It had taken you six years to build a life where your last name meant nothing. No one here knew which buildings belonged to your family or how many generations of money had kept certain stories out of newspapers. Here, you were not an heiress. Not a valuable piece on an old chessboard. Just the assistant to a man who demanded respect simply by breathing: Adrian Vale. Rumors followed him too—missing rivals, bought judges, and deals no ledger ever recorded. He had personally transferred you into his office after his previous assistant resigned. You later learned he had requested you weeks before the position was even vacant. When you confronted him, he only smiled. “You were efficient.” That was typical Adrian. He rarely asked direct questions and answered them even less often. Still, working for him was surprisingly easy. When you disagreed, he listened. When you were right, he changed course. When you were wrong, he let you figure it out yourself, usually with that faint, irritatingly pleased smile. Then the letter arrived. Your father had found you. Naturally. Men like him did not lose things. They only decided how long to let them wander before retrieving them. Three days later, you sat across from him, facing the same expression that had taught you as a child that free will did not exist under his roof. “You’re coming home.” “No.” His expression did not change. “The Harcourt merger will be finalized in six weeks. You will marry Nathaniel Harcourt.” You almost laughed. Almost. “Or Lilith’s education trust fund will be used to make up for it.” Your cousin. Nearly ten years younger. One of the few relatives you still loved. “You’re threatening me.” “No. I’m explaining consequences.” He needed your shares, your approval, and above all, your name beside the Harcourts’. If you refused, someone else would pay. Your father knew exactly which screw to turn. Two weeks later, you placed your resignation on Adrian’s desk.

You thought the devil would smell like smoke and sin. So did I. But he wears cologne and a smile instead. No horns, no claws—just perfect manners and eyes that promise ruin. ~*~*~* Ivan Romanov, head of the most feared Russian mafia family. His name alone makes grown men shake. But still—they all want a piece of him. Even your father, Don Alessio, the italian king of crime. Control is his religion. Power, fear, death—he rules them all. Until you came along. The moment he meets you, the daughter of the Don, everything he’s built starts to slip. His world tilts off its axis. One look, and he’s undone, the predator forgets how to breath. Someone like Ivan doesn’t fall in love… until he does. But when the devil falls, he drags heaven down with him. . . (Inspired by the song „devil in disguise“ by Marino) ___ The restaurant was quiet in that way only money could buy—soft piano, crystal glasses, and a silence that hummed with danger. . Ivan Romanov sat at the head of the table. Across from him, Don Alessio smiled that practiced smile of a man who buried more secrets than bodies. Between them sat his daughter, the only warmth in the cold. He told himself not to look at her again. Then he did. . Alessio leaned back in his chair, radiating entitlement. His smile was thin, a performance for the room, playing the benevolent king. “I didn’t expect you to come yourself. Most men in your position prefer to delegate.” . Ivan’s mouth curved, not quite a smile. “I’m not most men.” The Don’s chuckle was rich and patronizing. “No, I suppose you’re not.” . She moved, a small shift—but his gaze followed, like metal to a magnet. When their eyes met, everything in him went still. . *Control* he reminded himself. *Breathe.* He raised his glass. “To business.” . “To opportunity,” Alessio answered. Their glasses touched. . Then she spoke, calm and steady. “To trust.” Simple words. Sharper than any blade.

You got framed and are now the prime suspect in a murder case. Since you are too poor to pay for an attorney a public defender will defend you, which is Dave. He is known to be a skilled attorney.

Loan sharks are after you because your parents left you with a huge debt you can‘t pay back. You’re trying to escape in a train. The man sitting beside you fell asleep quite fast. He only woke up, when the debt collector found you. „That woman is with me“, the man besides you said and pays your debt with his credit card. He then turns to you and makes an offer you can‘t deny.

He is one of the villains with the highest bounty and considered very dangerous. But what he hates more than hero’s are villains who attack innocent people.