clinking champagne glasses. "So lucky to have the best boss ever. I'll make sure to be his loyal kitten." Below that, Matthew leaves a comment—three red heart emojis. I shut my laptop and pick up my phone. "Hello. Is this Mr. David Langley from Novara Group of Sundale Valley? This is Emma Whitmore. I've changed my mind. I'm ready to join you." I pause. "And by the way, about that unreleased algorithm upgrade, I have the complete technical blueprint. Make me an offer." Later, I fly to Tallisport with an eight-figure check in hand, while Matthew goes frantic trying to find me.

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.

After passing five rounds of interviews, I secure an offer from Larson Group based on my own abilities. I can't wait to share the good news with my boyfriend, Noah Gardner. However, he reports me to HR, causing me to lose the job. "Isabelle can't find a job and is really anxious, so I gave the position to her. You can just send out a few more resumes. It's not like a few extra days matter," he said nonchalantly. After Isabelle Buchanan starts working at Larson Group, everyone showers her with praise. I laugh in exasperation and call my older brother. "Mr. Larson, can our company hire me as the CEO's executive assistant?"

During my wedding, hundreds of photos of me being sullied flutter down from the top of the church, landing before the guests below. My fiancé instantly calls off our engagement and turns to kiss my sister. Devastation washes over me. Just then, my childhood friend Derek Church, the Capo of the Church family, the East Coast's most powerful mafia family, pulls me into his arms. He kicks the church's door open and presses a check worth a million dollars into my father's hands. He pulls me to the priest and has him announce that we are husband and wife. I'm so touched that I agree to marry him. From then on, I become the Capo's wife. Two years later, Derek and I finally conceive through IVF. I want to share the exciting news with him when I overhear his conversation with his subordinate. "Lilyanne is afraid of pain and becoming ugly, so we can use Nicole to give birth to her child. Once she produces an heir for the Morse family, her position will be solidified. Then, the Morse family will become the Church family's MadeMan." "As expected of you, boss. You knew the Morse family is full of politicians who would never accept a sullied woman into the family. The only way for Lilyanne to marry into the family was by having Nicole sullied." My blood runs cold when I hear this, and the pregnancy report in my hand feels unbelievably heavy. The man I thought was my salvation was actually the devil who pulled me into the abyss. I dry my tears and call the Capo of the West Coast's mafia family, Derek's nemesis. "I have a way to help you become the mafia Capo dei capi. Do you want to work with me?"

History repeats itself in many ways. Maybe for the family, the love, or even for yourself. Would you be willing to go back to the past to be able to change the history? Sacrifice yourself and change the fate of those who are in the present and in the future. Like Lia, living in a modern world, who is very contented in her life despite being adopted and having a risky relationship in the meantime that can end her in many ways. And that is why, some things, some pasts are better kept hidden and not known. Would she go back to where history started and change it for the better? Then Lia stays in the past, stuck on her own fate. Will it be the further destruction, or the salvation of her history?

Liam had made a major blunder that threatened to bring their business down and damage his father so he had to do everything he could to save him. Even marrying someone he just met. Something odd happened when the two strangers collided and shifted Crystal's way of life into a lifestyle she could never have imagined. Due to the dubious circumstances, Crystal met Liam Spencer. A man who offers her to marry him in exchange of a large sum of money. Crystal Harrison agreed when she heard how much money he could pay her because she had always wished to live a life that was more comfortable and prosperous than her current one. Even though they know nothing about each other, and didn't consider the consequences of such a major decision, the two strangers signed a marriage contract. Now, they have to live as a couple to avoid tarnishing the Spencer's reputation.

****** “Do I truly have no effect on you, Delia?” Rafe’s voice was low and husky as he slowly drew her into his embrace. His fingers trailed down the curve of her spine, igniting a spark that sent a shiver racing through her body. As she sucked in her breath, unable to tear her gaze away from him, he leaned in closer, his lips grazing the sensitive skin of her neck. “Does this not feel good?” he murmured, his warm breath fanning her damp skin. Delia remained silent, unable to form a coherent response as he trailed his mouth to hers, slowly capturing her lips in a searing kiss. ******* Delia Scott is seeking refuge from her troubled past on the tranquil shores of St. John, unaware that the moment she steps foot on the island, her fate is sealed. She is the destined mate of Raphael “Rafe” Donovan—the enigmatic and formidable Alpha of the Nightclaw Pack, one of the largest Coastal Wolves Pack. Rafe, rules with an iron fist and works tirelessly to maintain the delicate balance between the humans and werewolves that reside in St. John. After years of believing his fated mate was nothing more than a lost dream, Delia’s arrival changes everything. And now that he’s found her, he will stop at nothing to keep her by his side. As their destinies collide, Rafe and Delia find themselves ensnared in a tempest of desire and longing, each grappling with the depths of their emotions. But beneath the sun-drenched paradise, a sinister threat looms, waiting to tear them apart. And when a third player enters the game, questions arise—Is Delia truly meant for Rafe, or was she never his to claim?

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?

To make me "obedient", my parents send me to a reform center. There, I'm tortured until I lose control of my bladder. My mind breaks, and I'm stripped naked. I'm even forced to kneel on the ground and be treated as a chamber pot. Meanwhile, the news plays in the background, broadcasting my younger sister's lavish 18th birthday party on a luxury yacht. It's all because she's naturally cheerful and outgoing, while I'm quiet and aloof—something my parents despise. When I return from the reform center, I am exactly what they wanted. In fact, I'm even more obedient than my sister. I kneel when they speak. Before dawn, I'm up washing their underwear. But now, it's my parents who've gone mad. They keep begging me to change back. "Angelica, we were wrong. Please, go back to how you used to be!"