Michael Connelly The Crossing

My sister-in-law, Maeve Cohen, floored my luxury car and blew past traffic at about 125 mph, killing a family of three. She pretended to be me and acted as if nothing could touch her. "Those idiots walked into my path! It's not my fault they got hit!" she snapped. "I'm the Lincoln Enterprise heiress. Even if I ran, who would dare catch me?" In my last life, Maeve said her husband wasn't home and she needed a car to visit her parents, so she borrowed mine. She ended up racing down the road, plowing into a family crossing the street, and driving back over them to make sure they were dead. The couple had just bought a house. The baby was only a month old. When the victims' family demanded an explanation, she hid behind my reputation and spat venom. "They're just three worthless people! I'm the Lincoln Enterprise heiress; why should I explain myself? Tell them to come to me for funeral expenses!" The grieving family couldn't take it and came to my in-laws' place. "Three worthless people, huh? Today, we'll end you so you can apologize to them in person!" My husband had died the year before. With no one to protect me, the victims' family turned on me, and I was stabbed to death. The valuable wedding gifts my family had given to me became Maeve's overnight. My family tried to appeal for me, but trolls who hated the rich maliciously reported tax problems about my father's company. My father was driven to exhaustion. One night, he fell asleep at the wheel, and the car plunged off a cliff, killing him. Only after I died did I discover it had all been Maeve's plan to ruin us out of spite. Then I opened my eyes. I was back on the day Maeve took my car and ran into those people.

A year ago, my life was simple. I was just Ariel Anthony…a regular college student, cheerleader with decent grades, daughter of a struggling baker, and recently appointed step-sister to a guy I barely knew. Nothing special. Then came the storm. Not just the thunderstorm that trapped me in Professor Grayson's apartment that night, but the storm that followed. The one that's still raging around me, that I created. They don't warn you about men like Luther Grayson in freshman orientation. They don't tell you how a single glance from the right person can make you question everything you thought you knew about yourself. About what you want. About what you'd risk to get it. They also don't warn you about guys like Ethan Cross, with his perfect smile hiding something dark. The kind of guy who's used to getting what he wants and doesn't understand the meaning of the word "no." And no one, absolutely no one…prepares you for what it feels like when the person who's supposed to be your brother looks at you with something else in his eyes. Mom once said I had a gift for making complicated situations worse. If she only knew. My phone buzzed beside me, and I glanced down to see Luther's name on the screen. My heart still jumps every time, even when I'm aware of what could happen if people learned about the two of us. I should ignore it. I should block his number, focus on my classes, help Mom with the bakery, and pretend none of this ever happened. But I'm already reaching for the phone. That's the thing about crossing lines… once you step over them, it's almost impossible to step back. And I've crossed so many lines now, I can't even see where I started.

He is a 10 but he is a decade older than me, my brother’s best friend, a therapist who wants to counsel me and... he likes to hurt little girls like me. “What were you doing this morning?” “I was meditating.” He is right. I am a terrible liar. Aiden raised his eyebrows. “Is that so?” He waited for my answer, crossing his arms over his chest. I got distracted by the way his biceps bulged. He noticed me staring. I glanced down at my lap, twiddling my thumbs. “Y-yes, Doctor Aiden, I was meditating and I-I focused on my breath like you taught me—” “Why are you lying to me, Ivy?” My head snapped at him. “I-I am not lying.” Aiden tilted his head and my throat went dry when he said, “Then why did I hear your voice moaning my name when you orgasmed with your fingers inside you?" He is her first love. She is his best friend's little sister. Will a chance reunion lead to true love? I was a good girl. An honor student. A dutiful daughter, sister and a sweet girlfriend to my boyfriend until I found him in my best friend’s bed. I didn’t want goody-two-shoe nice boys who gave me empty promises. What I wanted was a man who wouldn’t hurt me. When I found my brother’s best friend, Aiden Stone, with only a towel around his hot Greek body dripping wet from a shower, I decided that what I wanted, what I had been wanting for years, was him. The only problem? He is a decade older than me, my brother’s best friend, a therapist who wants to counsel me and... he likes to hurt little girls like me.

My name is Michael Lockwood. I am the CEO of Lockwood enterprises. You might know my family. Raphael Lockwood (The shark) is my father and he stepped down from his job as CEO for me to take over. He was also one of the biggest Mafia bosses this city has ever seen. My brother Gabriel and my sister Amelia are my two pillars. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them. Whenever life gets tough we get together and we solve the problem together. I am the only one in my family that has no ties with the Mafia. Sometimes I do a dirty job here and there and help laundry some money but my siblings know better than to ask that from me. My integrity and honesty are my pride and joy. Too bad I can’t be honest in every aspect of my life. My life is controlled by old men with strict family values. Because of that I am part of an arranged marriage. If I want my business to succeed and make my father proud I need to get married to one of the old men’s daughter. I know. Great. The thing is... I am living a lie and I don’t know how to let the truth out. I am completely in love with someone. Someone my father and my business associates would never approve of. Will Mike give in to the pressure and let go of the love of his life? Or will he find a way? This is the Fourth Book of the Shark Mafia boss.This book can be read as a stand alone but for better comprehension of the characters and the story it is recommended that you read the previous books.

Carmen Wade thought she had it all—a perfect job, a loyal best friend, and a husband she adored. Everything was perfect! But her world shatters the night she discovers her husband's ultimate betrayal with her best friend, Millie. Fearing Carmen will expose their affair, the two decide to kill her, forcing her into an oncoming truck. She bleeds to death. But when Carmen opens her eyes, she’s no longer in her own world. She’s been reborn as Lady Daphne Vasquez—The infamous villainess from her favorite fantasy novel, destined to meet a brutal end in the hands of her fiancé. Determined to change her fate, Carmen (now Daphne) shocks the kingdom by first calling off her engagement with Lord Michael Ruiz, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her treacherous husband, Cody Wade. Her actions draw the attention of King Rafe Crowe, a powerful ruler from a neighboring land who becomes suspicious of Daphne’s sudden transformation. As Carmen navigates a world of greedy nobles and magic, she must use her knowledge of the story’s end to outsmart those who would see her fall, including her former fiancé and the heroine of the novel—who eerily mirrors Millie. But her greatest challenge may be resisting the charm of King Rafe, whose keen eyes seem to see right through her facade and changing the narrative of the story she once knew it’s end. In a world where allies and enemies blend together, Carmen’s second chance at life becomes a high-stakes game of survival, vengeance, unexpected romance and avoiding a dark prophecy.

His nose was an inch away from mine. Eyes looked down it with burning intensity. “You are mine, Adelia. And there is nothing in the world that can change that.” He growled, tracing the side of my face with a feather-light touch. I recoiled and swatted his hand away. Wanted to move backward. Out of his proximity but a strong hand settled on my lower back. Pulled me into him. Our eyes met again, letting all of my venom show in them. “You are married, Michael. Married and human! Us being mates doesn't take away from that fact.” I hissed. His blue eyes darkened. Hand flexed on my back. “Then turn me. Make me a wolf and I will be by your side until the world burns.” “Married. That is another obstacle. I won't be a home-wrecker. Never again.” I tried to move away from him. Away from the lurking promise of death and destruction if I gave in to him. Remained in his presence. But his hand twined with my dress. Forced me to stay so deathly close to him. I felt my resolve melt away. “She will understand. How can't she? We were destined to be together by the goddess herself.” He whispered and brushed his lips against my cheek. A shudder ran down my spine. “A goddess that you don't believe in.” Michael pulled away. Smiled cruelly down at me. “The only goddess I believe in is the one right in front of me.” I didn't stop him when his lips crashed into mine. Or when his tongue drifted over my bottom lip. Opened up for him so that he could explore the inside of my mouth. Devoured me whole. Morals be damned, then.

Anne works at a mall. She is the supervisor of one of the most famous men’s summer wear. She also failed once in love. When her ex boyfriend/ex fiancée cheated her. It hurts her so much. And because her age is about to pass the calendar, some of her close friends or work colleagues are looking for her a blind date or to be a boyfriend. But not one of those who were reprimanded and introduced by friends was not her type. And no captured her. Michael, a close friend and supervisor of the visual team, urges her to install a dating app so that she can have a boyfriend. Out of curiosity, she installed the app. More love, one of those who chatted with her and he immediately took an interest for them to meet. But she was disappointed because More love’s skin tone is black. She discriminated him secretly. But Anne’s view of More love changed when she met him. That they feel love and first meet to each other. She gave everything to him. The thing that she never gave to her long time past boyfriend. On the other hand, even though the two had not yet fully knew each other, destiny tested them immediately. Suddenly, her ex fiancee came back which gave her so much emotional pain. When his ex fiancee returns, she can’t tell to herself who she loves. Her ex fiancee or More love(the guy she just met) . Anne suddenly walked away from More love and not to communicate on him. Assuming she will be happy with her boyfriend’s return. But she never forgot More love. But when she decides to choose More love, she already find out that the guy has already a girlfriend.

“I should’ve known you weren’t as reckless as me,” he says quietly. “You’re Elliot’s little girl after all.” “I’m not a little girl,” I snap. “I’m twenty-five.” “And I’m almost twice your age, Natalie,” he says, almost like he’s giving up. “But that didn’t stop you from coming to me.” In a second, he has me pinned against the wall. His hands trails up the sides of my body. “Do you want me to stop?” he whispers, his breath hot against my neck. “I waited for you that night,” I whisper, my hand sliding up his chest. “I imagined us doing all the things you implied you’d do.” He groans softly, a low, guttural sound that vibrates through his chest. “Did you touch yourself?” he asks in a whisper, his eyes closed. My other hand moves lower, trailing down his body until I brush against the hard evidence of his desire. I feel his breath hitch, and I smirk, knowing what I’m doing to him. “Yeah, but it was your hands I was feeling.” On the brink of her second wedding anniversary, Natalie Jones uncovers a devastating betrayal—her husband, Michael Cooper, embraced passionately with his mistress. Confronting him in a dimly lit restaurant, Nat exposes his scheme to marry her for her father’s fortune and storms out, her heart shattered but her resolve unbroken. Ric Steward, on the other hand — billionaire and philanthropist — never expected his evening to ignite with scandal. When he sees Natalie—radiant, powerful, and on the edge of a breakdown—he’s immediately captivated. Their fiery, forbidden attraction is challenged when Ric learns she’s the daughter of a longtime friend. But that doesn’t stop Nat. It only makes her want Ric more…

EXTRACT. “Why should I hand you my heart again, when all you did was shatter it into a million pieces before?” Emily hissed. Alpha Robert took a daring step closer, “I know I messed everything up, but I can’t breathe without you. Please, just one more chance, and I’ll prove myself.” From behind Emily came a deep, resonant growl. Alpha James moved forward with a possessive intensity. “Step away, cousin. She’s my mate. My soul is bound to hers.” “Since when do I belong to anyone? Fate might decree it, James, but it doesn’t mean you own me.” Emily inquired. A menacing voice from the shadows then seized her attention, “And what about me, little omega? How do you explain this undeniable pull between us? Or are you too scared to admit that your enemy stirs your very core?” Alpha Michael questioned. *** Emily Parker, a wolfless omega, endures constant hatred and disdain from her own father and his family. But her world isn't entirely bleak; she has a loving fiancé who stands by her side. That is, until he shatters her heart by cheating on her with her half-sister, who turns out to be his true mate. Devastated, Emily is sent away by her father to another pack for her studies. Two years later, Emily returns to her father's pack, only to cross paths with the mysterious Monstrous brothers, the formidable sons of the Demontail pack. To her astonishment, she learns that she is the destined mate of the eldest brother, while the younger brother harbors a deep grudge against her. As if things couldn't get more complicated, her ex-fiancé now wants her back. Caught between three potent Alphas fighting for her heart. Who will win her heart: the destined mate, the enemy, or the ex-lover?

"Marry me," Helena said with a pounding heart. Alexander's eyes darkened, making her legs feel like jelly. "And what do I get in return?" "80% of my shares, plus 2 years of my time." "I don't want your shares, Helena... I want you." ***** They say you only realise what you've lost when it's gone. Helena realised this as she lay dying, killed by her husband and sister. Switched at birth and reclaimed by a family that never wanted her, Helena lived as an outsider in her own home. But when her grandfather left her a fortune, suddenly everyone cared. Especially Michael, her sister's ex-boyfriend, who swept her off her feet with promises of love. But love was a lie. Pregnant and naive, Helena signed away everything before they killed her. In her final moments, she prayed for one impossible thing: a second chance. When Helena opens her eyes to the reading of her grandfather's will, she knows exactly what she has to do. No more being the fool. Now, she'll reclaim what's hers and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Then she collides with handsome and powerful Alexander Grant, who looks at her like she's a puzzle he's dying to solve. He harbours dark secrets—including a terminal illness and a solemn promise to her dead grandfather. When Helena proposed a contract marriage, his answer ignited a fire neither of them could control. He remembers their past life, and this time, he'll stop at nothing to protect her, claim her, and make her his, even as his own life is fading. But desire is a dangerous game when your grovelling ex-husband wants you back and enemies circle like vultures. Can Helena save the one man who truly loves her, or will trusting her heart destroy her all over again?