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Belluci Mafia #1
Corrupted Angel
I found my angel. Then I broke her wings.
Alexis should’ve never set foot in my world.
Men like me stain girls like her. We take their innocence and tear it to shreds.
She thinks she’s tough. She thinks she can handle me.
But she doesn’t know just how deep my darkness goes.
It was for the best that I claimed her for a night and left her behind.
Anything more than that would have been cruel.
I thought I’d seen the last of Alexis Wright.
So imagine my surprise two years later when the door to my office opens…
And she walks in.
The girl I ravaged. The girl I devoured.
Now that’s she’s in front of me again, I have just two questions for her:
First—what is she doing here?
And second…
What does she mean, “our baby”?
Alexis should’ve never set foot in my world.
Men like me stain girls like her. We take their innocence and tear it to shreds.
She thinks she’s tough. She thinks she can handle me.
But she doesn’t know just how deep my darkness goes.
It was for the best that I claimed her for a night and left her behind.
Anything more than that would have been cruel.
I thought I’d seen the last of Alexis Wright.
So imagine my surprise two years later when the door to my office opens…
And she walks in.
The girl I ravaged. The girl I devoured.
Now that’s she’s in front of me again, I have just two questions for her:
First—what is she doing here?
And second…
What does she mean, “our baby”?
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 20, 2020
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3062 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Fox
195 books4,798 followersNicole Fox writes smart, sexy mafia romance novels. She is a crazy cat lady in her late 30s with a coffee addiction, an overactive imagination, and a husband who somehow puts up with her impulsive need to keep buying new plants for their house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 318 reviews
August 24, 2020
- I grit my teeth, fingers tightening on her neck. I hope it bruises, so that every time she looks in the mirror, she remembers the price for this kind of defiance.
My lips curl into a snarl. “Keep talking and you won’t get to see my son grow up.”
- Why does she have to do this to me? Why can’t she just fall in line and defer to my authority so I won’t need to punish her?
SO ROMANTIC, RIGHT??? 😍
i wish authors would stop using the mafia as an excuse to write awful, violent, and extremely abusive “heroes”. THIS SHIT AIN’T IT. JUST STOP.
My lips curl into a snarl. “Keep talking and you won’t get to see my son grow up.”
- Why does she have to do this to me? Why can’t she just fall in line and defer to my authority so I won’t need to punish her?
SO ROMANTIC, RIGHT??? 😍
i wish authors would stop using the mafia as an excuse to write awful, violent, and extremely abusive “heroes”. THIS SHIT AIN’T IT. JUST STOP.
May 12, 2021
Audio 4.25 Stars
Story dnf @ 59%
I don't know wtf this is, but I do know that it's not a DARK romance or a DARK anything....and that it's a DNF for me!
Story dnf @ 59%
I don't know wtf this is, but I do know that it's not a DARK romance or a DARK anything....and that it's a DNF for me!
May 12, 2021
2 stars
Hmm, i had so many issues with this trilogy but I'm too lazy to write a review that is comprehensive.
I don't know why I didn't stop after the first book.. curiosity and the fact that I had nothing else better to do? Maybe.
The hero had absolutely no personality. The guy had also 0 sense of humour and his moods changed from one minute to the next. A lot of his thoughts and actions towards the h were very problematic and just eww
The heroine was wishy washy and just.. bland. Unlikeable and also a poor decision maker.
They had no chemistry.
There were many other things I took issue with but I can't remember all of them right now.
Hmm, i had so many issues with this trilogy but I'm too lazy to write a review that is comprehensive.
I don't know why I didn't stop after the first book.. curiosity and the fact that I had nothing else better to do? Maybe.
The hero had absolutely no personality. The guy had also 0 sense of humour and his moods changed from one minute to the next. A lot of his thoughts and actions towards the h were very problematic and just eww
The heroine was wishy washy and just.. bland. Unlikeable and also a poor decision maker.
They had no chemistry.
There were many other things I took issue with but I can't remember all of them right now.
September 12, 2020
I really tried to get into this story but it was just a bit unbelievable. The Mafia was a bit tamed for my taste.
May 24, 2023
2.5⭐️⭐️
This book is the starting of the series and it gives an overall view of the series😶🌫️
To be honest the Main Female lead ALEXIS was the worst Female character I read. She didn't understand what she wants and she definitely doesn't know how to use her brain. She is overreacts and definitely she says she loves Gabe but hold on she wants to run away from him too. I didn't like her anyway.😵😠
And there is Gabe. If I'm rating this book 2.5 stars it's because of him, he is a mademan and what can Alexis think that he will not have his secrets, of course he will have a lot of them. He didn't ask for anything from her he just wanted to trust her and she trust him back. But no the reporter head has a worm in the mind to destroy the family and not think of the conclusions of her actions. 😒
What I really hated was how badly she failed as a mother. She could have talked to Gabe and he could also explain it but no they both had ego problem which resulted in kidnapping of Harry and her. She not only stepped into the trap but also took her son with her. She could do much better but no she needed to be stupid and dumb for some reason. And even Gabe could do a little bit better.😑😑
This book is the starting of the series and it gives an overall view of the series😶🌫️
To be honest the Main Female lead ALEXIS was the worst Female character I read. She didn't understand what she wants and she definitely doesn't know how to use her brain. She is overreacts and definitely she says she loves Gabe but hold on she wants to run away from him too. I didn't like her anyway.😵😠
And there is Gabe. If I'm rating this book 2.5 stars it's because of him, he is a mademan and what can Alexis think that he will not have his secrets, of course he will have a lot of them. He didn't ask for anything from her he just wanted to trust her and she trust him back. But no the reporter head has a worm in the mind to destroy the family and not think of the conclusions of her actions. 😒
What I really hated was how badly she failed as a mother. She could have talked to Gabe and he could also explain it but no they both had ego problem which resulted in kidnapping of Harry and her. She not only stepped into the trap but also took her son with her. She could do much better but no she needed to be stupid and dumb for some reason. And even Gabe could do a little bit better.😑😑
May 6, 2021
It's review time 🎧
Warning ⚠️: mafia, surprise baby, a strong woman, cliffhanger.
Narrator score🎧 ; both narrator's were absolutely amazing. Loved the preference they gave.
Level of steam🔥: well.. the book basically started with sex so the book was very very hot and very very steamy especially due to the couple that searched a solution in the sheets
Level of anxiety and sadness0😱😢: well I don't know if I can call this book sad it is a book with a lot of drama in it like a lot you have some very F* up moments and it ends with a very big cliffhanger so we will see what will happen next
The book itself📖: I think strangely I really really like this book I think I liked it the most because of the very strong woman that was part of this book she managed her son alone and she did a lot of stuff alone she was pushed again and again and yet she didn't succumb to anything even in the end of the book especially in the end of the book and I adored it. The male character was complex as well he was a very very cruel man from the one side a monster created by his father but yet again he could love in his own freaky way I can't wait to see what he will do next especially with this kind of ending
Warning ⚠️: mafia, surprise baby, a strong woman, cliffhanger.
Narrator score🎧 ; both narrator's were absolutely amazing. Loved the preference they gave.
Level of steam🔥: well.. the book basically started with sex so the book was very very hot and very very steamy especially due to the couple that searched a solution in the sheets
Level of anxiety and sadness0😱😢: well I don't know if I can call this book sad it is a book with a lot of drama in it like a lot you have some very F* up moments and it ends with a very big cliffhanger so we will see what will happen next
The book itself📖: I think strangely I really really like this book I think I liked it the most because of the very strong woman that was part of this book she managed her son alone and she did a lot of stuff alone she was pushed again and again and yet she didn't succumb to anything even in the end of the book especially in the end of the book and I adored it. The male character was complex as well he was a very very cruel man from the one side a monster created by his father but yet again he could love in his own freaky way I can't wait to see what he will do next especially with this kind of ending
Read
April 9, 2025This was okayish. Am I invested enough to read three entire books on this one couple? Probably not but I probably will anyway. There wasn’t really that much romance in this book. Some sex but no real romance. Hopefully books 2&3 will resolve that.
February 15, 2023
I thought that this book was good
November 6, 2020
A half-enemies to lovers mafia romance, but with a cliffhanger ending that goes to books 2 and 3.
This was a super fast read, and I'm about to start #2.
Things I love: The mystery of what's going on behind the scenes, including what's happening to side characters, how characters are linked together, and the discovery of about 3 evil people over the course of the book. I like how it's written, and I love the humor.
Things I didn't love: Our heroine's actions don't always make sense, and sometimes things feel a bit surface-level. I imagine that it would have been really hard to single parent, but she doesn't really talk about how challenging it was beyond a couple of paragraphs, and she doesn't seem as protective of her son with regard to welcoming his father back into their lives as I thought she would have been. It seems like they built trust really fast, based on physical attraction. I also didn't love the very traditional gender roles throughout.
Anyway, I'm excited to know what's going on in about 4 branches of the story, so we'll see what happens in book 2!
This was a super fast read, and I'm about to start #2.
Things I love: The mystery of what's going on behind the scenes, including what's happening to side characters, how characters are linked together, and the discovery of about 3 evil people over the course of the book. I like how it's written, and I love the humor.
Things I didn't love: Our heroine's actions don't always make sense, and sometimes things feel a bit surface-level. I imagine that it would have been really hard to single parent, but she doesn't really talk about how challenging it was beyond a couple of paragraphs, and she doesn't seem as protective of her son with regard to welcoming his father back into their lives as I thought she would have been. It seems like they built trust really fast, based on physical attraction. I also didn't love the very traditional gender roles throughout.
Anyway, I'm excited to know what's going on in about 4 branches of the story, so we'll see what happens in book 2!
February 4, 2021
Woah okay so I read this book in the beginning of January and it's taken me almost a month to write a review.🤦🏾♀️
It's disappointing to say that I don't remember much from this book. I do remember the general outline which includes the crude sex in the club, the heroine being an annoying reporter, the hero being emotionally absent, the baby uniting the two, the heroine not trusting the hero and his intentions following which she trusts the wrong man and is kidnapped by people more evil than what she thought the hero could be.
The ending makes me all confused..like why did she walk the other way? Is that her way to protect herself and her baby since she still believes that the hero is dangerous to her health and sanity? But, he rescued and protected her when he could have completed ignored her when she willingly ran away.
To be honest the air of distrust and complete lack of emotions..real emotions made me bored because of which I'm not continuing with this series. I am bored. I'm actually done with Mafia Romances for now. So now onto other genres and worlds to infiltrate my imagination!
It's disappointing to say that I don't remember much from this book. I do remember the general outline which includes the crude sex in the club, the heroine being an annoying reporter, the hero being emotionally absent, the baby uniting the two, the heroine not trusting the hero and his intentions following which she trusts the wrong man and is kidnapped by people more evil than what she thought the hero could be.
The ending makes me all confused..like why did she walk the other way? Is that her way to protect herself and her baby since she still believes that the hero is dangerous to her health and sanity? But, he rescued and protected her when he could have completed ignored her when she willingly ran away.
To be honest the air of distrust and complete lack of emotions..real emotions made me bored because of which I'm not continuing with this series. I am bored. I'm actually done with Mafia Romances for now. So now onto other genres and worlds to infiltrate my imagination!
September 19, 2020
As far as mafia leader goes, Gabriel has to be one of the worst. He makes poor decision after poor decision. It takes him forever to put two and two together and realize that Diego was betraying him. Diego's betrayal becomes extremely obvious after he kills Matteo.
Gabriel needs therapy. He talks about wanting Alexis to trust him while he withholds information from her and then gets outrageously angry because she decides to find out the truth. He demands trust but doesn't give it. He's very controlling and wants her to blindly obey him. To be honest, he kind of behaves like a man-child.
Gabriel's behavior comes from the fact that his father was manipulated by his wife and began to only listen to her. This led to the demise of Gabriel's father. Gabriel learned from this by micromanage everything and demanding complete trust and loyalty.
Harry and Alexis were what really saved the book for me.
Gabriel needs therapy. He talks about wanting Alexis to trust him while he withholds information from her and then gets outrageously angry because she decides to find out the truth. He demands trust but doesn't give it. He's very controlling and wants her to blindly obey him. To be honest, he kind of behaves like a man-child.
Gabriel's behavior comes from the fact that his father was manipulated by his wife and began to only listen to her. This led to the demise of Gabriel's father. Gabriel learned from this by micromanage everything and demanding complete trust and loyalty.
Harry and Alexis were what really saved the book for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
Alexis gave her body up to Gabriel way to easily. I mean for the love of god, she need to play hard to get. That’s what makes it interesting. Takes my interest elsewhere when it come to them having sex. The only thing that kept me reading is the suspense and the story line.
September 24, 2024
Muchas inconsistencias con el tiempo y pequeños puntos de la trama, escenas poco realistas, incluso para un romance de mafia y demasiada escritura para la cantidad de acción/trama que tuvo lugar.
October 30, 2021
“He glances over, and for a second, our eyes meet.
My heart skips a beat and I go still, like a deer in the headlights. His eyes are dark pools that draw me in until I feel as though I’m drowning. He looks away, and I snap back into the present, realizing that for the past few seconds, I’ve forgotten to breathe.”
“Guys this hot are bad news, and after the week I’ve had, I know that I should be making smarter choices than this. But here I am, walking with him.”
“Maybe, considering the night I’ve had, this is the smart choice. I don’t have to do anything. I can just have a drink with this smoking-hot stranger and go home. Would that be so bad? He intrigues me, and if I’m being honest, I’m flattered by his attention. He is a god, and as a mere mortal, don’t I have a duty to oblige?”
“I don’t want a brainless bimbo,” he replies huskily, leaning closer. His eyes skewer mine. “I want you. You needn’t massage my ego, but I think you’ll find you will bend to my will.”
“cocking a brow. “Is this you dismissing me?”
Gabe grabs his jacket from the bench and starts dusting it off. “Yes.”
I don’t know what I expected. Did I think I was special? That someone who’d proven himself to be a controlling jerk all evening was going to suddenly start being nice just because we banged?”
“This is definitely the man who dominated me in the VIP booth two years ago. I am quiet just a little too long and he frowns.”
“The thought of the sassy reporter still causes my gut to clench, and I know that I have to get control of myself before I let this fascination sink into obsession.”
“If Gabriel knew about Harry, he would either try to micromanage every detail of our lives or he’d be like these ducks—totally apathetic. Either way, we’re better off without him and always have been”
“I should have known from the second I first laid eyes on you that you weren’t someone worth knowing,” Alexis snarls suddenly, fighting against Vinny’s grip. “I wondered so many times after that night what you would say if you knew that I’d had your baby, but now I know that you wouldn’t give a single shit.”
My eyes snap to hers. Baby?
“For the record, next time you use a fake name to pick up chicks, I would recommend something a little sexier than ‘Gabe.’”
Suddenly, it clicks. Alexis. The girl from Fiamma’s name was Alexis. She had longer hair then, and was wearing a lot more makeup, but it’s her. How did I not see it sooner?”
“Very well.” He smiles tightly. “Mr. Belluci is willing to offer you one hundred thousand dollars in cash, as well as an exclusive interview in his home, if you will consent to conducting a paternity test on your son.”
“I rock onto my heels. “So you being here … I guess that means—?”
Gabriel’s eyes meet mine. “Yes.”
Just like that, our fates are forever intertwined. Whatever happens after this point, Harry officially has a father.”
“I straighten and glare at him. “I don’t know why I expected that you might know even the first thing about having a baby, but clearly I was wrong. What happens if we crash or someone hits us? He could be seriously hurt.”
Gabriel’s lip curls into a bitter smile. “If someone so much as taps this car while he is in it, I will have them killed.”
“Did you have all this set up already?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder at Gabriel. “Christ, you only found out you had a kid a couple hours ago.”
“Money is power.” He nudges me toward the nanny. “This is Jessica. She will look after Harry while we talk.”
“Looks like an attempted kidnapping,” he informs me. “I was in the guardhouse when I heard the commotion. Somehow, two men got into the house, and Angelo caught up with them just as they were heading into nursery. They took off and we lost them at the north end of the property.”
“Alexis walks to the sofa and sinks down. She starts to rock Harry back and forth, humming softly. I am entranced. The scene is so peaceful that it’s hard to believe all the chaos that occurred only minutes before. I know right then that I cannot and will not let my son go. He needs to stay right here, where I can protect him.”
“He carries on speaking, clearly unrepentant. “I will donate one million dollars to that fund if you agree that you and Harry will stay here.”
“My heart sinks into my stomach. Gabriel must have had my apartment cleared out after he came to collect me for the interview, which means even before the kidnapping attempt and his offer, he never intended to let me go. His bargaining gave me some semblance of control when in reality I had none.”
“Gabriel, what is all of this?” she whispers.
“This is who I am,” I say, spreading my arms wide. “I’m the leader of a powerful Italian crime syndicate.”
“You’re a Mafia don,” she clarifies.”
“This woman infuriates me, arouses me, challenges me, and all I want to do is protect her. But I can’t commit to her, not like she wants, especially not when she doesn’t know the full truth. But what will she think when I tell her? Will she reject me?”
“Now I know, or at least can imagine, the murky depths continuing to chase this story would bring me to, and it’s not safe for me to go there. Beyond that, I’m not sure I want to. It would destroy the family that the three of us are building. Harry will always be a priority for me, and if what’s best for him is for me to take a step back, then maybe I should—even if it goes against my values.”
“For now, it’s hard to see Gabriel and feel anything other than affection. Harry has already fallen in love with him. Despite my misgivings, I feel myself falling for him too. Every scene like this, every gentle caress in the dark, chips away at my defenses. I know I shouldn’t love him, but a person lost in the woods doesn’t get to choose which creature comes along to devour them.”
“You’re mine,” he murmurs.
I snuggle into him and listen as his breaths deepen.
He’s right. For better or for worse, I’m his. My mind flashes to the photo in”
“You snooped around my office?” I ask in a low, biting tone.
Alexis’ eyes widen and she answers in a wavering voice, “Just the bookshelf.”
“You’re lying.”
She doesn’t deny it. “Please, Gabriel. I just want to know the truth.”
“You want to know the truth?” I lift Harry and set him on the blanket in front of her, rising to my feet. “The truth is that all women are the same and you can’t trust a single one of them.”
“I can’t tell Alexis the truth. She isn’t ready for it.
At least that’s what I tell myself. In actuality, I think it’s me who isn’t ready. I’m not ready to pop this bubble of companionship we have formed.
But most of all, I’m not ready for her to go back to looking at me with hatred in her eyes.”
“I give myself two minutes to mourn the life Gabriel and I could have had, and to fear for what kind of life I have ahead of me, before I pull myself together and dig out the burner phone Diego gave me from under my mattress”
“You need to go now,” Diego says. “The guards have left, but it won’t be long before someone notices they’re gone. I’m in a black car at the back of the estate, parked on a service road just through the rose garden”
“But why? Why would Diego do all of this?
There is only one logical answer and even thinking it makes me feel sick. Diego—my friend, my mentor—is working for the Irish.”
“Diego looks back at me. “Toss the phone up here or I’ll put a bullet in your baby”
“Walsh squats in front of me, humming. “I’d be more worried about yourself, whore. Your little rug rat is a golden bargaining chip. You on the other hand?” He shrugs dismissively. “You’re dispensable.”
“And Alexis …” I manage to whisper. “Keep her safe.”
I spiral down, down, down…
My last thought as the darkness closes over my head is that if I die before I get a chance to hold Alexis again, I will be really pissed off.”
“My eyes flick to the GPS on the dashboard, which advises that I will arrive at my destination in five minutes. On the seat beside me sits a black duffel bag, stuffed to the brim with fifty million in cash (big bills only; Andrew Walsh can go fuck himself), the deeds to the docks businesses, and all my hopes and dreams.”
“Gabriel’s voice is thick. “I killed her father, Vito. She needs to know.”
I stop dead, arms tightening around Harry. Gabriel’s words rattle around my brain, sharp points banging against the inside of my skull.”
“A hollow ache spreads in my chest. Once I had everything—a career, a best friend, a purpose. And then I had a family.
And now, for the first time, Harry and I are completely on our own.”
My heart skips a beat and I go still, like a deer in the headlights. His eyes are dark pools that draw me in until I feel as though I’m drowning. He looks away, and I snap back into the present, realizing that for the past few seconds, I’ve forgotten to breathe.”
“Guys this hot are bad news, and after the week I’ve had, I know that I should be making smarter choices than this. But here I am, walking with him.”
“Maybe, considering the night I’ve had, this is the smart choice. I don’t have to do anything. I can just have a drink with this smoking-hot stranger and go home. Would that be so bad? He intrigues me, and if I’m being honest, I’m flattered by his attention. He is a god, and as a mere mortal, don’t I have a duty to oblige?”
“I don’t want a brainless bimbo,” he replies huskily, leaning closer. His eyes skewer mine. “I want you. You needn’t massage my ego, but I think you’ll find you will bend to my will.”
“cocking a brow. “Is this you dismissing me?”
Gabe grabs his jacket from the bench and starts dusting it off. “Yes.”
I don’t know what I expected. Did I think I was special? That someone who’d proven himself to be a controlling jerk all evening was going to suddenly start being nice just because we banged?”
“This is definitely the man who dominated me in the VIP booth two years ago. I am quiet just a little too long and he frowns.”
“The thought of the sassy reporter still causes my gut to clench, and I know that I have to get control of myself before I let this fascination sink into obsession.”
“If Gabriel knew about Harry, he would either try to micromanage every detail of our lives or he’d be like these ducks—totally apathetic. Either way, we’re better off without him and always have been”
“I should have known from the second I first laid eyes on you that you weren’t someone worth knowing,” Alexis snarls suddenly, fighting against Vinny’s grip. “I wondered so many times after that night what you would say if you knew that I’d had your baby, but now I know that you wouldn’t give a single shit.”
My eyes snap to hers. Baby?
“For the record, next time you use a fake name to pick up chicks, I would recommend something a little sexier than ‘Gabe.’”
Suddenly, it clicks. Alexis. The girl from Fiamma’s name was Alexis. She had longer hair then, and was wearing a lot more makeup, but it’s her. How did I not see it sooner?”
“Very well.” He smiles tightly. “Mr. Belluci is willing to offer you one hundred thousand dollars in cash, as well as an exclusive interview in his home, if you will consent to conducting a paternity test on your son.”
“I rock onto my heels. “So you being here … I guess that means—?”
Gabriel’s eyes meet mine. “Yes.”
Just like that, our fates are forever intertwined. Whatever happens after this point, Harry officially has a father.”
“I straighten and glare at him. “I don’t know why I expected that you might know even the first thing about having a baby, but clearly I was wrong. What happens if we crash or someone hits us? He could be seriously hurt.”
Gabriel’s lip curls into a bitter smile. “If someone so much as taps this car while he is in it, I will have them killed.”
“Did you have all this set up already?” I ask, glancing over my shoulder at Gabriel. “Christ, you only found out you had a kid a couple hours ago.”
“Money is power.” He nudges me toward the nanny. “This is Jessica. She will look after Harry while we talk.”
“Looks like an attempted kidnapping,” he informs me. “I was in the guardhouse when I heard the commotion. Somehow, two men got into the house, and Angelo caught up with them just as they were heading into nursery. They took off and we lost them at the north end of the property.”
“Alexis walks to the sofa and sinks down. She starts to rock Harry back and forth, humming softly. I am entranced. The scene is so peaceful that it’s hard to believe all the chaos that occurred only minutes before. I know right then that I cannot and will not let my son go. He needs to stay right here, where I can protect him.”
“He carries on speaking, clearly unrepentant. “I will donate one million dollars to that fund if you agree that you and Harry will stay here.”
“My heart sinks into my stomach. Gabriel must have had my apartment cleared out after he came to collect me for the interview, which means even before the kidnapping attempt and his offer, he never intended to let me go. His bargaining gave me some semblance of control when in reality I had none.”
“Gabriel, what is all of this?” she whispers.
“This is who I am,” I say, spreading my arms wide. “I’m the leader of a powerful Italian crime syndicate.”
“You’re a Mafia don,” she clarifies.”
“This woman infuriates me, arouses me, challenges me, and all I want to do is protect her. But I can’t commit to her, not like she wants, especially not when she doesn’t know the full truth. But what will she think when I tell her? Will she reject me?”
“Now I know, or at least can imagine, the murky depths continuing to chase this story would bring me to, and it’s not safe for me to go there. Beyond that, I’m not sure I want to. It would destroy the family that the three of us are building. Harry will always be a priority for me, and if what’s best for him is for me to take a step back, then maybe I should—even if it goes against my values.”
“For now, it’s hard to see Gabriel and feel anything other than affection. Harry has already fallen in love with him. Despite my misgivings, I feel myself falling for him too. Every scene like this, every gentle caress in the dark, chips away at my defenses. I know I shouldn’t love him, but a person lost in the woods doesn’t get to choose which creature comes along to devour them.”
“You’re mine,” he murmurs.
I snuggle into him and listen as his breaths deepen.
He’s right. For better or for worse, I’m his. My mind flashes to the photo in”
“You snooped around my office?” I ask in a low, biting tone.
Alexis’ eyes widen and she answers in a wavering voice, “Just the bookshelf.”
“You’re lying.”
She doesn’t deny it. “Please, Gabriel. I just want to know the truth.”
“You want to know the truth?” I lift Harry and set him on the blanket in front of her, rising to my feet. “The truth is that all women are the same and you can’t trust a single one of them.”
“I can’t tell Alexis the truth. She isn’t ready for it.
At least that’s what I tell myself. In actuality, I think it’s me who isn’t ready. I’m not ready to pop this bubble of companionship we have formed.
But most of all, I’m not ready for her to go back to looking at me with hatred in her eyes.”
“I give myself two minutes to mourn the life Gabriel and I could have had, and to fear for what kind of life I have ahead of me, before I pull myself together and dig out the burner phone Diego gave me from under my mattress”
“You need to go now,” Diego says. “The guards have left, but it won’t be long before someone notices they’re gone. I’m in a black car at the back of the estate, parked on a service road just through the rose garden”
“But why? Why would Diego do all of this?
There is only one logical answer and even thinking it makes me feel sick. Diego—my friend, my mentor—is working for the Irish.”
“Diego looks back at me. “Toss the phone up here or I’ll put a bullet in your baby”
“Walsh squats in front of me, humming. “I’d be more worried about yourself, whore. Your little rug rat is a golden bargaining chip. You on the other hand?” He shrugs dismissively. “You’re dispensable.”
“And Alexis …” I manage to whisper. “Keep her safe.”
I spiral down, down, down…
My last thought as the darkness closes over my head is that if I die before I get a chance to hold Alexis again, I will be really pissed off.”
“My eyes flick to the GPS on the dashboard, which advises that I will arrive at my destination in five minutes. On the seat beside me sits a black duffel bag, stuffed to the brim with fifty million in cash (big bills only; Andrew Walsh can go fuck himself), the deeds to the docks businesses, and all my hopes and dreams.”
“Gabriel’s voice is thick. “I killed her father, Vito. She needs to know.”
I stop dead, arms tightening around Harry. Gabriel’s words rattle around my brain, sharp points banging against the inside of my skull.”
“A hollow ache spreads in my chest. Once I had everything—a career, a best friend, a purpose. And then I had a family.
And now, for the first time, Harry and I are completely on our own.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2020
Corrupted Angel – A Dark Mafia Romance (Belluci Mafia Book 1) by Nicole Fox
Alexis Wright has just ended a long-term relationship and goes out dancing with her friend Clara. Alexis ends up with no phone, no wallet and no money and a drink to pay for. A tall handsome man, whose name is Gabe offers to buy her a drink and after a few, with Alexis feeling no pain, her handsome sexy saviour gives her a night to remember. She walks away and that is that.
Or is it? Will she one day run into her one night stand? She’s sure it will never happen, until it does. Only his name isn’t Gabe, but Gabriel Belluci your everyday handsome billionaire, hiding another side of himself. He is tight lipped about his life, no one knows much about him, and if he has his way no one ever will. Until the day that Alexis Wright shows up to interview him. Things are going to change for Gabriel, Alexis and the secret that Alexis is keeping from him.
Nicole Fox brings readers along to join Alexis and Gabriel as they begin their relationship. Certainly they are both attracted to each other, the sexual tension that flares between these two is blazing. There however, is another reason why they come together and his name is Harry, he’s just a little over a year old and he is the product of that one night stand at Fiamma.
Beyond their attraction there are numerous things that could end this relationship at any time. Alexis does not know that he is a Mafia Don. She knows he has secrets and she tries to get him to tell her, but he plays her, he says things to keep her safe, but wouldn’t she be safer if she knew all the secrets? Who he really is?
As always there is a dark element and in fact as much as Gabriel tries to protect them, eventually Alexis loses Gabe’s trust which leads to Alexis and Henry disappearing and no one knows who has them.
Again, Nicole Fox gives readers the beginnings of a great mafia saga. Will Gabriel find them? Will they still be alive? Will Alexis ever stop jumping to conclusions and just waiting to hear what he has to say to her?
Looking forward to reading Corrupted Queen, Book 2 of the Belluci Family story.
Alexis Wright has just ended a long-term relationship and goes out dancing with her friend Clara. Alexis ends up with no phone, no wallet and no money and a drink to pay for. A tall handsome man, whose name is Gabe offers to buy her a drink and after a few, with Alexis feeling no pain, her handsome sexy saviour gives her a night to remember. She walks away and that is that.
Or is it? Will she one day run into her one night stand? She’s sure it will never happen, until it does. Only his name isn’t Gabe, but Gabriel Belluci your everyday handsome billionaire, hiding another side of himself. He is tight lipped about his life, no one knows much about him, and if he has his way no one ever will. Until the day that Alexis Wright shows up to interview him. Things are going to change for Gabriel, Alexis and the secret that Alexis is keeping from him.
Nicole Fox brings readers along to join Alexis and Gabriel as they begin their relationship. Certainly they are both attracted to each other, the sexual tension that flares between these two is blazing. There however, is another reason why they come together and his name is Harry, he’s just a little over a year old and he is the product of that one night stand at Fiamma.
Beyond their attraction there are numerous things that could end this relationship at any time. Alexis does not know that he is a Mafia Don. She knows he has secrets and she tries to get him to tell her, but he plays her, he says things to keep her safe, but wouldn’t she be safer if she knew all the secrets? Who he really is?
As always there is a dark element and in fact as much as Gabriel tries to protect them, eventually Alexis loses Gabe’s trust which leads to Alexis and Henry disappearing and no one knows who has them.
Again, Nicole Fox gives readers the beginnings of a great mafia saga. Will Gabriel find them? Will they still be alive? Will Alexis ever stop jumping to conclusions and just waiting to hear what he has to say to her?
Looking forward to reading Corrupted Queen, Book 2 of the Belluci Family story.
August 8, 2024
another stupid FMC. Not writing a full review because I DNF'd and don't even care about these stupid characters.
She walks in on her fiancé screwing another woman (and that scene lasted way too long, just saying)). She goes out to a bar with her friend and she spots a hot guy. She goes to buy herself a drink but remembers her friend has her wallet and has already left with a dude. She starts arguing with the bartender that it was an accident and she really did lose her wallet and wasn't trying to get something for free. Hot guy comes up and offers to pay for the drink for her. She gets MAD at him and says, "Mind your own business". Like WTF you don't have money!!! Let him buy you a drink and say thank you for the help!! Then he says "I'm just trying to help" and she's all, "I know your type. You're all rich and think you can throw your money around and get anything you want." JESUS CHRIST WOMAN!!! NO WONDER YOUR MAN CHEATED - YOU'RE A PSYCHO.
She walks in on her fiancé screwing another woman (and that scene lasted way too long, just saying)). She goes out to a bar with her friend and she spots a hot guy. She goes to buy herself a drink but remembers her friend has her wallet and has already left with a dude. She starts arguing with the bartender that it was an accident and she really did lose her wallet and wasn't trying to get something for free. Hot guy comes up and offers to pay for the drink for her. She gets MAD at him and says, "Mind your own business". Like WTF you don't have money!!! Let him buy you a drink and say thank you for the help!! Then he says "I'm just trying to help" and she's all, "I know your type. You're all rich and think you can throw your money around and get anything you want." JESUS CHRIST WOMAN!!! NO WONDER YOUR MAN CHEATED - YOU'RE A PSYCHO.
August 21, 2020
This story packs the punches with the emotional intensity it brings along with it. Alexis is a reporter looking to break into the big stories and away from the fluff pieces. When her world comes tumbling down around her she goes out to a club and has a one night stand. Little did she know that her one night stand was none other than Gabriel Belluci , head of the famous crime family. Soon both their lives will be in chaos and Gabriel will do everything in his power to protect Alexis and his son. This story is the perfect mixture of rivalry, suspense, drama, an action packed story that will leave you with a cliffhanger that makes you wish for the next book in this series to come really fast. I volunteered to review this arc.
August 22, 2020
This first book in the trilogy was AMAZING!!! I couldn't put it down, and the descriptions, I'm simply blown away!!!
Alexis and Gabriel seem like star-crossed lovers, with a lot of baggage and animosity. They have a lot to work out, mostly Gabriel with his billions and underground business. Alexis is a fighter, and a journalist, so not exactly what Gabriel should be going after. Their story is hard to read, but I'm looking forward to reading how it plays out in the trilogy, and hoping they get their HEA.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alexis and Gabriel seem like star-crossed lovers, with a lot of baggage and animosity. They have a lot to work out, mostly Gabriel with his billions and underground business. Alexis is a fighter, and a journalist, so not exactly what Gabriel should be going after. Their story is hard to read, but I'm looking forward to reading how it plays out in the trilogy, and hoping they get their HEA.
Please note that I did receive an ARC of this book, and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 13, 2020
Good story and I enjoyed it, but I didn't realize it was a CLIFFHANGER! And I hate those! I was hoping for the happily ever after Mafia story, and in my opinion, this could have ended a totally different way and been a one book story with the HEA. THEN the author could have done other books in the family but at least these two wouldn't be in limbo.
All in all, good read. I just wanted a one book story today.
All in all, good read. I just wanted a one book story today.
Read
May 27, 2024I gave it 63%. That’s all you get. These characters are too stupid on every level to spend a thousand pages with. This author doesn’t deserve any more of my time. I’m frankly bummed I wasted my credit on this one. Should’ve read the reviews more thoroughly. Going in the rage-quit pile and will shut the door on this author for good. I really hope this didn’t mess up my algorithm too horribly.
August 20, 2020
I couldn't get enough of Gabriel & Alexis's book. Great characters with sizzling chemistry. It was an intriguing read. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
March 28, 2023
Her actions is so annoying and I just can’t like her at this point making me really start to have negative emotions about this story moving forward.
February 7, 2024
-mafia
-surprise baby
-cliff-hanger ending
-surprise baby
-cliff-hanger ending
August 21, 2024
Holy cliffhangers, Batman!!!!! Aaaaaaaa!
February 1, 2025
Audible Included
July 15, 2021
I found my angel. Then I broke her wings. Alexis should’ve never set foot in my world. Men like me stain girls like her. We take their innocence and tear it to shreds. I just couldn't get into this book for some reason which was disappointing because the blurb looked amazing, I found the characters had a strange chemistry and the story line was predictable, unfortunately this book was just not for me.
February 13, 2022
I liked this one, i love pregnancy trope but i feel like i didnt get to see enough of it, nor do i see real connection with the son from either parents
October 29, 2022
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋
Great start to what promises to be another wonderful series.
Mafia dons and the like in their best form.
Loved it 😍
💋💋
Great start to what promises to be another wonderful series.
Mafia dons and the like in their best form.
Loved it 😍
September 8, 2020
I rated this book as a 3.75 - 4. Both characters in Gabriel and Alexis come into this story with a tremendous amount of baggage and walls that seem impenetrable. This book is full of coincidences that are addressed in the second book but leave the reader shaking their head as to how these two cross paths not once but twice.
Gabriel is a character that is not only cold and calculating, but unrelenting in his selfish behavior toward Alexis. He is far more mentally abusive than physically abusive. His character doesn't start to show cracks of humanity until well into this book. He is the leader of the Belluci family who is basically stuck with doing damage control from his late father as well as maintaining his facade of billionaire and philanthropist.
Alexis is a conundrum in that she is smart and sassy wanting to make her mark as an investigative reporter but gets herself into situations she should be smart enough to stay away from; thus hooking up with Gabriel for a one night stand in his club. She gets pregnant (what happened to the morning after pill) with his child unbeknownst to him. She ends up getting an assignment two years later to interview him not knowing that he is the father of her child (she is an investigative reporter; (it's called an internet search of your child's father) with him not recognizing her. Their exchange is snarky and very unprofessional and one thing leads to another where she blurts out that he has a son.
He ends up moving her and his son Harry into his home to protect them due to his nefarious mafia activities with the Irish. She caves to his sexual appetite quickly and they embark on sex/lust only relationship at night and largely ignore each other during the day. Their one constant is their son which eventually brings a deeper relationship to this couple.
This book has lots of energy, action, shocking revelations and ends on a cliff hanger. I've begun book 2 with many questions from book one being addressed but also produces new issues and questions to be addressed in book 2. Nicole is a good author who writes and edits her books well. If you like mafia genre, you will like this series.
Gabriel is a character that is not only cold and calculating, but unrelenting in his selfish behavior toward Alexis. He is far more mentally abusive than physically abusive. His character doesn't start to show cracks of humanity until well into this book. He is the leader of the Belluci family who is basically stuck with doing damage control from his late father as well as maintaining his facade of billionaire and philanthropist.
Alexis is a conundrum in that she is smart and sassy wanting to make her mark as an investigative reporter but gets herself into situations she should be smart enough to stay away from; thus hooking up with Gabriel for a one night stand in his club. She gets pregnant (what happened to the morning after pill) with his child unbeknownst to him. She ends up getting an assignment two years later to interview him not knowing that he is the father of her child (she is an investigative reporter; (it's called an internet search of your child's father) with him not recognizing her. Their exchange is snarky and very unprofessional and one thing leads to another where she blurts out that he has a son.
He ends up moving her and his son Harry into his home to protect them due to his nefarious mafia activities with the Irish. She caves to his sexual appetite quickly and they embark on sex/lust only relationship at night and largely ignore each other during the day. Their one constant is their son which eventually brings a deeper relationship to this couple.
This book has lots of energy, action, shocking revelations and ends on a cliff hanger. I've begun book 2 with many questions from book one being addressed but also produces new issues and questions to be addressed in book 2. Nicole is a good author who writes and edits her books well. If you like mafia genre, you will like this series.
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