Screeching Door

The job was simple; to preserve the past. But Isla never expected her own past to walk through the door of the Thorne Estate. Isla Campbell lands a career-defining project as a historian for organizing the archives of the Thorne estate, a task critical for a high-stakes foundation review. Her client, Cade Thorne, is the dedicated and undeniably handsome heir to a legacy he strives to honor and keep. But on her first day, Isla is met with a shocking surprise: her boss, Cade, is the charming stranger she shared a fleeting, unforgettable night with just days before. Now, the undeniable spark between them threatens to ignite, risking the professional integrity of the project and the future of the very estate Isla was hired to protect. As their passion deepens and secrets unravel, they must choose between the history they're preserving and the future they're dangerously close to writing together despite the odds. What happens when Isla finds out she is also a Thorne?

I waited for my fiancé, Charlie Boyd, to arrive for the wedding, but the one who pushed the door open was Conrad Parker, the deranged son of his family’s chauffeur. Amid the crowd’s mocking laughter, Charlie’s elegant secretary, Crystal Henderson, covered her mouth and said with a smirk, “Your future husband has come to pick you up. Shouldn’t you hurry off and marry him?” “As for Mr. Boyd, I’ll make sure to keep him company today.” Just then, Charlie strolled to the doorway with practiced nonchalance. “It was just a prank. Why the sour face? “That idiot is nothing but a lunatic. Just treat it like a childish game of make-believe.” I met the amused gleam in his eyes and said calmly, “He came wearing a groom’s suit to pick up his bride—how could that be a game?” “If we are marrying, then let it be a real ceremony.”

Six years ago, Riven Cole disappeared the night Saint Monroe’s bike exploded on a rain-slick highway. The Big Saints called him a traitor and the city labelled him a ghost after that. But now, he’s back in Silverhaven carrying a secret that could burn the brotherhood to the ground. Luca Monroe, Saint’s son and the club’s new president, built his empire on loyalty and silence. But when Riven walks into his bar, the past crashes through the door with him. Old wounds reopen and the old flames spark. And buried somewhere between hate and hunger is the truth about what really happened that night. The Big Saints are no longer a brotherhood, they’re an empire of secrets. And in a world built on lies and blood, love might be the most dangerous thing of all. Because some ghosts don’t stay gone. And some fires never die.

"Skylar, here's a hundred for the breakup. Don't crawl back." Mack flung the bill at my face like he was doing charity work. "Winona's the Frostmoon Pack's Beta's daughter. She'll save me twenty years of hustle. You? Still drowning in student loans." I eyed Winona's designer bag—logo halfway printed like it gave up mid-stitch. "You're sure this is a breakup?" "Locked in. Engagement party's tonight at Lunara Estate. You can crash if you want a pity plate. Might be your only shot inside." Door slammed. I turned to the hot wolf crouched by the ditch, mid-bite on a rabbit leg. "Hundred bucks. I'm renting you for two hours." He arched a brow, blood slick on his lips. "That's cute. But for that price? You're barely getting a paw."

Vera doesn't know her new stepbrother is the same masked stranger she spent one reckless night with at a charity gala — until he walks through the front door with a hockey bag over his shoulder and a smirk like he owns the world. Cole Harrington is the NHL's most ruthless player and his billionaire father's golden son. He's used to getting everything he wants. But Vera is the one thing he's been told is completely off-limits — and the only person who has ever genuinely walked away from him. The more they get closer to each other, the more everything gets to fall apart, because some secrets don't just ruin reputations. Some secrets ruin people. Will they find a way to each other or will the truth tear them apart before they ever get the chance?

On the day of my birthday, my cousin, who does ballet, falls and injures her leg. My father smacks my leg with a club in a fit of rage. I cry out in pain, but he doesn't care. He sneers and says, "Now, you know how it feels! Why didn't you stop to think how much pain your cousin would be in when you pushed her and made her fall down the stairs?" He hits me with all his might until I can't make any more sounds. To drive the lesson home, he shoves me into the basement, uncaring that I'm on the brink of death. "I'll let you out of there once you stop thinking these dirty thoughts, Yvonne!" But when he opens the door to the basement once more, all he sees is my decomposing corpse.

He slammed her back against the closed door making her grit her teeth as she glared at him. “Camellia,” his voice was dripping with controlled fury yet that endearment rolled off his tongue in a raspy growl. “I don’t like other men touching you,” he grumbled, grabbing her jaw, his fingers firmly pressing into her cheeks as he made her hazel eyes look into his dark greys. “I’m not yours,” she said with gathered-up bravado though his intimidating presence made her feel so timid. He leaned closer as her eyes fell on the camellia flower that was inked on his neck. His hot breath tickled her lips as his intense stare lingered on her lips. “You’re mine, Camellia. Mine!” With a low growl, he crashed his lips on hers. DARK ROMANCE!

A week before our wedding, my fiancee, Lauren Blair, went to the hospital for a prenatal checkup. She was accompanied by her newly hired assistant, Ian Kane. Coincidentally, she ended up being assigned to my clinic. I stood there holding Lauren’s pregnancy report in my hand, staring through the narrow gap in the door at the two of them outside. Ian pulled her into his arms by the waist, confessing with aching tenderness, "Lauren, I love you." "I love you too, Ian. I'm only married to Sam because of the circumstances I’m stuck in, but you've always been the one who holds my heart." I stopped hesitating. I pulled out my phone and sent a message to my father. "Dad, I accept the marriage alliance with Ms. Sheridan. The wedding date can remain. Just change the bride."

Samantha: Jaecar, the fiercest of the Border Guard, has always been kind to me. Indulging me despite what I thought was his lack of sexual interest. That all changed the day he told me he'd have me as his mate. I said no. Spurring Jaecar to go from the sweet boy next door to the hungry wolf with his eye on me. Jaecar: She was mine. She'd always been mine. She just didn't know it yet. I courted her, I was kind to her, all with my end goal in mind. Possessing her. She thinks she can run from me. But I know everywhere she'd go. I know everywhere she'd hide. Because I know everything about Samantha. The Mating Moon is rising. And she will be my mate. Willing or not.

“I’m—“ My breath catch as my eyes darted between the bulge in his pants and his dark stare. “I’m not interested.” I said, turning on my heels and walking towards the door. With bated breath, I hoped he’d grab me from behind as I approached the door, my chest tightening in anticipation. ……………………………………………… One drunken night. One shattered heart. One man she never planned to want. Irene Reynolds loves the thrill of the chase but the man who tempts her most, Damian Russo refuses to play along. He’s controlled. Unyielding. Off-limits in all the ways that matter. As desire dares duty and sparks fly, the question isn’t who will chase whom… It’s who will break first. And when Damian finally lets her win, will Irene be satisfied with the chase or will she want everything else he offers her after?