version control

CASTELLO DI CARTE MAFIA CHRONICLES, BOOK 3 [Also known as LACERATION: THE GAME OF CHAINS] 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀 Marrying a stranger is one thing. But marrying a stranger related to the man you thought you’d marry is a whole other thing. What would you do in a situation like this? I, for one, fainted at my engagement party and almost drank my off to get through the wedding night. Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, my husband offered me a contract, and I signed it, seeing his eagerness to get rid of me. Spending an entire year under the same roof seemed like torture, especially when my dear husband kept making excuses to talk to me and to unnerve me. Yet I liked it. But he wasn’t mine. And his mistress had a lot to attest to that. 𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐒 Marriage for power. A wife ten years younger. And a tattoo. None of these was a part of my plan to thrive as a Mafioso, yet I didn't mind any of it. It was all because of that succubus. My ruination disguised as a beautiful woman, now my bride. I was a man known for my control and snide personality, yet neither helped me overcome my desire and need to taste her skin. When I finally did, I couldn’t have enough of it. The contract should've kept me away from her, should've helped me be the responsible adult and control my thoughts of her. All I wanted then was to tear that piece of paper that ensured our freedom after a certain point. I could never free her, knowing how damning it could be. There were just a few tiny problems. Her father. My past. Infiltrated enemies. And the damaging nightmares I had no control over.

He kissed my cheek and then pulled away from me, taking my legs, and spreading them wider, seating himself between them. The tip of his member teased my entrance before slowly, he pressed into me. The first thrust caused me to squeeze my eyes shut and exhaled sharply as the pain spread over my entire body. When I opened my eyes again, I could see that Arnold had a worried expression on his face. But then he continued, aiming another thrust. As he stared at me with concern, I saw in those cobalt blue orbs how he loved me… my sister actually. As I observed him exerting control over himself in an effort to prevent him from pushing all the way inside of me or ramming into me, sweat began to trickle down his forehead. It appeared to me that he was having just as difficult as I was, and seeing that gave me some solace. Because of the agony and the pitying feelings I had for myself, a tear trickled down from the corner of my eye. I ought to have lost my virginity to the man I love… to the man who will vow to marry me… and not to the man who already belongs to my sister. After he managed to compose himself, he rolled onto my side and buried his face into my neck while I remained unmoved, staring at the ceiling. What have I done? I gave my virginity to my sister's boyfriend for the sake of money.

Getting falsely arrested feels like a scene from a bad movie for rising star Gloriana Templeton, especially when she discovers the conditions of her release: round-the-clock surveillance by world-class lawyer Griffin Blackwood-Carter. Ignoring her attraction to the sinfully sexy man who crushed her youthful heart is getting harder by the minute! Gloriana belongs to Griffin now, and when he says jump, she’d better ask how high! With a reputation founded on control, he’s determined not to lose his head over this little minx again. But he blazes white-hot every time he looks at her, and it’s burning away his couldn’t-care-less façade!

Lacey Stevens father is in serious financial trouble. The only way to get him out of it is to marry the notorious billionaire, Blake Dandridge. The problem is Blake is a dastardly ruthless man who is rumored to have murdered his own father to get control of the family business, Alden Investments. The bride gets cold feet and runs, leaving Blake to look like a fool in front of all of New York's elite. He's mad as hell about it and he isn't going to stop looking for her so he can make her pay.

Jaxon Steele is the ruthless CEO of Steele Enterprises—commanding, arrogant, and always in control. Riley Lawson, his quiet and sweet assistant, has learned to keep his head down and avoid his boss's temper. But when an unexpected encounter outside the office ignites a fiery attraction between them, the lines between power and passion begin to blur. As Jaxon’s dominant nature clashes with Riley’s soft demeanor, they both find themselves struggling to resist a desire that could consume them. In a world where control is everything, who will submit to love, and who will command the heart?

Kaia Woods is the eldest of 3 siblings. She's mateless and the Luna of the Silver Moon pack. She's never relied on anyone because she always had things under control and refused to ask for help. She's stubborn, kind hearted, and fearless. She has the bravery that men prayed for. Her and change were never best friends. So you can imagine her anxiety when her mate finally makes an appearance and an outside wolf tries to take a dominant stand in challenging her to be the Alpha.

TangShi is a girl without much luck in the world. Despised by her father after her mother died giving birth to her, she has grown up in a cold and unloving environment and hated by her stepmother. Blamed for things she could never control and treated as an outcast by her own blood. Forced to come home after finally escaping to school on a self achieved scholarship abroad, she is promised to the son of the Leng family. To create a beneficial business alliance to further her own father's greed in the corporate world. Only YuZhi Leng is as unwilling as she is, with a girlfriend already in place that he adores and no desire to honor the contract put in place - to produce an heir in the first year of marriage and solidify the two families union. TangShi must bear living as a third wheel in this unwanted life and accept or be thrown aside by her family. Until upon meeting, she realizes that YuZhi may not be the stranger to her she thought he was and recognizes him on sight. Could he be the man she met eight years ago at a masked ball, who swept her off her feet and made her feel alive, and yet left her heartbroken that fateful night? A rollercoaster of a marriage is about to be embarked upon.

They say love is unpredictable and unstoppable, a natural force that many can't escape. Some people don't want it, most people do. Among the least of the people who never wanted anything to do with it is Ted Allen, a mafia king like his father. He feared loved, he dreaded it, but how could he escape something that is meant to be. When his kidnapped niece, a small version of him escaped from her captors, she runs into two ladies with pasts both left unknown to the other. Cookie Carlisle, one of them, hiding in Italy from her father, a blissful little psycho, helped the unknown child back to her home. But when the other's girl's past comes knocking at their door, Cookie is dragged along with her but saved by the single act of kindness she performed. Ted thought he had seen it all until he met his match, the fearless joyful girl that will stop at nothing until he's hers. ~ 'I really doubt you will last long here,' River said. 'Trust me, I won't die yet.' Why? I have a big bad wolf with my name on his head. He hasn't seen the last of me.

Kiera Campbell, a powerful heiress and the saviour of the Relish Group, thought she had it all when she married her secret love, Nicholas Relish, who later proved he still yearned for his first love, Cristal Duke. As Kiera's marriage crumbles amidst heartbreaking revelations and unwanted pregnancies, a tragic accident occurs, leading to Kiera's untimely demise. But destiny has an extraordinary plan for Kiera. Thrown back in time to a pivotal moment, she refuses to be a submissive wife anymore. Reclaiming her position as Vice CEO of the Campbell Group, Kiera embarks on a remarkable journey of self-discovery, rekindling her passions and embracing her independence. Jace Dalton, the captivating CEO with an enigmatic charm and an icy demeanour that masks a burning desire for Kiera, emerges from the shadows with a goal in mind. With a mysterious connection to her past, Jace sets a seductive plan to capture her heart in motion. Yet Nicholas' grip on Kiera remains unyielding, and his vengeful lover is out for blood. As secrets unravel and vengeance looms, Kiera must navigate a treacherous storm of emotions, confront her deepest desires, and seize control of her own destiny.

Alessia Berlusconi works at a bar in Rome. She thinks she escaped her past but one day after work she almost gets kidnapped if it wasn't for Johnny who happens to be there saving her from the men. Johnny Gravano the Mafia king who is a womanizer and dangerous. He will kill anyone who gets in his way, he always gets what he wants. When he meets Alessia after saving her he thinks their paths won't cross again but as fate has it the two of them meet again.. He thinks she works for the Russian Mafia and Alessia thinks his sent to take her back to her monsters she's been running from... Will they overcome their past fears and move on or will they let their past control their future?