Introduction
Every night, three mafia enforcers come into my bar. They’re too dangerous to get close to, yet impossible to ignore.
When the bar is held up, Rocello, a powerful and deadly man, saves me. No one’s ever protected me like that before.
Rocello’s fierce protection and his gentle side as a single father make me feel safe. Jumaine’s calm, precise nature melts when he’s with me, and Slade’s reckless passion leaves me breathless.
As I uncover a plot against me, they pledge their protection. But as our passion ignites, I realize my ties to their world run deeper than I thought. And my life spirals into chaos when I see two little lines on a pregnancy test.
Share the book to
About Author

Julencia Slamet
Chapter 1
Margo
"Why did you choose to work as a bartender, dear?"
If I had a nickel for every time someone posed that question, I'd be wealthy. Well, at least richer than what I earned from my meager wages and sparse tips at the Rusty Bucket.
Not all patrons at the Rusty Bucket were unpleasant. Quite the opposite. Most were hardworking men, occasionally interspersed with retirees like Burt, who sat at the bar. Despite nearing eighty, Burt often conversed with a sparkle in his eye.
"Must be luck, I guess."
He sipped his beer. "A pretty young lady like you could aim higher."
I frowned, uncertain how my appearance factored into it. The reality was, I had aimed higher. I'd managed a year and a half of college on funds my mother had saved her whole life.
But now she was gone, and the money had dwindled long ago.
"You could get certified in cosmetology," Burt suggested, as if sharing privileged information. "Do hair and nails without dealing with the riffraff here."
I mentally rolled my eyes. Burt was harmless and usually good company, but his comment revealed undertones of sexism and class bias, not for the first time.
"Or become a weather presenter on TV. You're TV-ready."
I placed a bowl of fresh peanuts in front of him. "I think they hire meteorologists for that."
"Right," he nodded sagely. "Too much schooling."
Some men at the far end of the bar signaled for my attention, a welcome distraction from Burt, although I typically enjoyed our chats. In general, he meant no harm, but his assumption that I lacked the ability to succeed in school irked me. My aspiration had been to finish college and then pursue law school. Money, not intellect, had halted my plans.
As I took orders, I noticed a large man sitting alone at a table in the back. He had a whiskey and a plate of fries, so one of the waitresses must have served him. He stood out due to his size and solitary presence.
His nickname was Rock, fitting for someone as massive as a boulder. Muscles bulged beneath his tan skin and dark Italian features. Most Italian men in the area were leaner, but Rock resembled a bouncer.
Normally, he frequented the bar with his friends, Jumaine and Slade. Though I didn't know them personally, I'd served them often, appreciating their generous tips. It seemed unusual to see the big man alone tonight. Something about his posture hinted at a sour mood, yet I sensed he wouldn't cause any trouble. He never did.
I continued tending bar for a few more hours, bidding Burt a genuine farewell when he left for home. He meant well. Perhaps in my late seventies, I too would be out and about, chatting with younger folks. I hoped my perspectives by then would be more enlightened.
The dining area cleared out as patrons headed home. In this working-class Brooklyn neighborhood, many customers had early mornings ahead. For those who preferred to stay out late, there were plenty of other options.
Rock appeared to belong to the latter group. He nursed his drink, occasionally scowling at his phone.
Taking advantage of the dwindling crowd, I began cleaning up behind the bar, hoping to finish my shift at a reasonable hour tonight.
Two young men in their twenties sat at the bar, while a group of two men and four women occupied a table fifteen feet away. Rock remained seated, engrossed in a newspaper left behind by someone else. As I opened the register to add more money, my attention fixed on the bills neatly stacked inside, a distinct clicking sound of a gun being cocked froze me in place. Another identical click sent a chill of fear down my spine. Heart racing, I lifted my gaze from the cash register. The two young men were standing before me, guns aimed at my head.
"Give us the money, sweetheart."
My mind went blank, unable to process the situation. The one speaking hardly seemed old enough to shave, let alone rob a bar.
"Now, honey," the other one urged. Terms of endearment were common in my line of work, but never under such threatening circumstances.
Both men smirked with confidence, believing they had complete control simply because they held guns.
And that infuriated me. The urge to wipe those smug expressions off their faces somehow sparked my brain into action, revealing a plan.
"Hey, assholes."
A deep voice boomed from behind the men, causing them to turn around. Rocello had come to a halt behind them, his dark eyes glinting with intensity in the dim light.
As they turned, I swiftly ducked beneath the counter.
Not for safety, but to retrieve the double-barrel shotgun kept there by our manager. She had trained all of us on its use.
Pointing it at the men while their attention was on Rocello, who appeared livid, I felt a sudden pang of fear. Not for myself, but for the possibility that his anger might lead to a reckless act, possibly landing him in jail.
“Hey assholes,” I said firmly, echoing Rock’s words. They turned back to me, one man’s mouth dropping open as he saw the gun in my hands.
They’d made a mistake in turning their back on a man like the Rock. He moved up behind them and slammed both their heads into the bar. Hard.
One man’s gun skittered away. The other guy held onto his pistol, and it was pointed at me. Shit.
I changed up my grip on the shotgun and brought the butt down on his wrist. He yelped and dropped the gun. I batted it away from his hand.
“Call the police,” I shouted toward the people at the nearest table as I trained my gun on the men who were now bleeding from their noses and looking dazed. My plan was to hold them there until the police came, but that plan was ruined when the shotgun was wrenched out of my hands.
Astonished, I stared as Rock tossed my shotgun out of the way. “Go back in the kitchen,” he growled. “I’ll take care of these two.”
What the hell?
He wasn't even an employee here. What gave him the right to snatch my gun away? I started to voice my objection, but the deadly glare in his eyes silenced me.
The smaller of the two men gathered himself and attempted to throw a punch at the larger man, who effortlessly blocked it. In response, he landed a blow that sent the attacker slumping back onto the bar. The second guy tried the same and met a similar fate.
I grabbed an empty beer stein, poised to strike the punk's head, but Rock intervened again. "I've got this," he grunted firmly.
Who did he think he was, our bouncer? This place couldn't afford one and usually didn't need it.
Yet, it was clear Rock was more than capable for the role. He alternated punches between the two men who stubbornly continued to fight. He seemed almost to enjoy it, shoving one, punching the other, then switching back.
"Does your mom know you're out this late?" Rocello bellowed, his voice cutting through their groans. "Does she, you idiots?"
"Stop," one of them cried out weakly. It made little difference.
"Why are you bothering us?" the other slurred, his voice indicating a probable broken nose.
"Why are you bothering her?" Rock growled back, gesturing in my direction.
“We just wanted the money,” the first one said, sounding whiny. “Then the cunt got in the way—”
I gasped, but not from the word they called me. Rock’s expression changed. If I’d thought he looked dangerous before, he looked downright deadly now. He punched the guy who’d said that in the face, knocking him out. That made me think that I’d been right before, that he’d been toying with the guys and pulling his punches.
He grabbed the other guy so hard that he made him cry out. Then he dragged them toward the door, one conscious, the other unconscious. The other customers and I watched until he’d manhandled them out the door.
Then all was quiet as I stared in disbelief at the door the powerful man had just exited.
What the hell was that?
Why had Rock taken it upon himself to take care of those guys?
I was still shakily contemplating it when a customer from the table called out. “Miss? Can we get another pitcher of beer?”
Latest Chapters
#38 38
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31#37 37
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:33#36 36
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31#35 35
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31#34 34
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:33#33 33
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31#32 32
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31#31 31
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:33#30 30
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31#29 29
Last Updated: 04/17/2025 13:31
Comments
You Might Like 😍
The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride
Yet Alexander made his decision clear to the world: “Evelyn is the only woman I will ever marry.”
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother
"What is wrong with me?
Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?
It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.
He’s my boyfirend’s brother.
This is Tyler’s family.
I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.
**
As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.
Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.
When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.
I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.
**
I hate girls like her.
Entitled.
Delicate.
And still—
Still.
The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.
Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.
I shouldn’t care.
I don’t care.
It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.
It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.
I’m not here to rescue anyone.
Especially not her.
Especially not someone like her.
She’s not my problem.
And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.
But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Accidentally Yours
Lola Marlowe’s morning-after is a disaster. She’s got a killer hangover, zero memory of Burning Man, and a half-naked, sculpted stranger tied to her bed with her own lavender silk ropes. To make matters infinitely worse, the furious (and frustratingly handsome) “accidental hostage” is Enzo Marchesi, Vegas’s most notorious mafia Don.
For Enzo, this is the ultimate security breach. But the fiery, unpredictable tattoo artist is the most intriguing thing to happen to him in years. To stop his crew from “neutralizing” the threat, he makes an impulsive claim: she’s his fiancée.
Thrust into a world of high-stakes lies and feral attraction, they must navigate rival families and their own explosive chemistry.
One wrong move sparked it. Now neither of them wants out.
The Prison Project
Can love tame the untouchable? Or will it only fuel the fire and cause chaos amongst the inmates?
Fresh out of high school and suffocating in her dead-end hometown, Margot longs for her escape. Her reckless best friend, Cara, thinks she's found the perfect way out for them both - The Prisoner Project - a controversial program offering a life-changing sum of money in exchange for time spent with maximum-security inmates.
Without hesitation, Cara rushes to sign them up.
Their reward? A one-way ticket into the depths of a prison ruled by gang leaders, mob bosses, and men the guards wouldn't even dare to cross...
At the centre of it all, meets Coban Santorelli - a man colder than ice, darker than midnight, and as deadly as the fire that fuels his inner rage. He knows that the project may very well be his only ticket to freedom - his only ticket to revenge on the one who managed to lock him up and so he must prove that he can learn to love…
Will Margot be the lucky one chosen to help reform him?
Will Coban be capable of bringing something to the table other than just sex?
What starts off as denial may very well grow in to obsession which could then fester in to becoming true love…
A temperamental romance novel.
From Substitute To Queen
Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.
Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.
In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?
From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
The Lycan Prince’s Puppy
“Soon enough, you’ll be begging for me. And when you do—I’ll use you as I see fit, and then I’ll reject you.”
—
When Violet Hastings begins her freshman year at Starlight Shifters Academy, she only wants two things—honor her mother’s legacy by becoming a skilled healer for her pack and get through the academy without anyone calling her a freak for her strange eye condition.
Things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that Kylan, the arrogant heir to the Lycan throne who has made her life miserable from the moment they met, is her mate.
Kylan, known for his cold personality and cruel ways, is far from thrilled. He refuses to accept Violet as his mate, yet he doesn’t want to reject her either. Instead, he sees her as his puppy, and is determined to make her life even more of a living hell.
As if dealing with Kylan’s torment isn’t enough, Violet begins to uncover secrets about her past that change everything she thought she knew. Where does she truly come from? What is the secret behind her eyes? And has her whole life been a lie?
Crowned by Fate
“She’d just be a Breeder, you would be the Luna. Once she’s pregnant, I wouldn’t touch her again.” my mate Leon’s jaw tightened.
I laughed, a bitter, broken sound.
“You’re unbelievable. I’d rather accept your rejection than live like that.”
As a girl without a wolf, I left my mate and my pack behind.
Among humans, I survived by becoming a master of the temporary: drifting job to job… until I became the best bartender in a dusty Texas town.
That’s where Alpha Adrian found me.
No one could resist the charming Adrian, and I joined his mysterious pack hidden deep in the desert.
The Alpha King Tournament, held once every four years, had begun. Over fifty packs from across North America were competing.
The werewolf world was on the verge of a revolution. That’s when I saw Leon again...
Torn between two Alphas, I had no idea that what awaited us wasn’t just a competition—but a series of brutal, unforgiving trials.
Author Note:New book out now! The River Knows Her Name
Mystery, secrets, suspense—your next page-turner is here.
Goddess Of The Underworld.
When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armor, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of a border pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to stay; of cake, iron, and daylight negotiations. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a reverse harem, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.
Mated by Contract to the Alpha
William—my devastatingly handsome, wealthy werewolf fiancé destined to become Delta—was supposed to be mine forever. After five years together, I was ready to walk down the aisle and claim my happily ever after.
Instead, I found him with her. And their son.
Betrayed, jobless, and drowning in my father's medical bills, I hit rock bottom harder than I ever imagined possible. Just when I thought I'd lost everything, salvation came in the form of the most dangerous man I'd ever encountered.
Damien Sterling—future Alpha of the Silver Moon Shadow Pack and ruthless CEO of Sterling Group—slid a contract across his desk with predatory grace.
“Sign this, little doe, and I'll give you everything your heart desires. Wealth. Power. Revenge. But understand this—the moment you put pen to paper, you become mine. Body, soul, and everything in between.”
I should have run. Instead, I signed my name and sealed my fate.
Now I belong to the Alpha. And he's about to show me just how wild love can be.
The Biker's Fate
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"Dani," he pressed. "Do you get me?"
"No, Austin, I don't," I admitted as I pulled my robe closed again and sat up. "You confuse me."
He dragged his hands down his face. "Tell me what's on your mind."
I sighed. "You're everything my parents warned me against. You're secretive, but you're also honest. I feel wholly protected by you, but then you scare me more than anyone I've ever known. You're a bad boy, but when I dated a so-called good one, he turned out to be the devil, so, yeah, I don't get you because you're not what I expected. You drive me crazier than anyone I've ever met, but then you make me feel complete. I'm feeling things I don't quite know how to process and that makes me want to run. I don't want to give up something that might be really, really good, but I also don't want to be stupid and fall for a boy just because he's super pretty and makes me come."
Danielle Harris is the daughter of an overprotective police chief and has led a sheltered life. As a kindergarten teacher, she's as far removed from the world of Harleys and bikers as you could get, but when she's rescued by the sexy and dangerous Austin Carver, her life is changed forever.
Although Austin 'Booker' Carver is enamored by the innocent Dani, he tries to keep the police chief's daughter at arm's length. But when a threat is made from an unexpected source, he finds himself falling hard and fast for the only woman who can tame his wild heart.
Will Booker be able to find the source of the threat before it's too late?
Will Dani finally give her heart to a man who's everything she's been warned about?
The mafia princess return
Fangs, Fate & Other Bad Decisions
After finding out her boyfriend cheated, the last thing she expected was to stumble across a wounded man in an alley. And definitely not one with fangs. But thanks to a mix of cocktails, shame, and her questionable life choices, she takes him home. Turns out, he’s not just any vampire—he’s a king. And according to him, she’s his fated mate.
Now, she’s stuck with an overprotective, brooding bloodsucker who keeps rescuing her, a growing list of enemies who want her dead, and an undeniable attraction that’s making it very hard to remember why falling for a vampire is a terrible idea.
Because if she’s not careful, she won’t just lose her heart—she’ll lose her humanity.
About Author

Julencia Slamet
Download AnyStories App to discover more Fantasy Stories.













