Risking Book Novels & Stories

He looked like he was settling in for a very long, very profitable partnership. I pulled the covers over my head, but even in the dark, I could still feel the phantom heat of Nisi’s hands on my ribs and the rough vibration of Rapha’s voice in my ear. I was supposed to be the one who analyzed the risks, but as I finally drifted off, I realized I hadn't even checked the fine print on my own heart. The risk was total. The reward? Well, the reward was currently picking me up at 07:00 AM.

At this moment, regret seeped through my veins, making me wish I didn't get intimate with him. I knew what was at stake, yet I lost control. I shouldn't– “This request may be the strangest you've ever heard from someone who has minutes to live. But can we have sex one more time?” Rocco's question snapped me out of my thoughts. The gun in my hand now felt heavy, my clit shamelessly throbbing to the idea. I hated how much I wanted him inside me again. But I couldn't afford mistakes. Tonight was my only chance. If I didn't return to Don Niko with Rocco's head, he'd take mine in replacement.

It’s so secure that one guy got my number and name, and another managed to take control of my laptop like it was child’s play. I should quit. Any sane person would. But there’s a part of me, the part that craves something more, that keeps telling me this risk is exactly what will make my book sell. If there was no danger, would it be as exciting? Would it grip people the way I want it to? And, deep down, I know I’ve crossed a line already. There’s no turning back.

“I’m not joking. I really have AIDS. The last time I went to the hospital, I was actually inquiring about my own condition.” The entire venue erupted into chaos. Guests scrambled to leave. Meanwhile, Nicholas shoved her away, causing her to fall hard to the ground. “You freaking tried to kill me?”

“And that’s bad?” “Yes,” I snap. “Because now it’s bigger. Stronger. More connected. If it collapses, it’ll take more with it this time.” That shuts him up. Because he gets it. Because there’s no easy option here. Keep it— And risk it spreading. Destroy it— And guarantee something worse. The figures shift slightly. Not closer. But more alert. “You destabilize termination,” the leading one says. “That’s the point,” I shoot back. “Destabilization introduces risk.”

Everyone was waiting for me to make a mistake, to give away the secret that could destroy everything. "Maya, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest with me." "Of course." "Do you think I'm putting Ryder in danger? By being with him?" Maya was quiet for a long moment, her blue eyes searching my face. "I think," she said finally, "that love always comes with risks. But I also think that some risks are worth taking, and others will get you killed." "That's not an answer." "Yes, it is. You just don't like what it means."

“That’s risky.” Victor leaned back in his chair, expression calm but deadly. “Everything in this world is a risk, Raul. You know that.” Raul chuckled. “True. But there’s a difference between calculated risks and reckless ones.” Olivia could feel the unspoken threat hanging in the air. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, but Victor’s hand suddenly reached beneath the table, resting lightly on her thigh. A warning. Stay still. Stay quiet. Her pulse quickened, but she obeyed.

"Slowly. He doesn't have enough yet." "But he's looking," I said. "Yes." I looked at him across the library. "Simon. Room 412." His expression didn't change but something behind it did. "What about it." "He knows about the booking," I said. "David told you to be careful and you booked a second room anyway." "Yes," he said. "That was deliberate," I said. Not angry. Just mapping it. "Yes," he said again. "You knew the risk." "I calculated the risk," he said quietly. "And I booked the room anyway."

Content Warning: This chapter includes a drink-spiking and non-consensual situation. Please read with care. 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐭 William was still talking. Something about a merger at his firm, some deal that apparently "everyone in the industry was watching closely," and I nodded at what I hoped were the right moments while my brain quietly checked out somewhere around the second course. "...and that's when I told the board, if you want results, you have to be willing to take risks."

"I—I felt like we needed to take the book before someone else found it. I didn't want to risk it being stolen. I only wanted to protect us, Luca." His hand softened but didn't let go. Instead, his other hand traced down her arm, grounding her, igniting her. "Stop putting your life at risk," he said, his voice barely a whisper, thick with emotion. "That book… it's too dangerous. It's not just ink and parchment. It holds mysteries not even my father dared touch." He leaned in, breath warm against her skin. "I don't want anything to hurt you." Then he kissed her. Fierce. Possessive. Passionately.