"But you're scared." He finished, running his fingers down her neck and to her collar bone, following the chain of her necklace, making her shiver, "So responsive." He murmured to himself. "Yes." She whispered, lips parted, eyes locked with his. She felt dirty for letting him be so close to her and touch her in a way that seemed so foreign and inappropriate- Yet exhilarating... "Maybe scared isn't the right word." His deep baritone voice rumbled, his fingers setting her skin on fire as he reached the opening of her top, the only thing dividing them, "Maybe, confused? Intimidated? But you're not scared of me, right, pet?" "I- I don't know." She answered, her heart pounding against her ribcage, making her shake nervously. "You're scared of this-" his hand lifted back up to circle around her throat and he applied slight pressure, but nowhere near enough to hinder her ability to breathe, "or this." He bent down so she could feel his hot breath skim across her cheek making her face flush. His rough lips, ran across the base of her jaw until he reached her ear, "But you're not scared of me." ~•~•~ 19-year-old Vera Reed is out on her own for the first time, leaving small town Tabor, Iowa for Lincoln, Nebraska to attend college at UNL in her old red Subaru. One night she is pulled over for a burnt-out headlight by 28-year-old slight alcoholic officer Axel Davis. Infatuated by her innocence and complete confusion of the outside world, something in him says to help her. Unfortunately, the life of an LPD officer isn't perfect and is full of danger. Danger he won't be able to hide her from forever. Danger she might be the center of. Dominant and toxic male lead and submissive female lead. Warning: sexual content, language, substance abuse Started~ 11/22/19 Finished~ 9/16/22 #1- Innocence #3- Badboy #1- murdermystery #2- obsession #2- police officer

ARRANGED MARRIAGE MAFIA ROMANCE║ Luciano's arm shot out, caging her. "So you will be the loving wife I was promised?" "Always," Nina replied, and by force of habit, her lips pulled into a sugar-sweet smile. * * * As the daughter of the New Orleans Family's underboss, Nina Sciacca has to live up to the high expectations of her family. When The Chicago Outfit proposes a truce between the two families, the New Orleans Family eagerly agrees. Being born in the high society of the mafia world, Nina fits the prestige to marry the future Don of The Chicago Outfit. Luciano Gallucci is known for being a family man for horrid reasons. When the red string of fate has been placed upon Luciano and Nina, he has to find the right balance between his duty toward The Outfit and his new wife. Despite her circumstances, Nina is determined to make her marriage with Luciano work. COMPLETED [Word count: 60,000] * * * Copyright © 2026 Serafina Remondo All rights reserved.