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"Do you normally make-out with the people you're hired to kill? It doesn't strike me as very professional." "Put the gun down," Gabriel panted, not answering her. "Why on earth would I do that?" "Because you're not going to shoot me," Gabriel replied, noting that she still had the safety on. "I bet you've never shot anything in your life." She studied his gun with a smile. "Maybe you're right," she replied. Then she pointed the gun back at him, taking off the safety and cocking it. "Are you willing to bet your life on it?" she asked him coolly. *** He didn't know anything about her - her name, age, even what she looked like. He only knew it was his job to kill her. But when Gabriel comes face to face with his latest target, he finds himself completely mesmerized and can't pull the trigger. Left with few viable options, he decides to kidnap her. Unfortunately for him, she's not willing to come quietly. Instead, their encounter sets off an intense game of cat and mouse, unraveling Gabriel's entire world in the process.

Sofia's life was pretty normal-until she met Lorenzo, the brooding heir to a powerful mafia family. What started as a fiery attraction quickly turned into something deeper, pulling Sofia into a world of danger, betrayal, and forbidden love. When she's kidnapped by a vengeful ex, Sofia has no choice but to rely on Lorenzo to keep her safe. As enemies close in and tensions rise, Sofia must decide if she can handle the life she's been thrown into... and if her love for Lorenzo can survive the chaos. Get ready for a wild ride of passion, danger, and twists you won't see coming.

Sofia Volkov is a girl who's the very picture of a goddess. She is wealthy. She has enough beauty to spare. She has the smarts of a genius and is pretty hefty with a knife. But what if her own knife is hurting her? What if she's great but not the best? Not like her Twin. *** Lorenzo Harper, a man with very few words to spare- or none to say. His lips have been sealed and locked for more then a decade but the reason is just as a mystery to his loved ones as it is to himself. His parents adore him as equally as his baby sister yet he still acts the way he does. He's cold, he's silent, he's deadly and he is holding more secrets then a man his age should. *** The two people end up falling inlove- but at what cost? How many unwanted secrets will stay secrets and how many will stay hidden? Betrayals and lies to eachother and everyone around them but who is affected the most in all of this? The woman has never uttered the word please in her life, but what happens when her only surviving option is to beg, not for life or death but for HIM. Because she also holds a secret that could ruin EVERYTHING. The man prides himself on being the cause of bringing destruction and corruption. He's already broken her heart once before so now it's time to do the opposite. Now it's time to do the one thing he promised himself he would never do; fall in love. Both hurt and heal but who says the scale is even? Will their old wounds heal in time? Or will they be opened up again with a little extra salt? Traumas will come out the dark. Secrets that want to hide will be found. History will repeat itself. But is all that for the better or the worse?

[Book 2] You can't escape the mafia. Stella's world has fallen apart more than once. Even so, she tries to hold on to the shattered pieces of her humanity as she navigates in uncharted territory after she was betrayed by the very same people she has loved and thought of as family. She quickly realizes the more she tries to resist the world that she despises, the more she is pulled in. Can she outrun her past or will she resign and make her own path in a brutal and ruthless world? ⏤⏤⏤⏤⏤⏤ Love hurts. Regret hurts far worse. Regret for things not said, things not done. But what about regret for things that were done? Regret for things that were said and not meant? John Paul has always known he was meant to become a part of the Family he's been raised and trained in, his entire life. But he was ready to walk away from it all, for love. Fueled by insecurities his own father fed into, he made a choice, a choice that changed everything. In the aftermath of betrayal and choices that have impacted not only their lives, but of those around them, both Stella and John Paul find themselves fighting to survive and overcome their own demons. Can love overcome the things that were said and done? Or will love be another casualty in the dark and unforgiving world of the mafia? ***This is not a stand alone read*** Sequel to For The Empire - Il Inganno -Book 1 Highest Rankings: #5 in Mafia Stories 7/23/2022 #41 in Deception 7/23/2022 #18 in Assasin 7/23/2022 © 2021 LJRae

Caterina and Lex never had a fairytale marriage. Forced into an arrangement neither of them wanted, they have been caught in a web of betrayal and deceit since they said "I do." And just when it seemed like they might be able to overcome the bad blood between their families, the ultimate betrayal made enemies of them once again. Season 2 of The Valentino Brothers *** Fleeing to New York, Caterina thought she could escape the shadows that haunt her, but what's done in the dark always comes to light. Desperate for protection, she has no choice but to turn to the man she betrayed for help. But Lex is not so forgiving and has an agenda of his own. He agrees to protect Caterina and their child, but only on his terms. As they struggle to navigate their complicated relationship, a storm begins to brew within the mafia world. Tensions rise as rival families clash, threatening to tear apart everything Caterina and Lex have built together. And amidst all this chaos, Caterina discovers a shocking truth about her mother's death-and the real person responsible for it. As they fight against external forces and their own inner demons, Caterina knows that the stakes are higher than ever before. Can she trust Lex to protect her and their child? Will they be able to weather the coming storm together or will it tear them apart forever?

This is the second book in the His Desire trilogy, therefore you must read Forbidden Desire in order to follow up with the rest of the story!!. --- Brielle After the biggest changes imaginable, she spent three years in silence. Three unbearable years she had to endure away from her lover, all because she now had more to lose than ever. But one secret leads her to find herself back in Italy and in close proximity to her once-loved mobster. Constant doubts, challenges and betrayals make it strenuous for her to reveal everything that had been burdening her to Nicolas. But will he understand her or will his broken heart influence him to push her away? --- Nicolas Three years of sleepless nights and heartache made him into the same heartless and work-obsessed businessman. After waiting three years for the love of his life to finally contact him, he gave up. Nicolas married in order to please his father and went on with his work until the news of Brielle's arrival at his estate broke loose. Despite her reasons, he was hurt and resented her for causing his such sorrow. He turned his back on her, and went back to being cold and condescending around her despite the strong feelings deep in his heart that never seemed to subside. Secrets begin to rise and deceit begins to take control of their relationship. The only question was: will he forgive her after finding out the truth? Or will she forever remain his Secret Desire? --- TW: contains mature language, sexual scenes and sensitive content.

[Book 1] Stella and her father had no choice but to move in with her Uncle Timo, in New York, in refuge, after witnessing her mom's murder, as a child. She feels a connection to her Uncle, but his responsibilities as the leader for one of the largest Mafia families, in the East coast, keep him distant. Years later, Stella, is desperate to escape the life she never wanted to take part in. But soon her life takes a turn for the worst when her world is once again turned upside down. In the midst of her sorrow, guilt and pain, she finds herself conflicted with growing affection, towards her best friend, JP. JP has only ever wanted Stella to be happy, even if it means not being in her life. But he's carrying secrets he knows will shatter her. JP's overbearing father, feeds into his already growing uneasiness, with not knowing how he will fit into Stella's life, as his responsibilities as a soldier in her Uncle's family continue to grow. Secrets will be exposed, and betrayals will be made. **Book 1 of For The Empire Series** Content Advisory: Mature themes, course language, violence, explicit sexual content © 2020 LJRae Highest Rank: #1 Mafia Stories 7/3/2021 #4 in Deception 5/29/2022 #12 in Sadlovestory 5/29/2022

Season 1 - A Dark Tale Of Love. "You're new, who did you kill to get this spot?" Her nonchalant face failed to mask her curiosity. I smirked. "Many people or your father wouldn't have hired me." I was a cold blooded killer and I was being paid millions to kill. ------------------------- Elena is a daughter of a Billionaire. A seductress who has mafias and mob bosses wrapped around her finger. Her curves infatuated Princes from all around the world but she didn't care to be a Princess. She wanted guns and knives, not tiaras and titles. Gabriel, however, is a trained killer. An Ex-Navy Seal, a deadly sniper. He could kill anyone from miles away with just one shot. A knee injury took him out from the line of duty and now he'll do anything to get to the top. It was his time now and no one was going to get in his ruthless ways. What Gabriel didn't expect was Elena. From the minute, he saw her, he couldn't get her out of his mind and the only way to get over her was to get inside her. Unfortunately, it drove him even madder and he wanted more. He was greedy for her. Every killer had an obsession and Elena became his. Gabriel thought of himself as the devil and he just found his hell, there was no way he was letting her go, even if he had to kill everyone, including her own father. Editor: @CamileWilson

cover by @JaelynnMoore 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐥 It's so much easier to spread lies about people than it is to spread the truth. That's what Gabriel knows to be true, at least. According to everyone in his town, he's a monster. He doesn't deserve to be walking among the rest of them. That's far from the truth, though. He was never good at being alone, but it became something he was used to. After everything he'd gone through, he craved solitude. Until she showed up. She wiggled her way right into his heart and now all he craved was her. 𝐀𝐥𝐲𝐧𝐚 Moving to a small lakeside town in Washington was not where Alyna saw her life taking her. She also didn't expect that she'd fall so hard for the brooding mechanic who lived there. Everyone tells her that she should stay away from him. All of the rumors say that he's dangerous, but all she ever feels with him is safe. With obstacles at every turn, will their love be enough to endure even the worst challenge they'll face? Or will they fall apart under the weight? started: 12/15/2023 published: 05/18/2024 completed: highest rankings: #21 bwwm

Book two of 'The Vengeance Duology' Five years ago, the lads and I made the biggest mistake of our lives-a reckless decision that shattered everything. We destroyed what mattered most, but my deepest regret is how much I hurt her. Every moment of pain I caused haunts me. I wish we'd done things differently, without all the suffering, without leaving everything in ruins. I'd give anything to have her back, but it's too late. She died believing we didn't love her, and that loss left a wound that nothing can ever heal. "Hello, I'm Alessio Bianchi... I'd give anything to have her back, even if it's just in my dreams." Five years ago, my heart was shattered by the very people I once called family. Betrayed and left with nothing, I fled to New York-broken, broke, and stripped of any sense of self-worth. But the thing about hitting rock bottom is, there's nowhere to go but up. Now, I own a multi-billion dollar empire, built from the ground up with my own hands. I'm happy, stronger than ever, and exactly where I want to be. The funniest part? They think I'm dead. "Hey, I'm Valentina Sorrentino... you had your shot-now it's my turn." Is five years too long to rekindle a love that shattered your heart?