Cruel Bet

by Aria Ray, Sarina Hart

Never bet on the devil's help, they say. I did,
Now, I’m bound to him… and carrying his baby.

When my Mafia Don father arranged my marriage to his old and cruel ally, I made a desperate gamble. I slipped a note to my father’s visitor—Nikolai Kuzmin, a dangerously handsome Bratva

"Save me, and I’ll tell you what you need to know."

I never thought he'd come through. But on my wedding day, Nik stormed in, crashed the ceremony, and whisked me away.

Instead of freedom, I ended up in a different kind of cage—with him.

Nik, with his dark, possessive eyes and sinful touch, stole my heart... and my dangerous secret.

Furious at what he learned, he sent me away—I thought I was finally free.

But then I found out I was pregnant with his baby.

Two years later, my past is catching up, and Nik’s the only one who can protect us.

But what will happen when he finds out my daughter is his?

"Cruel Bet" is a suspenseful Russian mafia romance novel co-authored by Aria Ray and Sarina Hart. It is a standalone story with a happy ending and no cliffhangers.

Genres: Dark Romance, Mafia Romance, Romance

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Aria Ray writes suspenseful, hot, and intense romance stories featuring powerful alpha-men and witty heroines, full of sacrifice, love, and happily-ever-afters. Like the heroines of her novels, Aria has always had a crush on sinfully sexy bad boys - dark, controlling, irresistible, but tender and loving.

When she is not writing or daydreaming about new stories, she loves to spend time with her own gang of alpha males -
a husband and twin boys. But the real mob boss of the family is Don Corleone - the cat.

If you'd like to be notified of updates, teasers, and promotions, subscribe to Aria's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hqXjur

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang on and you might want to make sure to double check that you are buckled up, dangerous men, alpha’s personified possessive, oh so gorgeous, brooding all three makings of a story consisting with the three D’s (dark, delicious, and dirty) 😊. There will be suspense, darkness, secrets revealed, hope, forgiveness, and maybe even love somewhere along the way! Arianna is sweet doesn’t know her strength just yet but she learns quickly living with a horrible excuse of a father who she has seen, lived through his cruelty, living as a prisoner in her own home, so when he arranged her marriage to a man older than her father for alliance and at this time she decides to take her fate into her own hands with hopes it will pay off while the bratva leader is there she slips him a note asking for help with a promise in return. Nikolai sexy as all get out Pakhan isn’t a man you want on your radar, he is the definition of dangerous, ruthless, on a good day, deadly every day, goal to take down his enemies by any means necessary, and when he gets a note from the daughter of the very enemy with a promise of information for help with an escape he can’t allow the opportunity to pass him by so of course he helps but he decides to keep her for himself. But where are they headed will he keep her or will he push her away, will he protect her, will her father come for her, do he have the ability to keep her safe and where are they headed?

[Megan L Harnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good but ended up just okay in the end for me. I liked the chemistry between Nikolai and Arianna. I did not like how stubborn both of them were. I also felt that they both were one dimensional and had no depth to them. The end had a twist with another twist on top of it. But the ending did feel rushed. Overall not too bad though.

[Heather Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cruel Bet is a fantastic addition to the Mafia romance genre. Cruel Bet is a secret baby, Russian Mafia romance. Author Aria Ray continues to take me by surprise with her amazing mafia romance stories. Each mafia romance book that I have read by this author has been quite captivating with their storyline/plot, wonderful characters, and outstanding outcomes for the main characters. Cruel Bet follows the journey of Arianna and Nikolai. Arianna is forced into an arranged marriage with her father's old and cruel ally. In order for Arianna to escape, she passes a note to Nikolai Kuzmin and the note says "Save me, and I'll tell you what you need to know." meaning she is going to tell Nikolai everything about her jerk of a father. Arianna is left alone with no one who truly cares about her and the same is for her. Nikolai is the typical Bratva boss male who can take anything he wants. I absolutely enjoyed reading this amazing mafia romance book. I loved getting to know Arianna and Nikolai as well as seeing their story unfold before my eyes. Cruel Bet is certainly a book that I would give as a recommendation for anyone who enjoys reading Russian Mafia Romance stories. I'm looking forward to seeing what Author Aria Ray comes out with next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorrita Winch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikolai Kuzmin is our big handsome, blue eyed MMC. He’s ruthless and dangerous . Pakhan of the Kuzmin Empire.
But is brought down by Arianna De Luca, our beautiful dark haired, green eyed innocent MFC.
Her father, Don Giovanni De Luca, ruthlessly arranged her marriage to an aging ally, Lorenzo Lucchese . Figuring a more ruthless man could get her out of it. So she slips a note to Nikolai Kuzmin that if he gets her away and sets her up in a new life, she will give him vital information concerning his enemy.
She’s been a prisoner her whole life, her father being a cold heartless man who has done atrocities and cruelties he’s made sure Arianna has seen and felt.
But Arianna realizes her secret information that Nikolai is wanting, might just get her killed. From any one of “Dimitri, Endo, Kimiko, or Nikolai”.
Follows is the mafia lifestyle with death, murder, mayhem, lies, secrets and a strong physical and mental love between the MMC and MFC, with the MMC being protective and possessive of the innocent MFC. And yes they do “eventually “ have their happy ending.👍🏻🥰

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikolai and Arianna. Hes Pakhan of the Kuzman empire. Her father is a Don, Don Gio and hes arranged a marriage to one of his old friends, Lorenzo. And he literally is old. She has felt her fathers cruelalties. At dinner one night Nic is there and hes more ruthless and she slips him a note to get her out of the arranged marriage and she will give him information. When he wisks her away and she gives him all of herself he sends her away because of the secrets she has told and then she is forced to go to him for help and she brings with her a secret also.
This has all the mafia ecalades, suspense, intrigue, mystery, danger, family drama, betrayal, passion, action, lies, secrets, kidnappings and misunderstandings. Great great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coastie Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like action, betrayal, lies, suspense, kidnappings and passion, then this is the story for you! Arianna is set to marry a cruel man (Lorenzo) and only wants her freedom. Pakhan Nikolai comes to visit her father to form an alliance, and he refuses. Arianna slips a note to Nikolai to help her – she will reveal all the secrets if he gets her out of there.

Thinking her life is doomed, she is kidnapped on the day of her wedding. Things heat up with Arianna and Nikolai, but in the background, somehow Arianna ends up marrying Lorenzo, but how? So many secrets are revealed, and you will be on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shelly Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want mystery, mid burn love, multiple families, action, and surprising twists - yes twists, then this is a must read. I rarely rate anything a five and even rarer I think it should be higher. Arianna is a prisoner in her own home and from the very beginning you're pulled into the story. This will be a very high overview. The reader feels anger at all the bad guys, really wants a very painful event for one, shake sense into the main male character, have two strong female characters, and fall in love with the family all with finally a happy ending after many twists and turns and a few "WTH". I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is my own opinion and was not influenced by anyone.

Arianna is a prisoner of her father. He mistreats her and promises her to marry an old man. She forms a plan and asks Nikolai to kidnap her. She will give him inside information that he desires.

This story has action, suspense, twists and passion. A few twists had me guessing where it would go. In the story the bad guys are real bad guys. Nikolai starts off being one if them. Their relationship is full of struggles. They move forward and then backwards. A happy ending is acheived but not easily. The story hooked me early on and kept me reading.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna De Luca is notified by her father Don Giovanni De Luca, that he has arranged her marriage to someone older than him. She is desperate to find an escape, she slips a note to Pakhan Nikolai Kuzmin seeking his help, in exchange for information. He shows up on her wedding day to collect her.

The secret she has could make him end her life. She keeps putting him off. The pair's attraction heats up but there is so much between, can it last? There are a lot of moving parts to the story, you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m a total sucker for a dark mafia romance — give me a broody, possessive MMC obsessed with the FMC, toss in an accidental pregnancy, and boom — we’ve got ourselves a fun little pot of chaos and smut.

Or so I thought.

Somehow, both the spice and the storyline missed the mark on this one. The summary reeled me in — I was expecting twists, tension, jealousy, all wrapped in a spicy, dramatic package… but it just didn’t hit. Everything was there in theory, but whether it was the delivery, the pacing, or the forced chemistry between the MCs, something just didn’t land.

Overall? Whomp whomp. A solid premise that could’ve been fire, but ended up more like a lukewarm flicker. 🔥‍🫠

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arianna did want the arranged marriage her father had made slipping a note to bratva boss Nikolai asking for help in return for information, he turns up on her wedding day for the save but only to keep her for his own, butbwhen he pushes her away, she's hiding a secret of her own, will it catch up to her years on when danger strikes and their paths cross once more? Well written steamy bratva/mafia, second chances and more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[L KQ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning Surprise

When Arianna is set to marry an older man arranged by her father, she asks the most brutal man in the mafia world to help set her free. Nikolai instead kidnaps her for his own reasons, not expecting to have an instant desire for her. Their journey is fraught with death, violence, betrayal, and secrets. This story was suspenseful and exciting to read, and I can not wait for the next installment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Gskm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed

I story was intriguing. The characters were entertaining and kept my interest. I am a fan of sexy times fulfilled but this one seems to go from one to many with very little story in between. This one was interesting but too dependent on sexy times especially than building a true bond between the couple. The plot was good…damsel needs rescuing, but it did not live up to the premise. I never connected to either of them. So, while I can’t recommend the book, others may find it entertaining. HEA, no cheating, no cliffhanger.

[Leslie Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twist and turns

Arianna is a mafia princess she is forced to marry a 70 year old crime boss. But she slips an enemy a note to save her and kidnap her from her wedding. She ends up falling for him, but she has to make a choice to stay and love him even though she thinks he don't love her and they are torn between past history with her father. Or raise her baby she is now pregnant with in this life of pain and violence because she has been through a lot. But this book had twists and turns I didn't expect. I really enjoyed it.

[Danee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story Arianna has a hard time because her father abuses her and she is a prisoner. She wants to get away and comes up with a plan. That is the moment that Nikolai comes into the picture and he has to help her and in return she gives him information that he wants. A wonderful story with twists and turns and, danger, action, tension, betrayal, romance and a lot of sizzling and hot scenes.




I received an Advance Reader sample of this book and voluntarily leave a review

[ames ⁠♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

it started off decent then they just wanted to fuck and they were so two-dimensional. I really stuck it through to finish for the secret baby trope but that wasn't until almost 60% and the sister coming back to life and was being so AWFUL and sus. she could have had a better arc imo. she reminded me of the candy crush villain in wreck it ralph and could have been written better.

[Angela Farley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. It's a Bratva Romance Trope. It's got everything you'd expect to see in a good Bratva book. Drama, deceit, twists and turns, shocking surprises, great characters and spice.
Definitely worth the read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikolai and Arianna had me cheering for them as they not only work for their relationship but together against members of her family to achieve their happiness. This story is filled with unexpected twists and turns that had me glued to it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

SEXY, SUSPENSEFUL AND EXPLOSIVE HOT is how I would describe this mafia romance book by Aria. It is a book that you will not regret picking up to read. In fact, any of Aria's books are a must have must read. Give this book a read today to see how the characters Arianna and Nikolai are going to raise your blood pressure. :).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely have loved every book I have read by Aria Ray. Nikolai and Arianna are amazing characters. Secrets and suspense make this a really interesting story. Arianna does not want the arranged marriage that he father wants. This book had me full of tension until the end. Great book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors have given us a heart pounding story that pulls us into the lives of Nikolai, Arianna and her daughter, Maria/Mads. The story keeps us turning the pages with a forced marriage, secrets, deceit, danger, action and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Nikolai and Arianna’s arranged marriage, second chance, mafia romance. The plot was so well written, it kept me engaged in the unexpected twists, turns and surprises. It’s got action, drama, deceit, suspense, secrets, betrayal, danger and spice. The characters are great and their chemistry is awesome. This is a fantastic story.

[Millie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't remember how I found this book but I wish I could go back in time and slap myself.
This was horrible. Written like a telenovela, the plot is bonkers and makes no sense.
The characters are insufferable and the hero is so stupid, he's like your basic high school crush playing Bratva boss.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a first for me by this author and I absolutely loved it!!!
A Bratva romance with so many twists and turns. So much heartbreak filled with so much love. High high heat. The story felt complete and the side characters played a huge role. Truly truly enjoyed this story!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has action, suspense, twists and passion and spice. Arianna is trapped in her home by her father and is supposed to get married to help her father. She bumps into Nikolai and slips him a note. Nikolai kidnaps Arianna on her wedding day and the fun begins.
This story has action, suspense, passion, spice, family drama, and talk of cruelty.

[Brenda Longland OLeary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Past to Present

You are stuck in a prison that is your isolated life, but take a chance on a stranger to save you. Only to be held again in a different kind of prison, while falling in love with your capture. How do you reconcile your past with future only to discover it was all a lie? Definitely recommend this book and author.

[GKP2460 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cruel Bet is Arianna and Nikolai's fast paced story and it's full of drama, action, secrets and betrayal. It's a great steamy, second chance story that pulls you in from the start with characters that'll keep you glued to the pages.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked how the story played out. The way she saved herself then went from the saved to captive. I couldn’t get enough of their scenes. Great chemistry, wonderful drama and an engaging storyline. Nicely done.

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sam Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cracking

A great read, plenty of steamy adult romance, plot twists and turns and fab characters. I enjoyed this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh of breath air. Loved this mafia romance. I found it different than most and really enjoyed the storyline. I loved the characters hard not to with how well the author did with the writting. Was very happy with the ending!