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Chapter 43: Nowhere but Forward
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-04-01 23:01:24
Bab terkait
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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 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
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-02The Mafia Debt Chapter One: Marked
CASSIAN 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 pret
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-17The Mafia Debt Chapter Two: Awakened
ARIAPain and cold. That's the first thing I register. My head throbs like someone's taking a jackhammer to my skull. When I try to move my hands to check for damage, they don't budge.My hands are tied behind my back, the rope digging into my skin. I test the bindings. They are too tight. Each movement sends fire through my shoulders.Don't panic. Think.I force my eyes open. The room swims into focus—concrete walls, no windows, a single bulb hanging overhead. Is this a house? Maybe a warehouse? My mouth feels so dry, and there's a metallic taste that makes me want to gag.A door creaks open somewhere behind me. Footsteps echo—the sound of heavy boots on concrete. I keep my eyes closed, pretending unconsciousness while my heart hammers against my ribs.The footsteps stop right in front of me . A boot nudges my side."I know you're awake." Male voice.I open my eyes. The man looming over me wears a black mask, but I recognize his build. The one who grabbed me outside Bella's."Water,"
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-24The Mafia Debt Chapter Three: Defiance
ARIA"Move." The man who'd just knocked out my kidnapper grabs my elbow, steering me through dark corridors. My head still throbs, but I can feel my rising anger burning brighter than the pain.I dig in my heels. "I can walk by myself.""Clearly." His grip doesn't loosen. "But this way's faster.""In here." He pushes open a heavy metal door. The room is small, bare except for a cot and what looks like a makeshift bathroom behind a partition. My stomach churns at the sight. He tosses some clothes at me. "Change."I clutch the bundle, fighting back tears. "Turn around.""You've got two minutes." When he doesn't move, I swallow my pride and begged. "Please."He turns his back, but stays by the door. No escape route for me.My hands shake as I peel off my bloodied work uniform. The clothes he's given me are plain sweats, worn but clean. They smell like laundry detergent, so jarringly normal it makes my head spin."Time's up."I've barely finished pulling on the shirt. It's huge on me, m
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25The Mafia Debt Chapter Four: Betrayed
ARIATwo days LaterA few days have passed since my abduction but sleep doesn't come easily when you’re in a cell. The cot makes creaking sound with every movement. I feel like I’ve been trapped in this place for a what feels like an eternity. I've counted every crack in the ceiling, memorized every water stain. Anything to keep my mind off what might happen to me nextDad, what did you do?The question haunts me. Three million dollars. It seems impossible. My father, who clips coupons and drives a ten-year-old Camry. Who worked a lot to put me through college. Who taught me that honesty matters more than money.Was it all a lie?The door slammed open, jerking me awake. Light flooded the room, burning my eyes."Get up."I blinked against the harsh fluorescents. Cassian the boss as I learned yesterday stood in the doorway, blocking any chance of escape. Not that I hadn't tried. The bruises on my knees from yesterday's attempt were proof enough."I said get up."I pushed myself off the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25The Mafia Debt Chapter Five: Trapped
ARIAHe took me back to the cell where I spent two more days staring at the ceiling thinking about my predicament. A voice jolted me out of my thoughts. No Cassian today."Rise and shine, princess." Lucas broke the silence in the room. "Time to have fun."I pulled the thin blanket tighter feeling a shiver run down my spine, an instinctive warning that this encounter will not be pleasant. "Where's Cassian?""Boss gave me instructions to deal with your ass." He checked his phone. "Got ten minutes to get ready. I will be waiting outside hurry up"My skin crawled at the way he watched me. This wasn't the usual routine. Something had changed. Cassian didn’t come for me this morning. Instead, he sent his sidekick. I took a deep breath, preparing myself for whatever awaited me, and reluctantly got out of the bed."Bathroom now." He pointed with his chin. "Don't try anything stupid."I grabbed fresh clothes from the pile they'd left. The bathroom mirror showed dark circles under my eyes, hair
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-25
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
