American University Library Databases Novels & Stories

In a world teeming with danger, Nicole Parish's life takes an abrupt and forceful twist, leaving her at the mercy of a single man: Shane Ryder. For four years, Nicole's father kept her hidden away in the UK, determined to shield her from the perils that awaited her. Unbeknownst to her, her father's seemingly ordinary business fronted a notorious drug empire, and she was the coveted daughter of a dangerous drug lord. The truth remains concealed until the day she returns home, unravelling a web of chaos. Shane Ryder, the enigmatic kingpin of America's most powerful mafia, has long sought vengeance against Drake Parish. A betrayal born from a simple misunderstanding fuels his desire to see Drake pay. Nobody in America dares to cross Shane Ryder without facing dire consequences. He controls not just the underworld, but also the police and even the government. Nicole is a captivating beauty, with a complexion that hints at fiery passion and dark brown eyes that ensnare unsuspecting souls with a single glance. Shane, on the other hand, is a charismatic Greek god sent from the depths of hell, with icy, piercing blue eyes that freeze his enemies in their tracks. Ruthlessness defines him, and refusal is not an option. He is the epitome of a hardened badass, willing to go to any lengths to maintain his mafia's iron grip on American soil. She represents fire, while he personifies ice. The story unfolds as they clash with disdain, hurling insults and inflicting pain upon each other. One is drawn into a world darker than she ever imagined, while the other ruthlessly rules over his kingdom of shadows. Yet, what transpires between them defies expectations, as their relationship blossoms into something entirely unforeseen by both parties.

Valentina Moretti is the Don the Italian Mafia. Smart and formidable, surviving a male dominated environment, overcoming tremendous challenges. Trained from a young age to be a deadly assassin, she commands respect wherever she goes. She seemingly has everything, until her father decides to arrange her marriage. Luca Delgado is the head of the American Mafia. He is a ruthless and cold individual. He understands the rules of the game perfectly and will do anything to achieve victory, including breaking others without hesitation. Their forced marriage is a cruel twist of fate. Will these two ruthless individuals find comfort in one another, or will they end up destroying each other? "I don’t remember agreeing to play strip poker," she remarked. Her lips formed a slight frown, but her eyes sparkled with playfulness. She realized she couldn't outmatch me in this game. "Are you giving up? Are you a coward? " I taunted, aiming to provoke her. Her lips quivered before she pressed them firmly together. The richness of her eye color intensified as she offered a sly grin. She began shuffling cards and removed one of her sandals. Great. We’re taking the long route. She held it up, letting it dangle from her finger before casually tossing it aside. She raised an eyebrow at me, clearly challenging me. I was pleased to know I had touched a nerve. Just as I expected. BE AWARE: Trigger warnings: MATURE CONTENT 18+ (SMUT) SWEARING SELF HARM/SUICIDE (REFERENCES) LANGUAGE THAT IS UNAMBIGUOUS CURSING VIOLENCE, GUN VIOLENCE SELF-INFLICTED HARM /SUICIDE (REFERENCES) BLOOD, DECEASE, and GORE

On the day we chose our college majors, the influencer who was the school's heartthrob held a livestream and announced that he had decided to lead the anti-rat-race movement and would choose to attend a vocational college. The whole class followed him. Seeing the rapidly increasing number of followers, he smiled smugly. "They can do these low-class jobs if they like. I'll change my choice back to Harvard University at the last minute." I tried to dissuade him, but this would cause network congestion. My girlfriend slapped me. "You nerd! Who are you to tell our idol, Zach Simpson, what to do?" In my previous life, I spent half an hour dissuading them, and only then did the students change their college choices. However, Zach failed to change his application due to network lag and was admitted to a vocational college instead. He could not bear the blow and jumped into the river to commit suicide. The students who had entered prestigious universities collectively vented their anger on me. At the class reunion, they poured 99 bottles of beer down my throat and locked me in the karaoke's freezer. "Who cares about the prestige of a prestigious university? You'll just be working for someone else after graduation anyway!" "Why did we follow Zach in the first place? Wasn't it to break this damn rule?" "Zach was leading us to realize our dreams! If you hadn't interfered, I would already have gone to a vocational college with him!" They spoke disdainfully of prestigious universities, yet not one of them chose to drop out. I froze to death in a dark, cold freezer, my eyes wide open. Years later, they became elites in their respective fields, while my parents could only weep looking at my portrait. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Zach was livestreaming in the classroom. This time, I promised I would not interfere. Instead, I wished them a happy vocational college experience.

"You are just a golden cage ornament, Celestine. Two years. No touch, no real feelings, and never enter my room. I bought your freedom, so you owe me your life." ​To save her sick father from a lifetime behind bars, Celestine Aragon commits the ultimate sacrifice: she sells her freedom to Cyrus Valdemor—the ruthless, cold-hearted billionaire CEO who rules the city's corporate empire with an iron fist. ​The rules of their marriage contract were simple, practical, and completely devoid of warmth: Maintain a flawless public image, smile for the cameras, and remain absolute strangers behind closed doors. Celestine expects a lonely prison, but she doesn’t expect the strange, suffocating tension that ignites every time Cyrus is near. Nor does she expect the fierce, alpha protectiveness he unleashes whenever the world tries to tear her down. ​But one forbidden, alcohol-fueled night in his private library shatters all their rules. A dangerous passion breaks through Cyrus’s icy defense, leaving them breathless and bound by a desire neither can deny. ​Just as the lines between their fake marriage and real feelings begin to blur, a dark secret from the past comes to light. Cyrus discovers that Celestine's family is tied to the tragic accident that killed his parents decades ago. Stricken by guilt and targeted by his sudden, icy hatred, Celestine is cruelly cast out into the freezing rain—shattered, helpless, and carrying a secret of her own. ​She is pregnant with the billionaire's heir. ​When the truth finally unravels and the ruthless CEO realizes he banished the only woman he ever loved, will it be too late? Can a marriage built on vengeance and secrets survive the ultimate betrayal?

I'm Cassandra Rivera. I'm eighteen years old and in my first year at University, taking up Fine Arts. My life has been hell since I was young. My parents, sister, and brother treated me as their slave. They beat me if I did wrong. I started working for my family when I was six years old, and if I did wrong, my parents would scold and beat me. When I was younger, I wondered why my family treated me this way, but when I was ten years old, my mother got angry at me and she told me that I was an unwanted child. She wanted to abort me when I was still in her womb, but I kept holding on. They don't like me out of this world, and since then, I didn't see them as my family but as my employer like how they treated me as their maid. Luckily, there's a helper at home who cares for me, and I saw her as my second mother. She would tend my cuts and bruises every time my family beat me. Sometimes, my father punished her because of me. I love Mama Amara, because she's the only person who cares for me, and love me. When I enter the university, I meet this guy. His name is Jaxon Garcia. He's from a wealthy family. He's good to me, and when he told me his feelings, I quickly accepted it. We were happy for a few months, but I found out he only courted me because of a bet with my brother Kris. I was devastated, and for the first time, I wanted the comfort of my father. But my father did the worst. He used me as collateral for his debt to the wealthiest man in the country.

Amanda Light, I am a normal girl, but the thing is, I don't live in a normal town. I don't go to a normal high school; I go to a high school of werewolves because, you guessed it, I'm human. Also, I get bullied by the Stone Rock Fab 4. They call me humi, plus they are gorgeous. They told everyone at the school not to talk to me, including my cousin Arica, Xavier, and Xavier, one of the Fab 4. He is best friends with the demon himself, Sage Stone, the Future Alpha of the Stone Rock Pack. So now it's been a week since school started. I am heading to the Library, but just as I was walking down the hallway. I heard a growl, then when I look up I saw the most blueish grey eyes I have ever seen it was Sage Stone, and the next minute I felt being lifted up in the air and onto his shoulder, he then shoved me in the Janitors closet I feel heavy breathing on my neck .."humi I mean girl" he says but then I wasn't focusing on him I was focusing on the locked door I was scared of him now then he says "you better not be talking to other guys " then he slammed me in the wall and says something in my ear stop wearing slutty clothes and showing your bits no one wants to see that and look at the filth" then I look down at myself then thought I just wore jeans also a T-shirt. Still, I look up at Sage; he has his hands on my hips, growling. He is clenching his fingers. It was hurting, then I said, " Get off, Sage, now.

Sunshine Miller is a drop-out university girl who wanted to become a businesswoman. She lost her dream due to an accident that left her with two younger siblings to support. She was born with a golden spoon, but was forced to leave her life of luxury. Played by the hurdles of fate, she decided to never give up. One tricky night, Kyle Zandrous’ mercilessly threatened her to pay her parents' debt or she would lose a brother. The only solution she could think of was to make him fall in love with her. However, Sunshine couldn't pass his standards. "I will never love a woman like you, so better give up. You may leave." Will Sunshine Miller succeed in making this man fall in love with her to pay less of her debt, or will she fall for his handsome look first before he could?

After being reborn, I decided to write my sister's name on the marriage application. This time, I would help Sebastian Holt achieve his wishes. In this lifetime, I took the lead—I let my sister wear the wedding dress first and put the engagement ring on her finger. I personally orchestrated every encounter between Sebastian and my sister. When he took her to the capital city, I headed to Southport University without a second thought. In my previous life, even when I was over 50 years old, he and our son still knelt before me, begging for a divorce. This time, I would fulfill his final romantic destiny with my sister. Living this second life, all I wanted was to spread my wings and soar high, free from love's entanglements.

Airin, faced with an unexpected pregnancy from a brief en counter with a man named Zidan, navigates the challenges of single motherhood when Zidan disappears upon learnin g about the pregnancy. Determined, Airin decides to raise her child alone while co ntinuing her studies. Despite facing judgment and pressur e at her university for bringing the baby to classes, Fachri, a young lecturer, consistently supports her and even helps care for the baby during lectures. Over time, their bond deepens, and Airin sees Fachri as a w arm and caring figure. Likewise, Fachri admires Airin's intel ligence and independence. As Airin contemplates choosing Fachri as the father figure for her child, Zidan unexpectedly reappears in her life. No w, Airin faces the difficult decision of choosing between Fa chri, who has been a constant support, and Zidan, the biolo gical father of her child.

Edward Sterling is playing in his university's freshman basketball tournament when my parents banish me abroad. My biological sister and my fiancée are both on the sidelines, cheering for him. That spotlight should've been mine. The jersey he's wearing, with a star player's autograph on it, was supposed to be my 14th birthday gift. Edward and I have been rivals for most of our lives. It never matters whether I'm right or wrong—the moment he plays the victim, my parents rush to defend him and scold me without hesitation. But I am their biological son! It's not until I die alone and sick in a foreign country that I finally understand one thing. If I ever get a second chance, I'll never again fight Edward for love that was never mine to begin with.