When River crosses paths with a man who speaks to every hidden hunger inside her, their connection spirals into an all-consuming pull neither of them can resist-but is she Grayson's salvation... or his ruin? *** Everyone in River Avelle's hometown knows about Grayson Maddox-the troubled bad boy who almost killed another student in the middle of the school hallway. Those who look into Grayson's eyes only see pure fury and hatred. They all think he's beyond redemption, even Grayson himself. But not River. As the seemingly perfect good girl, River saw something more in those alluring grey eyes. Something worth holding onto. From the first time their eyes connect, both Grayson and River feel the intense, undeniable attraction between them...but neither of them understand what's pulling them together so fiercely. The closer they get and the more vulnerable they become, River has to wonder: is she saving Grayson from his darkness? Or is she just pulling him further into hers? *** He tips my head toward his with his index finger, keeping my eyes trained on him and driving me crazy with the primal look on his face. His grey eyes look heavy, filled with dark desire, and a shock runs up through my core. Everything around us disappears and all I can sense is him and the hardness pressing between my legs. "What are you doing to me, River?" he whispers, his voice raspy and utterly captivated. His face is lowering and I'm closing my eyes, waiting for soft lips to press against mine. My whole body is on fire as I hold my breath for his touch. *** Cover by @strayin

Alessia Ferrari is the Don of the Italian Mafia. Whip-smart and dangerous, she is a woman in a man's world, surviving against all odds. Born and raised to become a lethal killer, even the ground she walks on bows at her feet. She has it all, until that is, her father gives her hand away in marriage. Ace Hernandez is the boss of the American Mafia. He's a cold cruel hearted monster. He knows the game all too well and does whatever it takes to win and if that means breaking someone, he could do that with his eyes closed. Fate is vicious when the two are forced to marry. Will two monsters find solace in each other's arms or will they kill each other? ---------------------------- "I don't recall signing up for strip poker." She replied. Her full lips frowned softly but her eyes were filled with amusement. She knew she couldn't beat me, not at this game. "Are you quitting? Are you a quitter?" I mocked getting under her skin. Her lips twitched before she pursed them tightly. The blues of her eyes deepened and she threw me a dangerous smirk. She shuffled and pulled off one of her sandals. Fuck. So we're doing this the long way. She raised it in the air, dangling it off her finger before tossing it aside. She raised a brow at me, she challenged me. I knew I got under her skin. Just as I had anticipated. -------------------------- BE AWARE: Trigger warnings: MATURE CONTENT 18+ (SMUT) SWEARING VIOLENCE/GUN VIOLENCE SELF HARM/SUICIDE (REFERENCES) EXPLICIT LANGUAGE REFERENCES TO RAPE SMOKING/ALCOHOL/DRUGS BLOOD/DEATH/GORE ©️ All rights reserved ™️ The Walnut Tree BOOK ONE OF THE MAFIA SERIES

18+ ❝ I'm a man of great restraint but seeing you like this is pushing the boundaries of my self control, so bad that I might just pin you against this wall and fuck the life right out of you. ❞ ******* San Francisco royalty, Killian Fobster is an egotistical, manipulative asshole who will rather fuck an octopus on live television than get tied down to a woman. But when his one-night-stand from two months ago shows up in his office with not-so-pleasant news, he has to make certain decisions that may involve going against everything he stands for. With his vicious good looks, skirt-chasing habits, and cold demeanor, he is the last person a sweet girl like Hope Sterling should be involved with, but desperate times call for rather creative measures, and soon after she finds herself trapped in the sham of a fake union that threatens to blossom into something that may change her life forever.

[MAJOR EDITING] Aside from her breathtaking beauty and desirable personality the young spy Isabella Garcia is far from lovely. She's intelligent, dangerous, deadly, and positively any villain's worst nightmare. She's placed on a mission going undercover to win the trust and love of the most feared Don, Lorenzo Russo. Only to take down the powerful mafia he's built from nothing. She's determined to take down the handsome, cold, arrogant boss regardless of the tempting lustful desires. ...Or so she thought after one night takes a turn leading the original plan through stressful obstacles. What will happen when the hate and pretending between the two turns into forbidden love? Who will Isabella betray at the end, her agency or her love? ______ His hand remains on the back of my neck, the cold glass brushing my lips, and I drink. The bitter, acidic, tart fruit flavor overpowering the sweet cake. Lorenzo's light eyes darken with fierce, anger as he watches me swallow the wine then finally parting the glass away from my mouth. The cup almost shattering in his hold before letting it go onto the wooden table. His thumb grazed my lips, staining red with the leftover wine. He scans his finger then brings it to his mouth, his blazing look remaining back on me. My stomach is twisting. My universe is spinning with insanity. He speaks low so only we can hear, "Try that again Isabella and I'll have you wishing I poison you." Started 3/5/21