One Hundred Twelve

Back at the Mansion –

A Calming Night The night air was cold as Antonio’s car finally passed through the gates of his mansion. From a distance, several of Antonio’s men stood on high alert, ready to welcome their leader home. Marcus quickly stepped beside the car as Antonio opened the door, gently pulling Cassandra out. Cassandra looked exhausted, her face slightly pale after hours on that desolate island. But the moment she gazed at Antonio, her eyes filled with warmth and gratitude.

"You’re safe now,"

Antonio whispered, his hand still gripping her waist firmly. Cassandra gave a small nod, still feeling the tension lingering in her body. Marcus observed them for a moment before speaking.

"Boss, we still need to stay on guard. Leonardo could retaliate at any moment."

Antonio nodded without taking his eyes off Cassandra.

"Increase security around the mansion. Make sure no one gets close without my knowledge."

Marcus nodded and immediately relayed orders to the rest of the team. Meanwhile, Antonio pulled Cassandra closer, leading her inside the mansion. Once inside their bedroom, Cassandra sat on the edge of the bed, her breaths still uneven. Her eyes locked onto Antonio, who now stood before her, his expression intense.

"I can’t believe I’m still alive,"

she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Antonio stared deep into her eyes, slowly moving closer.

"As long as I’m breathing, you’ll stay alive, Cassandra."

Cassandra fell silent, her eyes growing warm. All this time, she had tried to keep her distance from Antonio. But tonight, she couldn’t deny it any longer—he was the only man who made her feel truly safe.

"Thank you… for not giving up on me,"

she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Antonio reached out, gently caressing her cheek.

"I will always find you."

His touch sent her heart racing. Antonio knelt before her, their faces only inches apart. His dark eyes traced every expression on Cassandra’s face as if ensuring she was really here, in front of him.

"I nearly lost my mind looking for you,"

he muttered, his voice deeper, more raw. Cassandra swallowed hard, heat creeping up her body just from his gaze.

"I know,"

she whispered back, unconsciously gripping his arm. Antonio glanced at her lips before locking eyes with her again.

"I’m never letting you go again,"

he whispered before lowering his head and pressing his lips against hers in a soft kiss. Cassandra was momentarily stunned, but her body responded instantly. Her hands instinctively wrapped around Antonio’s neck, pulling him closer. Antonio deepened the kiss, his grip on her waist tightening, pressing her against him. The desire they had suppressed for so long finally ignited. Cassandra could no longer deny how much she wanted him. Antonio slowly pushed her back onto the bed, his body hovering over hers with dominance that left her breathless.

"I lost you once. I won’t let it happen again."

"I don’t want to go anywhere,"

Cassandra whispered breathlessly. Antonio’s lips trailed down her neck, leaving a burning path that made her arch beneath him. Every touch, every kiss, set her entire body on fire. Cassandra couldn’t fight it anymore. She surrendered. That night, for the first time in a long time, Cassandra not only slept in peace—but in the arms of the man who had completely claimed her heart. Cassandra Wakes Up Beside Antonio The morning sun peeked through the bedroom curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. Cassandra stretched beneath the satin sheets, her body still exhausted yet comforted by the warmth of the man beside her. She slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Antonio lying next to her, watching her with those deep, intense eyes. He didn’t say a word, just gazed at her, as if etching every detail of her face into his memory. Cassandra’s heartbeat quickened. She still wasn’t used to how intensely Antonio looked at her, as if she was the most precious thing in his world.

"Have you been staring at me like that for long?"

she murmured, her voice husky from sleep. Antonio smirked slightly, the corner of his lips lifting.

"Long enough,"

he replied casually.

"I just needed to make sure you were really here."

Cassandra smiled softly.

"I’m not going anywhere."

Antonio rested his head on the pillow, still watching her, but now with a softer expression. His hand reached out, caressing Cassandra’s face, his thumb tracing her cheek down to her lips.

"I lost you once. I won’t let you slip away again."

Cassandra felt heat spreading through her entire body just from his whispered words. Antonio moved slowly, closer, until his breath touched her skin. She could smell his distinct scent—a mix of fine tobacco, sandalwood, and the faint trace of gunpowder still clinging to his skin. This man was danger, destruction, and absolute power… yet Cassandra couldn’t look away from him. Antonio cupped her chin, lowering his head until their lips were nearly touching.

"I need more than just knowing you’re here,"

he whispered, his breath hot against her skin. Then, he kissed her—deeper, more demanding. Cassandra was momentarily stunned, but her body melted into the kiss instantly. It was wild, passionate. Antonio dominated completely, pressing Cassandra down onto the bed, his hands tracing every curve of her body with a burning intensity. He pulled her even closer, feeling every inch of her against him. His hand wrapped around her waist, keeping her tight against him.

"You’re mine, Cassandra,"

he murmured between heated kisses.

"Only mine."

Cassandra bit her lip, feeling her body weaken under his control.

"I don’t belong to anyone, Antonio…"

she whispered with a teasing smile. Antonio’s gaze darkened with challenge, his lips curling into a smirk.

"Oh, you’ve been mine for a long time, sweetheart. You’re just too stubborn to admit it."

Cassandra let out a soft laugh, but it was cut short as Antonio’s lips found her neck again, leaving heated marks along her skin. His hands explored her body gently yet possessively, as if carving every inch of her as his own. That morning, in the quiet room, only the sounds of ragged breaths, whispers, and passion filled the air. After moments of warmth and undeniable connection, Cassandra rested against Antonio’s chest, her breathing still uneven. Antonio’s hand lazily traced circles on her back, his fingers playing with her long hair.

"You’re never leaving me again,"

he said, his voice calmer but firm. Cassandra lifted her head, meeting his intense gaze with her own.

"You’ll never lose me,"

she whispered softly. Antonio kissed her again, slower, deeper, as if sealing the promise between them. And this time, Cassandra didn’t resist. Because she knew, her heart had already chosen him.

Antonio’s Mansion –

The Meeting of Crime Lords The room was thick with cigar smoke, the scent of alcohol mingling with the lingering smell of gunpowder clinging to some of Antonio’s men who had just returned from the battle in Brooklyn. At the center of the room, Antonio sat in the main chair, his gaze as sharp as a blade. In front of him, Marcus and five of his elite agents stood with serious expressions. Not far from them, Rafael Montenegro, Carlos Ribeiro, and Héctor Valverde—the three major mafia leaders now allied with Antonio—sat with arms crossed, waiting for the next strategy. On the large table before them, a digital map of Leonardo’s main headquarters was displayed. Antonio tapped the surface of the table, drawing everyone’s attention.

"We’ve destroyed his business district, we’ve reclaimed most of his territory. But as long as Leonardo is alive, this isn’t over."

Marcus nodded, his expression tense.

"Agreed, Boss. This will be the final battle. If we win, Leonardo is finished."

Antonio stared at the map coldly before lifting his chin slightly.

"And if we lose, I’ll make sure he dies with me."

The room fell into a heavy silence. No one dared to speak. Everyone knew Antonio wasn’t the kind of man who let his enemies live if he went down. Antonio touched the digital map, pointing at three key locations.

"Leonardo’s main headquarters is his last stronghold. His defenses are stronger than any casino or weapons warehouse we’ve taken down before."

Carlos exhaled, leaning back in his chair.

"How many men are we talking about here?"

Marcus spoke before Antonio could answer.

"According to our latest intel, Leonardo still has around 150 men holding the fort. Plus, 50 mercenaries he hired to guard the perimeter."

Héctor let out a low whistle.

"Shit, that’s more than I expected."

Antonio smirked, his dark eyes flashing with tension.

"It’s not a small number, but that doesn’t mean we can’t crush them."

He pointed at two specific locations on the map.

"We will attack from two sides. The first team will infiltrate via the water route, using speedboats to breach the back of the compound."

Marcus nodded.

"That will allow us to take them by surprise before they realize where the real attack is coming from."

Antonio then pointed to another location.

"The second team will come in from the ground. We’ll plant explosives at key points to distract them before the main assault begins."

Rafael Montenegro took a slow drag of his cigar, then looked at Antonio sharply.

"And what about their communications?"

Silvio, one of Antonio’s elite agents and a brilliant hacker, smirked from the corner of the room.

"Leave that to me. I can shut down their security systems and communication network for about 30 minutes."

Antonio nodded.

"More than enough time for us to slaughter them all."

Luca, one of Antonio’s top enforcers, raised a hand slightly.

"What if we make them think we’re attacking somewhere else?"

Antonio glanced at him, intrigued.

"Explain."

Luca gave a sly grin.

"We spread a rumor in the underground world that we’re going after Leonardo’s last warehouse in Staten Island. That will lure most of his forces there."

Marcus nodded, understanding the plan.

"If they fall for it, it’ll weaken their numbers at the main compound."

Antonio scanned the room, his voice low but filled with menace.

"Make sure this goes exactly as planned. I want Leonardo to have nowhere to run." I

nside a vast room with glass walls overlooking New York City, Leonardo stood with his arms crossed, his gaze dark and full of hatred. A massive screen displayed the latest news—footage of his casino district in ruins, interviews with terrified officials, and images of New York slowly recovering now that Antonio had taken over his former territories. Leonardo clenched his jaw, his expression hardening even more. With a swift motion, he lifted his wine glass and hurled it at the screen.

CRASH!

Glass shattered onto the floor, but it did nothing to ease his fury. He turned, his piercing gaze falling on his most trusted men—a squad of mercenary assassins standing in disciplined rows. They were his best killers—men who knew no mercy and were willing to do anything on his command. Leonardo took a deep breath, then spoke in a low, venomous tone.

"Antonio thinks he’s won this war?"

he murmured, his voice like a poisonous whisper.

"I’ll show him what true destruction looks like."

A tall man with a scar across his cheek, Matteo—the leader of Leonardo’s execution squad—stepped forward.

"What are your orders, Boss?"

he asked, his voice brimming with loyalty and bloodlust. Leonardo’s gaze sharpened as he pointed to a massive map hanging on the wall. On it was a list of high-ranking officials, businessmen, and wealthy individuals who had been doing business with Antonio’s mafia.

"I'm coming with you."

Alexander stared at her in disbelief.

"Cass, this is too dangerous."

Cassandra smirked.

"I've been through worse. I'm not going to sit back while this city turns into hell."

Amid the raging fires and gunfire, Antonio finally breached Leonardo’s compound, slipping through the main corridor. Inside the vast room, with shattered glass and blood-soaked floors, Leonardo was already waiting, a pistol in his hand. His eyes narrowed as Antonio entered.

"You finally made it,"

he said with a sneer. Antonio’s gaze was sharp, his steps slow but deadly.

"I won’t stop until your head is beneath my feet."

Leonardo chuckled, but his eyes burned with hatred.

"You think this will be easy? I’m not like your petty enemies, Antonio."

Antonio smirked coldly.

"I know. That’s why I’m going to enjoy this a little longer."

BANG! BANG!

Both fired almost simultaneously, taking cover behind concrete pillars already riddled with bullet holes. Antonio moved fast, rolling to the other side of the room and firing a shot that struck Leonardo’s shoulder. Leonardo cursed loudly but held his ground, retaliating with another round of bullets aimed at Antonio. But Antonio had already anticipated the move, dropping his gun and lunging at Leonardo with his bare hands.

THUD!

Both men crashed onto the floor, engaging in a brutal, rage-fueled fight. Leonardo pulled a knife from his waist, aiming for Antonio’s ribs, but Antonio caught his wrist and twisted it with full force.

CRACK!

Leonardo screamed as his wrist snapped. Antonio shoved him against the wall, pressing down on his broken arm until Leonardo groaned in agony.

"This is for everyone you killed."

"This is for Cassandra."

BANG!

A bullet tore through Leonardo’s stomach, making him stagger back as blood seeped from his wound. Gasping, Leonardo glared at Antonio, his hatred still burning.

"You think… you can live with all of this?"

he rasped. Antonio stared at him coldly.

"I don’t need to live long. I just need to make sure you die first."

Leonardo let out a weak chuckle, but his breath was fading. Within seconds, his body collapsed onto the floor, blood pooling beneath him. He had finally lost. As the battle came to an end, Antonio’s forces began securing the compound. Cassandra and Alexander arrived at the scene, finding Antonio standing over Leonardo’s lifeless body. Cassandra rushed forward, her breath still heavy from the journey. Antonio turned, meeting her gaze instantly. Without hesitation, Cassandra ran to him and wrapped her arms around him.

"You won,"

she whispered. Antonio looked at her, his hands still stained with blood, but he allowed himself to sink into her warmth.

"It’s not just my victory,"

he murmured.

"We all won."

Alexander looked around, surveying the city as it finally fell silent.

"Now let’s see if this city can survive without another war."

Antonio gazed at the sky, exhaling deeply. That night, New York was no longer drenched in blood. At least, for now.