Love me like he couldn't

Love me like he couldn'tA dark mafia romanceSteli Simeonova Copyright © 2023 Steli SimeonovaAll rights reservedThe characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.ISBN-13: 9781234567890ISBN-10: 1477123456Cover design by: Steli SimeonovaLibrary of Congress Control Number: 2018675309Printed in the United States of America Blurb: The cartel is everywhere.The cartel sees everythingThe cartel knows everyone.You think you are safe, better rethink that thought, because they know about you, they watch you, and they will punish you the moment you make one wrong step.Or that's at least what the ordinary citizen thought. The truth was much more complicated, and it started with a man in the shadows watching her. His innocent lamb, who just got involved in a huge mess. A mess he promised he would fix. But until then he had to have her.And when he did, she turned his world upside down. Playlist Be my lover - Inna Dark paradise - Lana del rey Superhero - Aim Vision Alibi - Empara Mi Gangsta - Kehlani Let me love you (slowed) - Ariana Grande Fire on fire - Sam Smith Game of survival - Ruelle Heaven - FINNEAS PLEASE - OMIDO Lady, Touch Yourself - Nikki Idol Pain & pleasure - Black Atlass Hurt - Christina Aguilera Where's my love (Accoustic) - SYML AcknowledgmentI want to thank a few people who made that book happen. Temira, my first-ever alpha reader, who read the ugliest version of this, thank you for supporting and motivating me. I want to thank Hayley, who also received a very crappy copy before I even started editing it fully. Then I want to thank all my Beta Readers, who gave me directions and commented during the painful process of editing. I want to thank and KC Bear, who was kind and patient with me, and proofread the final version of this book. And finally, I want to thank every reader, ARC or not, for picking up this book and believing in me. I love you all!Now I hope you enjoy the ride. Content and Trigger Warning:Read before starting the book!This novel contains: Non-con, dub-con, somnophilia, kidnapping, murder, mention of abortion, of child abuse, and of sexual assault. One of the scenes is similar to one from The Vampire Diaries, but it hasn't been copied or inspired by it. Once I wrote it, I realized the resemblance of the two. Contents Title PageCopyrightBlurb: PlaylistAcknowledgmentContent and Trigger Warning:PrologueChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17 Chapter 18Chapter 19Chapter 20Chapter 21Chapter 22Chapter 23Chapter 24Chapter 25Chapter 26Chapter 27Chapter 28Chapter 29Chapter 30Chapter 31Chapter 32Chapter 33Chapter 34Chapter 35Chapter 36Chapter 37Chapter 38Chapter 39Chapter 40Chapter 41Chapter 42Chapter 43Chapter 44Chapter 45Chapter 46Chapter 47Chapter 48Chapter 49Chapter 50Chapter 51Chapter 52Chapter 53Chapter 54Chapter 55EpilogueAbout The AuthorBooks By This Author PrologueDo you believe that one day the navigation of your life can turn and take you on a very gravelly and bumpy road? No? Because I didn't believe it either. I was deluding myself that I had already adjusted my life and that all I had to do was follow the predestined path.I had a husband, a job, and a great home downtown. I may not have been the happiest woman, but I was satisfied enough to not wish for more. I felt safe. My husband often traveled throughout the country, so I lived mostly alone.I had no kids, although I hoped that would change soon, and no pets, because according to my husband "pets are for children, and not for a couple who still don’t have them." I was a biochemist by profession and currently was working on the antidote to an expensive designer poison.I got married because I thought I was in love, but it turned out that I had made a mistake and was ready to divorce after less than three months into our marriage. We weren’t just incompatible; we couldn’t care less about each other.But we never separated, because this way was more comfortable for both of us. He was getting money from me, and I escaped the uncomfortable and often awkward questions about marriage or children.The day everything started was ordinary. Just like every other day that month, nothing gave signs that a huge catastrophe was going to unfold right in front of my eyes. The weather forecast was for a hot day, with high humidity and no expected storms.It was a normal morning, or ordinary enough because my husband was at home after a long time gone. I was preparing for work while trying not to make too much noise, because my husband, Stefano, could get pretty annoyed if he was woken up early. His sleep was a sacred ritual, which he hated being broken. He gave me one of his many conditions when we left the church.While I was going through my morning routine, I turned on the TV and searched for my favorite news channel. I had a love-hate relationship with them - I had always thought that newscasts tell only the bad news, focusing too much on the negativity; but sometimes, when I was sad or unwell, I needed to hear those bad stories, it helped me realize that I had a great life and that I shouldn’t have been ungrateful for it. Yes, it might have been quiet, and sometimes a bit boring, but at least I was healthy, and able to live it fully.Moreover, the reporters’ voices always calmed me and gave me a good perspective for the day. And I somehow found myself liking to hear about murders and shootings.I remember that particular morning I was sitting at the table and eating my daily dose of healthy cereal. I multitasked as I was eating, listening to the news,