
Claimed by the Italian Mafia King
She's a nurse that is trained to save lives.
He's a mafia king, feared for taking them.
Tessa Hartley is a twenty four year old nurse who just moved to Italy recently after the completion of her nursing degree to advance in her career. She's undeniably beautiful with her slim but curvy physique and soft features. She was the kind of beautiful that didn't belong in a world like his. She was far too innocent for the world she was about to fall into. She never believed someone could take a life so easily until she saw it with her own eyes.
Everything takes a turn when she witnesses something she should never have and is now thrown into the dangerous world of the Italian mafia king, Leonardo Vitale.
Leonardo Vitale, the most ruthless and feared mafia king in the whole of Italy. He is a man who shows no mercy to those who cross him. But instead of silencing Tessa like he should, he does the unexpected. He spares her life.
Not out of kindness, but because he wants her.
Now forced into his world, Tessa must live under the protection of a man who rules with blood and fear. Every mafia family wants her dead, but Leonardo is ready to go to war for her. Even if it means burning down the entire underworld to keep her safe.
She may have seen something that could cost her life. But he sees something in her that he never expected, a light in his darkness, and the one thing he cannot let go.
He should have killed her, instead he claimed her.
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Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREELEONARDO The moment I ended the call, I turned to face Matteo. His expression hardened, though a flicker of concern remained in his eyes.“Prepare the jet immediately,” I ordered, already making my way towards the exit.He nodded in understanding, pulling out his phone. “What do we do about him?” Matteo asked, referring to Enzo.I glanced at the pathetic bastard still muffling beneath the hood.In a blink of an eye, I raised my gun and fired two bullets straight to his head, watching his body slump before blood pooled around him.“Dispose of the motherfucker,” I said, not sparing another goddamn second before leaving the warehouse.Matteo muttered quick instructions to my men before following me out, walking ahead to hold the car door open for me.I got in and he rounded the car, getting in at the other side before the driver pulled into the road, fueling the accelerator as fast as he could. “Boss, this just came in for you,” Matteo said in a tight voice, handing me the tabletI too
Last Updated: 2026-06-25
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-TWOLEONARDO These past twelve days have been the most painfully slow and insufferable days of my life. I couldn't believe how empty and easily fucking agitated I felt as a result of her absence and now this lying bastard kneeling in front of me was getting on my last fucking nerve.I lit the cigarette in my hand, taking a long drag before puffing out the smoke.“You of all people should know better how this will end. But…” I took a long drag. “I'm feeling a bit generous today,” I said, letting the smoke swirl through my lips as I spoke.Two more fucking days and my woman will be right back in my arms, exactly where she belongs. “So I'm going to let you choose your death.”I managed to rise to my feet, using my walking stick as support while ignoring the dull ache that shot up through my spine.That bastard, Enzo. He fucking thought he could escape us after hoarding our shipments without being accountable but now, here he was, tied up to the floor like a cunt and pleading like a fuckin
Last Updated: 2026-06-20
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONETESSAThe music was much louder now than it was inside the car.I hadn't realized when Ella rounded the car till she looped her arm through mine, a wide smile on her face.“This is wild!” She laughed, clearly still amazed. “Look at all of this.”My gaze followed hers.The entire town square had been transformed into a display of colors and bright banners with people dressed in traditional costume and masquerade masks, dancing and moving in a procession.I couldn't help but stare. It was indeed a very beautiful sight.“Can we get closer? I want to see what's happening over there,” she said, pointing to a distance. Mum, dad and Jason came down from the car behind, looking fascinated by the view. Giovanni also alighted since the roads ahead were practically blocked due to the festival.We got closer, mixing with the crowd as they cheered loudly to the performance of some masked dancers in what looked like an elevated stage.“Oh crap. I think I forgot my phone in the car,” Ella said bes
Last Updated: 2026-06-12
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTYTESSA They say you know you're falling when you can't stop thinking about someone. When they’re the first thought on your mind every morning and the last one you drift to sleep with each night.When you find yourself smiling to the sound of their voices and counting down the seconds left till you're able to hear them again.When you feel whole because they complete every broken piece you harbor. When you learn to accept them entirely, flaws and imperfections. With Leonardo, nothing else mattered. I didn't care about how absurd our relationship was, I didn't care about how dangerous his world was. I didn't care that feeling this way was like walking into a battlefield with no armour to shield me. All I cared about was him and these feelings he stirred up within me.It's been a week since my birthday and each day ever since, it felt like I was getting to know him much better.We'd talk for hours on call about the most random things, sometimes laughing till my stomach hurt.He loved
Last Updated: 2026-06-07
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTY-NINETESSA I took a shower and got dressed in a two-piece swimsuit I found among the numerous gifts on the bed, wrapping a knitted sarong round my waist and placing a straw hat on my head. I grabbed a pair of sunglasses and some sunscreen from one of the bags before heading out of the cabin. Following the spiral staircase, I came up to the upper sun deck, holding the railing for support as the wind blew through my hair. “And right here we have the birthday girl!” Ella squealed as she approached me, her left hand draped on my waist while her other hand held up her phone in front of us as a video was recording. “Hi,” I smiled, waving at the camera. “Happy birthday, sis. I love you so so much.” “Thank you,” I blushed as she kissed my cheek before turning to face the camera once more. “She's the best sister in the whole world and I'm so lucky she's mine,” She said and I saw some heart emojis go up on her phone. “Awwn,” I dramatically placed a hand on my chest. “That's really sweet. I'
Last Updated: 2026-06-01
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHTTESSAOh. My. God.Was I dreaming?“Did I like my—?” I blinked rapidly, trying to register his question as I walked back to the windows. I had no idea I was holding my breath till my chest started to feel tight, but even at that, I feared to make even the faintest sound.I couldn't believe my eyes. “Leonardo… what's this?” I asked, my voice still hoarse from sleep as I flattened my palms on the window, my eyes still glued to the massive yacht floating on the ocean. He chuckled, the deep sound resonating through the phone speakers and sending tingles through my body. “It's my queen's birthday. I can't be there with you, but it doesn't mean I can't give you the best day,” he said, his voice smooth, making my knees weak.My heart felt full, excitement and longing crashing together in my chest. My eyes stung a bit at the sides. I'd never had anyone do something this grand for me. But Leonardo was really going out of his way to make so many experiences really special for me.“Leonardo…,”
Last Updated: 2026-05-19

PERFECT RUIN
"I'm a mess, trying to fix what I became and for your own good maybe you should walk away." — Zayn Cole Santiago.
On the surface Zayn Santiago has everything. A powerful name, a prestigious law degree within reach and a father who runs the country's most influential firm. But beneath the surface is a man held together by anger and adrenaline, spending his nights in underground fighting rings and illegal street races, chasing the only feeling that drowns out the silence his mother left behind when she took her life.
By day he's the son of the prospective president. By night he's a completely different kind of dangerous.
He bleeds for fun and calls it living.
Aliya Martinez is a 21-year-old pre-law student with an ambition to become one of the best lawyers in the world.
She’s the calm to his storm,
The light to his darkness,
The peace he never knew he needed,
And the perfection in his ruin.
Like fire and gasoline, they were never supposed to cross paths, but one night was all it took to turn everything upside down.
When Zayn saves a drunk girl from a club, he thinks that’s the end of it—until a photograph surfaces of him carrying an unconscious girl into his penthouse at 2 a.m.
With his father, Eduardo Santiago, running for the presidency, the scandal threatens everything. The solution is simple. An arranged engagement between Zayn and the girl. For two years.
What starts as a fake relationship turns into something far more complicated as real feelings surface and buried secrets threaten to destroy everything they’ve built.
Some secrets don't stay buried.
Some feelings don't stay fake.
Some pasts should never collide.
But some ruins are far too beautiful to walk away from.
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Chapter: CHAPTER ELEVENALIYAI was definitely rethinking my life choices right now.I made a promise to myself yesterday that I would handle whatever he threw my way, but I guess I spoke too soon.I stared at the two large folders on my desk, not believing my eyes at the cruelty of this man.Yesterday, it was just one report. And now today he demanded two reports within the same timeframe.How is that realistically possible?He was really trying to frustrate me and kudos to him because it was definitely working.However, I wasn't going to react. I wasn't going to show him how much he was getting under my skin.“I can handle this. I'm in control,” I whispered to myself in an attempt to calm myself down.I started going through the cases, working twice as fast as I could to be able to meet up with the deadline.I was halfway through the first report when he walked into the office. I was too buried in work to even realize he left in the first place.I carried on with my work until I heard a loud thud on my des
Last Updated: 2026-04-05
Chapter: CHAPTER TENALIYAI always knew that night was a terrible idea.And today just proved it was even worse than I expected. The stranger I ended up in his bed turns out to be my supervisor?At this point, it felt like the universe was laughing right in my face.And not only that, he was the son of Eduardo Santiago?Looking at them both, I could see the striking resemblance in their facial features. Out of everyone, why did he have to be the one there that night? I mentally groaned. This was bad. This wasn't how I envisioned my internship to go. The employees of the Santiago enterprise had a reputation to uphold both at work and off duty because their actions represented the prestige of the firm.What would he even think of me? A drunk who just ends up in men's beds? I couldn't let one mistake of a night taint my entire image. That night never happened. I was not the careless girl he met that night. I was Aliya Martinez, the girl who worked hard to earn her place here.I took a deep breath and l
Last Updated: 2026-04-04
Chapter: CHAPTER NINEZAYN I ignored my phone that rang for what felt like the fiftieth time this morning. I already knew who was calling. My sperm donor, because he was nothing close to a father to me. I checked the time. It was nine forty and I was supposed to be at the office by nine. I wasn't particularly concerned. He could go piss himself and probably blow his brains out for all I care. The sound of my ringtone was starting to fucking piss me off. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand just as it stopped ringing. A message notification popped up and I hesitated opening it, but then I did, my expression blank as I read through the message. Dad: Where the hell are you? You’re a fucking disappointment. Do you ever get anything right? Every single time I give you responsibility, you screw it up. You’re still as incompetent as ever. Just useless. A complete failure. I wasn't fazed by his insults. It didn’t even sting anymore. Failure, Incompetent, Useless, Pathetic, Disappointment, name it
Last Updated: 2026-04-03
Chapter: CHAPTER EIGHTALIYA “I am bold. I am brave. I am in control,” I recited my morning affirmations three times while staring at the mirror and trying to calm my racing nerves. A knock sounded on my door before it creaked open. “Are you ready, Lia?” Maya asked as she stood by the door, trying to fix the pleat of her skirt. “Mhmm,” I hummed, taking in a deep breath. I brushed my hair one last time, adjusting its waves and taking a final look at my appearance. Today was a dream come true for me and I wasn’t about to mess it up. “We have to leave now if we want to make it before the traffic gets crazy.” “I'm done. I'm done,” I said, putting on my correctional eyeglasses and grabbing my handbag and phone from the vanity before heading towards the exit door. “Oh my, and don't you look so chic in those pants,” Maya half whistled as I walked past her. “Maya!” With the way she acted sometimes, you’d think she was into girls… but knowing Maya, that wasn’t even close. “What?” She shrugged. “
Last Updated: 2026-04-02
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENALIYAMy head felt like it was smashed by a truck. I groaned in pain, trying to pry my eyes open but the pain that followed was like a death sentence.I groaned once more, regretting my choices of going clubbing with Maya last night as I slowly turned on my side, my hand pressed to my temple to try to ease myself of the throbbing ache, my eyes still shut.I hummed at the softness of the mattress beneath me, relishing in the oud and leather like scent that filled my nostrils.Wait what? The realization hit me like a fierce slap and I snapped my eyes open, nearly shrieking when I realized I wasn't in my bed.I ignored the pain that shot right through my skull and sat upright on the bed, my eyes widening at the foreign environment. Fear coursed through my veins as my heartbeat quickened and I could swear it could be heard from a mile away.I turned around and nearly screamed, shooting up the bed as I found a shirtless man laying on the other side of the bed, his hand beneath his head
Last Updated: 2026-04-01
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXZAYN That's it. I'm done here. I've had enough nemesis for one night. I alighted the car and rounded to her side, pulling the door open. I didn't care whatever happened from here on out. All I knew was I was leaving her here to her own fate. “Hey! Out!” “Hmmm?” She breathed, tilting her head my way. “Get the fuck out of my car!” I reached for her arm, trying to pull her out. “Please come back… I miss you…mum,” she whispered, her head falling but I caught it with my palm. I stopped at the spot, listening to what she murmured, my stomach dropping at those words. Was I really about to abandon her in this place and in her most vulnerable state? I rubbed my palms on my face in frustration. As much as I willed to be done with her, I couldn't bring myself to drop her off here. I adjusted her head properly against the head rest and closed the door, thinking of what to do with her while I paced back and forth the side of the car. A motel. That's right, I'd just drop her off at a m
Last Updated: 2026-03-25