One Hundred Five

Cassandra sat at her desk, staring at the computer screen filled with the latest reports on Nuovo Ordine and the increasingly uncontrollable movements of the mafia. Her heart was uneasy. She knew a big war was coming. She could feel it. The police station felt quieter than usual, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for something bad to happen. Suddenly, her phone vibrated. Cassandra frowned and picked it up, glancing at the name on the screen. Aunt Marrie. A warmth spread through her chest instantly. It had been a while since her aunt last called her. Without hesitation, she answered.

"Hello, Aunt?"

A soft but worried voice came from the other end.

"Cassandra, sweetheart… how are you?"

Cassandra smiled faintly, trying to mask the tension she had been carrying for so long.

"I'm fine, Aunt. Why are you calling all of a sudden?"

Aunt Marrie sighed softly before replying,

"I don’t know, Cass… I just feel like something’s not right. I have a bad feeling about you."

Cassandra stiffened slightly, but she quickly tried to calm her aunt down.

"Aunt, I’m fine. I'm still working at the police station, just busy with a few cases. That’s all."

But her aunt didn’t sound convinced.

"You don’t sound fine, Cass. I know you. I can tell when you’re hiding something from me."

Cassandra closed her eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. She didn’t want to worry her aunt.

"I promise, Aunt. I'm okay,"

she said softly. Aunt Marrie was silent for a moment before finally saying,

"Cass, I’ve always known you wanted to do something big. But… I’m afraid you’ve gone too deep into a world that isn’t meant for you."

The words hit her right in the heart. Too deep…

Yes, Cassandra knew. She had gone too deep. She wasn’t just a cop investigating mafia cases anymore. She had become a part of this game. Involved with Antonio. Trapped in feelings for Alexander. And now, caught in the middle of a war between the two most dangerous mafia groups in the city. There was no way out. But she couldn’t say that to her aunt.

"I can take care of myself, Aunt."

Aunt Marrie sighed again, her voice filled with even more worry.

"Cass… I don’t want to lose you. I already lost your parents, and you’re the only family I have left."

Cassandra felt her throat go dry.

"I’m not going anywhere, Aunt. I promise."

A long silence stretched between them before her aunt finally spoke again,

"If you ever need anything, if you ever feel unsafe… you can come home. I’ll always be here for you."

Cassandra gave a small smile, even as her eyes burned.

"I know, Aunt. Thank you."

After a few more words of goodbye, the call finally ended. Cassandra stared at her phone for a moment before setting it down on the desk. Her heart was still racing. Aunt Marrie rarely called her like this. If she actually did, it meant her bad feeling was strong. And the scariest part was…

Cassandra had the same feeling too. She bit her lip, her hands clenched into fists on the table. Was this a sign that something bad was about to happen? Her mind was filled with thoughts of Antonio and the looming war that was about to erupt. Cassandra sat at her desk, trying to focus on the stack of reports in front of her. But her thoughts were still a mess after the call from Aunt Marrie that morning. The bad feeling her aunt had was now creeping into her own chest. As she struggled to clear her mind, a soft knock on her office door startled her. She looked up and saw Alexander standing in the doorway, holding two cups of hot coffee.

"You look more serious than usual today,"

Alexander said as he stepped inside, setting one of the cups on Cassandra’s desk. Cassandra gave him a small smile, even though she knew Alexander could see right through her.

"I just... have a lot on my mind."

Alexander raised an eyebrow, then pulled up a chair and sat across from her.

"Maybe coffee will help a little."

She sighed and picked up the cup. The moment the aroma of the hot coffee reached her nose, she felt a little more at ease.

"Thanks, Alex. You always know how to make me feel better."

Alexander smiled, his gaze soft as he looked at her.

"I’ve known you for a long time, Cass. I can tell when you need someone to listen."

Cassandra took a slow sip, letting the warmth of the drink spread through her body. A few moments of silence passed before Alexander spoke again.

"I want to take you out tonight."

Cassandra looked at him, slightly surprised.

"Out?"

Alexander nodded.

"Winter’s here, and the city looks beautiful with the snow falling. I want to take you for a walk… maybe see the big Christmas tree downtown."

She hesitated, her heart trembling. Since they were kids, Alexander had always been the one who understood her, the one who could make her smile even in the darkest times.

"I don’t know, Alex..."

She lowered her gaze, wrapping both hands around her coffee cup. Alexander leaned in slightly, his voice softer now.

"Cass, I know a lot has been happening lately. I know everything is complicated, and I’m not asking for anything more. I just want us to spend time together like we used to… like when we were kids."

Cassandra lifted her eyes, meeting Alexander’s hopeful gaze. And despite herself, her heart softened. Maybe, just for tonight. Maybe, a little time with Alexander wouldn’t ruin everything. She gave a small smile and nodded.

"Alright… I’ll go."

Alexander’s face lit up with a grin, his eyes shining.

"Good. I promise, it’ll be fun."

Cassandra exhaled, trying to ignore the guilt creeping into her chest. Because deep down, she knew that being with Alexander only made her feelings even more conflicted. That night, Cassandra and Alexander walked side by side along the city sidewalks, surrounded by twinkling Christmas lights. The cold air bit at her skin, but she felt a strange warmth inside her every time she glanced at the man beside her. Alexander wore a long black coat, his scarf wrapped neatly around his neck, making him look more mature than usual. Cassandra, in her thick cream-colored coat, let the soft snowfall dust her shoulders. And yet, no matter how cold the night was, the warmth between them was undeniable.

"I still can’t believe you actually got me to come out tonight,"

Cassandra said with a small laugh, blowing out a breath that turned to mist in the freezing air. Alexander smirked.

"I have a talent for convincing you. Besides, when was the last time we did something like this?"

Cassandra thought for a moment, then shook her head.

"It’s been a long time… Maybe since we were still in the police academy."

Alexander nodded in agreement.

"That’s the problem, Cass. We used to always have time for moments like this, but now… everything feels like an endless battle."

Cassandra fell silent. Alexander was right. Her life was nothing like before—there was no space left to simply enjoy time with someone without burdens, without threats lurking in every corner of the city. But tonight, she wanted to forget everything. When they arrived at the city’s central park, Cassandra was instantly mesmerized. In the middle of the vast park, a giant Christmas tree stood tall, adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, casting a warm glow across the entire area. People strolled around, children laughed as they played in the snow, young couples held hands, soaking in the winter magic together. Cassandra stood still, her eyes shining with the reflection of the Christmas lights.

"Wow… this is incredible, Alex."

Alexander smiled, but his gaze remained fixed on Cassandra, not the tree.

"I knew you’d like it."

A warmth spread through her chest, and for a brief moment, she felt like a normal person again—not a cop tangled in mafia conflicts, not a woman caught between two men from vastly different worlds. Just a woman… enjoying a winter night with someone who meant so much to her. Suddenly, she felt something warm wrap around her hand. She tensed slightly but didn’t pull away. Alexander’s grip was gentle, providing warmth against the biting cold air. Cassandra turned to face him, finding him already looking at her with a serious expression.

"I know there’s a lot going on in your life, Cass…"

Alexander said softly, his fingers pressing lightly against hers as if to reassure her that he was really here.

"But there’s one thing I want you to know."

Cassandra held her breath.

"What is it?"

Alexander stared into her eyes, his voice laced with sincerity.

"I will always protect you, no matter what happens."

Her chest tightened—not just because of his words, but because of the way he said them. Not with the possessiveness Antonio carried. Not with threats, not with power. But with a promise, with certainty, with a kind of honesty that was impossible to reject. Cassandra bit her lip, feeling her resolve waver. Why am I feeling like this again? She held Alexander’s gaze for a long time, searching for the right words to respond. But all that came out was,

"Alex…"

Alexander smiled faintly, and without warning, he lifted her hand and intertwined their fingers.

"You don’t have to say anything right now, Cass. I just want you to know that I’m here. Always."

She didn’t pull her hand away. She just stood there, letting the feeling bloom inside her, allowing the memories she had buried for so long to resurface. But deep in her mind, she knew this winter wouldn’t stay white for long. There would be blood. And soon, the whole city would be painted red.

The Silver Thorn Headquarters –

Preparing for War In a hidden underground room, Antonio stood before his best soldiers. The dim lighting cast harsh shadows across his tense face. On the table, a city district map was spread out, marked with red dots showing Nuovo Ordine’s positions.

"Tonight, we move,"

Antonio’s voice was sharp and cold.

"We’ve let them breathe for too long. Leonardo has played his games with us for far too long."

Marcus stood beside him, his expression just as serious.

"We’ve secured all the entry points to the docks. Our main forces will attack from the north, while the infiltration team moves in from the west. We’ll trap them from two sides."

Lorenzo, one of Antonio’s top agents, smirked as he checked the ammo in his gun.

"And what if they already know we’re coming?"

Antonio's eyes were sharp.

"Then we keep moving forward. They will not see us retreat."

His men nodded in unison. Tonight, the war would begin. Surveillance Room, South Dock On the other side of the city, inside a surveillance room at the South Dock, five of Leonardo’s elite agents gathered, monitoring Antonio’s forces through multiple screens displaying footage from hidden cameras placed throughout the dock. One of the agents, a tall man with silver hair, smirked as he watched the red dots moving across the screen.

"They’re coming, just like we expected,"

he said, glancing at his colleague. Another agent, a short-haired woman, crossed her arms.

"The trap is set. Once they step in, we cut off their escape."

A third agent, responsible for strategy, tapped a few keys on the keyboard, bringing up different angles from drones circling above the dock.

"They think they’re the ones attacking, but in reality, they’re the prey."

The silver-haired man chuckled.

"They’re not making it home tonight."

The Battle at the Dock –

The War Begins When Antonio’s forces arrived at the South Dock, an unnatural silence blanketed the area.

"There’s no movement,"

Lorenzo whispered, peering from behind a stack of shipping containers. Antonio raised his hand, signaling his men to stay alert.

"Keep moving. Don’t take the bait."

Marcus pressed a button on his communicator.

"West team, status?"

A voice crackled through the radio, slightly distorted by static.

"No enemy contact yet. Advancing slowly."

Antonio stepped forward, his gun already in hand. But just as he took another step deeper into the dock, something happened.

BOOM!

An explosion shook the area, sending several of Antonio’s men flying backward.

"AMBUSH!"

Marcus shouted, immediately taking cover behind a container. From the rooftop of an old warehouse, Nuovo Ordine’s forces emerged, armed with automatic rifles.

RATATATATAT!

Gunfire erupted mercilessly, tearing through Antonio’s men before they could find cover. Blood splattered onto the dock’s wooden planks.

"They were waiting for us!"

Lorenzo yelled, firing back at a sniper on the rooftop. Antonio struggled to stay calm amidst the chaos. He quickly issued an order.

"Take them down! Don’t let them separate us!"

But Nuovo Ordine was too well-prepared. One of Leonardo’s elite agents—the silver-haired man from their headquarters—stepped into the battlefield. With his long-barreled rifle, he aimed and fired.

BANG!

A single shot to the head. One of Antonio’s men dropped instantly, blood pooling beneath him. Antonio growled in fury.

"Son of a bitch!"

He fired back, but the elite agent moved fast, dodging the bullets with ease.

Meanwhile,

Marcus and Lorenzo fought desperately, trying to hold their ground. But Leonardo’s strategy was flawless. One by one, Antonio’s men started falling. They were losing too many people, while Nuovo Ordine remained strong. Lorenzo, one of Antonio’s most trusted right-hand men, pushed forward, attempting to eliminate an enemy hiding behind the containers. But before he could pull the trigger—

BANG!

A bullet tore through his chest. Lorenzo’s eyes widened, his breath hitching. Blood trickled from his lips.

"Shit..."

he whispered before his body collapsed to the ground. Marcus screamed,

"LORENZO!"

But there was no time to mourn. They had to survive—or die trying. Antonio realized this plan had completely fallen apart. With their numbers dwindling, he made the hardest decision of his life.

"Fall back!"

he shouted. Marcus turned to him in shock.

"But Boss—"

"WE FALL BACK!"

Antonio roared, his face filled with barely contained fury. The remaining soldiers immediately scrambled to escape, running through the remnants of the battlefield.

Antonio vs. Leonardo –

A Staredown in the Midst of Defeat As Antonio retreated, he suddenly felt a presence ahead of him. Leonardo Franches. Standing directly in his path, his half-brother watched him with a victorious smirk.

"I’ve been waiting for you, little brother,"

Leonardo said in a calm, measured tone.

"And look who’s losing tonight?"

Antonio panted, his shoulder bleeding from the battle. But his eyes remained sharp, burning with hatred.

"This isn’t over,"

he growled. Leonardo chuckled, crossing his arms.

"Oh, but it is, Antonio. You just haven’t realized it yet."

Antonio wanted to strike, to shoot him right then and there. But he knew this wasn’t a fight he could win. With what little strength he had left, Antonio turned and disappeared into the night with the remnants of his men.

South Dock –

The Beginning of War The night wind howled through the South Dock, carrying an undeniable tension. Antonio and his men moved cautiously between the stacked shipping containers, their weapons drawn.

"No movement,"

Marcus whispered, scanning the area with wary eyes.

"That’s what worries me,"

Lorenzo muttered. But before anyone could react—

BOOM!

An explosion ripped through the dock, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Shards of metal flew through the air, throwing everything into chaos.

"AMBUSH!"

one of Antonio’s men shouted.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Gunfire rang out in every direction. Bullets rained down, tearing through The Silver Thorn’s forces, who hadn’t expected to be hit this fast. From the rooftops and behind the shipping crates, Nuovo Ordine’s soldiers emerged—fully armed and ready. They had been waiting. They knew Antonio was coming. Marcus ducked behind a container, returning fire.

"FUCK! It’s a trap!"

Antonio narrowed his eyes, raising his gun and shooting at an enemy sniper perched atop a crane.

"Hold your ground! We have to get out of here!"

But Antonio’s men were dropping one by one. From a distance, a silver-haired man stood on the balcony of the main warehouse, watching the battle unfold below him with a satisfied smile. Leonardo Franches. With his arms crossed over his chest, he observed as Antonio and his men struggled, their forces dwindling fast. Beside him, a Nuovo Ordine elite agent reported,

"Their forces have lost more than half. We can finish them now."

Leonardo smirked.

"No. Let them hold on a little longer. I want Antonio to feel what it’s like to lose."

BANG! Another gunshot echoed through the chaos, and in the midst of the bloodshed, Lorenzo—Antonio’s best agent—tried to break through the barricade, aiming to strike directly at the heart of the enemy forces. But before he could get close—

BANG! BANG!

wo bullets pierced his chest. Lorenzo’s eyes widened as his body jerked backward before dropping to his knees.

"FUCK…!"

he gasped before collapsing into a pool of his own blood.

"LORENZO!"

Marcus shouted, trying to run to him, but Antonio grabbed his arm, stopping him.

"Don’t! We can’t save him!"

Marcus clenched his teeth, rage burning in his eyes, but he knew Antonio was right. If they tried to rescue Lorenzo now, they would all die. Suddenly, the battlefield fell into a brief silence. And in the middle of the warzone, Leonardo Franches finally emerged. He walked forward slowly, flanked by his men, a victorious smirk playing on his lips. Antonio, his shoulder bleeding and his breath ragged, glared at his brother with pure hatred.

"So, you finally crawl out of hiding, Leonardo,"

Antonio said, his voice deep and seething with anger. Leonardo chuckled.

"Oh, I was never hiding, little brother. I was just waiting for the perfect moment to bring you down."

Antonio growled, gripping his gun tighter.

"You think you can take what’s mine?"

Leonardo’s smirk widened.

"I don’t need to take it. You’re going to lose everything. Just like Father lost his life—at my hands."

BANG!

Without thinking, Antonio fired at Leonardo. But Leonardo was faster. He dodged to the side as his men immediately unleashed a storm of bullets at Antonio.

RATATATATAT!

"We need to get the hell out of here!"

Marcus yelled, realizing they were completely outnumbered. Antonio wanted to fight. He wanted to kill his brother right there and then. But he knew—this wasn’t the time. With the last of his strength, he signaled his remaining soldiers to retreat. They ran through the maze of containers, trying to escape the dock that was now littered with corpses. Behind them, Leonardo just stood there, watching his wounded brother flee, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

"Run, Antonio,"

he murmured.

"Because this is just the beginning."