Stepped Unscramble

“And what you tried today,” I winced in pain as he held my nape from behind before turning me around. I peered up at him in fear while he stared down at me with his intimidating eyes. His eyes were thundering. Leaning down further, he made my pulse rise. Being so close to him— a man, no less, I could see the clear spec of blackness inside his dark eyes. They were so raw and so dark and so piercing. “I would suggest you not try it again,” he added, his bottomless brooding eyes burned into mine, “because no matter how hard you are going to try, you are never going to get out of here without my permission. Away from my sight,” he vowed in a menacing tone that had no expression at all. “Don't get your hopes high.” Tears split down my eyes while he studied my face. “You like escaping. Don't you?” He explained to me in a condescending tone. “Let's see how you are going to try now with my eyes on you— all the time." “You can try all you want, but you can never break my spirits!” I looked at him, directly in his eyes without blinking. His eyes were still focussed on my face as he slowly stepped around me. “Do you mean it?” His voice was strangely soft, “Maybe I cannot. But.. ” Adding to his intimidating aura. Shaur. “No.. ” I whispered. “I can break him.” His gaze met mine in an instant. “You seem to have forgotten your own mental capacity of understanding certain situations. Let me refresh it for you.” His eyes seemed to burn holes at me. “I'd rather not get blood on your dress.” WARNING: This book contains strong language, dubious situations, deception issues, manipulations, abduction and dark romance.

I hadn't seen my mafia husband, Luca Moretti, and our daughter Dora in three whole months. Why? Because his mother, Fiona, said Dora should stay with her "for a while." And Luca? He was "too busy with business," as always. So when Luca finally called and said he was going to pick me up for a family reunion at the villa, I was overjoyed. I thought maybe, just maybe, I'd finally get to hold my little girl again. I spent the whole damn day running around the city, buying her favorite dolls, snacks, a new pink dress, anything I thought would make her smile at me again. But when the car arrived, it wasn't what I imagined. Before I could even say Hi, Dora turned her head, took one look at me… and then wrapped her arms even tighter around Maria, the maid. She buried her face in Maria's neck like I wasn't even there. Like Maria was her mom. I tried to approach her, but Dora straight-up told me she didn't want to ride in the same car as me. And Maria, wearing that fake, polite smile, kept trying to gently talk me into giving Dora "a little more time." I looked over at Luca, hoping he'd step in. Instead, he just looked annoyed, like he couldn't be bothered to lift a finger to help fix things between me and our daughter. Clearly, they didn't want me there. So what was the point of trying to join the ride? I stepped back from the SUV. Then Luca just turned to me and said, "Just wait here. I won't be long." What he'll never understand is… I'm done waiting for him.

I’d just wrapped up a short trip with my daughter, Elara. On the way back, I figured I’d swing by the Hale, our family’s casino, to check in on my son, Cassian. Maybe grab dinner together. I didn’t expect to be mistaken for his latest fling. Correction: not mistaken—accused. Violently. “You think you can just waltz in here like some queen?” she hissed. “I’m the woman Cassian loves! What kind of whore are you? And is this your bastard daughter with him?” She locked us in the basement. No phone. No light. Just concrete walls and the stench of mildew and madness. Then came the fists. She slapped me across the face—again and again—until my skin stung and my ears rang. When that didn’t satisfy her, she pulled a gun and aimed low. The bullet tore through my knee. I bit back a scream, shielding Elara with my body. “You need to die, whore,” she spat. One of her men hesitated, “We should at least tell Mr. Hale first. If we are going to kill these two in his casino.” Lila of course said no. But that man brought Cassian anyway. My son stepped into this dark little room like it was any other Tuesday—until he saw me. His whole body went still. The blood drained from his face. And then, in the smallest, most broken voice I’d ever heard from him, he whispered, “Mom? What are you doing in my basement?”

She dreamed of a fairytale. Instead, she stepped into a nightmare. Amelia always believed in fated mates and happy endings, until her mark led her straight to Klaus, the cold, ruthless prince who despised her existence. Forced into a loveless marriage to protect his inheritance, Klaus made her life unbearable. Broken and desperate, Amelia made a choice… one that led her into the arms and bed of the king himself. Now she carries a royal secret in her womb. Not her husband’s child… but his father’s. How long can Amelia keep the truth buried? And what will happen when Klaus discovers the ultimate betrayal? When he discovers that his wife is pregnant for his father… Betrayal. Forbidden passion. A love that could destroy a kingdom. Are you ready for the scandal that will shake the royal bloodline?

When you're pregnant, your bf ghosted you immediately after you told him the news. Your brother's buddy, Albert, the alpha billionaire, stepped in and offered you a job as his personal secretary. Things got wild when you ran into your no-good bf again. He provoked you, and impulsively, you kissed Albert for revenge.Little did you know, Albert's fame meant that kiss was caught by a swarm of reporters. Right then, Albert dropped to one knee in his sleek suit and reached out his hand. "My dear, will you marry me?"

I stepped closer. Close enough to smell his cologne—cedarwood, leather, and power. My hand moved. Smooth, practiced. The pistol slide from under the apron into my palm. I raised it fast. But before I could pull the trigger— BANG. Not my shot. A scream tore through the restaurant as another man launched himself toward Romano’s table, blade flashing. Another assassin. What the hell— Romano didn’t flinch. He shoved the table forward, knocking the attacker off balance. The blade scraped across wood, not skin. I ducked instinctively as the room erupted into chaos. Gunfire cracked. Glass exploded. People screamed and dove for cover. “Get him out—NOW!” one of the guards barked. I aimed for the second attacker. Didn’t even hesitate. One shot—head. Gone. The guard saw me. Confusion flashed in his eyes. Then rage. I ran. I weaved between overturned chairs, plates, and screaming bodies. The smell of blood was real now, thick in the air. One of the guards grabbed me. I slammed my elbow into his ribs, twisted, and brought the butt of my gun down on his skull. He dropped like a sack of bricks. Out. I had to get out. My boots pounded the floor as I tore through the narrow hallway. But then— “Elisa.” His voice stopped me cold. I turned. Antonio Romano stood in the middle of the carnage, suit untouched, blood spattered behind him like art. His eyes were on me. And he was smiling. It was darker. Slower. Like a hunter seeing something worth chasing. Somehow, he knew who I was. “Interesting,” he said softly, tilting his head. “They sent you.” I didn’t answer. I ran. But that voice followed me. He knew my name. And he let me go. This wasn’t over. It had just begun.

His fingers trailed across my skin, making goosebumps pop up. The featherlight touch was driving me insane with need. He parted my thighs and stepped between them. His eyes drank in my features as if he was trying to memorize them. I always felt out of control around him, but I had a feeling that he loved that. "Tell me what you want, Violet," he murmured, his hand gently wrapping around me throat. "Tell me what you desire.” Enzo's other hand went to my skirt and began pushing it up until my white thong was showing. His finger ran over its wet center. A sinful smirk tugged at his lips. "Naughty little Violet is already so wet, and we haven't even begun. Tell me what you want, or we'll go back to work." His eyebrow rose up, awaiting my response. "You. I want you to touch me," I breathed out. ***** Enzo Vittori is a mystery to most. They believe that the CEO of Vittori Enterprises has everything that he could want. However, the one thing that he does not have is someone to stand beside him as an equal, someone to claim as his own. Violet Starling is a curveball that fate throws into his path. A woman who draws him in without even trying – a woman who will fight until her final breath is taken. Secrets blanket her reality and threaten her life. All it takes is one night for everything to change. They say that she is not human. They say that her mother is not really dead. Can Enzo protect her even when forces want her dead? Can she tame Mr. Vittori who is known for his cold, indifferent, and calculating presence? One thing is certain. Their journey will be filled with trials, passion, and spice.

During a critical meeting, my medical case notes were swapped for "Confession of an Affair”. "Exhibit A: She knowingly intruded into a marriage, a disgrace to her profession." "Exhibit B: Harassing the patient's family and destroying their family." "Exhibit C: Callously endangering lives, deliberately plotting against the wife and child to take her place!" In front of hospital leadership, the patient’s family accused me of being a homewrecker, attempting to shame me into confessing. It was chaotic until she physically assaulted me, leaving me with a concussion. When my husband rushed in from the operating room, I said coldly, "Looks like this ‘real wife’ is being called the mistress! Why would you still defend me?” Without hesitation, my husband stepped forward and slapped the real mistress. “Security!” he called out. “Get this troublemaker out of here, now!”

Heartbroken by her boyfriend’s betrayal, Evelyn Campbell was forced to sell her virginity to pay for her father’s medical bills, which led to an unplanned pregnancy. Five years later, the quest to provide for her son, Eddie, brought her back to her ex-boss, President Zuriel Scott, whose werewolf identity was concealed from the whole world. Her job of acting as President’s fake girlfriend was a trap, and she stepped into this silk web of supernatural world for only one thing, “I want to live with you, mommy.” The issue of his unknown paternity was destroying Eddie’s life. So, Evelyn trusted Zuriel as a father for her son’s future, who promised a lifelong companionship through mate-bond. But how did she get involved in the revenge story of bloodthirsty Alpha Zuriel? And what about that stranger from one-night stand, who came back to claim his right to his son? Hatred, revenge, betrayal: an emotional tale where love conquers all…

Camilla's entire world shattered when her husband Nick Sinclair abruptly ended their three-year marriage, hurling divorce papers at her. His cruel, harsh words still echoed in her ears... "I'm done with this marriage. Get out of my house!" She always knew their arranged marriage was devoid of love, but she had clung to the possibility that he would one day grow to love her. However, the arrival of his first love, bearing a child she claimed was his, destroyed any lingering hopes and exposed the emptiness of their relationship. Fingers trembling, heart bleeding, she signed the divorce agreement. But the shock overwhelmed her just as she stepped outside Nick's mansion and she collapsed. Hours later, she awakened in the hospital, staring into the icy blue eyes of the stranger who saved her. ... Derek Donovan, New York's heartthrob and wealthiest billionaire CEO, had been searching for a way to deflect the media's attention from his status as a sought-after bachelor. In exchange for saving her life, he proposed a contract to Camilla: pretend to be his wife for three years to keep the press and paparazzi off. With no other options and no one to rely on, Camilla felt compelled to accept the proposal and sign the contract. But as they navigated the path of their fake marriage, the lines blurred. Derek's icy facade cracked, revealing a burning passion for Camilla. As Camilla's heart wavered, a shocking truth emerged: Derek's past hid secrets, and she was now entrenched in a deadly game of wealth, power, and deception. Will she risk everything to love again, or will the shadows of her past and the danger lurking in Derek's world destroy her forever? The contract has been signed, but the real stakes are only just beginning...