Cassia, The Billionaire's Collateral

Cassia’s Pov“You play like you’re in pain.”The Ritz’s ballroom was gilded and vast, the chandeliers dripping in crystal. Cassia drew her bow across the violin, the strings steady where her nerves were not. Music had always been her escape and the one thing that belonged entirely to her.The voice came from beside her as the ensemble packed up. She glanced over. David Reed leaned casually against the edge of the stage, his cello case strapped to his back.“I’m not,” she answered, tucking the violin into its case.“You sure?” His smile was crooked and charming in that messy, boy-next-door way. His sandy hair fell into his eyes as he leaned closer. “Because that sounded like heartbreak, and I think you’re too occupied for a heartbreak that deep.”Cassia smirked despite herself. “Maybe it’s just the music.You always have a way with words.”“Or maybe you need a drink.” He slung the case higher on his back. “Come on, let me walk you home.”She hesitated. David wasn’t a stranger, infact he

Cassia’s PovCassia’s eyes flew open to blinding light. She winced and tried to move, but for a moment, she could not breathe.This isn’t my apartment. She muttered to herself as she came to. The faint smell of leather filled her nostrils and she could also smell cigar smoke. She sat up too fast, her wrists tugging against something. Her hands were tied together, but not too tightly.Wtf? She was in a penthouse. The room was opulently furnished, and she could see the sprawling city of New York from the floor to ceiling windows. Her eyes landed on a signet ring resting on the mantel beside where she lay.Cassia’s throat tightened, and she increased her struggle against the rope holding her hands. She knew that ring. It was exactly like Elena’s father’s ring. Elena had once told her that every Mafia family had one which they used in business.Elena. What did you do? Then the door opened, and in came the most dangerously beautiful man she’d ever seen.He was tall, sharply built, his pres

Cassie's POVI stood there, glued to the floor beneath me as I watched his tall figure fade into the exit. Just when I didn't see him anymore, I exhaled deeply, clutching my fragile chest to soothe my outrageous heartbeat.“What the hell?” I muttered to myself, trying to catch exactly what just happened.If I remember correctly, I was kidnapped by this awfully hot man, with little to no patience, kissed and engaged in one night? I chuckled, swallowing the only thing that kept my feet glued to the floor— fear.“Miss Carter, it's the Boss's order that you return to your room,” a man in black suit spoke from a fair distance. I didn't respond. I just gazed past his shoulders to be sure that he was the only one in the hallway. Thankfully, he was. “Miss Carter?” He called again, taking one fearsome step towards me.My gaze moved against the buttons of the elevator before he could catch them. I pushed those buttons quicker than I planned and even quicker than he could catch up with me, but

Cassie's POV I went to bed with the last shred of dignity I had plotting how not to ever let that psycho cross that close boundary again, only to wake up with a grumbling stomach. The glass window gave off the exquisite view of the city and also served as punishment for waking up late. I rubbed my eyes furiously while trying to adjust to the sharp rays I was realising at once. I walked to the bathroom… the only safe space I had to myself and the only place I might miss after a successful escape from here. Of course, there was no way I was letting a Mafia boss lock me up on the top floor of his luxury apartment.“Ma'am,” I recognised the woman's voice as the housekeeper who had come to serve me yesterday. Good. Now this was an opportunity to represent the good upbringing I'd always lived by. I rushed out of the bathroom, adjusting the robe.“Good morning, ma’am,” I greeted, wearing the most welcoming smile I could put on. “Please call me Cassie,” I extended my hands towards her when

Lucien’s POVSeeing her choke like that triggered a minute feeling I hadn't in years. She was so fragile and too innocent for this world and for the first time I feared breaking something I wouldn’t be able to put back in place. Miguel was on the verge of declaring war and even while I could try and make sure she was safe outside these walls, I'd rather break her innocence and mould her into something tough, like Elena, except she wouldn't be a bad asset.I think I was the one losing it because I'd rather send an entire army to the war front than let her slip through my fingers. I just hoped her tough facade made her stronger, because I intended to break every piece of her until a stronger one re-emerges.“Lucien,” Carter switched to the tone he'd use when it was just both of us. He actually did whatever he liked as years of growing up together gave him enough leverage to be treated as blood, but now, it was starting to irritate me. “I don't think she's fit for the event in two days.