Novels by Stasia Phina

Three months flew by in a blur of wedding preparations, Reid Justice Project cases, and learning to live without the weight of Castellano's threat hanging over him.Marcus woke on his wedding day to sunlight streaming through the bedroom window and Emma already gone. A note on her pillow read: *Bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony. See you at the altar. I love you.*Marcus smiled, tucking the note carefully into his wallet.Uncle James appeared in the doorway holding two cups of coffee. "Big day, nephew. How are you feeling?""Nervous. Excited. Terrified." Marcus took the coffee gratefully. "Is that normal?""Completely normal. I felt the same way when I married your aunt." Uncle James sat on the edge of the bed. "Your father would be so proud of you, Marcus. Of everything you've become. Everything you've built.""I wish they could be here.""They are. In Sophie, in you, in the work you do every day." Uncle James squeezed his shoulder. "Now get dressed. We have a wedding to g

Victor Castellano's sentencing hearing was scheduled three weeks after the guilty verdict.In that time, Marcus felt like he was floating. The jury had convicted Castellano on all counts conspiracy to commit murder, racketeering, money laundering, obstruction of justice. But until the judge imposed the sentence, it didn't feel real."Life in prison," Jennifer Park had told them. "That's what we're asking for. Life without possibility of parole. Given the severity of the crimes and the number of victims, Judge Morrison should grant it.""Should," Emma had noted. "But will he?"That question haunted Marcus as he sat in the courtroom on sentencing day. The room was packed again victims' families, media, supporters. Sophie sat beside him, holding his hand. Uncle James was behind them. Emma was on his other side.Castellano entered in his orange prison jumpsuit, no longer allowed the dignity of expensive suits. He looked older, defeated. But his eyes still held that cold calculation.Judge

Sophie Reid took the witness stand the next morning, looking small and vulnerable in a simple dress. But her eyes held determination as she was sworn in.Marcus sat in the gallery, Emma gripping his hand tightly. Uncle James sat behind them, praying quietly.Jennifer Park approached Sophie gently. "Ms. Reid, please state your relationship to the defendant.""I don't have one. But he destroyed my family.""Let me rephrase. How do you know Victor Castellano?""I don't know him personally. But he ordered the murder of my parents, Robert and Jennifer Reid."Park nodded. "Tell us about the night of August 15, 2013. You were nine years old?""Yes. I was upstairs doing homework when I heard gunshots." Sophie's voice trembled but stayed strong. "I went to the stairs and looked through the railing. I saw my mother on the floor. Blood everywhere. My father trying to help her. And then a man shot him too.""Can you describe this man?""Tall. Blonde. Wearing all black. I didn't know his name then

Week three of the trial brought Marcus's own testimony.He'd been dreading this moment since the trial began. Sitting in the witness stand, facing Castellano directly, reliving the worst night of his life in front of strangers.Jennifer Park had prepared him extensively. "Just tell the truth. Stay calm. Don't let Brennan provoke you."But as Marcus took the stand, swore to tell the truth, and looked out at the packed courtroom, he felt his control slipping.Castellano sat at the defense table, watching him with cold, amused eyes. Like this was entertainment.Park began gently. "Mr. Reid, please tell the jury about the day of the National Championship."Marcus described that day the gold medal, the celebration dinner, the USB drive his father gave him, the overheard conversation between his father and Castellano."What did you hear Mr. Castellano say to your father?""He threatened him. Said my father had a family, a talented son. Told him not to throw it away over 'misplaced idealism.

Day five of the trial brought the witness everyone had been waiting for: Derek Cross.Cross had made a deal with the prosecution twenty five years instead of life without parole in exchange for his full testimony against Victor Castellano. He'd been transferred from the hospital to a maximum security facility, where he'd spent the past months preparing for this moment.Marcus sat rigid in the gallery as guards brought Cross into the courtroom. The man who'd actually murdered his parents. Who'd pulled the trigger, planted the evidence, whispered lies into nine-year-old Sophie's traumatized mind.Sophie gripped Marcus's hand tightly. Emma was on his other side, her presence steadying him.Cross looked different than he had at the warehouse thinner, paler from months in custody. But his eyes were still cold, calculating. He took the stand without apparent emotion.Jennifer Park began her examination. "Mr. Cross, please state your occupation.""I was a private security consultant." His vo

Four months later, on a cold Monday morning in February, Victor Castellano's trial finally began.Marcus sat in the gallery beside Emma, both dressed formally for the occasion. Sophie was on his other side, taking the day off from medical school. Uncle James sat behind them, his hand occasionally squeezing Marcus's shoulder for support.The courtroom was packed media, victims' families, legal observers, and curious spectators. This was the trial of the decade. A wealthy businessman and sports mogul accused of orchestrating multiple murders, including the one that had sent an innocent teenager to prison for thirteen years.Castellano entered in an expensive suit, looking confident despite the charges. His legal team still led by Richard Brennan projected the same confidence. They'd spent four months filing motions, challenging evidence, and building their defense.The jury filed in twelve ordinary citizens who would decide Castellano's fate. Marcus studied their faces, wondering what t