Enemies at the Altar

The morning sun pierced through the penthouse windows like bullets, waking Muna from restless nightmares filled with blood and wedding bells. Her body ached from sleeping in the chair,she refused to touch the bed that would soon become her prison.

Sofia slipped in quietly, holding a cup of coffee that smelled amazing but made her stomach turn.

“Your mother’s here,” she whispered, glancing nervously at the cameras. “She got in this morning with the others.”

Muna's heart slammed against her ribs. "Where?"

"Floor fifteen. Under guard." Sofia's voice dropped even lower. "She's asking for you.

Relief and terror crashed through her veins. Her mother was alive, but now they were all trapped in Felix's web.

An hour later, Vincent appeared at her door like death wearing an expensive suit.

"Boss wants to see you," he announced, his shark smile gleaming.

"Tell your boss to go straight to hell."

He knew you’d say that,” Vincent said, smiling. “That’s why he has something you need to see.”

The elevator descended like a journey into the underworld. When the doors opened on the fifteenth floor, Muna's breath caught in her throat.

There, behind golden bars in a luxurious prison, sat Isabella Romano.

Her mother looked smaller than Muna remembered, leaner, older, with silver streaks in her black hair. But her eyes still burned with the fire that had made her feared and respected in their world.

"My daughter," Isabella whispered, rising from the chair.

They embraced through the bars, both women fighting tears they couldn't afford to show. Not here. Not in front of their enemies.

"Mama, I'm going to get you out," Muna promised against her mother's ear.

"No, my love. You're going to survive. That's all that matters now.

Behind them, Uncle Stefano and two other Romano soldiers watched with hollow eyes. These broken men were all that remained of their once,mighty empire.

"How touching."

Felix's voice cut through the moment like ice water. He stood in the doorway, devastating and dangerous in his perfectly tailored black suit, watching them with cold amusement.

"“You bastard,” Muna growled, whipping around to face him. “Release them now”and let them go

"Let them go?" Felix laughed, the sound sharp as breaking glass. "They're my honored guests. Very special guests."

They're prisoners.

"They're breathing. That's more mercy than your family ever showed mine."

The words hit like bullets. Muna stepped closer, her hands clenched into fists. "My family didn't start this fucking war."

"Didn't they?" Felix's eyes turned black as midnight. "Your father put three bullets in mine. Your soldiers burned my warehouses. Your family killed my men in the streets like rabid dogs."

"Because you killed my brothers!" The words exploded from her chest like shrapnel. "Nico and Dante ,they fought in your fucking war, but your men gunned them down in the streets like dogs."

Felix’s face stayed calm, but his eyes flickered. “War has its losses.”

"Nico was twenty-two and Dante was twenty-four," Muna continued, her voice breaking with rage. "They died fighting for our family. But they're dead because of you. Because of your sick need for revenge."

"And that's going to be your end, Felix," she stepped closer, close enough to smell his expensive cologne. "I'm going to destroy you from the inside out. I'm going to take everything you love and burn it to ash."

"Is that a threat, wife?"

"It's a fucking promise, husband."

They stared at each other across the space between them, two predators circling, waiting for first blood.

"Vincent," Felix said quietly, never taking his eyes off Muna. "Return our guests to their rooms."

"All of them, boss?"

"All except her. Mrs. Castelli and I have business to discuss."

The elevator ride to his office was silent, but the air crackled with violence barely held in check. When they reached his private study, Felix poured himself whiskey with hands steady as stone.

"Drink?" he offered, his voice mockingly polite.

"I'd rather drink rat poison."

"It might taste better." He settled behind his massive desk like a king on his throne. "Sit."

"I'll stand."

"It wasn't a fucking request."

Muna remained standing, her chin raised in pure defiance. "You can't make me do anything."

"Can't I?" Felix pressed a button. A screen dropped from the ceiling, showing her mother's room. Isabella paced like a caged animal, her hands shaking. "One word from me, and mommy starts bleeding."

White,hot rage flooded Muna's system. "You sick piece of shit."

"Sit. Down. Now."

This time she obeyed, but her eyes promised murder with every breath.

Felix studied her, swirling his whiskey like liquid gold. “You honestly think you can take me down?”

"I know I can."

"From our marriage bed? While wearing my ring and carrying my name?" His laugh was soft and deadly. "You think because we're getting married, you'll have some kind of power over me?"

"I think you're not as strong as you pretend to be."

Felix set down his glass with deliberate care. "You want to know what I think, Muna?"

"Not really."

"I think you're confusing me with someone who gives a damn about your feelings." He leaned back, his dark eyes traveling slowly down her body like hands. "I think you believe that because we used to mess around as kids, I might go soft."

His gaze lingered on her lips, her throat, the curve of her breasts beneath her silk blouse. "I think you're hoping that when I get you naked in my bed, I'll remember the little girl who used to beg for my touch."

Heat flashed through Muna's body, but she kept her voice steady. "I think you're a delusional ,”you psychopath."

"Maybe. But I'm a delusional psychopath who owns you now." He stood, moving around the desk like a panther stalking wounded prey. "Body and soul, Mrs. Castelli."

"You don't own shit."

"Don't I?" He stopped inches away, close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. Soon you'll stand in front of everyone who matters and promise to love, honor, and obey me. Then I'll take you to our bedroom and remind your body who it belongs to."

"The only thing you'll get from me is hatred."

Felix's smile was pure predator. "We both know that's a lie."

His hand traced her jaw with mock gentleness. "You can hate me all you want, . But your body remains mine. Your pulse is racing right now. Your breathing is getting shallow. You're fighting not to lean into my touch."

"You're imagining things."

"Am I?" His thumb brushed across her lower lip, and she couldn't stop the small gasp that escaped. "I remember exactly how you used to respond to me, Muna. How you'd melt when I kissed you. How you'd beg for more when I touched you."

"That girl is dead."

"Is she? Because the woman sitting in front of me is breathing hard, and I haven't even really touched you yet."

Muna jerked back, her cheeks burning with shame and unwanted desire. "Go to hell."

"I'd rather fuck you. And I will. Every night. Until you forget there was ever a time when you weren't mine."

The words hit her like a physical blow. "I'll find a way to make you pay for everything."

"I'm counting on it. It'll make breaking you so much more satisfying." His smile could cut diamonds. "But remember something, beautiful,every night, you'll be in my bed. Every morning, you'll wake up next to the man who killed your brothers. And every day, you'll have to decide if you can live with that."

Silence stretched between them, thick with promise and threat.

"Your mother will be released Felix said finally, returning to his chair. "She'll attend the wedding as a free woman. Afterward, she'll get a house in Miami, a new identity, a chance at peace."

Muna's head snapped up. "What's the catch?"

"No catch. Just a wedding gift from your loving husband."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe whatever the hell you want. But she's suffered enough for your father's mistakes." His voice turned cold as winter. "The wedding is tonight Elena will help you prepare. Don't try anything stupid there are a hundred armed men in this building, and they all answer to me."

Muna stood on shaking legs. "This isn't over."

"No," Felix agreed, his eyes dark with deadly promise. "It's just beginning."he laughed coldly

Back in her golden cage, Muna paced like a trapped wolf. Soon she would become Mrs. Felix Castelli. Soon she would stand beside the man who had murdered her brothers and promise to love him until death.

But tonight..!tonight she had to prepare for the war of her life.

Hours later, a knock interrupted her planning. Sofia entered carrying an elegant evening gown.

"Mr. Castelli requests your presence for dinner," she said quietly.

The dress was black silk, cut to show every dangerous curve of her body. It was elegant and seductive and completely inappropriate for a prisoner.

"Tell Mr. Castelli I'm not hungry."

"He said you'd say that. He also said dinner isn't optional."

Of course it wasn't.

An hour later, Muna descended to the dining room in the black dress, her dark hair swept up to show her neck, her lips painted red as fresh blood. If Felix wanted to play games, she'd show him she could play them better.

He was waiting for her, devastating in his black suit, his eyes heating when he saw her approach.

"Stunning," he murmured, pulling out her chair like a gentleman.

"Bastard," she replied sweetly, settling into her seat.

They ate in tense silence, every look a weapon, every word sharp. The candlelight flickered, throwing shadows that seemed alive.

“Tonight,” Felix said at last, his voice low and dangerous as he watched her over his wine glass, “everything changes between us.”

“Yes,” Muna said, meeting his gaze with steel in her eyes. “Everything.”

She lifted her wine, moving smooth and careful, deadly as a snake. In a few hours, she would wear white silk and diamonds. Tonight, she looked like an angel while planning his downfall.