"She never knew her father's secrets would cost her freedom. Aria's life changes forever when Cassian Romano storms into her world, demanding payment for a debt she never knew existed. Cold, ruthless, and devastatingly handsome, Chicago's most feared mafia boss takes what her father can't repay—her. But captivity isn't what terrifies Aria most. It's how her body betrays her every time Cassian's dark eyes linger on her. How her pulse races when his fingers graze her skin. She should hate him, fight him, yet she finds herself drowning in the dangerous waters of their forbidden attraction. Some debts can be paid in cash. Others demand your soul."
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The whiskey burns my throat, but it's not enough to dull the rage. Three million. The number flashes through my mind like a neon sign as I stare out at Chicago's skyline from my office. Lucas clears his throat behind me. "I’ve found who has been stealing from you. You're not going to like this, boss." "When do I ever?" The ice clinks against my glass. "Just tell me who's been bleeding my accounts dry." "Silas Herrera The glass freezes halfway to my mouth. "What did you just say?" "Your accountant. The one you trusted the most with everything." Lucas drops a folder on my desk. "He's been siphoning money for months. Three mill, at least." The whiskey glass shatters against the wall. "How long have you known?" My voice comes out eerily calm, even as my pulse pounds in my ears. "Got confirmation today. But here's where it gets interesting." Lucas slides a photograph across my desk, licking his lips in a suggestive manner. "He's got a daughter. Nineteen. Very pretty. Pre-med student at Northwestern." I pick up the photo. Blonde hair. Bright blue eyes. The girl had her father's eyes—the same eyes that had looked him in the face while stealing millions from my organization. "Tell me about her." The words came out rougher than intended. "Straight-A student. No boyfriend. Lives alone in a shoebox apartment near campus. Popular with her classmates, but keeps to herself mostly.” "Been watching her for a week," Lucas continues, something predatory creeping into his voice. "Daddy's little princess. She could be our leverage boss. She means the world to Silas. Works at some restaurant downtown. Beautiful piece of—" "Enough." Lucas shuts up. Smart man. I study the photo again. Aria Herrera. An innocent caught in her father's web of lies. But in my world, debts must be paid. One way or another. "Bring her in. You have two days." The words taste like ash in my mouth. "I want it quiet and clean. No witnesses. Got it?" "What about Silas?" "Let him sweat." I turn back to the window, "He'll come crawling back to me when he realizes what he's lost." Lucas's footsteps fade. The door clicks shut. Alone, I pull out my phone and dial a number I haven't called in months. "Brother." Viktor's voice is rough with sleep. "It's three in the morning." "I need everything you can find on Silas Herrera's daughter. School records, medical history, social media—everything." A pause. "You sure about this, Cassian? Using an innocent girl as leverage..." "When has innocence ever mattered in our world?" I hang up before he can answer, my eyes drawn back to the photo. To those bright, unknowing eyes. "I'm sorry," I whisper to the empty room. But in the end, her father made this choice for her. And now she'll pay the price. ARIA My phone buzzes for the hundredth time today. Dad's name flashes across the screen again, and I slide it back into my bag, trying to focus on Professor Walker's lecture about cellular biology. "Someone's popular today. A new admirer?" Mark whispers from beside me, nudging my arm with his elbow. "Just my dad being... well, my dad." I tap my pen against my notebook. "He's been calling non-stop since morning." "Maybe he finally found out about that tattoo you got last month?" "God, I hope not." I touch the small star behind my ear—my only one act of rebellion in my nineteen years of age. "He'd probably show up at my apartment with a laser removal machine." "Speaking of showing up, you're still coming to Jamie's party tonight, right?" Before I can answer, my phone vibrates again. This time, it's a text: Aria, pick up your damn phone. It's important. I switch it off completely. Whatever drama Dad's cooking up can wait until after my shift at Bella's. The rest of the lecture passes in a blur of diagrams and chemical equations. As we pack up, Mark catches my arm. "Hey, you okay? You seem... off today." "Just tired. Between classes, work, and Dad's helicopter parenting, I barely have time to breathe." "At least let me walk you to work? It's getting dark early these days." "Can't. I need to stop by the library first. Rain check?" He hesitates, then nods. "Text me when you get home?" "Yes, Mom," I tease, but his concern warms something in my chest. It's nice having someone watch out for me, even if I'd never admit it. The library stop is a lie—I just need some time alone. I know Mark likes him. But I really don’t feel the same way so I try as much as I can to subtly avoid being alone with him. The autumn air hits my face as I cross the campus, leaves crunching under my boots. The weird feeling that's been following me all day intensifies. Like someone's watching. I glance behind me. Nothing but students hurrying to their evening classes. You're being paranoid, Aria. My shift at Bella's is the usual chaos of orders and demanding customers. By closing time, my feet ache and my uniform smells like garlic bread. But the envelope of tips in my pocket makes it worth it—one step closer to my own restaurant someday. It’s my dream ever since I was a kid even though I am a pre-med student. That is my dad’s doing, I either abide or he withdraws support. When the time comes I’m going to rebel and fight my way. "Need a ride, honey?" Bertha, our sixty-year-old hostess, asks as I clock out. "Bus stop's right there. I'm good." "Be careful. There was something on the news about—" "I will!" I call back, already pushing through the door. The night air feels good after hours in the hot kitchen. My pace quickens, the bus arrives in two minutes. The bus stop is only two blocks away. One block. Half a block. Something cold presses against my back. I glance back to glimpse at the masked man with hands concealed beneath his jacket, holding what I assume to be a gun. "Don't make a sound." Survival instincts kick in and adrenaline surges through my veins. Dad's voice echoes in my head: If someone ever grabs you, fight dirty. I slam my elbow back, feeling it connect with his groin. The man grunts and his grip loosens. I run. My boots pound against the pavement. Wind whips through my hair. Almost to the— Pain explodes in my skull. The world tilts. The last thing I see is a black mask hovering over me, and then nothing.Cassian was a man of precision, and tonight, every move had been calculated to the last detail. Everything was set in motion.He pressed a button on his console. "Viktor, what's the status?"Viktor's voice came through the speaker. "The guys are in position, but they haven't started moving yet.""They've got ten minutes. After that, we proceed with or without them.""Understood,"Switching channels, Cassian connected to Xander. "Xander, what's your status?"Xander's response was immediate, almost eager. "I've got a clear shot, Cassian. Kaiser's right there with his goons, looks like they're sorting through shipments." A hint of excitement crept into his voice. "Been waiting all day for this. Something big is about to go down, I can feel it."Cassian's eyes narrowed as he visualized the scene. "Hold your fire. We need to time this perfectly. I'll let you know when to take the shot.""Roger that." Frustration bled into Xander's tone. "Just don't keep me waiting too long."Cassian switch
Aria's POVA knock at the door interrupted us, and the spell was broken. He froze, his eyes narrowing in annoyance."Ignore it," I whispered, desperate to keep the moment alive, my fingers tangling in his hair.But the knock came again, more insistent this time, and Cassian sighed, his frustration evident. "Wait here," he said, and he turned to answer the door.I smoothed down my dress, trying to calm my racing heart as Cassian stalked to the door and yanked it open."This better be important," he growled, then stiffened when he saw who was standing there.It was Shadow. My heart leapt at the sight of him—It had been months since I'd last seen him."Shadow!" I exclaimed, rushing past Cassian and throwing my arms around him in a hug. "I've missed you so much! It's been ages."Shadow chuckled as he patted my back gently. "Missed you too, Aria. You look good."I pulled back to look at him, noticing the new scar along his jawline. "Where have you been hiding?""Working," he said simply, h
Cassian's POVI stood in the armor room, strapping on my holster and checking my weapons. The weight of my Glock felt reassuring against my ribs.Viktor entered, his face grim. Blood still caked his fingernails from the last interrogation. "Everyone's ready," he said. "The meeting room is set up."I nodded, adjusting my jacket. "Good. Let's get this done.""How's Aria?" he asked, following me into the hallway."Sleeping. Shadow's watching her." I paused, running a hand through my hair. "She doesn't know what I'm planning. Better that way."Viktor shot me a skeptical look. "You sure about that? Last time you kept her in the dark—""Don't." I cut him off. "Just... don't."As we walked through the mansion's corridors, my thoughts turned to the men I was about to meet. Each of them carried a beast inside, a dormant force that could be unleashed if provoked. It was a dangerous game, but one we were all willing to play.We entered the meeting room where Shadow, Dom, and the others were alre
Aria's POVCassian’s arm was draped over me protectively, but his body was rigid, muscles coiled tight like he was ready to spring into action at any moment.I turned to face him, placing a gentle hand on his chest. "Cassian, what happened tonight wasn't your fault," I whispered.He didn't respond, just stared at the ceiling with a haunted look in his eyes."Hey," I said, tapping his chest lightly. "Don't go all silent brooding on me now."That got a tiny reaction—the corner of his mouth twitched."Cassian, look at me," I urged, my hand moving to cup his cheek.Slowly, his gaze shifted to meet mine."I should've been there sooner," he said, voice gravelly. "I heard you scream and it was like... fuck, Aria, it was like someone ripped my heart out."I shook my head, my fingers tracing the stubble on his jaw. "But you came. That's what matters.""When I saw his hands on you..." His voice cracked. "I've killed men for less than breathing in your direction, and this piece of shit had his h
CassianAria was still struggling in Ronald's grip when something inside me shattered.I'd been in dangerous situations before. I'd faced death more times than I cared to count. But nothing—nothing—had ever filled me with the raw, primal terror that seized me as I watched Ronald violate the woman I loved.His hands were on her throat, on her body. Her nightgown all torn up, exposing her trembling flesh to his greedy eyes. And I was fucking handcuffed, watching it happen."Look at your man now," Ronald taunted her, forcing her face toward me. "Not so powerful anymore, is he?"The metal cuffs bit into my wrists as I strained against them, blood trickling down my hands. But I didn't feel the pain. All I felt was rage—white-hot and all-consuming."I want him to see everything I'm going to do to you before I put a bullet between his eyes," he growled, his breath hot against her neck.Aria's eyes met mine—wide with terror but somehow still trusting. Still believing I would save her, even as
A shadow moved between security lights , avoiding the pools of illumination.The guards never stood a chance.The first one died without a sound—a soft pfft from a silenced pistol, and he crumpled against the wall. The second had just enough time to reach for his weapon before a bullet tore through his throat.The intruder neutralized each security point. One by one, Cassian's men fell, their bodies carefully dragged into shadows to avoid immediate detection. The masked figure checked his watch—twelve minutes since he'd scaled the eastern wall. Right on schedule.Inside the mansion, Aria slept fitfully in the guest bedroom. The sedative Dr. Martinez had given her kept her under, but her dreams were filled with slithering shapes and dark snakes. Across the hall, Cassian sat at his desk, surrounded by papers and maps, plotting his revenge against Kaiser. The snakes had been just the beginning—he knew that. Kaiser wasn't the type to strike once and retreat.The intruder moved through the
"ARIA!" I shouted, breaking into a sprint.The front door was unlocked—a bad sign already. I drew my gun before entering."Aria!" I called again, taking the stairs two at a time.The bedroom door was open, but the room was empty. My heart slammed against my ribs as I swept the room, checking every corner.Then I saw it—movement from the walk-in closet.I approached cautiously, gun raised, and what I saw sent ice through my veins. Aria lay motionless on the floor, and surrounding her body were at least a dozen snakes—copperheads, from the look of them—slithering across the carpet around her still form.Without hesitation, I fired three precise shots, taking out the snakes closest to her body. I rushed forward, kicking the remaining reptiles away from her."Aria," I breathed, kneeling beside her, frantically searching her exposed skin for bite marks. "Baby, can you hear me?"There were no visible bites—thank god—but she was unconscious, her face pale and clammy. I scooped her up in my a
CassianMaybe it was the whiskey clouding my judgment, or maybe it was Viktor's insistence that we needed a "guys' night" to clear my head. Either way, there I was, slouched at the bar, staring into my fourth glass like it might somehow contain answers."She'll come around," Viktor said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Women always do."I shot him a look that could've curdled milk. "This isn't just some argument.""All I'm saying," Viktor continued, flagging down the bartender for another round, "is that she's probably just PMSing or something. You know how women get.""Don't," I warned, my voice dropping an octave. "Don't talk about her like that."Viktor raised his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. But seriously, brother, you need to relax. One night away won't kill either of you. She’ll be alright."I muttered, “I very much doubt that.”“Let’s have more shots,” he offered, trying to lighten the mood.I shook my head. “I’m going home soon.”“Come on, just a couple more,” he urged. “It’
CassianI slammed the car door shut, rage boiling in my veins. What the hell did Aria mean by "I hope she's worth it"? Who did she think I was meeting?"I take it by the look on your face, Aria's pissed at you," Viktor chirped from the driver's seat, his voice laced with amusement."Shut the fuck up," I snapped, my teeth grinding together in frustration. Just minutes ago, I'd been in bed with her, telling her I loved her. Now she was accusing me of—what? Cheating? After everything we'd been through?Viktor wisely switched topics. "So, what do you think we're walking into?""I don't know, but it better be worth my time, or I will shoot the fucker."Viktor chuckled, a dark sound in the enclosed car. "Shoot him anyway. The guy's a snake."I checked my watch. We'd been driving for twenty minutes, heading deeper into the industrial district. Kaiser's choice of meeting location didn't inspire confidence."Remind me again why we're trusting this asshole?" I muttered, staring out at the passi
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