Waist Pocketbook

"I need you to smile, darling," Adrian whispers, his fingers digging into Isabella's waist as cameras flash. "Your father's business empire depends on it." The champagne in her glass trembles as Isabella forces herself to play the perfect mafia bride. She hasn't told him about the baby yet. Hasn't mentioned the way his eyes linger on the judge's daughter, Elena. Hasn't revealed that she knows about the poison they've planned for her "tragic accident." But Isabella Romano isn't going down without a fight. "Please," she whispers to Santa Muerte as poison burns through her veins. "Give me a chance to make them pay." Death has a price. Isabella awakens in the body of Valentina Salvatore—wife to Adrian's greatest rival and mother to twin girls who somehow see through her deception. She has 150 days to either claim vengeance or find true love. The clock is ticking, and Nicolas Salvatore, her new "husband," is proving dangerously easy to fall for. "You're not really her, are you?" Nicolas murmurs one night, his fingers tracing her jaw. "My Valentina never looked at me the way you do." But as Isabella navigates the deadly waters of rival crime families, she discovers Valentina had secrets of her own—secrets worth dying for. Now, with her father plotting a takeover, Adrian suspicious of her resurrection, and her borrowed body slowly rejecting her soul, Isabella must choose: the revenge she died for, or the love she never expected to find. In this dangerous game of second chances, some fates are worse than death. And some loves are worth dying for twice.

He closed the gap between us and his hand travelled to my waist, pulling me closer to himself. His cologne filled my nostrils and he cupped my face in his hand gently. The look in his eyes whenever he looked at me always seemed like he was watching something so ethereal and now wasn't any different. I was supposed to hate him, to not be able to stand him. But why was I letting him do this? And why did I like it too? Love it even? He smirked at me, leaning down with our lips almost touching, his minty breath fanning my face. "I'm fucking addicted and obsessed with you if you haven't noticed." He paused as he studied me while I took a deep breath. "Are you sure you can't stand me?" He asked. "Or are we going to keep on lying to ourselves, babydoll?" ~ Vittoria Belluci, popularly known as 'Lilith' is short tempered, bossy, fiesty, poor social skills and a beautiful resting bitch face. Roman Argentero, Brooklyn's popular mafia don known for his playboy status, cockiness, flirtatious behavior but also ruthless and finally his Greek god appearance. A one night stand in the past, an arranged marriage, a stupid bet, a hatred she has for him and his family, and an addiction he has to her. Will she find out how her sister died? Or who keeps wanting to kill off her family? And doing all that with a fragile promise to herself to not fall in love. What happens when a Belluci falls in love with an Argentero who is already addicted to her?

Shotgun marriage usually happens when there is an unintended pregnancy resulting in marriage in a hurry or enforced but... not in my case. "Desmond Cro'esnt, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" I looked straight into Desmond's eyes. They are raven black and it does match his long, wavy black hair. "I do," he answered as he smiled innocently at me. Making himself look promising. Then, the priest turned to me. "Neiva Ariella Hillstone, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?" I still can't believe that I'm going to marry this man. He looks happy, waiting for my answer. His white suit is making him look even kinder. The only witness we have here is the priest and his men in black suits, currently pointing a gun right into my head. "Time is running, Neiva. It's either you marry me or you die." His innocent smile turned into a devilish one. This suits him more because this is the real him. And that answered your question. My shotgun marriage happened to be the literal meaning of it. I closed my eyes and deeply breathed before answering, "I do." "You're mine now." He pulled me by my waist and pressed his lips against mine. I am now officially the wife of this Psychopath Billionaire Mafia Boss.

**FIRST BOOK**Meet tall and handsome, slightly tanned Alpha Dominic Thunders, Alpha of the notorious and merciless Red Moon pack, his features could make the Greek gods jealous even though it is believed that he was hand crafted by them. His broad muscular body with his perfect bulging muscles and well chiseled and could make you drool; one look from him with those damn beautiful brown eyes could make girls wet and the men in worlds known mafia's bow down to respect him, they spoke the words of authority and had a mischievous look. A true born Alpha who leads by example. Admired and adored by his pack; he has protected them by putting his life on the line, a story for much later; a storm brewing and it is coming for the Red Moon Pack. His right hook is known to put the toughest of men out in one swing. His beast needs to be tamed and the storm in his soul needs to be calmed. Now! Meet Athena Breeze, her stunning body and those sexy curves; she is half heaven and half hell and believe me you do not want to be on the half that is hell. Long black waist length hair and dark brown eyes, her smile could either make your heart melt and her fair skin so soft and smooth, not a single blemish. The women warriors of the first world would be in admiration of her fighting skills. Stubborn and strong minded like any other female Alpha who is being groomed to take the reins of Ocean Moon. She has a heart full of love; don't forget the sass. She needs to be grounded. Could it be coincidence that these two fated mates meet a couple of days later?

My name is Emma. At 31, I am doing well for myself. I’ve got a great job. Or at least a well paid job, my boss loves me, and my girlfriends think I’m great. More important than anyone's opinion is that of my housemate, and best friend in the world, Scott. Scott thinks the world of me and always tells me to be myself. So why do I feel the need to lie outrageously on dates? From rock-climbing to Muay Thai: when it comes to prospective boyfriends, I am compelled to embellish my C.V. with unlikely porkies that alwaysbackfire - with hilarious results. I have Craig to blame for that - he really shattered my sense of self-confidence and self-worth. But then I turn the spotlight on Scott, and he wishes he'd never brought it up. With a penchant for checked shirts and Harry Potter-style specs, I decide he needs a makeover and to experience the abysmal dating world. My friendship with Scott began in the most unconventional way. His past life had made him homeless and isolated, but he saved me. And now we are inseparable. My dating disasters began when my relationship with he-who-must-not-be-named ended. Waking up with a pounding head, a dry mouth, aching limbs and a random arm draped over my waist, I struggle to get up and then stumble to the bathroom. I rubbed my eyes and stare at the hungover, half dead panda eyed loser staring back at me. What started out as a lighthearted challenge with Scott, became something more. We were prepared. But nothing could prepare us for the surprise results! Before long, I realise that our lives will never be the same again.

"I don't think my brother is someone you need. He's not the kind of alpha who could ever satisfy a woman like you.” I raised my chin and met Alexander's eyes. "And who do you think I need? What do you think will satisfy me?” He closed the gap between us and ran his heated eyes to my lips, to my throat, down to my body as if he was marking me and making love to me with those blue intense eyes. I looked away but Alexander tilted my head to meet my gaze. One touch and the hunger and the burn inside me intensified. His piercing eyes returned to my lips.“You don't need soft kisses. That's for little girls. You need fervent, explosive kisses. The ones that will try to suck the air within you, leaving you breathless but eager for more.” His hands dropped down to my waist, pulling me closer to his big and hard frame. “You need to be marked not with an alpha scent. That’s for men with an inferiority complex. You need to be claimed with kisses and bite marks that will make everyone jealous of how you spent your night. Because you are not just any woman, Katriona. You are a queen, a hot and wild queen.” I pushed Alexander away. I could hear my heart banging inside my chest. Logic screamed louder this time, desperately enumerating all the reasons why I shouldn’t be with this man. But as he stood there while waiting for my decision, I became aware of one thing. Whoever I choose, in the end, I’m still going to burn. It'll be a sin. And I'm going to hell for this.

His arms slid around my waist, pulling me back against him. “You’ve been unusually quiet,” he murmured near my ear. “All through the ride back home.” “I’m sorry.” I tried to steady my breath, looking at our reflection in the mirror. “I’m just… overwhelmed. You keep surprising me, Nate.” “My wife deserves it.” His lips brushed the side of my neck, warm and slow. My heart stumbled. I closed my eyes. If only he knew the truth. If only he knew that every time he touched me like this, I forgot something very important. I wasn’t the woman he thought he married. * * * Lena Martinez never imagined that her desperate need to save her younger sister’s life would land her in billionaire Nathan Blackwood’s world. When Julian, Nathan’s loyal cousin and right-hand man, offers her a contract for a life-changing sum of money she cannot refuse—impersonate Nathan’s fiancée and marry him—Lena has no choice but to agree. With the clock ticking and her eleven-year-old sister’s life on the line, she steps into a life of wealth, power and secrets she never asked for. But playing the role of the glamorous Kimberly Hayes is only the beginning of her nightmare. Lena must contend with a man who is kind, loving, and yet haunted by past heartbreak, while hiding the truth that could destroy them both. In a world of lies, secrets and danger, can Lena survive as Mrs. Blackwood—without losing her heart to the man she was never meant to love?

After I landed in the hospital—again—from working myself into the ground, Jacob swore he was done playing house stockbroker. "Starting tomorrow, I'll do anything. Haul bricks, deliver pizza, whatever. I'm not letting you carry this alone." His eyes were glassy as he stormed out of the exam room like he was about to save the day or something. Then the doctor walked in and handed me a report. I was pregnant. Again. Heart racing, I chased after Jacob... and froze. He was standing outside some super VIP room. The same guys who used to bang on our door for money were suddenly all respectful. "Mr. Klein, should we block her door again tomorrow?" Jacob twirled our engagement ring around his finger. "No need. She already lost one baby paying off those debts. The test's over. Time she knew who I really am." Then my best friend—Lillian Morvain—strolled out and wrapped her arms around his waist like she belonged there. "Jacob, don't go soft. Your tests usually last at least five years. What if she's just another gold digger? Plus... I'd miss you." He hesitated. Smirked. "Fine. We'll do it your way. She's not going anywhere anyway." I stood there, clutching my stomach, sliding down the wall like the air had been punched out of me. Later, I pushed open the office door. "Dr. Spencer, I need a termination. Three days from now."

During the audition of the animal show that will be held on the National Day Gala, Yvonne Quinlan, the self-proclaimed genius animal trainer, instructs the pigeons to go into formation and soar around the skies. But the next thing everyone knows, bird poop begins raining down on everyone's heads. Awkward can't even begin to describe the situation. Having lost her composure, Yvonne blames me for copying her as a fake animal trainer. She claims that I was the one who pulled a prank on her. In my previous life, the python, which I've painstakingly nurtured with my family heirloom and my blood essence, suddenly went berserk. Just when it was about to strangle me to death and devour me whole, Yvonne, who was a low-income student I'd been sponsoring, let out a shrill whistle. The ferocious python immediately coiled around her waist, looking very docile and sweet. My boyfriend, Brandon Jenner, accused me of stealing Yvonne's python just because I had money and power on my side. He also jeered at me for shooting myself in the foot after everything I had done. Almost immediately, I became the thief everyone hated. My python went berserk once again and attempted to devour me. This time, no one tried to save me. Just like that, Yvonne gained popularity after putting on a performance with my python. Brandon even proposed to her on the spot. They became a famous couple on the Internet after that. When I open my eyes again, I've returned to the timeframe of three days before my school announces the audition of the upcoming animal show.

"What do you want?" Leo said angrily. "I just want to go back to sleep," Alana replied, winking. "And?" "I want to sleep in your arms. Not difficult, right?" "No way." "Come on, we've been sleeping apart all this time; I feel so cold," Alana exaggerated. "But if you refuse, that's okay. I'll gladly do what I wanted to do earlier," Alana replied, making Leo rub his face roughly. "Come here," but the next moment, Alana grinned widely as Leo opened his arms and told her to come closer. Without wasting time, Alana tumbled into Leo's embrace, resting her head on Leo's arm, and hugging Leo's waist tightly. "Comfortable and warm," murmured Alana while continuing to nestle deeper into Leo's embrace. "Stop moving, or I'll push you away." "Yes, yes, fine, but can you stroke my hair?" Alana said while tilting her face up, immediately getting a sharp look from Leo. "Tsk, I'm just—," Alana's banter was cut off when Leo moved his hand on the top of her head gently. "It seems I'm going to have sweet dreams," Alana murmured, tilting her face up even more. From this close distance, Leo could clearly see Alana's face, and for some reason, his heart beat faster. Leo was sure Alana could hear it this time. "Hurry up and sleep," Leo said while shifting his gaze, choosing to look at the ceiling of the room. However, instead of stopping the teasing, Alana made Leo more flustered.