“You’re getting married, Amara.”
The words felt strange at first to her ears She turned slowly, staring at Carla, the only person in the house who ever showed her a little kindness. Amara’s face was swollen on one side, a faint bruise forming where her uncle had slapped her that morning. Carla stood at the cellar door, holding a tray of food. She didn’t smile, she really felt so pity for Amara Amara sat up from the cold cement floor where she had been lying, using the wall to support her. “What did you say?” Carla came closer and knelt beside her, putting her food down as she spoke . “They’ve arranged it. You’re getting married tomorrow morning.” “To who?” Amara asked quietly, though deep down, she already knew it wouldn’t be good news. Carla paused for a second. Then she whispered, “Dominic Romano.” There was a total silent for some minutes Amara blinked. Once. Twice. She looked away, her heart beating fast in her chest. She had heard that name before. Everyone had. Dominic Romano—the man they called The Black King. He was the heir to the Romano Mafia Empire. People said he never smiled. That he didn’t forgive. That his hands were clean not because he avoided blood, but because others cleaned up after him. And now she was being given to him. Like a gift. Like an object or what will she call it. “Why?” Amara whispered. Carla sighed. “It’s a peace deal. Between your uncle and the Romanos. The marriage will stop the fighting. And you… you’re the only Leone girl left.” Amara looked down at her hands. Small. Shaking. “So that’s it? That’s my life now?” Carla placed the tray gently on the ground. “Eat something. You’ll need your strength. They’re taking you at sunrise.” She stood to leave but paused at the door. “This might be hard, Amara. But… maybe it’s better than here.” Amara didn’t reply. She couldn’t. Her throat was tight. Her chest felt heavy. Better than here? Here was hell. But at least she knew this hell. Now, she was walking into another man’s world—a man more dangerous than her uncle. A man who didn’t need to raise his voice to destroy someone. A man who didn’t want a wife… just ownership. She looked at the wall across the room. It had a crack that ran from the ceiling to the floor. She used to count the lines in it when she couldn’t sleep. When the beatings were too much. Now, she will leave this place. EARLIER THAT DAY Her uncle had slapped her so hard she fell against the wall. His voice echoed through the hallway. “You made her look weak! Do you know what you’ve done?!” Amara tasted blood but stayed quiet. She had stopped crying long ago. Bianca, her cousin, stood beside him. Arms folded. Her eyes were cold. “She helped the man escape,” Bianca said sharply. “I was about to kill him. Amara got in the way. She poured water on him and made a scene. He ran.” “I thought he was just a driver,” Amara said softly. Bianca’s hand shot out, slapping her again. “You are stupid. And soft. You don’t belong in this family.” Her uncle didn’t stop her. In fact, he looked even more angry. “You are not like Bianca,” he hissed. “She’s strong. She’s one of the best assassins in our group. She brings respect to my name . And you…this is the second time you are failing a mission, just for Bianca to assist you today, you still make her fail…. He looked her up and down like she was dirt. “You’re a mistake. I should have thrown away the day your parents died…..I cursed the day I took you in as a daughter, because you’re useless with zero usefulness.” Those words cut deeper than the slap. Amara said nothing. She didn’t ask for mercy. She had learned it didn’t exist here. That was when they dragged her back to the cellar and locked her in. Her ribs ached. Her body was tired. But more than anything, her heart was tired. Bianca Leone was the daughter of her uncle, he trained….. They are the real definition of like Father…Like Daughter.. The daughter who carried knives under her coat and never flinched at blood. She had been raised to kill without blinking. Her name already had weight in the underworld—one of the youngest female assassins in the region. Her father’s pride. Cold. Proud. Dangerous. And Amara? She was the orphan girl they took in because they had to, just because they’re are family She’s Too soft, Too kind. Too… human. That was why her uncle hated her. Because even after all the beatings, the insults, and the locked doors, Amara still had a heart. A heart that couldn’t watch an innocent man die. A heart that stepped in to save someone they should kill.. **** Amara had not touched the food. She just sat on the floor, back resting against the wall, eyes half closed. Who would not think in this kind of situation, just then she heard a click of heels echoing down the stairs before Bianca appeared, dressed in tight black clothes. Her eyes were lined with dark makeup. Her red lips , well that’s her style “Well, well,” Bianca said, stopping just a few feet from her. “Look who’s finally going somewhere.” Amara didn’t bother to answer Bianca took a slow step closer, looking around the small cellar like it disgusted her. “I heard you’re getting married to Dominic Romano. That’s big.” She chuckled. “The Black King himself.” She bent a little, looking straight into Amara’s eyes. “Do you even know who he is?” Bianca laughed again. “Of course not. You’ve lived in a box all your life. Always hiding. Always shaking. You think your big, innocent eyes will save you in his world?” Still Amara didn’t say a word “He doesn’t like weak women, Amara. He likes control. Power. Not someone who cries and gets in the way like you.” Amara looked away. Bianca stepped closer and lowered her voice. “But Maybe that’s why they’re giving you to him. And don’t ever imagine he will fall for you. This isn’t a romance novel, Amara. This is real life. And when he’s done with you…. he’ll break you. Like glass.” “Pahhhhhhhhhh” Bianca make a sound of broken glassDominic was walking so fast down the corridor. His steps were sharp and heavy. Scorpion followed from behind, but he couldn’t even keep up.When Dominic reached the door to his private office inside the empire, he opened it and stepped inside without even looking back at Scorpion. Then, he slammed the door right on his face.The loud bang of the door echoed through the hall. Scorpion stood outside, surprised, rubbing his hand where the door hit him.Inside the office, Dominic was pacing back and forth like he was trying to figure something out. His mind kept going back to one thought..why does she look so much like an angel? You wouldn’t believe he actually said that word in his head.That anger inside him grew. Without thinking, he hit his head hard against the wall. Once. Twice. Three times.He clenched his fists and pushed himself away from the wall. Then, without hesitation, he went straight to his desk and used his hands to scatter everything on it. Papers, files, pens..all flyin
Every last Saturday of the month, Dominic always went out for a long bike ride, alone. It was the only thing that ever gave him peace.But not today.This time, he didn’t go near the empire, and didn't ride. Instead, he checked into a hotel downtown and stayed there, away from everything. Mario had pissed him off again. He just found out the man was still trying to bargain for some illegal weapons from overseas, even after his so-called drug deal last batch, Though Dominic has managed to shut down the deal.Dominic had crushed the entire operation, but just knowing Mario’s blood would sleep under the same roof as him tonight made his skin crawl. If Amara crossed him even slightly, he knew himself..he might just snap, and pull a trigger on her forehead. And tonight, he wasn’t ready for drama.He needed silence. A break.The hotel room was dim, curtains drawn. He was sitting at the edge of the bed when the girl he had called in for the night walked out of the bathroom. Her hair was wet,
Amara stared at Dominic in shock.Yes, this side of him shouldn’t be a surprise, she expected it, he's called THE BLACK KING for a reason. But somehow, seeing it this close made her stomach turn. Still, she composed herself. She didn’t flinch. She didn’t break.She stood her ground.Her uncle might have thrown her to this man like an offering, but one thing she was sure of .. Dominic wouldn’t dare touch her anyhow. Not when their marriage was the only thing holding peace between the two strongest families in the underworld, and that’s why she will not leave with fear around him or walk around a shell just the way she has been living with her uncle.."You can't just do what you want with me, You can’t do me anyhow" Amara said, her voice steady. "You know one call to my uncle and this whole arrangement crashes. It won’t be fair to the Romanos too. Just leave me alone… while we both keep the peace, and the underworld atmosphere changes.”She said and tried not to show any fear. But her p
Amara turned and started walking back to her room in a hurry.“I said, who is that?” Dominic’s voice echoed again.She paused, cleared her throat, then slowly turned to face him. Dominic had already tied his robe, but the two ladies beside him didn’t even bother to cover up. They stood there, completely naked, without shame.Dominic had that strong, hard face on.“And what the hell are you looking for?” he asked coldly.“Hey, please don’t give me that strong face,” Amara said sharply, almost raising her voice, trust me she doesn’t know what pushed her to say that. Even Dominic looked surprised.“I just got lost around the house,” she added, folding her arms. “I didn’t mean to see anything.”She turned to walk away, then turned back again.“I pronounce you husband and wife..that’s what the priest said. Emphasis on husband. So please, learn your role, and not… this.”With that, she flipped her hair to the side and walked off without looking back.The two naked ladies just stared at her,
The priest finally pronounced them husband and wife.Before anyone could say anything else, Dominic placed his hand on Amara’s arm and turned her gently toward the church crowd. He raised her hand and waved it, making her follow his lead like a doll.“It’s a joke when killers also have their place in God’s house,” Amara thought as she stared blankly at the sea of faces. “Well… we have a merciful God.”They were about to turn away when the priest spoke again.“Wait,” he said, smiling wide. “You haven’t kissed your bride.”Amara stiffened slightly.But Dominic didn’t flinch, Instead, he turned slowly to look at Scorpion.Scorpion knew what that meant. He had been told ahead of time, Dominic didn’t want a kiss. Not even a fake one.Scorpion gave a slight nod and shifted his eyes to the second priest standing behind the main one. The second priest leaned forward and whispered quickly.The main priest looked confused for a second, then adjusted the microphone and cleared his throat.“Ah, y
DOMINIC“So, is that everything about her?” Dominic asked, not looking up from the file on his desk.Scorpion..real name Raymond..stood across from him, arms crossed behind his back. People in the underworld feared him too, not just because of the way he killed, but because of the man he served. Everyone called him Scorpion because his sting was always silent… but deadly.“Yes, boss,” Scorpion replied. “That’s everything we could find.Amara is just Nineteen years old, No training, looks decent and harmless, But there’s something off.”Dominic raised a brow. “Off, how?”“She interfered in an execution. Tried to save the target Bianca Leone was supposed to kill. No weapon, no plan… she just reacted. Out of emotion.”Dominic leaned back in his chair. “So, she’s foolish.”“Maybe,” Scorpion said. “Or maybe she’s just… not like them.”Dominic looked up, waiting.“She was in medical school,” Scorpion continued. “Dropped out after her parents died. she wanted to be a doctor. “Interesting, Sh