The Shadows Between Us

Arranged marriage, enemies to lovers, Mafia/cartel romance As the only daughter of the Kansas City capo, at eighteen years of age, I was given to the son of my father’s consigliere, a man who was expected to accomplish great things for the famiglia. Things didn’t go the way we planned. There wasn’t love. My husband was a traitor, taking part in a coup against the famiglia. He’s now dead. I’m free. Until the fateful night my brother, our new capo, informs me that I’ve once again been promised in marriage. He explains that as a childless widow and the daughter of the late capo dei capi, I am desired. Requested. Aléjandro Roríguez is the son of the leader of the Roríguez cartel. My brother married a woman from the cartel, securing the Mafia/cartel alliance. He says that it’s now my turn. I’ve only met my future husband a few times, but I know without a doubt that I don’t like him. Loving him is impossible. I’ve lived in a marriage without love. I won’t do it again. Aléjandro lives a dangerous existence. Death saved me once before. Maybe it will again. Have you been Aleatha’d?

My girlfriend, Clara Sutton, had severe mysophobia. Before every intimate moment we shared, she required me to disinfect myself thoroughly in advance. She even set strict rules about how often we could kiss or sleep together, and how long it could last. Without her permission, I was not allowed to touch her. I had always believed she treated everyone this way. I even secretly felt relieved, thinking that I must have been somewhat special to her. Then came that night at the bar. During a party, her childhood friend, Ethan Ford, drew a dare in a game of truth or dare. Then, in front of everyone, he leaned in and kissed Clara. Although it was supposedly a punishment for losing, they kissed deeply for a full five minutes. Our friends laughed and jostled one another as they turned to look at me. Only then did I realize that Clara’s obsession with cleanliness had never been a universal rule. It had existed simply because she did not like me. Disheartened, I asked for a breakup. But Clara soon regretted it. With reddened eyes, she begged me not to leave.

On my wedding day, my fiancé’s childhood sweetheart arrived, wearing the exact same custom wedding dress as me. They stood together, greeting guests, while I smiled and praised them as a match made in heaven. Humiliated, she left the venue in tears. In her defense, my fiancé publicly accused me of being petty and unreasonable. After the wedding reception, he left with her for the honeymoon we had planned together. I didn’t cry. Instead, I called my lawyer immediately.

Meet Leon — a promising indie actor who’s about to take on a new film project. But his life takes a bizarre turn when he starts hearing a mysterious voice in his dreams, a voice that he cannot seem to recall. As the voice becomes more insistent and the dreams more frequent, Leon’s mental state begins to crumble, leaving him questioning the world around him. In the midst of all this chaos, Leon stumbles upon a fortune teller with incredible abilities who hands him a necklace and cryptic instructions to “listen to the voice of his heart.” With this new talisman in hand, Leon starts to unlock the truth behind the enigmatic voice, and as he digs deeper, he realizes that nothing in his life is quite as it seems. As he grapples with this revelation, Leon must also confront his long-term lover, Sheldon, and the secrets that have been kept from him. But what he uncovers goes far beyond what he could have ever imagined, and the truth he seeks threatens to unravel his entire existence. Will Leon be able to navigate the treacherous waters of his own mind and uncover the truth before it’s too late? One thing is for sure — when he finally discovers the truth behind everything, the repercussions will be more profound than he could have ever imagined. Copyright ️ 2022 HiGANBANA

Content Warning: This story contains a significant amount of adult content, including sexual material, alcohol, and violence. Reader discretion is advised. Moans echoed back and forth inside one of the rooms of a five star hotel in Stockholm, Sweden. The young woman could not hold herself back from crying out as a tall, powerfully built man above her moved relentlessly, his muscular body driving into hers. Their bodies were slick with sweat, the act of two people joining fueled by raw desire. “Damn it, you’re so tight and incredible, Lexi. You always satisfy me, you always bring me perfectly to my climax,” Austin said, struggling to catch his breath after release. Alexi turned onto her side, her hand tracing every inch of Austin Stanley’s damp skin, the man who had just made love to her. “You know this is wrong, don’t you, Austin? What we have isn’t right. Why do you trap me in a labyrinth that makes me lose my way?” “If you’re lost, call only me. I’m the only one you should ever call, Alexi Mauren. Only me, Austin Stanley, can guide you. Do you understand?” Austin leaned in, capturing her thin lips. “Listen to me. As long as I’m by your side, I’ll make sure your world stays safe.” Alexi wavered. Being entangled in a forbidden relationship with someone she should never have had was something that could never truly last. What if the world discovered their illicit affair? Would it still show her kindness? Or would the world turn its back on her completely?

Susan is a human girl who was blessed with the gift of prophesies. In the state of Kansas, it was believed that everyone who was born with this gift was possessed by a demon. When her family figured out her reality, they sold her to Father Antoine of the Catholic division. It was believed that whoever was sold to a reverend father for a period of seven years, would end up being free from the demonic spirit. This was so strange, and many of the gullible has been sold over. Susan Theodore will be a part of this circle. She carted off her things, and went to stay with Father Antoine. Things were really good. She was allowed to do so many things kids her age did. And she didn’t miss her parents all that much. To Susan, it was like a home away from home. Things changed exactly three months later. Susan had a dream as real as breathing. She saw the Father having sex with a woman called Lily Wolfe. Susan remembered seeing her at a time. She was so pretty. And, always seemed in a hurry. She couldn’t keep the affair in her head, owing to the fact that the Father had informed her to always tell him about her dreams. It will make it easier to deliver her from evil spirits. So, after the confessions on a cold Saturday morning, she summoned up the courage to talk to the Father. Father Antoine was wrath. For the first time, he saw what her family had been complaining about. This girl was truly possessed. In his rage, he striped her of the respect she had been accorded, and made her nothing but a slave.

18+ CONTENTS "You thought you could just disappear, Selene? Run away and leave me behind? You really thought I'd never find you?" Lorenzo asked, his voice deep. "I had to," I choked out. "I couldn't breathe," "And now? Can you breathe now? Knowing I'm here and you're in my grasp?" He asked, tracing my jawline with his fingers. "You can't escape me. I'll always find you." And he was right. Lorenzo will always find me. And the most sickening part of it all? I desired him as much as he desired me. But at the sametime. I loathed him with every fibre of my being. - Selene ran away from Lorenzo. Her mafia boyfriend, six years ago, pregnant and terrified. Now, her son is dying, and she's forced back to the stripping club where she hopes to earn enough for his life saving surgery. Now, Lorenzo is back, more dangerous, more possessive, and offering her a deal she can't refuse: be his mistress for six months, and he'll give her three million dollars. The price? Her freedom, soul and body all to him. But the secret she guards more fiercely than her life or freedom was their children- twins- a boy and a girl. Children he would likely kill without a second thought, confirmed by his own chilling words: "Children are weaknesses, Selene. I don't tolerate weaknesses, no matter how precious, I'll get rid of it...unless it's you." But as the stakes rises, another ghost from her past emerges. Robert, her abuser, the man whose death was the beginning of her hatred for Lorenzo. He's back, fueled by vengeance, ready to claim what he believes is rightfully his. Will Selene survive the crossfire of two dangerous men vying for control, or will the past consume her? Bookcover madeby@BilliePatsy. Copyright©Avalone Wilde2025.

On our third wedding anniversary, I waited for Xander Christian for five hours at his favorite restaurant. Once again, he has disappeared. In the end, I found out where he went on the social media of his childhood sweetheart, Josie Law. He took her to Antartrica. [I just said I was in a bad mood, so he ditched the whole world just to cheer me up. Turns out, he cheers me up much more than the penguins.] In the photos, it was all icy and frosty, but he held her gently in his arms. I had never seen such blazing warmth in his eyes. Not once was it ever directed at me. At that moment, I was just tired. I was too tired to question. I was too tired to fight. I was too tired to cry. I simply liked the post and sent him a short message, [Let's get a divorce.] A long time later, he finally replied with a voice message, his tone was full of careless amusement, "Sure. I'll sign the papers when I'm back. We'll see who ends up begging me not to leave." Those who were loved and favored were often fearless. He didn't believe my words at all. Yet, Xander— No one was truly indispensable. People would only stay because they were in love. From this moment on, I no longer loved you.

When fate plays a twisted game, pairing Raven with not one but two mates, her entire world is turned upside down.Two men who considered one another brothers, until they realised their mate was the one and the same. Destroying their bond of friendship in seconds. For three years, they walked separate paths, unable to come to terms with the moon goddess' wish. Until now. United once again, they must put aside their differences to overcome the threat from within that has cast its shadow upon their pack. When secrets are spilt and lies are told, will they remember their old bonds and work together to protect those they love?With the mate bond spiralling out of control, wreaking havoc in its wake, time is running out. Will Raven survive the pull of her mates or will she be forced to pick just one?Book 4 of The Alpha Series Book 1 - Her Forbidden Alpha Book 2 - Her Cold-Hearted Alpha Book 3 - Her Destined Alpha

‘The daughter of a traitor will always be a traitor also.’ Before the age of twenty and almost taking a big step of her life, the truth about Inez’s life was revealed to the world and she was put in a chokehold. Not to talk about the three Alphas that she is bonded down to and she is to pick one before her birthday. But who could she possibly choose? The Alpha that is bipolar and has no say for himself? Or the Alpha that thinks he runs the entire world and doesn’t care a bit about her feelings? Or the Lycan Alpha that showered her with love, even at his weakest point? Join Inez as she unraveled her long story journey.