JoseMary

She was the price of betrayal.she was served the punishment she didn’t see coming.

When Aria Monroe's father and step mom sealed a deal with the moretti family , she’s forced to replace her step-sister and to enter into an arranged marriage with Lucien Moretti, the ruthless heir,the most feared mafia family in New York. Cold. Possessive. Deadly. He makes no promises of love—only ownership.

When forced by her family, Aria's freedom was signed away. But marrying Lucien means stepping into a world of velvet lies and blood-stained truths, where trust is a luxury and affection and weapon.

She’s fire—beautiful, defiant, and untamed.
He’s ice—unforgiving, controlling, and consumed by vengeance.
Together, they burn.
 
Lucien doesn’t want love — he wants control.
Aria doesn’t want a husband — she wants freedom.
But the longer they’re bound together, the deeper the obsession grows.

Secrets. Betrayal. Passion.
In a world of blood and loyalty, Aria must decide:
Is she a pawn in a deadly game… or the queen about to take the king?

And as secrets unravel and enemies close in, passion becomes war, and their bond teeters between destruction and desire.
In a world ruled by power and violence, can love ever be more than a blood price?

His Bride,His Blood Price

Lucien had drifted into a private circle of power players again — Russian, Italian, and Eastern European men speaking in low voices near the back of the ballroom. Aria stayed in her lane: watching, listening, sipping champagne slowly enough to keep her head clear.

The sharp click of stilettos on marble made her turn.

Draped in wine-red silk, hair twisted into a perfect updo, eyes rimmed in kohl — she looked like danger wrapped in perfume.

The one who tried to drug him on their wedding night.

"Aria Monroe," she said, her smile slow and cruel. "Oh wait — Moretti now, isn't it?"

"Sofia Di Luca," she replied evenly. "I thought they stopped letting security risks into these events."

Sofia's smile flickered, then sharpened.

"So they taught you how to speak like one of us. I'm impressed. Last time I saw you, you were playing doll in a white dress and heels too big for your steps."

Sofia's gaze dragged down her gown, her jewelry, her poise.

Then: "Does he touch you, Aria? Or are you just his pretty distraction?"

Aria's fingers tightened around her glass.

She hated how composed the girl looked.

Hated that Lucien hadn't looked at anyone tonight — not once — the way he had when Aria walked down that staircase.

But most of all… she hated the calm in Aria's eyes. Like she wasn't just the substitute bride. Like she belonged.

Sofia stepped closer, lowering her voice.

"You don't know who he is. You think this world is just wealth and sharp suits, but Lucien… he doesn't love. He uses."

And that's when the voice cut through—

But it cut through the crowd like a blade.

Sofia turned, smile returning too quickly.

He stepped between them now, facing Sofia — but his hand came to rest on Aria's lower back, firm and unyielding.

"I told you what would happen if you touched what's mine again."

Sofia arched a brow. "Possession, Lucien? That's all she is?"

Aria's pulse raced. Not from fear — but from the weight of Lucien's words.

Sofia's mask cracked for a second. Just enough.

And with a whirl of red silk, she was gone.

His hand hadn't moved from her back.

She looked up at him, unsure what to say.

"For ever letting someone like her think she could speak to you."

He wasn't being cold. Or strategic.

But his hand didn't leave her back the rest of the night.

His Bride, His Blood Price