Conflicted Hearts Trilogy

Conflicted Hearts Trilogy

ADB_Stories · Ongoing · 111.8k Words

481
Hot
481
Views
0
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

Book 1 - Treasured Yet Discarded
During the day, Nalani Contreras works at the local diner, while at night, she's bussing tables at one of the most exclusive clubs in LA.

Though struggling to pay her bills, Nalani feels blessed and contented with her life, making her in no way prepared for the storm about to tear through her peaceful existence.

A chance encounter sees Nalani gaining the attention of famous actor Julian Easton.

But what begins as a whirlwind romance, quickly becomes a series of events filled with lies, betrayal and an unknown assailant wishing her harm.

When all is said and done, will Nalani find herself Treasured or Discarded?

Book 2 - Coveted But Unseen (coming in 2025)
Book 3 - Forbidden Though Desired (coming in 2026)

Chapter 1

“Order up!”

The dinging of a service bell pulls me from my reverie, and back to reality. I walk over to the order window, grab the two plates on the ledge and carry them over to one of the booths by the window.

“One, Richie’s Cheeseburger and one, Howard’s Hot Dog,” I announce as I place the plates down in front of the customers. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“Actually, yeah. Could I get a strawberry milkshake and a cola spider for my son?” the young father requests, causing the young boy’s face to light up with excitement.

“Coming right up,” I say brightly, walking off to work on their drink order.

“Lani, can you help me? I can’t for the life of me read my own friggin handwriting,” groans Áine in frustration, her warm Irish accent making her groaning sound more adorable than it should.

“And you think the non-native English speaker is going to have a better time?” I tease.

“Pleeease,” she begs, “You’re just better at this stuff,” she says, holding up her order pad, a sad exaggerated pout plastered on her freckled face.

I look closely, trying to decipher the scribble that bears a striking resemblance to a child’s doodle more than anything I’ve ever seen in any of the languages I speak.

“I’m pretty sure you wrote down an iced mocha and an iced latte, but I didn’t take the order so I can’t be sure. Why don’t you just go to your table and ask?” I suggest, continuing to work on my drink order.

“Because…” she hesitates, nervously playing with a loose strand of her long, curly, red locks that are otherwise secured in a bun on her head.

“Because…why?”

“Because I might have already gotten their first order mixed up and I really don’t want to embarrass myself again,” she confesses.

I sigh. “Áine, I can’t handle your tables and mine. You need to toughen up and just go and confirm the order. If you don’t, you risk screwing up another order and then chances are it’s going to have to get comped, and Gary is already in a foul mood today.”

She takes in a deep breath and squares her shoulders, “You’re right. I just need to suck it up, confirm the order and then there’s no issue. I can do this.”

“You can do this,” I encourage her.

“I can do this,” she chants like a mantra as she walks towards her table.

I shake my head. Poor thing. Áine is a lovely person, but her elevator just doesn’t go all the way to the top. It’s like the building has ten floors, she stops at five and then she has to take the stairs the rest of the way. She’ll get there eventually, but it’s going to take her some time. I still adore her though.

Áine Hayes and I are both waitresses at the Happy Days Diner in West Hollywood. It’s this amazing 1950s-themed diner that takes more than a few creative ideas from the famous TV show Happy Days. The owner, Gary Belafonte – no relation to the singer – is a huge Happy Days fan and even put a lot of his collected memorabilia into the décor. It’s one of the most popular spots in We-Ho and is always busy. I’ve been working here for five years, ever since I moved to the United States from my home in the Dominican Republic.

I came into this diner by chance one day to rest my feet and get something to eat. Gary saw I was struggling and was very kind to me. I explained I was trying to find work and was still adapting to a new country, so he offered me a job and I’ve been here ever since. I know it’s not common for people to say this about their place of employment, but I love it here! The customers are usually really nice and it’s a super fun atmosphere. I even love the uniform. A true 50s-style baby pink waitress uniform with a white collar, white trim around puffy sleeves, and white tennis shoes. I suppose we could wear any shoes we like, but these just make the outfit look so cute and vintage.

When I started working here, I tried watching that show 2 Broke Girls, for tips on how to be a waitress. Bad idea. I don’t know any woman, rich or poor, who is working eight to twelve-hour shifts at a diner in high heels. I know it’s a sitcom but come on. What woman hates themself enough to put their feet through that kind of torture?

I finish making the drinks and take them over to the table with a pleasant smile. As I walk back to the counter, I see a mother trying to tend to her toddler when the toddler tosses its teething rattle on the floor. I quickly walk over and pick it up.

“Thank you,” says the mother appreciatively.

“If you like I can go and wash this out back for you; try and get the floor germs off,” I kindly offer.

“Would you? That would be so wonderful, thank you” she says, looking touched and surprised.

“It’s not a problem; will only take me a moment. I’ll be right back,” I smile at her.

I quickly go into the kitchen, wash the teething rattle under the hot water with some soap, make sure it’s perfectly clean and dry, and then return it. The toddler looks happy to have their rattle back and the mother looks relieved and grateful, and I feel good for doing a good deed. Everyone wins.

I see a few empty tables, so I go to pick up their bill. I try not to look as disheartened as I feel when I open the receipt book and find my table generously graced me with a one-dollar tip. I take in a deep breath and walk over to the till to settle the bill and my “tip”. One of the downsides of this job is that it relies so heavily on tips and customers just aren’t interested in tipping. I can’t really blame them, especially in this economy. Everyone is struggling and can’t afford to part with a dime, but such a small tip still stings.

I go back to the table, load the plates and glasses in my arms and make my way out to the kitchen, using my butt to push open the swinging door. I carry the dishes over to the sink and stack them, ready to be cleaned. I scrub my hands down my apron as I turn to leave the kitchen, but I almost jump out of my skin when I find myself face-to-face with the diner’s line cook.

You know how I said I love it here? I take that back. There is at least one thing I absolutely loathe about this place and it’s currently staring me in the face.

“Lani, I love when you find excuses to come back here and see me,” he teases, resting his hand on the sink behind me, leaning far too close for comfort as I do my best to ignore his lecherous gaze.

“Dylan, I’ve told you before I really don’t like it when you call me ‘Lani’,” I say calmly but forcefully.

I attempt to side-step out of his proximity, but he quickly places his other arm on the sink, caging me in. He leans in closer, and I instinctively hold my breath to avoid breathing in his vape breath. I don’t care what flavours they make for that artificial smoke; his breath still smells like something crawled in his mouth and died.

“You let everyone else call you ‘Lani’,” he argues with clear irritation in his voice.

“I let my friends call me ‘Lani’, you’re not my friend, so I’d prefer it if you stuck to calling me Nalani.” There’s a little more bite to my tone than I intend but this guy is working my last nerve.

Dylan McNamara has been working here for the past year and I swear, the times we’re forced to work the same shift I strongly consider moving back to the DR. He’s not a bad-looking guy. He’s 6’5”, lean, clean-shaven, shaggy blonde hair but in that intentional shaggy way. Minus the hair colour, he looks like a young Milo Ventimiglia. But while aesthetically he might be good-looking by society’s standards, I think he’s the ugliest, most grotesque man I have ever met, and I use the term ‘man’ loosely.

“Come on, Lani. I want to be your friend, but you won’t let me.” He leans in closer, his nose moving close to my neck as I hear him inhale, making my stomach drop in revulsion. “Fuck, you smell good.”

I push my way out of his hold and put some much-needed space between us, the urge to scrub myself clean with a steel wool brush taking over me. I have made several complaints about Dylan’s behaviour and as nice as the owner is, he never takes them seriously. I’ve told him about how Dylan is constantly trying to ask me out and won’t take no for an answer. The way he does shit like this, trying to touch me, smell me, it makes me sick. He’s always looking at me, or down my dress. I try to keep as much of my chest covered as I can when I’m at work just so he has nothing to look at. I shouldn’t have to do any of this shit!

“For fuck sake Dylan, how many times do I have to tell you to leave the woman alone? Now walk away and get back to fucking work or you’ll be meeting with an unfortunate cooking accident,” warns Esteban, the head cook.

“We’re just having a little fun, man. Don’t get your sombrero in a twist,” says Dylan, rolling his eyes as he gets back to work, but not before giving me one final once over with his piercing icy-blue eyes, much to my chagrin. They feel like shards of ice piercing my skin whenever he looks at me and I hate it.

“Don’t worry, Lani. I’ve got your back. This one ever messes with you and I’m happy to toss his ass in the deep fryer,” says Estaban comfortingly, switching to Spanish so Dylan can’t understand us.

I chuckle, feeling my rattled nerves easing just a little. “Thank you, Estaban. It’s nice knowing someone around here isn’t willing to let this shit slide.”

“Nepotism at its best.” I look at him quizzically, not understanding what he means by that. “Oh, did you not know?” he asks in surprise.

“Know what?”

“The gringo is Gary’s nephew, his sister’s son. Apparently, he was getting fired from all his other jobs – can’t imagine why – and she begged Gary to let him work here. So, he hired el degenerado, to work here.”

I stare at him flabbergasted. A whole year and I never knew Dylan was Gary’s nephew! It never clicked because they look nothing alike and they don’t share a last name, but knowing Dylan is Gary’s sister’s son clears that up. Now it makes sense why Gary won’t fire him, but that doesn’t make this okay. I’ve been working here since I was twenty-three and I’m a good employee. I have customers who come in just because they like my company. I’m good for business, unlike Dylan, who makes women never want to come back and on more than one occasion has pissed off someone’s boyfriend or father for leering at the wrong girl. Blood is not a good enough reason to let this slide.

“This explains so much.”

“You two better not be talking about me,” Dylan grumbles, glaring at us with suspicion.

“You mind your own business and get back to manning the grill,” Estaban snaps back in perfect English.

Estaban De León reminds me so much of my dad. I miss my family so much, and it’s hard being so far away from them, but Estaban makes it a little bit easier. He’s fifty-five and stands at 5’5” but what he lacks in height he makes up for in attitude. He has tight curly salt and pepper hair that he tends to keep slicked back with gel while he works. He has warm espresso eyes, a gorgeous olive complexion and a thick, warm brown goatee. He’s rather toned, looks physically fit and still very much a looker. His wife is a lucky woman. Because Estaban originates from Guatemala and I come from the DR our Spanish isn’t exactly the same, but it’s still similar enough that we can carry on a conversation just fine. The differences just give us things to talk about or laugh over.

We’re kind of a rag-tag team of immigrants here – not counting Dylan. Áine’s parents are from Ireland, and she inherited every Irish stereotype: red hair, fair skin, freckles, and green eyes. She’s 5’1”, voluptuous as hell, and absolutely gorgeous. She’s only twenty-one, but she has an old soul. There’s also Bernadette whose parents are German, and then there’s Tariq who is from Syria. The rest are all American, but those of us from other countries, or with parents who immigrated from other countries, tend to stick together. Overall everyone at the diner gets along. Just not with Dylan.

“Lani, you’ve got some new customers,” Áine announces through the server window.

“Coming!” I give Estaban a warm smile and walk out, smoothing out my apron and putting on my best customer service face.

Áine walks over and leans in lowering her voice. “Is everything okay?”

“Dylan.”

“Say no more,” she sneers, only to jump to attention when a patron orders a refill on his coffee.

I grab four menus from the stack, walk over to one of my booths now housing four new customers and grace them with my best smile as I distribute their menus, “Welcome to the Happy Days Diner, what can I get you today?”

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Married to an Ugly Husband? No!

Married to an Ugly Husband? No!

200.3k Views · Completed · Amelia Hart
My malicious stepsister threatened me with my brother's life, forcing me to marry a man rumored to be unspeakably ugly. I had no choice but to comply.
However, after the wedding, I discovered that this man was not ugly at all; on the contrary, he was both handsome and charming, and he was also a billionaire!
(I highly recommend a captivating book that I couldn't put down for three days and nights. It's incredibly engaging and a must-read. The title of the book is "After Car Sex with the CEO." You can find it by searching for it in the search bar.)
The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn

The Ex-Wife's Redemption: A Love Reborn

148.8k Views · Completed · Emma Blackwood
When my son was hospitalized with a high fever, Henry Harding was with his ex-lover—a final betrayal that shattered what little remained of our marriage.
The pain of my unwed pregnancy is a wound I can never speak of, as the child's father vanished without a trace. Just as I was about to take my own life, Henry swooped in, offering me a home and vowing to treat my fatherless child as his own.
I've always been grateful to him for saving me that day, which is why I've endured the humiliation of this lopsided marriage for so long.
But everything changed when his former flame, Isabella Scott, returned.
Now, I'm ready to sign the divorce papers, but Henry demands ten million dollars as the price of my freedom—a sum I could never hope to scrape together.
I looked him in the eye and said coldly, "Ten million dollars to buy your heart."
Henry, the most powerful heir on Wall Street, is a former heart patient. He'll never suspect that his so-called shameful ex-wife orchestrated the heart beating in his chest.
Sold! To the Grizzly Don

Sold! To the Grizzly Don

71.1k Views · Ongoing · Tatienne Richard
When Alcee Mariani turns twenty-one, she knows her time is up. Her family has arranged her marriage from the time she was twelve to the future Don of the Lozano family, Torquato "The Grizzly" Lozano. He's rumored to be cold, cruel and heartless and he's a full ten years older than she is.
Selling her virginity online is a surefire way to make sure The Grizzly cancels the agreement and when she lets her father know she's sold it to the highest bidder and never got his real name, the contract is ended but so is her association with her own family.
Six years later she is no longer the treasured principessa of the Mariani family, but the single-mother to a five-year old boy who bears an uncanny resemblance to the man to whom she sold her innocence.
Torquato Lozano has searched for the woman who left him high and dry after an incredible night of passion nearly six years ago. When he stumbles across her in a newly purchased company working as an IT tech, he's stunned to find out she's the woman his family arranged him to marry so many years before. A perusal of her file tells him she didn't leave their rendezvous all those nights ago empty handed. Her little boy is the spitting image of him, right down to his massive size.
When Alcee's family realize they are losing out on a lucrative financial alliance they should have been part of, it starts a war. With enemies appearing at every corner, Alcee and Torquato will need to let the past go and work together to keep their son alive. Their passion will reignite as they strive to keep their family safe and forge a new power to take over the New York criminal underworld.
Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

88.5k Views · Ongoing · Velvet Desires
Trigger warning!!!

Intended for mature readers who enjoy morally complex, slow-burn, possessive, forbidden, dark romance that pushes boundaries.

EXCERPT

Blood everywhere. Trembling hands.

"No!" My eyes blurred.

His lifeless eyes stared back at me, his blood pooling at my feet. The man I loved—dead.

Killed by the one person I could never escape - my stepbrother.


Kasmine's life was never hers to begin with. Kester, her stepbrother, controlled and monitored her every move.

At first, it was all sweet and brotherly until it began to turn into an obsession.

Kester was the Alpha, and his word was law. No close friends. No boyfriends. No freedom.

The only consolation Kasmine had was her twenty-first birthday, which was supposed to change everything. She dreamt of finding her mate, escaping the sickening control of Kester, and finally claiming her own life. But fate had other plans for her.

On the night of her birthday, not only was she disappointed that she wasn't mated to the love of her life, but she found out that her mate was none other than him - Her tormentor. Her stepbrother.

She'd rather die than be mated to a man whom she had known as her big brother all her life. A man who would do just anything to make sure she was his.

But when love turns to obsession, and obsession turns to blood, how far can one girl run before she realizes there is nowhere else to run to?
I Am His Wolfless Luna

I Am His Wolfless Luna

250.8k Views · Completed · Heidi Judith
Ethan's fingers kept rubbing back and forth on my clitoris, while his penis kept jumping inside my body. Every joint on my body is sore and screaming for the next orgasm. All too quickly, I feel that electric tension winding tighter, a mounting pressure that threatens to shatter me. My hips lift involuntarily, urging him to continue his exploration, silently pleading for the release I’m so close to tasting.

Ethan also kept emitting deep roars in my ear, 'Damn... I'm going to cum... !!!' His impact became more intense and our bodies kept making slapping sounds.

"Please!! Ethan!!"


As the strongest female warrior in my pack, I was betrayed by those I trusted most, my sister and my best friend. I was drugged, raped, and banished from my family and my pack. I lost my wolf, my honor, and became an outcast—carrying a child I never asked for.

Six years of hard-won survival turned me into a professional fighter, fueled by rage and grief. A summons arrives from the formidable Alpha heir, Ethan, asking me to return as a wolfless combat instructor for the very pack that once banished me.

I thought I could ignore their whispers and stares, but when I see Ethan's emerald-green eyes—the same as my son’s—my world tilts.
Mating Moon

Mating Moon

88.7k Views · Ongoing · loreleidelacruz
Ashlynn had just graduated Veterinary School, excited to find a job. She was living with her parents on the edge of Pack Land, her father not wanting them to close to anyone. Her father was violent, and often abused her mother. Her mother refused to tell anyone and made Ashlynn keep it secret. Things changed as soon as Ashlynn's father attacked her. When the Alpha intervened, Ashlynn and her mother moved away to avoid embarrassment. Will this new Pack offer them comfort, or more danger?
Up North

Up North

142.8k Views · Ongoing · eenboterham
"I prefer your moans, your gasps, and your whimpers. Don't hold them back, and I'll be more than satisfied..."
My hands move from his jaw to his hair, tagging at its ends. His hands travel down my body and pull the material from my shirt up my body, he places a wet kiss right beside my belly button. I tense as I let out a gasp. He makes his way up, showering my stomach with slow kisses, studying my body as he goes until the shirt is completely off and his mouth is on my neck.


Aelin has been mistreated by her pack for as long as she can remember, but as the threats of the Vampire Kingdom becomes more and more palpable, her pack has to call the Northerners to help them train and prepare for the Vampire Kingdom. What happens when the Northern Alpha takes a liking to Aelin?
Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings

Unwanted Mate Of The Lycan Kings

101.5k Views · Completed · Jessica Hall
Caught in a deadly game, Zirah must outwit three savage Lycan Kings and their lethal pets to survive. But what happens when she finds herself in the heart of the maze, not just alive, but protected by the very beasts sent to kill her? It is supposed to be a game—a game of life and death. But what started with the maze trials ended in a prize that is more than Zirah bargained for. She never thought the prize would be for her to choose between the three Lycan Kings fighting for their father’s throne.

Upon meeting the three Lycan kings, Zirah learns that the Kings are no prince charmings. That this would be no fairy tale love story, but one where her life is constantly balanced on the sharp edge of a knife's blade. A knife that is poised to take her life or leave her horribly broken. The Kings want nothing to do with her or each other and plan to get rid of her.

What they don't expect is for Zirah to fight back, only she plays with something far more dangerous than weapons. She’ll play with their hearts.

Zirah has to pick one King, but secrets will be revealed, and the battle between the Kings will be for more than just the throne. They will battle for the queen that they tried to break. But there's just one issue: Zirah wants revenge, and what better revenge than taking away their precious throne?
Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother

Bonded to My Ex's Alpha Brother

72.3k Views · Completed · CalebWhite
My life should have been perfect—successfully starting college, with a caring boyfriend and a best friend. Until I discovered the two of them having sex the night before my eighteenth birthday. Then, during my first full transformation, I discovered a terrifying truth: I am the Soul Bond of Derek Stone, the Alpha of the Darkwood Pack.

The problem is, he's the brother of my ex-boyfriend Bradley.

As a lowly Omega werewolf, I have no right to desire a union with a superior wolf, especially this Alpha leader. Derek Stone isn't just the leader of the Darkwood Pack; he's also a formidable business tycoon. His reputation for ruthlessness makes other packs tremble.

But the ancient werewolf law is clear: if a Pack Alpha rejects his Soul Bond, a curse will descend upon us both.

When Derek suddenly hires me as his assistant secretary, I find myself in a dangerous game. Daily close contact makes the wolf inside me excited, while his cold attitude breaks my heart. Is he deliberately torturing me, or is there something more complex hidden beneath his icy exterior?

As the attraction between us grows stronger, I must make a choice: continue to endure this painful connection, find a way to break the Soul Bond, or make the Pack Alpha fall in love with me and accept me as his Soul Bond.
Crossing the lines ( Sleeping with my Best friends)

Crossing the lines ( Sleeping with my Best friends)

88.2k Views · Completed · Nia Kas
Layla's POV :Little did I think my world would be turned upside down. Dean and Aleck my best friends who who protected me ever since kindergarten and had always remained by my side, truly were nothing like I remembered. Ever since I was eighteen I knew and I kept it hidden, I hid it so well until it wasn't. Falling in love with your Best friends isn't something you should do especially when they're twin brothers. Our friendship was good until I ditched them for my Own sanity. Disappearing did the trick however a spur of the moment
get together with the rest of our college friends,led me to reveal some of my secrets. And some of theirs. From being accused by friends I gave up. Little did I know the get together was just a ruse for them to get back into my life and they were playing the long game, making sure I belonged to them and them only.
Dean's POV : The minute we I opened the door and saw her ,so beautiful, I knew it was either going to go our way or she ran. We fell in love with her at Eighteen,she was seventeen and off limits,she saw us as brother so we waited, when she disappeared we let her ,she thought we had no idea where she was ,she as absolutely fucking wrong. We watch her every move and knew how to make her cave to our wishes.
Aleck's POV : Little Layla had become so fucking beautiful, Dean and I decided she would be ours. She walked around the island unaware if what was coming her way.one way or the other Our best friend would end up under us in our bed and she would ask for it too.
Heartsong

Heartsong

272.2k Views · Completed · DizzyIzzyN
The LCD screen in the arena showed pictures of the seven fighters in the Alpha Class. There I was, with my new name.
I looked strong, and my wolf was absolutely gorgeous.
I looked to where my sister is sitting and her and the rest of her posse have jealous fury on their faces. I then look up to where my parents are and they're glaring at my picture, if looks alone could set shit on fire.
I smirk at them then I turn away to face my opponent, everything else falling away but what was here on this platform. I take my skirt and cardigan off. Standing in just my tank and capris, I move into a fighting position and wait for the signal to start -- To fight, to prove, and not hide myself anymore.
This was going to be fun. I thought, a grin on my face.
This book ”Heartsong” contains two books “Werewolf’s Heartsong” and “Witch’s Heartsong”
Mature Audience Only: Contains mature luangege, sex, abuse and violence
From omega to luna

From omega to luna

61.2k Views · Completed · Dripping Creativity
Graham's mind went blank. He was met by the most beautiful she-wolf he had ever seen. He let his eyes trail over her body. She was short and lean but had curves in places that made his mouth dry and his pants tight.

As he took in her face, his eyes met her ice blue ones, and he stopped breathing for a moment.

While he was frozen, his wolf was ecstatic and tried to push him forward. She looked just as surprised as him. He took two strides and ended up inches away from her.

“Mate!” he growled, never breaking eye contact.

***Bella is an omega, lowest in rank of the pack. But she has accepted her place in life. Graham is the alpha, top of the rank. Strong, fierce, and determined to do what is best for his pack. In his mind, he doesn’t have any time for a mate. Yet they meet each other in the midst of the biggest conflict between the packs and rogues to date.