Novels by Curtis fraley

**David's Pov**The hospital was chaotic as nurses and doctors rushed down the sterile white halls, their hurried footsteps clicking against wall and the polished floors. The sharp scent of antiseptic filled my nostrils as I paced around the waiting area, but beneath it, I could still smell the blood—the blood of the man who was supposed to be my son-in-law.Vincenzo was in surgery, rushed in minutes earlier The bullet shot into him had torn through his leg, and though the doctors assured me it hadn’t hit anything vital, it didn’t matter. The humiliation of it all burned deeper than any wound. I stood rigid, my hands clenched into fists as my mind replayed the event, flashes of the kidnapping danced around in my head.The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed faintly, making my headache worse. I had spent decades building my empire, making sure alliances were secured, ensuring no one dared cross me because of my reputation. And yet, in front of hundreds of witnesses, Nikolai Petrov wa

Aria's Pov**Since the day my father announced the final date for my wedding, one thought has lingered on my mind.Would I have been happy if that wound didn't graze my arm but aimed at a more vital part?Maybe then, I would have been hospitalized and fighting for my life instead of standing here today.The venue for my wedding was an open field with breathtaking views from all side, transformed into a scene of pure opulence. Golden lanterns hung from towering arches, their glows, faint but could be seen and felt from around. The evening air was heavy with the scent of roses, their petals scattered along the pristine white aisle. Guests in expensive suits and dazzling gowns, both old and young, filled the rows of elegant chairs, their murmurs a low hum beneath the soft melody of a live string quartet.I walked forward, my fingers trembling around the bouquet of white lilies as I marched. My wedding dress was a masterpiece of lace and silk, trailing behind me, a symbol of the life I

**Aria's Pov**The bar fell into a tense, suffocating silence as our attention got drawn to the man pointing a gun at Nikolai.Sergei, Viktor’s right-hand man, stood firm, his pistol raised, the barrel aimed directly at the man across from me. The sharp click of safeties being disengaged echoed across the room as others soon followed his lead. Around the bar, men reached for their weapons, some drawing knives, others revealing handguns from beneath their clothes.I felt my breath hang in my throat as I took in the sight of what was starting to look like a face off between multiple mafia cartels.The man in front of me, Nikolai, remained still, his icy blue eyes flicking between Viktor and Sergei, his smirk quickly fading into something unreadable.Slowly, he lifted his hands into the air but it wasn’t in surrender—it was a calculated move, his fingers twitching slightly as if preparing for something."Viktor," he called, his voice calm despite the chaos unfolding. "Is this really ne

Aria's Pov**The bar was dimly lit, the air thick with smoke from cigarettes and the low hum of conversation. Neon lights flickered above the counter, casting a bluish glow over the polished wood. The scent of whiskey, leather, and something faintly metallic lingered in the air, mixing with the bass-heavy music pulsing through the speakers.It wasn’t the kind of place I ever imagined myself in, but here I was—sitting in a worn leather booth across from Viktor."Is this the place you said father can't control me?" I asked, looking straight at my brother. "This is a bar, Viktor. Why would you bring me here?"He slid a glass toward me, the amber liquid swirling inside. "To shake up your mood? Here, Drink," he added, his voice calm but firm."I'm not drinking that, I don't even know what it is," I leaned back from the table, eyeing the glass. "It's just whiskey. You'll need it." He leaned against the booth, his sharp gaze scanning the room before settling on me. "You trust me, right?"I

**Aria's Pov**"You're getting married," my father informed, his voice a cold contrast to what one would expect from a father."Sir?" I asked, my heart pounding like a war drum against my chest and my eyes widening in shock.Though I heard him loud and clear, I couldn't believe what came out of my father's mouth."You heard me," he continued, looking up from the papers on his desk. "You'll get married to Vincenzo, the son of Richard Don. Nicholas in about two months,""But father—" "Silence, Viktor... It has already been decided." My father interrupted with a finger raised. "Aria will get married to the Don family, and with her marriage, we will bridge an alliance with them."My brother, standing at the other side of my father's table, glanced at me, his expression filled with concern. "This is what mother wanted,""What?" My father coldly stared back at him."Mother wanted her to have a normal life, at the very list, a normal marriage based on love, not involving her in an alliance.