Empire of Blood and Lies

Morning light slipped through the tall windows, soft but sharp, painting the sheets with red.

Muna Romano,no, Muna Castelli,lay on her back, the heavy silk wrapping around her like a trap. Her body hurt, every bruise and bite proof of the battle she lost to Felix last night.

The bathroom door opened slow. Steam drifted out, thick and heavy, carrying the smell of soap and skin. Felix walked into the room, a black towel hanging low on his hips. Water slid over scars from old fights, and new lines from her nails marked his chest.

He looked like pure sin,handsome in a way that hurt, and dangerous in a way that warned her to stay away.

"Good morning, wife.” His voice was smooth, but sharp underneath, Did you sleep well?

Muna pulled the sheet higher, her dark hair a wild curtain around her shoulders. "Go fuck yourself, Felix."

His laughter was soft, deadly music. "I'd rather fuck you again. The way you begged for more last night was... unbelievable

Heat flashed through her body,shame, rage, and the terrible memory of how her body had surrendered. "I didn't beg for anything, you bastard."

"Didn't you?" He moved closer, each step predatory. "I remember quite clearly. 'Please, Felix. Don't stop. Harder.'" His voice mimicked her breathless pleass with cruel accuracy. "Should I continue?"

"You're a liar."

"Am I?" He sat on the bed's edge, close enough that she could feel his heat. "Your body knows the truth, even if your pride won't admit it. You wanted me. Craved me. Just like you did when we were kids."

The words hit like bullets. Because he was right. Despite everything the blood, the betrayal, the hate,her body had come alive under his touch, responding with a hunger that terrified her.

"That means nothing,” she whispered, holding the sheet to her chest like a shield.

"Changes everything." His fingers traced her bare shoulder, raising goosebumps she couldn't hide. "You're not just my wife now, Muna. You're my partner. My equal in this empire we're going to build."

Her head snapped up. "What?"

Felix rose and walked to the window. The city spread out below his city, built on drugs, fear, and betrayal.

“This marriage isn’t only about revenge,” he said coldly. It isn’t just about our fathers’ deal. It’s about power. Real power

He turned back to her, his eyes burning with ambition that made him look almost mad. "Romano connections, Castelli muscle. Your brain, my brutality. Together, we don't just control the East Coast,we own it from Miami to Boston."

"You want me to work with you?" The idea was so insane it stole her breath.

"I want you to help me build the greatest criminal empire this country has ever seen." He moved to his dresser, pulling out a black suit that probably cost more than a fortune . "Starting today."

"And if I refuse?"

His smile could freeze hell. "Then your mother's new house in Miami becomes her tomb. Your uncle Stefano and his men join your brothers in the ground. And you spend the rest of your very short life locked in this room, useful only for my pleasure."

The threat filled in the room like poison.

“But,” Felix went on, buttoning his shirt with calm care, “if you work with me, you’ll have something you haven’t had in five years,real power. The chance to bring back the Romano name, this time under Castelli protection.”

Muna's mind raced. This was her opening, the crack in his armor she'd been searching for. From inside his empire, she could learn every weakness, every secret. She could plan his destruction from the heart of his own fortress.

"What kind of partnership?" she asked carefully.

"Full access. My meetings, my operations, my books." Felix adjusted his tie, looking every inch the legitimate businessman who happened to traffic in death. "Romano suppliers become Castelli suppliers. Your old territories fold into mine. And you help me manage it all."

"Why would you trust me with that?"

"Because I don't trust you. I'm counting on your hatred to keep you sharp, dangerous, useful." His laugh was dark velvet. "And because I know something you don't know yet."

"Which is?"

"You're going to love the power more than you hate me." He moved closer, backing her against the headboard. "Money, respect, fear,it's in your blood, Muna. Just like it's in mine."

Before she could respond, his phone buzzed. He answered with cold efficiency.

"Vincent. Conference room. Ten minutes." He hung up, his attention returning to her. "Get dressed. Something that says 'dangerous queen,' not 'broken victim.' We have work to do."

I'm not going anywhere with you.

"Yes, you are,” Felix said. “Because in one hour, I’ll tell my men that Romano business is now Castelli business. That means their soldiers, their loyalty, their lives,everything.”

His eyes went cold, hunting. “Unless you rather explain to them yourself why their new boss shouldn’t put bullets in their skulls for old sins.”

The bastard had her trapped again.

Twenty minutes later, Muna stood in the elevator in a black dress that hugged her curves and hid the knife strapped to her thigh. Felix had chosen it on purpose,elegant enough for a meeting, dangerous enough for war.

"Remember," he murmured as they descended, "you're not a prisoner anymore. You're Mrs. Felix Castelli, co-owner of the largest drug empire on the East Coast. Act like it."

The conference room felt more like a war council than a meeting. Vincent Torrino sat at Felix’s right, his sharp eyes always measuring. Carlo Castelli, Felix’s uncle, watched her with open doubt. Around the table sat men she knew too well,killers who fought for money, for loyalty, and to stay alive.

And in the corner, three Romano soldiers who'd switched sides. Men who'd once sworn loyalty to her father.

"Gentlemen," Felix began, his voice carrying absolute authority, "yesterday's marriage wasn't just personal. It was business. From today forward, Romano operations merge completely with Castelli operations."

Murmurs rippled around the table,some approving, others concerned.

"Mrs. Castelli will oversee the transition," Felix continued, his hand possessive on her shoulder. "She knows Romano suppliers, routes, and personnel better than anyone."

Vincent leaned forward. "Boss, with respect, how do we know she won't sell us out first chance she gets?"

Felix's smile was razor-sharp. "Because she's smarter than that. And because she knows the consequences."

As if on cue, Sofia walked in carrying a secure phone. Felix took the call, listened without a word, then held the device out to Muna.

Your mother wants to speak with you.

Muna's heart slammed. She took the phone with trembling fingers.

"Mama?"

"My darling." Isabella's voice was weak but alive. "I'm at the house. It's..beautiful. Safe."

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, love. But Muna..." Her mother's voice dropped to a whisper. "Be careful. This man, he's not what he seems. There are things you don't know. Things about your father's death,"

The line went dead.

Felix was watching her with predatory interest. "Everything alright?"

"She's fine." But her mother's words echoed like warning bells. Things about your father's death. What didn't she know?

"Good. Now, as I was saying…” Felix turned back to his men, but Muna barely heard him. Her thoughts raced,schemes, escape, and her mother’s warning echoing like a curse.

She was trapped in this marriage, this empire, this web of lies and blood money. But she wasn't helpless. She had access now,to files, meetings, secrets. And if Felix thought he could turn her into his obedient partner, he was about to learn how wrong he could be.

The meeting continued around her, but Muna's attention drifted to the Romano soldiers in the corner. Men who'd served her father. Men who might still remember their true loyalty.

One of them,Marco's cousin, Tony,caught her eye. For just a moment, something passed between them. Recognition. Understanding.

Maybe even hope.

Felix's empire was built on blood and betrayal. But empires could fall just as easily as they rose. And Muna Romano Castelli was about to become his most dangerous enemy from within.

As the meeting ended and Felix's men filed out, he turned to her with satisfaction gleaming in his dark eyes.

"Ready to rule the underworld, Mrs. Castelli?"

"More than you know, husband."

But as they left the conference room together, Muna caught sight of something that made her blood run cold. In the hallway, hanging like a trophy, was a photograph she'd never seen before.

Her father and Felix's father. Standing together, laughing, arms around each other's shoulders. But in the background, barely visible, stood a figure she recognized.

Her mother. Isabella Romano.

And she was holding hands with someone else. Someone whose face was turned away from the camera.

“The photo was taken six months before the fathers died.”

Muna's step faltered. Felix noticed immediately.

"Something wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied, her mind reeling with implications. "Just... admiring your family history."

Felix glanced at the photo, his expression unreadable. "The past is full of secrets, isn't it? Good thing we're focused on the future."

But as they walked away, Muna couldn't shake the feeling that the past was about to destroy everything she thought she knew about her family, her father's death, and the war that had shaped her entire life.

But now she knows something was wrong ,they is something behind all this. “