"And you kept smiling at him." "I was being polite," I whispered weakly. "Mm." The sound she made sent another shiver through me. My pulse spiked immediately. She lowered herself close to the side of my face, her breath fanning my ear. She whispered darkly, "well, baby girl." She nipped my ear then. "Tonight..." Her hand came up to my throat. Not hurting Not choking. But firm enough to steal my breath away. Then she pulled back a little to look at my lips. Her gaze rose to my eyes then. Eyes dark. Pupils blown wide. "I'm not going to be." ... Jules has always lived carefully-balancing expectations, responsibilities, and the quiet weight of a world that doesn't always leave room for uncertainty. But everything begins to shift when she meets Jeanna, a confident and composed businesswoman who disrupts the rhythm of Jules' guarded life in the most unexpected way. What starts as a connection neither of them fully understands slowly deepens into something impossible to ignore. Jeanna is patient, steady, and unwavering in a way Jules has never experienced before-offering her not just affection, but space to grow, to question, and to choose for herself. Set against the backdrop of a conservative environment, this story explores identity, courage, and the complexity of choosing love when it feels like everything else is at stake. At its core, it's about two women finding their way to each other-not perfectly, but honestly.

Everyone knows the name Valentina Moretti She isn't someone people challenge. She isn't someone people betray. As the powerful leader of the Moretti mafia, Valentina controls an empire built on loyalty, fear, and secrets. She is ruthless, intelligent, and always ten steps ahead of her enemies. To the world, she is a queen without a heart - a woman who never shows weakness. Until she meets Aaliyah Aaliyah is just a normal girl living a quiet life, completely unaware of the dangerous world Valentina rules. She isn't intimidated by Valentina's reputation. She doesn't see a mafia boss - she sees the woman hiding beneath the power. But getting close to Valentina Moretti comes with a price. Enemies are watching. Secrets are waiting to be uncovered. And the closer Aaliyah gets to the mafia queen, the more danger surrounds them both. Valentina built her empire by trusting no one. But Aaliyah might be the one person capable of bringing down the walls around her heart. She rules the underworld. She owns the empire. But love might be the one thing she can't control