Chapter 1
Here's Chapter 1 of Crowned in Shadows:
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Chapter 1: The Throne of Blood
The scent of cigar smoke lingered in the air, mixing with the rich aroma of aged whiskey. Sofia Moretti sat in her father's leather chair, her fingers trailing over the cold mahogany desk. The seat was still warm from his presence, yet he was gone—murdered in cold blood.
She had spent years in the background, watching, learning, but never truly part of the business. Her father had shielded her from the darkest corners of his empire. But now, there was no one left to protect her.
A sharp knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts.
"Enter."
The door creaked open, and Marco stepped in—her father's most trusted consigliere. His face was hardened with age, but the sorrow in his eyes was undeniable. "Sofia, the council is waiting. They expect an announcement."
Sofia stood, smoothing the black silk of her dress. "They want to see if I'm weak."
"They want to see if you can lead," Marco corrected. "And some… want to see if they can take what's yours."
She met his gaze, steel in her eyes. "Then I'll remind them who they're dealing with."
Marco nodded approvingly. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The Council Room
The moment Sofia stepped inside, all eyes turned to her. The room was filled with powerful men, each one with their own agenda, their own ambitions. They had been loyal to her father, but loyalty in the mafia was as fragile as a thread—one wrong move, and it snapped.
She took her seat at the head of the table, a place that had always belonged to her father.
Silence stretched before one of them finally spoke. "Sofia," said Vincent Romano, a man in his fifties with cold, calculating eyes. "We are all deeply saddened by your father's passing. But the question remains—what now?"
Sofia let the silence build before she answered. "What now?" she echoed. "Nothing changes. The Moretti family stands strong. I will lead."
A chuckle broke the silence. "A woman leading a mafia empire?" said another man, his voice dripping with amusement. "Forgive me, but do you really think—"
"I don't think," Sofia cut in sharply. "I know."
The man's smile faltered.
She leaned forward, her tone icy. "You are all here because my father trusted you. That trust extends as long as you respect my rule. If not…" She let the words hang, a silent warning in the air.
Vincent smirked. "Strong words, Sofia. But words mean nothing in our world. Power is what keeps a leader in place."
Sofia met his gaze without flinching. "Then you should all start getting used to my rule. Because I'm not going anywhere."
The room sat in tense silence. Some of them doubted her. Some of them feared her. But one thing was certain—Sofia Moretti was no longer just the daughter of a mafia boss.
She was the boss.
And anyone who stood in her way would regretes it match the tone you're going for?