Smug Expression

Behind every great Queen stands no one; something Miliani Hwang learned from the early age of ten after she was forced to take over the Hwang Family Mafia when her parents died in a murder-suicide. In light of their tragic end, she built herself up from the ground for 11 years, trusting no man to stand behind or even beside her. The sheer sound of her name was enough to have even the toughest men on their knees and despite not ever taking a life with her own hands, everyone in the crime world knew they should never cross The Great Miliani Hwang. It doesn't surprise her when she is betrayed on her 21st birthday but she never expected her own blood to be the mastermind. She flees to Sicily with the help of the Ravello Crime Family, where she learns many secrets about her lineage and starts falling for the smug Vincenzo Ravello. Now a disgraced mob boss with nothing but her name and rage a lingering question lingered in the back of her mind; who was she now if not The Great Miliani Hwang? Vincenzo Ravello, the eldest son of the Ravello Crime Family knew all too well about the dangers that come with his title as heir to the Cosa Nostra. He's spent the past few years of his life reminding his enemies time and time again that he wasn't a man they wanted to mess with. His heart was made of stone and women, to him were nothing more than playthings until her. He would do anything for her. Every Queen needs a King to avenge her and Miliani must learn to trust her heart to stand beside hers because he will burn the whole world until all her enemies bow at her feet.

The night before our wedding, word spread like wildfire through high society that my fiancee had thrown herself a bachelorette party with ten virgins. When I storm into the villa, I find her nestled in the arms of my chauffeur's son, her skin blotched with fresh red marks. "It's just a wild night before the wedding. You get that, don't you?" Melissa Young says. She looks up at me with indifference, not bothering to explain herself. I catch the smug challenge in the eyes of the man holding her. My eyes burn red as I hurl the wedding invitations to the floor. "The scandal is everywhere! Have you even thought about what tomorrow's wedding will look like?" I yell. "This isn't just about you and me. It's about the future of both our families' businesses! Call a press conference and explain yourself." She frowns, irritation flickering in her eyes, but gives a grudging nod. Yet the next day, the internet explodes with a new bombshell—the Zucker heir is impotent, leaving his fiancee unsatisfied. When I demand answers, Melissa puts her foot down, her voice dripping with venom as she says, "All I see now is Nicky." She snaps, "No matter how many times you threaten to pull your investments, my mind's made up!" In that moment, the last ember of love I feel for her goes out. I call my dad, my resolve steeled. "Cut off all funding to Young Group, and buy out every one of her partnerships at triple the price!"

I was reborn. Opening my eyes on the sofa, the television flickered before me, broadcasting another financial news segment about my husband, Jasper Brolin. The Alpha of the Moonblood pack, a man who had sat at the top of the billionaire list for years, was speaking with his usual cool authority. Broad-shouldered and sharp-featured, he carried an air of cold command that made him untouchable. Whenever he stepped into the public eye, the crowd surged with screams and breathless admiration. My marriage to him was the envy of our entire circle, and every woman wished to step into my shoes. As I watched the screen, memories of my tragic death in my last life came rushing back, sending a quiet ache through my chest. My wolf rumbled low in my chest. "So we're back. Now what?" "Break the bond," I whispered. "I'm leaving him." "He'll never agree to that." "That's why I need her help," I replied, thinking of the woman I had always disliked—Halle. Halle walked into the café, a smug smirk was plastered on her face. Having grown up alongside Jasper, she was regarded as his inner circle, and people never failed to give her the highest courtesy. I slid a mate-bond dissolution document across the table. "I need your help, Halle. And of course, there's something in it for you too." She glanced through the papers, suspicion flashing in her eyes. "Are you leaving him?" she asked. My voice was calm, "Maybe you're the one he really wants by his side." In my last life, I was the perfect Mrs. Brolin, envied by all, yet never the one he held closest. This time, I would take my unborn pup and leave quietly.

I often wonder whether I was cursed as a child since the amount of bad luck in my life seems almost supernatural. I've been called a computer genius, but to most, my true talent remains unknown. I've been called beautiful, but I tend to hide my looks behind tons of insecurities and loose clothing… After I broke up with my cheating boyfriend, my crappy job seemed like the only stable thing in my life… until I lost that last thing as well. The source of my tragedy had a name—Killian Blair. My bad luck stuck again and my high school bully became the newly appointed CEO of the company I worked for. Naturally, his first decision was to fire me and my entire department, ruining my life just like in school. I wasn't sure whether the fact he didn't recognize me was a blessing or a curse, but I was determined never to meet him again. Unfortunately, my fate had other plans… First, Killian managed to save me from an uncomfortable situation with my ex, and a moment later, I was rumored to be his girlfriend! But then the tables turned. The mighty CEO needed to avoid scandals at all costs, even if it meant convincing me to act as if we were in a relationship. “Name your price.” A smug smirk danced on his lips. “Do you want your job back?" “Make me a director in your company. Only then will I act as your loving girlfriend.” I thought he would never agree to my bold demand. I underestimated his determination… “Deal,” he answered simply and fixed his eyes on me. “Just remember, Josephine Clairmont, you can't go back on your word. Once you sign the contract, you belong to me.”

TRIGGER WARNING: THIS BOOK MAY CONTAIN THEMES LIKE DARK AND SPICY ROMANCE, STEAMY AND SEXUAL CONTENT, VIOLENCE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND FORCED SEX WHICH IS STRICTLY NOT FOR KIDS UNDER +18 READER'S DISCRETION IS ADVISED. . "If I should take you tonight Sierra, your body belongs to me and only I will be able to touch and do to you as I please, do you understand?" He asked with a smug grin on his face while he waited for her response. "I don't care who the fuck you are but you can't hold me captive. I will run away from here. That I promise you!" She swore vehemently. "The thing is..." He tugged at the collar around her neck, pulling her forward with a sinister smile on his face. "You can run Piccola but you can't hide. I'd tumble the whole world upside down to find you if I have to. You belong to me and only me!" *.*.* . Twenty year old Sierra Delavine has a one night stand with a masked stranger at a hotel who turns out to be Diavolo Castillo, the most dangerous Italian Mafia and drug lord right after receiving the heartbreaking and devastating news of her sister's medical condition. Diavolo who is the sworn enemy of the former senator who happens to be her father, offers her a deal to become his sex slave in exchange of her sister's life. She would have to live with him for three months and take him. All of him whenever and however he wanted it. As their worlds collided, they found themselves caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and danger. Will Ciara accept Diavolo's offer and will she find solace in the heart of the ruthless Italian mafia?

Blurb Five years ago, the 18-year-old Mia was the most naive Italian teenager ever. The people she trusted took away her inheritance, identity, and fiance. Finally, she was thrown into the bed of a stranger. That night changed everything in her life. Five years later, she returned to Italy as a world-class model with a secret child. "Mommy, take a quick peek at that handsome uncle", the small girl with a ponytail cupped her cheeks and had a dreamy look on her face. Mia sighed and replied, "Chiara, don't forget our agreement. Anyway, that stranger is not half as handsome as your Dad". The said stranger had a darkened expression on his face. His subordinates felt the urge to laugh but his oppressive aura wouldn't let them do it. That was the first time their boss met a woman who wasn't afraid of offending him. Mia's goals upon her return are only three. One, bring down her enemies and take back her inheritance. Two, Restore her identity as an Arturo. Three, Find the man from that night. What if fate has other plans for her?

Kira, I can hear myself again!!' She squealed happily. All the pain she felt from the beatings the rogue gave her didn't matter anymore. She finally got her voice back. ' Your voice is back!' Kira said almost immediately. ' Now we can finally talk to our mate' She squealed happily too. All the excitement Haven had felt a moment again dissipated into thin air. ' Mate?' Her eyes immediately flew to the man holding her. She had completely forgotten she was in the arms of this .. This ' Man'. Haven looked at him in disgust. His hands were still hovering in the air as he looked at her, a blank expression on his face. " What do you think you're trying to do?!" Haven could feel the rage locked up within her for all these days started to surface. Just looking at his face made Haven want to kill him over and over again. What sort of a sick joke was Selene playing with her? How can the one person she hated turn out to be her fated mate?

On the fifth year of their marriage, finding the vitamin C her husband bought tasted too bitter, Jeanne Dotson went to the hospital with the bottle. The doctor took one look and frowned. "This isn't vitamin C." "I-I'm sorry, Doctor?" "I could say it a dozen times and it'd still be the same," the doctor replied, pointing at the bottle. "This is Mifepristone. Taking too much of it doesn't just cause infertility—it can do serious harm to your body." Jeanne felt a lump stuck in her throat, and her fingers turned pale from clenching the bottle. "That's impossible. My husband got this for me. His name is Darren Walsh—he's a doctor here too." The doctor looked up at her, his expression turning strange, tinged with something she couldn't quite read. After a pause, he gave a small smile. "Miss, you might want to visit the psych ward instead. We all know Dr. Walsh's wife—she gave birth just two months ago. Don't let your imagination run wild, all right? There's no point."

My girlfriend had one of those guy friends she insisted was basically family. On a group hike, he knew I had diabetes and couldn't eat anything high in sugar, but he still coaxed me into eating a high-sugar energy bar, and my blood sugar spiked almost instantly. When I pulled out my insulin to inject, panic shot through me. My medication had been switched out for saline. I collapsed to the ground, shaking and retching. The fake nice-guy just looked down at me with a smug twist of his mouth. "Seriously, man? You're being dramatic. It's just a little sugar. Good thing I told Selene to swap your meds, or we'd never know how far you'd go to fake it. With a body this weak, how are you supposed to protect Selene?" I turned to my girlfriend, my breathing already turning shallow. "Selene, give me my insulin. If I don't inject it right now, I'm going to die." She frowned as if I were the one being unreasonable. "You're overacting. I've never heard of someone dying from a bit of sugar. Adrian's right. You're always looking for attention. Everyone finally got together today, and you're here ruining it." I felt everything inside me go cold. I didn't even bother arguing anymore. I grabbed my phone with shaking hands and rasped, "Mom, your son's about to get bullied to death. Are you going to step in or not?"

My new neighbor is a jerk. A grumpy, arrogant shithead. At first, I was dazzled by his looks; tall, broad-shouldered, hot enough to melt panties at ten feet. But the moment he opened his mouth, I knew I hated him. He’s smug, rude, and way too good at getting under my skin. I’ve never disliked a man more, especially because he's got that 'Ill ruin you' energy and my stupid body wants it. I want him gone—until he shows up out of nowhere and saves me from getting abducted. And the worst part? The photos go viral. Turns out, my hot, broody neighbor is an NHL hockey star and now the world thinks we’re dating. His PR agent wants us to run with the story. For his reputation and fans. Fake dating? With him? Great. *** Rhett Lawson isn’t just the world’s hottest hockey player. He’s a powerful Alpha hiding his real identity. His parents were murdered when he was just a boy, leaving him and his pack scarred and cursed. And the reason he’s in the human world is because the Moon Goddess whispered, “You’ll find your greatest enemy and your fated mate in the human world. She holds the key to your redemption.” His only goal is to find his enemy and the fated mate who holds the key to his redemption. Not get tangled with his annoying neighbor. But why does his wolf want her in their bed? She's human, annoying and forbidden. The story contains themes of Obsession, Dark Romance, Violence and highly Erotic scenes. 18+ only. Enjoy the story of Lulu & Rhett