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Chapter 17: Midnight Confessions
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-11 17:57:50
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The Mafia Debt Chapter 18: The Cage You Can’t See
I became acutely aware of how close we were—him standing between my knees as I perched on the counter, his hands still resting lightly on my bandaged foot. The kitchen felt suddenly smaller, the air between us heavier.With a gentle step, I descended from the counter, closing the distance between us as I took a few steps towards Cassian. My hands instinctively moved towards his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart beneath my touch. Our eyes locked, and I felt myself getting lost again in the intensity of his gaze."Your heart's racing," I observed, surprised by my own boldness."Adrenaline," he replied, but his voice had dropped an octave, taking on a rough quality that sent a shiver down my spine.As I leaned in, closing the gap between us, I could sense his eyes drifting towards my lips. I hesitated for a moment, waiting for a sign from him, a permission to bridge the final space with a kiss.Time seemed to suspend itself. I could feel his breath, warm against my lips, could s
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11The Mafia Debt Chapter 19: A Game of Power and Pettiness
AriaThe next day, I woke up feeling utterly foolish for my failed attempt at kissing Cassian. I stared at the ceiling, replaying the humiliating scene in my mind—his hands pushing me away, the shock in his eyes, the coldness of his rejection. The bandage on my foot was another physical reminder of my stupidity."What were you thinking?" I muttered to myself as I dragged my body out of bed. "Stockholm syndrome? Really, Aria?"I dressed carefully, selecting a plain white blouse and dark jeans—nothing that could be seen as trying to attract attention. My reflection in the mirror looked tired, shadows under my eyes testifying to my restless night.As I descended the stairs, my bandaged foot still tender, I heard Cassian's voice drifting from the study. He was engrossed in a phone call, his back to me as I hesitated in the doorway."Babe, you can come around tonight," he said to the person on the other end of the line. "Wear that little outfit we talked about. I've got everything ready."
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11The Mafia Debt Chapter 20: The Night I Pushed Him Too Far
Aria I made a show of getting comfortable in the armchair, crossing my legs and taking another sip of whiskey. "I was here first. Well, technically, you were, but I live here now, so I think that gives me priority." Cassian's patience visibly snapped. He strode over to the sound system and turned off the music with a forceful jab. "This is not the time for this nonsense Aria. Can't you see I'm busy?" he snapped, his voice icy with controlled rage. With a nonchalant shrug, I retorted, "I heard voices and I felt lonely, so here I am. The prisoner seeks company, especially when it sounds like someone's having a good time." Cassian responded with a dismissive wave, "As you can see, I'm with someone, so get lost." Veronica, curious, glanced between us. "Who is she, Cassian?" she asked, her voice dripping with affected sweetness that barely masked her irritation. Cassian's gaze went to me momentarily before he coolly replied, "Nobody." The word stung more than it should have. Raising
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-11The Mafia Debt Chapter 21: Provocations
But even through the thick wood, I could hear his heavy footsteps coming up the stairs and down the hallway. Each step felt like a countdown to my doom. "Shit, shit, shit," I muttered under my breath, frantically looking around the room for something—anything—to barricade the door. The dresser was too heavy to move alone. The chair would barely slow him down.The footsteps stopped outside my door. The silence that followed was somehow worse than the approaching thunder of his stride.Three sharp knocks broke the quiet."Aria." I could hear the underlying current of rage. "Open the door."I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Go away, Cassian. I think we've both said enough for one night.""I disagree," he replied. "We've only just begun this conversation. Open the door.""The conversation is over," I called back, edging away from the door and toward the bed. "Go back to your evening. I'm sure you can find another...companion...on short notice."I heard a sharp intake of
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-12The Mafia Debt Chapter 22: Punishment and Release
Cassian POVHer mouth opened under mine, inviting me deeper, and I gladly accepted, tasting the sweetness that had haunted my dreams for weeks. One hand tangled in her hair, angling her head to deepen the kiss while the other pressed into the small of her back, eliminating any remaining space between us. This would teach her a lesson.I broke the kiss only to trail my lips along her jawline, down the column of her throat, feeling her pulse jump beneath my mouth. The plan had been to show her who was in control, to punish her for interrupting my evening, for daring to challenge me in my own home. But something was going terribly wrong. Instead of maintaining my dominance, I was falling into her, drowning in her scent, her taste, the soft sounds escaping her lips."You have no idea how long I've wanted this," I murmured against her skin, my voice betraying me with its raw honesty."Cassian," she breathed my name like a prayer, her fingers digging into my shoulders.The sound of my name
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-12The Mafia Debt Chapter 23: Betrayal and Intrigue
AriaI slam the bedroom door shut, or at least try to—the damaged door barely closes after Cassian's broke it down. My hands are shaking with rage and humiliation. How dare he kiss me like that, like I meant something, only to pull away with such cruelty?"I’m such a fool." I mutter again, pacing the length of my room. The worst part isn't even his rejection—it's how easily I fell into his arms, how readily I responded. How my body betrayed me completely.I press my fingers to my lips, still feeling the tingling sensation of his kiss, and immediately drop my hand. I should have bit him. Hard. I should have made those perfect lips bleed. I should have kneed him between his legs until he screamed. That would've taught him not to toy with me. Instead, I melted like some lovesick teenager at his first touch.A sudden burst of laughter coming from downstairs freezes me mid-step. A woman's voice, high and breathy, followed by Cassian's deeper tones hushing her. My stomach drops as realizati
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15The Mafia Debt Chapter 24: The Hunt Begins
Cassian's POVI pulled back, a strange uneasiness settling over me. Something felt off, and it wasn't just my lack of enthusiasm for the naked woman beneath me."What's wrong, baby?" Chloe purred, reaching up to trace my jawline. "You seem distracted. Is this about her? That girl you're keeping upstairs?"The mention of Aria only heightened my awareness of a sound that didn't belong—a soft thud, followed by what might have been a muffled voice."Did you hear that?" I asked, already pulling away.Chloe reached for me, misunderstanding my concern for some kind of game. "Hear what?" she asked coyly, her fingers trailing down my chest as she tried to pull me back. "Come on, don't leave me hanging now.""Shut the fuck up!" I snarled, throwing her hand off me. The playful look on her face evaporated instantly, replaced by shock."Excuse me?" she gasped, but I was already moving.Instinct drove me toward Aria's room, my heart hammering against my ribs as I sprinted down the hallway.The brok
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15The Mafia Debt Chapter 25: Aftermath
CassianI immediately dialed Viktor. He answered on the first ring."Boss?""Gather everyone. Aria has been taken from the house. I'm on my way," I commanded without preamble. "And find out whoever the fuck Riccardo Lion is before I arrive. I want everything about the motherfucker—his operations, his hideouts, his weaknesses.""On it," Viktor replied, his voice already shifting into action mode. "I ended the call and reached the garage, a lot was on my mind. Why hadn't my security systems caught the intruders? How had they known which room was Aria's? Someone had inside information, and heads would roll for that breach.Although I have no intention of keeping her locked up with me forever, I refuse to send her back to her useless sperm donor of a father. "I will fucking kill that Riccardo," I muttered as I reach to open the door to my Aston Martin.I spotted the head of security—Roland—standing by, his expression grim. Without breaking stride, I delivered a swift punch to his face,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-15
Bab terbaru
The Mafia Debt Chapter 46: Every Penny She Owns
AriaThe water from the shower cascaded down my body, each drop a small comfort against my skin. I tilted my head back, letting the warm stream wash over my face, hoping it would clear my mind. Max was making dinner tonight—his famous pasta with the sauce his grandmother taught him to make. I should have been excited. Any other day, I would've been.But these last few days, something felt off.It wasn't just paranoia. Every time Max went out of town, that creeping sensation returned—the feeling of being watched, followed.I shut off the water and wrapped a towel around myself, my skin prickling with goosebumps despite the steam filling the bathroom. As I padded across our bedroom, I glanced at the framed sketch Max had done of me sleeping. He'd caught me in a rare peaceful moment, free from the nightmares that still occasionally haunted me.The sound of the front door opening pulled me from my thoughts."Aria?" Max's voice called out. "You home?""In the bedroom," I called back, quick
The Mafia Debt Chapter 45: The Cost of Regret
CassianAria left, and I stopped calling too. The last time I reached out to her was four months ago. I hope she is happy now. I regret pushing her away every day.That was the truth of it. What else could I hold onto after pushing away the one person who saw beyond the monster everyone else feared? The reports from my men confirmed she was safe—that was all I needed to know. I'd given strict instructions: I don’t want anything personal. Just her location, her security status. I didn't need to know if she'd moved on, found someone else to share her warmth with. I wasn't a masochist.But fuck, I was a liar.I leaned back in my chair, running a hand down my face. Aria had been a temporary person in my life, yet her absence felt permanent.Sometimes her face appeared so vividly in my mind. The defiance in her eyes when she challenged me. The softness in her touch when she surrendered. The way her lips parted when I moved inside her.I never imagined missing someone's presence would feel
The Mafia Debt Chapter 44: New Beginnings
Six months later"Earth to Aria! Your coffee's getting cold."I blinked, dragging my attention back to the small café table where Max sat across from me, an amused expression on his face."Sorry," I murmured, wrapping my hands around the lukewarm mug. "Got lost in thought.""Must've been some pretty deep thoughts," he teased. "You were miles away."I forced a smile, taking a sip of my coffee. Six months had passed since I'd left America, and I was still adjusting to this new life.Max reached across the table, his fingers gently brushing mine. "Hey, you okay?"I nodded, genuinely touched by his concern. "Just tired.""Ah. Want to skip the movie and just go home? We could order in, watch something on Netflix instead."Home. The word still felt strange, but in a good way. Our apartment in Florence—yes, our apartment now—had become more than just a hiding place. It had become filled with small touches that made it ours. Max's books stacked neatly on the coffee table. The mismatched mugs
The Mafia Debt Chapter 43: Nowhere but Forward
AriaThe wind whipped my hair as I stepped out of the terminal, clutching my backpack like a shield. Boston's late afternoon air hit my face with a chill I wasn't prepared for. I'd escaped—actually escaped—but the relief I'd expected to feel was nowhere to be found.His voice still echoed in my ears. "Aria!" The desperation in Cassian's tone had stopped me in my tracks. For a split second, I'd almost thought of going back.But I couldn't. Not after everything.I flagged down a taxi, sliding into the backseat with shaky hands. "South Station, please," I told the driver."You got it," he replied, pulling away from the curb.As the airport disappeared behind us, I leaned my head against the window, watching the unfamiliar city. I wasn't staying in Boston—it was just another stop on my escape route. I couldn't risk Cassian tracking me here.My phone was still in my pocket, still powered off. I knew the second I turned it on, they'd find me. Part of me wanted to throw it out the window, wa
The Mafia Debt Chapter 42: Gone
CassianParking the car in a rush, I bolted out, my steps quick and purposeful. The crowds at the airport were a blur as I scanned for any sign of Aria. The thought of her slipping away sent a jolt of panic through me that I wasn't used to feeling.I spotted Viktor waiting at a spot near the entrance and hurried over. "Any updates?" I asked, my voice urgent.Viktor nodded, his expression grim. "We've tracked her movements to Terminal C. She's bought a one-way ticket, but we don't know where to yet.""Fuck," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "How long ago?""About twenty minutes."My jaw clenched, frustration boiling inside. "Find out where she's headed. I don't care what you have to do."Viktor nodded again, already reaching for his phone to relay the instructions. I scanned the terminal directory overhead, my heart pounding with a strange mix of worry and determination."Call airport security," I ordered. "Tell them—""Already tried, boss," Viktor interrupted. "They won't h
The Mafia Debt Chapter 41: Running Out of Time
AriaThe house I'd grown up in looked like a crime scene. Furniture tipped over, drawers yanked out and emptied onto the floor, picture frames smashed against the walls. I stepped carefully around a broken lamp, my heart pounding against my ribs."Jesus," I muttered, taking in the destruction. Was this Cassian's doing? Or Riccardo's men? Did it even matter anymore?I picked my way through the chaos of the living room toward my bedroom, stepping over scattered books and clothes. My fingers trembled as I pushed open my bedroom door, dreading what I might find inside.It wasn't much better. My mattress had been slashed open, stuffing spilling out like guts. My closet door hung off its hinges, and someone had dumped all my clothes in a heap on the floor.But I wasn't here to cry over my destroyed possessions. I was here for one thing.I dropped to my knees beside my bed and felt along the floorboards until I found the loose one. Prying it up with my fingernails, I reached into the small
The Mafia Debt Chapter 40: The Great Escape
Dante lit a cigarette, his eyes trained on the massive estate as he paced the perimeter. The night air was cool against his skin, a welcome relief after the stuffy interior of the mansion. He'd been on guard duty for sixteen hours straight, watching over Aria as Cassian had ordered.Just a few more hours, he thought, checking his watch. The boss had been acting strange lately, more volatile than usual. And it all seemed to center around the girl.Movement caught his eye—asomething white swings from the second floor. Dante squinted, moving closer to get a better look. His heart stopped."Fuck," he muttered, dropping his cigarette and sprinting toward the house.A makeshift rope of bedsheets and clothing dangled from Aria's window, swaying gently in the breeze. He scanned the grounds frantically, but there was no sign of her.Inside, he took the stairs two at a time, bursting into Aria's room. The place was a disaster—drawers pulled open, clothes scattered, the window wide open with cur
The Mafia Debt Chapter 39: Walls Between Us
CassianI watched her walk away, each step she took twisting the knife deeper into my chest. The hurt in her eyes—that flash of betrayal—was like a physical blow. But I had to do it. I had to push her away."What are you doing to me, Aria?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair.I pulled out my phone and dialed Lucas. "Come around with the car. I'm leaving.""Boss, what about—""Just do it," I snapped, ending the call.I glanced back at the VIP section. Chloe was watching me, her perfectly painted lips curved in a possessive smile. She'd been in my bed more times than I could count, called herself my girlfriend to anyone who would listen. Right now, I couldn't stand the sight of her—or any of them. The way she had draped herself over me earlier, her hands roaming places they shouldn't in public, her lips pressing against my neck while the other girls giggled and touched my arms, my chest... It all felt empty. Meaningless. And then I'd looked up and seen Aria standing there—her ey
The Mafia Debt Chapter 38: Crossing Lines
AriaMy cheeks burned with humiliation. What had I expected? That he'd be pining away for me? That last night had meant to him what it had meant to me?Only after what felt like an eternity did he mutter something that made Chloe pout, and he shoved her off his lap with casual indifference.I turned on my heels, nearly tripping in my haste to escape. I pushed through the crowd, ignoring the protests of people I shoved past. I just needed to get out, to get away from the sight of him with those women, to forget how stupid I'd been to come here."Aria!" His voice cut through the noise of the club. "Aria, wait!"I didn't stop, didn't look back. I was almost at the exit when a hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me to a stop."What the hell are you doing here?" Cassian demanded, spinning me around to face him.Up close, I could see the flush on his face, lipstick marks on his neck, the slight glaze in his eyes that told me he'd had more than a few drinks. His hair was disheveled, like s
