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Chapter 38: Crossing Lines
Huling Na-update:
2025-03-20 01:37:40
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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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-20The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-22The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-22The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-03-23The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-01The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-01The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02The 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
Huling Na-update : 2025-04-02
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The Mafia Debt Chapter 90: Stolen from Under Their Noses
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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 89: Left Behind with Questions
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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 88: The Beginning of Retribution
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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 87: In the Arms of a Killer
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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 86: Blood and Vows
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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 85: Terror at Midnight
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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 84: Snake in the Closet
"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
The Mafia Debt Chapter 83: Devil Strikes Home
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’
The Mafia Debt Chapter 82: Snakes in the Grass
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
