Ninety Nine

The morning sun poured through the sheer curtains, bathing the luxurious bedroom in a soft, golden glow. The air was crisp and fresh, but it wasn’t the warmth of the sunlight that stirred Cassandra from her sleep. It was the vibrating phone on the nightstand. With a sleepy groan, she reached for it, her fingers barely grasping the device before bringing it to her face. Her drowsiness vanished instantly.

Alexander.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Why the hell was he calling her this early? With a hesitant breath, Cassandra answered.

“Hello?”

Her voice was rough, still laced with the remnants of sleep. On the other end, Alexander’s voice was tight with urgency. “

Cass, you need to hear this.” The tension in his tone made Cassandra instantly sit up straighter.

“What is it?” Alexander exhaled heavily before responding.

“I just got some intel on The Crimson Lotus… and more importantly, about Renjiro.” Cassandra’s heart dropped.

"What happened?" There was a pause, a hesitation that made her grip the phone even tighter.

"Renjiro’s body was found last night." Cassandra’s eyes widened.

"What?"

"Yeah. His body was discovered tied up on top of one of the buildings that got destroyed during the last battle between his men and Antonio’s." Alexander’s voice was grim.

“But here’s the weird part—on the wall of the building… there was a symbol.” Cassandra frowned.

“A symbol?” She could hear Alexander shuffling papers, or maybe typing something on his laptop.

"A Silver Rose." Cassandra froze. Her blood turned to ice. The Silver Rose. She knew that symbol. A rush of memories from her childhood crashed into her mind—flashes of a fiery wreckage, sirens blaring in the distance, the cold pavement against her trembling hands… the day her parents were killed. And on the ruined wall near the accident site, she had seen the exact same symbol. Her grip on the phone tightened.

“Alexander… are you sure it was the Silver Rose?”

"I already confirmed it with forensics. It’s not just some random mark. And more than that… that symbol is known as the emblem of The Silver Thorn.”

Cassandra’s breath hitched. The Silver Thorn. The mafia empire ruled by Antonio Franches. No. Her chest tightened, her heartbeat pounding violently in her ears. If that symbol was truly connected to her parents’ death, then… did that mean Antonio was responsible for their murder? But it didn’t make sense. She had seen a different side of him. Antonio was ruthless, yes, but he wasn’t a mindless killer. Or maybe… she was just desperate to believe that the man she had fallen for wasn’t a monster. Cassandra swallowed hard.

“Alexander… are you saying…” She trailed off, her voice barely a whisper. Alexander sighed.

“Cass, I don’t want to jump to conclusions. But if The Silver Thorn was involved in your parents’ deaths… that means Antonio might be far more dangerous than you think.”

Cassandra clenched her jaw. She wanted to deny it. She wanted to say Alexander was wrong. But what if he wasn’t? And then—

The bedroom door swung open. Antonio. He stepped inside, wearing a slightly unbuttoned white dress shirt, his toned chest barely concealed beneath the fabric. His dark hair was messily tousled, like he had just woken up. His piercing gaze immediately locked onto her tense expression. With slow, deliberate steps, he moved toward her, his presence commanding the room.

"Who was on the phone?" His deep voice carried no immediate threat, but there was undeniable suspicion in his tone.

Cassandra stared at him, emotions twisting violently inside her. Could she ask him? Would it be safe? If she confronted him about this… and he really was involved— Would Antonio kill her too?

The morning sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, casting a golden glow over the luxurious sheets draped across Cassandra’s naked body. The warmth should’ve been comforting, but her mind was far from at ease. She couldn’t afford to be reckless.

"I have to go, Alexander," she said quickly, before ending the call. She barely had a moment to collect herself before she felt a shift in the mattress. Antonio sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers gently lifting her chin.

"Why do you look so tense this early in the morning?" His voice was softer now, laced with curiosity.

Cassandra forced herself to calm down. She couldn’t ask him outright. Not now.

"I just… have a headache," she murmured.

Antonio studied her for a moment before reaching out and touching her forehead with the back of his hand. The warmth of his skin sent a shiver down her spine, the simple gesture making her stomach flip in the worst way—because she didn’t know if she could trust this man.

"You need something to clear your mind," Antonio mused, and without warning, he pulled her into his embrace. Cassandra gasped, but her body betrayed her, sinking into his heat. Her racing heart slowly steadied as his fingers ran through her hair in a soothing rhythm.

"I don’t like seeing you this tense," he whispered against her ear.

"If something is bothering you, tell me."

Cassandra closed her eyes, trying to focus on the warmth rather than the icy dread creeping through her veins. How could this man—who held her like she was something precious, who kissed her like she was his salvation—be the same man who might have killed her parents?

"I just want everything to stay the way it is," she whispered, more to herself than to him. Antonio sighed, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of her head.

"You’re safe here, Cass. I won’t let anyone touch you."

His voice was heavy, almost as if he were making a vow. Then, a small smirk curled at his lips.

"Come on, I made you breakfast." Cassandra blinked in surprise. Antonio… made breakfast? She sat up slowly, pulling the sheets higher to cover her bare skin.

“You… cooked?” she asked, unsure if she had heard him correctly. Antonio let out a low chuckle, placing a tray on the bed—pancakes, fresh fruit, and steaming coffee.

"Not exactly," he admitted, leaning closer with a smug expression.

"But I made sure everything was perfect for my wife." My wife. The way he said it sent heat rushing to her face. Antonio picked up a fork, slicing a piece of pancake before bringing it to her lips.

"Open up."

Cassandra hesitated, but the way his dark eyes held her captive made it impossible to refuse. Slowly, she parted her lips, letting him feed her.

"How is it?" he asked, watching her intently as she chewed. The heat of his gaze was almost as consuming as the taste of the food itself. She swallowed and answered softly,

"It’s… good."

A victorious smirk tugged at Antonio’s lips.

"Good."

Then, before she could react, he took another bite for himself, chewed briefly, and then pressed his lips to hers, sliding the remaining piece into her mouth with a deep kiss. Cassandra gasped, caught off guard, but Antonio took full advantage—his tongue sweeping inside, tasting her, claiming her. The sweetness of the pancake mixed with the raw intensity of his kiss, turning something simple into something utterly sinful. A soft whimper slipped from her lips as Antonio gripped the back of her neck, deepening the kiss. The tray of food was swiftly pushed aside as Antonio pulled her into his lap, his hands trailing over the curves of her bare body beneath the sheets.

"You can’t keep pretending, Cass," he murmured against her lips. His fingers ghosted down her spine, pressing her closer.

"Every time I touch you, you fall apart."

Cassandra swallowed hard, her body already betraying her.

"Antonio… we can’t—"

"Oh, we can." He dragged his lips along her neck, teeth grazing the sensitive skin before licking away the sting.

"And I’ll prove it to you… again."

With one sharp tug, Antonio ripped the sheets away, exposing her completely. A hungry gleam lit his dark eyes as he dragged his fingers over the marks he left on her body the night before.

"Mmm… look at this," he murmured as his fingertips traced the bruises along her thighs and hips. Cassandra flushed, instinctively trying to cover herself, but Antonio grabbed her wrists, pinning them above her head.

"Don’t hide," he whispered, pressing his lips to her shoulder before trailing down to her breasts.

"This is proof that you’re mine." Cassandra gasped, her body trembling as Antonio’s mouth trailed lower, his tongue teasing over her sensitive skin, leaving heat and need in its wake. She should stop him. She should fight back.

But when Antonio’s lips finally reached the place she needed him most, her resolve shattered completely.

"Antonio… ahh…" She arched off the bed, her fingers tangling in his dark hair as his mouth devoured her. His deep, satisfied chuckle vibrated against her sensitive flesh.

"I want you to scream my name, Cass."

She bit her lip, desperate to hold back, but Antonio didn’t let up. His hands gripped her thighs, spreading her further apart, while his tongue moved in slow, torturous strokes.

"I won’t stop until you admit it."

Cassandra’s body tightened, pleasure coiling deep inside her until she couldn’t take it anymore.

"Antonio!!"

Her back arched violently, pleasure crashing over her in uncontrollable waves. Antonio pulled back, lips glistening, eyes filled with dark satisfaction.

"Good girl," he murmured, capturing her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss.

"Now you know who owns this body." Cassandra barely managed to breathe, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"I hate you," she whispered, voice weak and trembling. Antonio only laughed, rolling onto his side and pulling her against his chest.

"You might hate how much you want me," he murmured against her temple.

"But your body knows exactly who it belongs to."

Cassandra closed her eyes, her pulse still erratic. She hated that he was right. And that was the real problem.

Because every day, she was losing the will to fight him. But what if all of this was just a manipulation? What if, beneath every kiss, every whisper, every heated touch, Antonio truly was hiding something dark? As Antonio’s lips brushed over her bare shoulder, a memory resurfaced in her mind— The Silver Rose symbol found near Renjiro’s corpse. And the same symbol she had seen years ago at the site of her parents’ deaths. Was Antonio truly the man she thought he was? Or had she just fallen for the devil himself? The sun was already high when Cassandra finally woke up. Her body still ached, her muscles sore, and her mind was filled with the heated memories of last night. Antonio had completely ruined her in bed. She had never experienced anything like it before—the way he dominated her, pushed her to the edge over and over again, until she blacked out from the overwhelming pleasure. As she stretched her sore limbs, the silk sheet covering her naked body slid down, exposing the marks of Antonio’s possession—bruises from his kisses and bites scattered along her neck, chest, and deep between her thighs.

Cassandra bit her lip, remembering how he had taken her apart, leaving her completely at his mercy. Her fingers subconsciously traced over her stomach, still feeling the aftershocks of his touch, his mouth, his body claiming hers in every way possible.

And then, her core clenched at the thought—at how he had held her afterward, his grip firm and possessive, as if he refused to let her go. A wave of heat rushed through her again.

"Shit…"

she cursed under her breath, disgusted with herself for wanting him again after everything he had done to her. But she couldn’t stay here. She needed to go back to work. With great difficulty, Cassandra sat up, her legs weak and trembling. Even standing took extra effort—Antonio hadn’t given her any mercy last night. Just as she took a step toward the bathroom, the door swung open, and there he was. Antonio leaned against the doorframe, his signature smirk playing on his lips.

"You’re finally awake, sweetheart?"

His voice was low, teasing—a promise of trouble. Cassandra shot him a glare.

“I need to go to work.” Antonio chuckled, stepping closer.

“After last night? I thought you’d take a few days off.”

Cassandra sighed heavily.

“I still have a job to do.”

Before she could step away, Antonio grabbed her, pulling her into his arms.

"But I still want to play with you…” he whispered against her ear before pressing a kiss to her neck.

Cassandra shivered, fighting against the pleasure that instantly shot through her.

"Antonio, I really have to go..."

He pulled back just slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

"Then let me give you something to remember me by for the rest of the day."

His hand slid down her waist, then lower, between her thighs—finding her still wet from last night’s pleasure. Cassandra gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders.

"Antonio…!" she hissed. But the bastard only laughed, his fingers teasing her without mercy.

"You're still dripping, Cass," he murmured against her lips, his breath hot.

"Do you want me again?" Cassandra wanted to say no, wanted to push him away, but her body betrayed her. He knew exactly how to break her.

"Stop… I have to go to work," she managed to say, her voice shaky.

Antonio smirked, satisfied with her reaction, before placing a slow, claiming kiss on her lips.

"Fine. Go."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes, suspicious.

"You’re letting me leave that easily?" Antonio chuckled darkly.

"I’m just giving you time to miss me, sweetheart." Shaking her head,

Cassandra quickly slipped into the bathroom before he changed his mind and dragged her back to bed.

An hour later after a long, cold shower to cool herself down and an attempt to cover up the marks Antonio left on her body Cassandra finally arrived at the police station. She felt exhausted, but her mind was even worse. Everything still felt surreal—the passion, the control Antonio had over her body, and most of all… the lingering doubt that clouded her thoughts about him. But as soon as she stepped into her office, a serious-faced Alexander was already waiting for her.

"You finally made it,"

he said coolly, tossing a stack of files onto her desk. Cassandra took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on reality.

"What’s going on?" Alexander wasted no time.

"We have a new case." Cassandra grabbed the files and flipped through them quickly. A high-profile jewelry heist. Her brows furrowed as she skimmed through the report.

"This… isn’t Antonio’s doing." Alexander nodded.

"I know. This is someone else." Cassandra’s stomach tightened.

"Who are they?"

"That’s the problem. We don’t know yet." Alexander folded his arms.

"They don’t have any known affiliations, no identifiable symbols… but they’re highly organized and ruthless." Cassandra felt a cold dread creep up her spine. If a new group was bold enough to operate inside Antonio’s territory, then this wasn’t just some random street gang. This was a challenge.

"Are you sure this isn’t connected to The Silver Thorn?" she asked carefully. Alexander let out a long sigh.

"That’s what we’re investigating."

Cassandra’s chest tightened. If this group was connected to The Silver Thorn, then Antonio might know more than he was letting on. But if he was involved… what was his true goal? Was he expanding his power? Or was this a bigger political game that she wasn’t seeing yet? Cassandra pushed down her questions for now.

"We need to figure out who they are," she said firmly. Alexander studied her for a long moment before speaking again.

"Cass… are you okay?"

Cassandra stiffened slightly.

"Of course." Alexander didn’t look convinced.

"I don’t know why… but you seem different."

Cassandra swallowed hard. Of course, she was different. How could she possibly be the same after everything that had happened between her and Antonio? But that was not something she could ever tell Alexander. So, instead, she forced a small smile.

"I’m fine, Alex. Let’s just focus on the case."

Suddenly, the entire police station erupted into chaos. Alarms blared. Cassandra and Alexander rushed toward the operations center as officers ran in all directions.

"What the hell is going on?"

Cassandra demanded. A breathless officer turned to them, his face pale.

"We just received an anonymous tip…" Cassandra’s heart pounded violently.

"Tip about what?" The officer handed her a small, unmarked envelope. Cassandra’s fingers trembled slightly as she tore it open. Inside…

Was a single photograph. A photo of her and Antonio—tangled together in bed, his hands all over her body, her eyes clouded with desire. Below the photo was a chilling message:

"You’re sleeping with the devil, Detective. How long before he decides to burn you too?" Cassandra’s blood ran ice cold. And for the first time…

She realized someone was watching her. And that she wasn’t safe anymore. The police station was a chaotic mess, officers hurrying back and forth while staring at the CCTV footage from a private bank that had just been brutally robbed. A senior officer approached Cassandra and Alexander, his face tense as he handed over a report.

"There was an armed robbery at Milana International Bank,"

he said grimly.

"And this wasn’t just an ordinary heist."

Cassandra flipped open the report, her stomach twisting at the attached crime scene photos. The bodies of bank employees were found in horrific conditions—some with gunshot wounds to the head, others with their throats slit open.

"Fifteen people dead," the officer continued in a heavy tone.

"They didn’t just steal. They slaughtered everyone inside the building." Alexander narrowed his eyes, pointing at one of the images.

"What’s this?"

The senior officer sighed deeply.

"We found a message written on the wall in red paint. It says

‘Nuovo Ordine’

—which means ‘New Order’ in Italian." A cold chill ran down Cassandra’s spine.

"New Order?"

she murmured, trying to make sense of the name. Alexander tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"This doesn’t look like an ordinary gang. They’re too structured, too disciplined… This feels like a well-organized mafia operation."

But then—something else in the file made Cassandra’s breath catch. She flipped through the pages faster, her heart pounding until she found the photo she was looking for. Her eyes widened. The Silver Rose emblem.

"This symbol…"

Cassandra whispered, barely believing what she was seeing. The senior officer narrowed his gaze at her.

"You recognize it?" Cassandra forced herself to stay calm.

"It’s… the emblem of The Silver Thorn. The biggest mafia empire in the world right now." Alexander’s expression turned deadly serious.

"The Silver Thorn? That’s Antonio’s syndicate."

Cassandra swallowed hard. If this symbol was found at the crime scene… That meant one of two things. Either Antonio was involved in this massacre… Or someone was trying to frame him. One of the other officers chimed in.

"We also found something else disturbing. Witnesses said the robbers weren’t just killing—they were talking about ‘the rebirth of the underworld.’"

Alexander rubbed his temples, clearly frustrated.

"That means they’re not just criminals. They’re trying to build something bigger. A new system in the mafia world."

Cassandra exhaled slowly.

"And if they’re using The Silver Thorn’s emblem, this can only mean two things—either Antonio is behind this, or someone is challenging him."

In a dimly lit, lavish office, Antonio Franches sat at his mahogany desk, his expression unreadable. He held a glass of red wine, swirling the liquid slowly as he read the encrypted message on his phone.

"There’s a new power rising. A structured force. A new mafia is making its move."

Antonio smirked slightly and placed his phone down. Marcus, who stood by the window, turned to face him.

"Is that from one of our people?" Antonio took a slow sip of his wine before answering.

"No. It’s from someone who wants me to know that the world is changing."

Marcus’s expression darkened.

"Nuovo Ordine?" Antonio’s smirk grew more sinister.

"Yes. It seems they want to make a bold statement." Marcus crossed his arms.

"They used The Silver Thorn’s emblem during their attack. If this isn’t us, then it’s a direct challenge to your empire." Antonio nodded.

"Which means someone is trying to declare war on me." Marcus exhaled sharply.

"Should we wipe them out before they grow any stronger?" Antonio gazed into his wine glass, his voice as smooth as silk.

"Not yet. I want to see how far they’ll go before they realize they’ve made a mistake."

Marcus gave a slight nod, understanding his leader’s approach.

"And what about Cassandra? She’s bound to find out soon." Antonio went silent for a moment, before his smirk returned.

"Let her figure it out. I want to see how far she’s willing to go for the truth." Marcus frowned slightly.

"And if she starts suspecting you?" Antonio leaned back, his eyes locked onto the flames flickering in the fireplace beside him.

"If she’s smart, she’ll stay silent. If not…" His gaze turned ice-cold.

"I’ll make sure she stays by my side—one way or another." Marcus nodded, then exited the room, leaving Antonio with his thoughts. Cassandra stared at the Silver Thorn emblem in the crime scene report, her mind spinning. If a new mafia was trying to rise, why would they use Antonio’s emblem?

"This could mean they’re working with The Silver Thorn,"

one officer speculated.

"Or it means they’re challenging them,"

Alexander countered. Cassandra felt her chest tighten with unease. If Antonio was truly behind this, then she had fallen too deep into his game. But if this was an attack against his empire, then she had to make a choice: Stay with Antonio and fight this enemy together… Or leave before she gets caught in the crossfire. She rubbed her temples, exhaustion creeping in—not just from the long hours at work, but from the memory of last night, of Antonio’s touch, his body, the way he owned her like she belonged to him.

"Cass?" Alexander’s voice pulled her from her thoughts as he touched her arm gently.

"Yeah?" she replied, trying to mask her inner turmoil.

"We need to find out who these people are before things get worse."