Novels by M.Z. Mauve

The Heir's Secret Obsession

" It started with a favor. We met at a tumultuous time in our lives. I supposed he thought he owed his life to me, thus his efforts to help me deal with the demands of adulthood and my chosen career. Being part of his small circle of friends? Pretty much a privilege. Getting to know him better pushed our relationship past the safe boundaries of friendship—except he doesn't see me that way. To him, I'm just someone he owes favors to. A nice, dependable friend on speed dial. But things started to change. Our once easygoing friendship took a wild turn when a kiss led to a night of confessions and forgotten inhibitions. Should I jump the gun? Or play it safe and keep away from his complicated life? " --------------- DISCLAIMER: *I DO NOT OWN THE PHOTOS INCLUDED IN THIS BOOK. FULL CREDITS TO THE OWNERS. *Scenes, characters, dialogues and events in this story are all invented. This story contains mature themes, profanity, violence, and sexual content not intended for young readers. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this story or plagiarism of any kind is prohibited by the law. *Author's Note: This is a rewrite of my first crime/romance/vampire story "The Echelons" (written in 3rd person, published on another platform, non-exclusive contract) now written in 1st person POV here on Goodnovel. This storyline differs from the original and will include the sequel's unpublished chapters. Sit tight and enjoy :)

71 | Diversion

◇ KEL ◇ "Mykaela?" "Yes." I tried not to scowl as I looked at him. It seemed he wasn't done interrogating me. "Any idea who this is?" Leandro gave me a grin that lifted the corner of his dark beard. "Niccolo's uncle. His godfather, he said."

Last Updated: 2020-11-16

70 | Time To Play

× WARNING! × × CONTENT BELOW NOT INTENDED FOR YOUNG READERS ×× READ AT YOUR OWN RISK × ◇ KEL ◇A drawn out sile

Last Updated: 2020-11-15

69 | Rough

× WARNING! × × CONTENT BELOW NOT INTENDED FOR YOUNG READERS × × READ AT YOUR OWN RISK × ◇ KEL

Last Updated: 2020-11-14

68 | Dark and Menacing

× WARNING! × CONTENT BELOW NOT INTENDED FOR YOUNG READERS × READ AT YOUR OWN RISK ×

Last Updated: 2020-11-13

67 | Fearing The Unknown

◇ KEL ◇The remote island of San Pietro surpassed my imagination.Situated along the northeastern coast and facing the Italian peninsula, the island boasted deep cerulean waters and white sand beachfronts that rivaled the tropics' best.In the distance, private yachts passed by as we stepped off the private jet.

Last Updated: 2020-11-12

66 | The Other Tomassini Heir

◇ KEL ◇ "Mykaela?" Light pats on my arm. Gentle shaking. Careful strokes on my head. "Kel, wake up." "Lasciala riposare." "Perché vuole andare lá?" Enzo's voice. Wait. Am I still dreaming? Dazed from the last seconds of my much-needed nap, I lay my head still on a layer of clothes keeping my face warm and fuzzy. The

Last Updated: 2020-11-11

In Wounded Rhymes

Veronica, a musician in a band, finds herself on a sticky wicket when she realizes her relationship with the man of her dreams—Théo Reynaud—isn't all moonlight and roses. As she tries to stay relevant in the music scene, she gets caught in the midst of post-breakup depression and bouts of anxiety while dealing with her stubborn ex. Should she choose her career? Or bet on the odds and be with Théo again? Théo is a fashion model striving to make a good living in the cutthroat industry while moonlighting as an undercover informant. When a vindictive crime boss endangers his family, Théo must complete his final task to keep his loved ones out of harm's way and be with the woman he loves. ▬▬▬▬▬▬ DISCLAIMER: *I do not own the original images on the book cover and he photos included in all chapters of this book.* This is a work of fiction. Places, characters, dialogues, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. This story contains profanity, sexual themes, drug usage, and some violence. Read at your own discretion. genres: CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE, CRIME, DRAMA

62 : Linger

• Théo peeked at the tall, glittering stage props as he backed away from the stack of audio equipment. He slouched right by the sound engineer's corner, watching while his smiling and elegantly dressed ex-girlfriend re-arranged her keyboard's wires.Her hair had less wavy curls today. Multi-hued strobe lights made them appear azure and sometimes pinkish. Sunset had just passed, and the crowd just grew thicker now that the band was almost ready to perform. The curly-haired guitarist was already settling into his seat on the right side; the other band members were positioned on the far left of the stage.Théo stood along the sidelines and glanced past a sea of diversely aged, mostly casually dressed people excitedly waiting for the next performance. The fans in the VIP section looked pretty still in their seats, and, odds-on, just too psyched to see their favorite artists play beautiful music live.This venue could hold at least 5,000 people, as he'd read online last night."What's u

Last Updated: 2020-11-17

61 : Desires Of The Heart

8 days left• The Valtieri Mansion •After greeting him with forced smiles, the Valtieri couple walked into the mansion with their bodyguards right behind them. Théo gave the two a small but polite bow in acknowledgement. He wasn't sure if he should say "good evening" since it was well past midnight. The guards backed off once Mr. and Mrs. Valtieri reached the living room, and then the staff walked out and shut the front door. Théo listened in while Hugo Valtieri continued speaking to someone on the phone about a business deal, with his wife standing beside him and refraining from scowling again."Théo, give us a minute," Hugo said to him with a raised finger, and then the don got busy again talking to someone on the phone."Of course, Sir." Théo took a couple steps backward while Mrs. Valtieri stood beside her husband in the spacious living room lit by expensive chandeliers. If there was something they needed to talk to him about, it could be something important about their dau

Last Updated: 2020-11-16

60 : Corrosive By Blood

8 days left• Rome, Italy •He didn't want to leave his ex alone at the hotel, but he had to check up on Anastasia. Something was going on. He had tried calling her phone a dozen times but she wasn't picking up or replying to his texts.The dashboard clock now read 11:52PM. Théo shoved his gun into the glove compartment and drove out of the hotel's parking lot. He had to return Anastasia's car and verify whether her parents had already taken her to the rehab facility. If so, he wouldn't have any valid reason to go back to the estate. It would be a problem he wasn't quite prepared to troubleshoot. While driving across the highway, Théo checked his phone again and read a new text message from Gillaume.New messageG"Anything u deem necessary. Bosses waiting for your outputs. H seems busy working on a beachfront property sale with the

Last Updated: 2020-11-15

59 Pt 2 : The Dilemma

•The second she saw him take out the gun and put it in the nightstand drawer, the shock and fear just froze her on the bed. Veronica almost felt her heart jump to her throat.But she wasn't really afraid of him or the gun. What she feared was the real reason he thought he needed a weapon. Why even get a gun? Did he think he needed it for his safety? And hers?When did he even start carrying a handgun? Why on Earth would he need one?If her mother was here, her mom would definitely tell her to run away from Théo. Forget about him and keep out of his life for good. But Veronica didn't want to. She knew her feelings for him biased her judgment on their situation now, but she just couldn't force herself to walk out the door and leave him. Not tonight.She needed answers first. "What's that for?" she asked while Théo sat quietly beside her

Last Updated: 2020-11-14

59 : Ticking Time Bomb

• "Goodnight. Love you...""Love you and the little bean..."The words ruthlessly echoed in his head as he stood still against the door, speechless, and dumbfounded. Théo pulled a face. His brain once again recalled the last part of the conversation he just overheard.Little bean? What the heck was the guy talking about? Was it Kyle's term of endearment for her?Puzzled, stressed, and sleep-deprived, Théo watched his ex get into bed without even sparing him a single glance, or a small smile of acknowledgement.He didn't know whether he should be pissed, jealous or both. It was definitely Kyle she was talking to on the phone, because he recognized Kyle's voice on loudspeaker before Veronica hung up and ended the phone call, at the same time Théo got

Last Updated: 2020-11-12

58 : A Matter Of Time

•"Where are you?""At a hotel. Just met up with Tomek." Théo put his phone on speaker mode after he grabbed the duffel bag out of the trunk. He knew Anastasia didn't believe his alibi entirely, but he might just be able to convince her he was doing nothing fishy behind her back."Where you guys headed?" Ana asked in a quieter tone, her words almost mumbled. She was sniveling.It made him suspect she'd been crying or doing cocaine again. Or it could just be allergies? "What's up? You in bed now?" Théo frowned as he sat in the dark, alone in the backseat of her car. He took the handguns out of the bag to reinspect the ammo and weapons.The guns both looked fairly new. Although Geri wouldn't sell him faulty products, he had to be completely sure they worked fine and that he had enough bullets. Just in case."Yeah. Are you on your

Last Updated: 2020-11-11