Oaklyn West has tried to live out a normal high school existence, despite her haunting past and torturous future. She's always in the shadows, under a rock, or lurking in the corner of a room. All that changes, however, with the arrival of a mysterious transfer student whom she has decided to band together with to avenge her parent's murder. Cue Jack Travels; all tousled hair, minty breath, and melting smiles. ... "I look up and gasp, but a hand is pressed over my mouth. I smell mint and then suddenly relax. The fingers around my mouth uncurl one at a time, and then are replaced by a set of soft lips."

"You're hurting me..." I whispered. But his grip only got tighter as the pain got even more crucial. "It's what you get for stopping the party yesterday," Liam said. "I needed to," I murmured under my breath in the hopes that he would hear the weakness in my voice and let me go. But at last, it was only hoped that made me think that way. He didn't let go; he wouldn't let go until he taught a firm lesson. No matter how many times I ask and plead for forgiveness, he is never going to go until he is satisfied. "Were you jealous that you weren't invited? Is that why you had to sabotage the whole thing, uh?" he bit his teeth, his voice getting angrier and his hold on me crushing. "Ow.. please...," I said tears rolling down my eyes. He didn't say anything this time just watched me cry, and I could basically see the smirk forming on his lips in slow motion. This is what he wanted for me as if it was never enough for him to see me like this. I waited for him to say something anything, but instead, he let me go aggressively and pushing past me hard, causing me to lose balance and fall to the marble floor. I looked up to see everyone watching me struggle to get up. No one came to help, and I didn't expect them to they watched and laughed and even filmed, but no one came to my rescue. - The fake smiles, laughter, friends I am getting sick of it all. I always felt like I didn't belong anywhere with him gone. It was even worse. It was pathetic that I thought it's okay I will get through this, but I am slipping away falling slowly. The only reason I am still holding on is for my family. But he hurts me, bullies me, breaks me in ways I can't even describe. He has become the worst nightmare, and I can't wake up from it. There is no helping me from his sick and twisted games. After all, he believes I was the reason for the death of his best friend. But I have to hold on only one more year till I don't have to see him anymore. I need to survive as an outcast...

Abused. Tortured. Forced. Who would have known that she is worth a million dollars? Elia Dominic Morello, an experienced killer and also professionally known as someone who is in the Mafia. His dark stormy eyes have seen violence, his tanned rough hands have done violence and his perky full lips have said threats of death. He had gone through pain . . . suffering and all the possibility of making him stronger. All he ever did was for the sake of his family and his loved ones. His selfishness was to keep them safe without having to deal with the possibility of dying, with each passing day but it all changed when he found the ONE. Rose, beautiful yet prickly. She was like roses, indeed. But, she was also the woman he'd risk his entire life for . . . no matter the circumstances.

After having her heart broken by the boy she'd been in love with her whole life, Brimmy Somell decides to take a little...vacation. Little does she know, it turns out to be much more permanent than she had originally thought. After meeting tall, sexy, and mysterious Marcello Pietro, Brimmy finds herself having to make a life-changing decision and putting herself in a dangerous position she'd never imagined to be in. °•°●°•°●°•°●°•° "I love you." He says with no hesitation. It takes a moment for my hazy mind to catch up. I'm still in a daze, mesmerized by his perfections, and the deep dimple set in his cheek. I blink, "What?" "Don't make me say it again." He says, sounding frustrated, but I catch the hint of embarassment in his voice as he runs his hand through his hair and takes a step back. I grab a hold of the neckline to his shirt and yank him back within close proximity of me. "What if I want you to say it again?" I ask, studying his eyes. "Isn't it enough that I said it once?" He scowls, trying to pull back, but I restrain him from doing so. "Nope. Just say it one more time and I'll be satisfied." I state bravely, feeling a boost of confidence I didn't have earlier. He glances down, then looks back up into my eyes, allowing me to spot the vulnerability and uncertainty he feels. "I love you." He says, putting more strength in his voice than he looks to have. I grin, pulling him in for a kiss, but right before I do, I say the one phrase that will seal my fate, "I love you too, big, bad mafia boss." ••••• The story may be rough but the comment section makes up for it. ••••• Word count: 51,173 ••••• Written and published 2018-2019

WARNING: Book ahead is pretty cliche and my first work on here. It's got plot holes and a main character you might want to beat with a stick. Be gentle lol * ****** In the technological world in which we live, most teens start their love lives through text messages, emails and social media. Save for Gabrielle Holmes. With a mind that craved literature and demanded the challenge of figuring out the undertones of various novels, Gabrielle finds herself forming a friendship with a fellow book lover (under the pen name "Oliver") through books and letters. And together, by pushing through the trials and hardships of their own lives, they write a story all their own. Let's just say that love letters are about to get rediscovered... * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Copyright © 2014 Kimberly Diehl. All rights reserved.