Secrets Between Them

The warehouse in the Meatpacking District was cold, even with the heaters running. Muna sat wrapped in one of Felix’s shirts, watching him talk to Vincent over an encrypted call about the council meeting happening that night.“Every family will be there,” Vincent said. “The Russians, Irish, Mexicans everyone.”“Security?” Felix asked.“As tight as possible, but it’s still risky. All our enemies in one room””“That’s the point,” Felix cut in. “We either take control now or fight them one by one later.”After the call, Felix walked to Muna and pulled her close. “You sure about this?”“No,” she admitted, “but we don’t have a choice. We show strength, or we look weak. There’s no middle ground.”He kissed her. It started soft but quickly turned into something hungry and rough. They needed to feel each other to remind themselves they were alive.When it was over, they stayed pressed together, breathing hard.“I love you,” Felix whispered. “Whatever happens tonight, remember that.”“I love y

Last Updated : 2025-10-18

The Truth Comes Out

The safe house was cold in the morning. Muna had not slept. The weight of her lies pressed on her chest like a stone. Felix still slept beside her, one arm thrown across her waist. He looked peaceful. She traced the line of his jaw and tried to memorize it. In a few hours, everything could change. He might never look at her the same way again.Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She reached for it slowly, careful not to wake him. An unknown number filled the screen:TIME’S UP. TONIGHT. 8 PM. THE SAME WAREHOUSE WHERE WE MET. COME ALONE OR I TELL FELIX EVERYTHING. YOUR CHOICE.Her hands began to shake. The debt had been called in.She could run. She could pack a bag and disappear before Felix woke. But running would prove every bad thing he already suspected. It would shred whatever trust they had left.Or she could tell him. Finally. Before the enemy did.The idea of telling him made her throat close. The thought of watching his face change when he heard the truth terrified her more th

Last Updated : 2025-10-18

Confessions and Consequences

The warehouse loomed like a tomb in the darkness. Felix's convoy rolled to a stop three blocks away, engines cutting to silence. Twenty armed soldiers moved through shadows with lethal precision, spreading out to surround the building where Isabella was supposedly being held captive.Muna crouched beside Felix behind a rusted shipping container, her heart slamming against her ribs. But beneath the fear for her mother lived a guilt so crushing she could barely breathe.She had to tell him. Now. Before they walked into whatever trap waited inside."Felix," she whispered, grabbing his arm. "There's something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you days ago.""Not now." His eyes stayed locked on the warehouse, scanning for threats. "We talk after we get your mother out.""No. Now." Her voice shook with urgency. "Because if something happens in there, if one of us doesn't make it out, I need you to know the truth."He turned to face her, his expression darkening in the dim li

Last Updated : 2025-10-26

Distance and Doubt

Back at the safe house, the silence was deafening. Isabella sat on the couch, cleaned and bandaged, staring at nothing. Vincent coordinated security while Carlo handled communications with their remaining operations. And Felix stood at the window, refusing to look at Muna.The ride back had been torture—three hours of heavy silence, Felix sitting as far from her as possible, his jaw clenched so tight she could see the muscle ticking. Now, in the supposed safety of their temporary home, the distance between them felt like an ocean."We need to talk," Muna said quietly."Not now." His voice was ice."Felix—""I said not now!" He whirled to face her, and the fury in his eyes made her flinch. "Do you have any idea what it felt like watching you walk toward that psychopath? Knowing you'd made a deal behind my back, that you were willing to sacrifice yourself because you thought I couldn't handle the truth?""I was trying to save my mother—""By lying to me! By keeping secrets! By breaking

Last Updated : 2025-10-26

Fighting Alone

Three days passed like three years. Felix didn't come back. Didn't call. Didn't send word through Vincent or Carlo. He'd simply vanished, leaving Muna to manage their crumbling empire alone.The Russians sensed weakness immediately. They hit a Castelli warehouse in Brooklyn, burned it to the ground, killed two soldiers. It was a clear challenge—without Felix actively leading, they thought the organization would fold.Muna stood in the Red Hook safe house, staring at maps and intelligence reports spread across the dining table. Carlo stood beside her, his expression carefully neutral."The men are asking what you want to do," he said quietly. "They need direction.""Where's Felix?" she asked, not for the first time."Still unreachable. Vincent says he's somewhere safe but needs time." Carlo paused. "Which means you're in charge, Mrs. Castelli. The question is—what do you want to do about the Russians?"Muna studied the maps, her mind working through options. Three days ago, she would h

Last Updated : 2025-10-26

All Chapters of VENDETTA’S BRIDE: Chapter 21 - Chapter 25

Secrets Between Them

The Truth Comes Out

Confessions and Consequences

Distance and Doubt

Fighting Alone