One Hundred Nineteen

Inside the secret meeting room, the air was thick with tension. Dim lights cast shadows over the serious faces surrounding the massive mahogany table. Antonio’s five top agents—Marcus, Ben, Dominic, Silvio, and Luca—sat with tense expressions, ready to take orders from their leader. But tonight, there was someone different in the room. Cassandra. Normally, Antonio wouldn’t allow her to be part of meetings like this. But tonight was different. She was the only living witness to the tragic accident that took her parents' lives. Antonio wanted her here—to hear firsthand how they were going to hunt Edward Novaries down and drag him out of whatever hole he was hiding in. Cassandra sat beside Antonio, her hands clenched in her lap, trying to conceal the nervousness creeping into her. Marcus, Antonio’s most trusted man, started the discussion.

“Edward keeps slipping through our fingers. We almost had him after the tanker explosion, but he got away.”

Dominic took a slow sip of his coffee, his face serious despite his casual demeanor.

“He’s gone underground. I’d bet my life he’s planning a counterattack.”

Ben turned his cold gaze toward Antonio.

“So, what’s the plan, Boss?”

Antonio leaned forward, his dark eyes razor-sharp, like an executioner ready to finish his prey.

“We make him come to us.”

Silvio nodded.

“He’s not the type to walk out in the open. We need more than just patience—we need strategy.”

Luca agreed.

“Yeah. If we don’t make the first move, he will.”

That was when Cassandra, who had remained silent all this time, was hit with something that froze her body in place.

“Edward didn’t just kill your parents because of their ties to the mafia, Cassandra.”

Marcus slid a folder onto the table. Cassandra stared at it, confusion clouding her face as she hesitantly reached for it with trembling fingers.

“What do you mean?”

she asked, her voice shaking. Ben leaned back in his chair.

“Your mother wasn’t just a casualty of a mafia war. She was killed because someone higher up in the government wanted her dead.”

Cassandra’s eyes widened.

“What…?”

Silvio continued.

“Edward was just the executioner. But the real reason your mother was killed wasn’t because of Antonio’s father—it was because of a corrupt official she took down in court.”

Cassandra felt her world spinning.

“No… No, that’s impossible.”

She remembered Bibi Marrie’s words from before.

"Your mother was the best lawyer I’ve ever known, Cass. She took down powerful, corrupt men—and that made them afraid of her."

Cassandra bit her lip, rage bubbling up inside her.

“So this isn’t just about the mafia?”

Her voice wavered, her anger barely contained.

“This is about the justice system my mother fought for?”

Ben nodded.

“Exactly. More people wanted her dead than just those in the underworld. Edward was just the weapon they used.”

Cassandra’s fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms. Her mother didn’t die just because of this cruel world… She died because of the justice she stood for. She turned to Antonio, searching for answers in his eyes. Antonio’s gaze was unreadable—dark, full of something difficult to name. Anger. Vengeance. Resolution.

“Whoever was behind it,”

Antonio’s voice was cold and final,

“Edward has to die.”

“We’ll make sure he doesn’t escape this time.”

Cassandra swallowed hard, realizing this wasn’t just Antonio’s personal vendetta. This was war. Marcus, sitting at Antonio’s right, stroked his beard.

“So how do we lure him out?”

Antonio tapped his fingers against the map spread out before them.

“We destroy his economy.”

Everyone in the room turned toward him. Dominic folded his arms, narrowing his eyes.

“You want to bankrupt him?”

Antonio nodded.

“More than that.”

He glanced briefly at Cassandra before looking back at his men.

“We hit his businesses. We drain his money. We turn his people against him. We take his gun distribution network, cut off his cash flow, and make his former allies doubt him.”

Silvio let out a low whistle.

“If we pull this off, Edward will have no choice but to come crawling out.”

Luca watched Antonio with intrigue.

“And when he has nowhere left to hide…?”

Antonio’s voice dropped to something even deadlier.

“I’ll kill him with my own hands.”

Silence fell over the room. They all knew Antonio never made empty threats. If he said he would do something—he would do it. Cassandra looked at him, emotions swirling in her chest. She knew Antonio could make all of this happen, but this time… something felt different.

“Antonio…”

Her voice was soft but firm. Antonio turned to her, his dark eyes locking onto hers. Antonio’s smirk deepened as he tilted his head, eyes locked onto Cassandra’s fiery gaze. Her breath was warm, her body so close that he could feel the heat radiating from her.

The sweet scent of red wine lingered on her lips, tempting him to claim them right then and there. Cassandra’s fingers traced slow circles on his chest, teasing, daring.

“Yes,”

she whispered, her voice dripping with desire. Antonio inhaled sharply, his restraint slipping. He had wanted her like this for so long—completely his, without hesitation, without fear.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for, Cass.”

His voice was a husky warning, his hands reaching up to frame her face, fingers stroking her flushed cheeks. Cassandra’s lips parted slightly, her breathing uneven.

“Then show me.”

That was all it took. In a single motion, Antonio grabbed her by the waist and pulled her flush against him. A gasp escaped her lips before he captured them in a searing kiss, deep and consuming.

Cassandra melted into him, her fingers gripping his shirt, needing more, demanding more. Antonio growled against her mouth, his hands sliding down to cup her hips, pressing her against him.

“Do you know what you’re doing to me, Cass?”

She exhaled a breathy moan, her body arching against him.

“Then don’t stop.”

Antonio didn’t need to be told twice. With a swift movement, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Cassandra let out a delighted laugh, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her to the bed.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, my love,”

Antonio murmured, laying her down gently beneath him, his body hovering just inches from hers. Cassandra met his gaze, her emerald eyes burning with need.

“Then let’s play.”

Antonio’s restraint snapped. His lips trailed down her neck, his fingers tracing every curve of her body with slow, deliberate hunger. Cassandra shivered beneath him, her body responding to every touch, every kiss, every whispered promise of pleasure.

Tonight, there were no doubts, no fears, no past to haunt them. Tonight, there was only them. And Antonio was going to make sure Cassandra never forgot it. Cassandra nodded, her eyes never leaving the gaze of the man who had completely stolen her heart.

"I am yours, Antonio. I won't deny it anymore."

Antonio smiled wryly.

"Then prepare yourself, my love."

"Satisfy me tonight, Antonio asshole,"

she whispered in the man's ear, her voice heavy and demanding. Antonio felt her hot breath caress the skin of his neck, making his blood boil even more.

"You have stolen my heart again and again,"

Cassandra continued, her voice deeper, full of certainty.

"And I will give you my whole heart and body."

Antonio growled low, his hands gripping Cassandra's waist tightly, pulling her closer until their bodies were locked together.

"You are truly dangerous when you are drunk, my love."

Cassandra bit her lip, her eyes misty with the passion that flowed so freely.

"Don't talk so much, Antonio."

She drew Antonio's face closer, her lips only inches from his.

"Let me not forget this pleasure."

Antonio chuckled softly, his black eyes darkening, filled with an attraction he could no longer hide.

"All right, my love."

His voice fell to a deep, dangerous whisper.

"Tonight I will give you the most beautiful memories you will never forget."

Without waiting, Antonio grabbed Cassandra's neck and pulled her into a hot, deep kiss. Cassandra moaned softly between their kisses, her hands gripping Antonio's shoulders as if not wanting to let go. They explored each other, their bodies demanding more. Cassandra pushed Antonio onto the bed, letting him fall back with a passionate expression on her face. Her eyes stared at Antonio with a bold, possessive look. She climbed on top of him, sitting on his lap and caressing his face.

"I belong to you, Antonio,"

he whispered,

"completely. Antonio looked up at her with dark eyes, his hands running down Cassandra's back, making her writhe with pleasure she didn't even know she could feel. And I'll make sure you don't forget tonight, baby."

Cassandra didn't need any more words. Tonight they were drowning in a passion that could not be stopped. And between the whispers, the subtle sighs, and the increasingly frenzied touches, Cassandra knew - she had found her home in this man's arms. The air felt heavier, hotter, and filled with a desire they could no longer contain. Their movements grew wilder, full of long held desires, creating a rhythm that only the two of them understood. Cassandra moans softly under Antonio's touch, her body arching perfectly, responding to every peck, every caress the man leaves on her warm skin. Antonio gazed at her with dark eyes filled with such deep attraction, as if only Cassandra could control the wild side of him.

"Antonio..."

her voice trembled, her breathing ragged. The man lowered his head, letting his lips touch Cassandra's neck, leaving a trail of heat that made her squirm impatiently.

"Say it, baby..."

Antonio whispered, his voice low and deep, filling the air with searing passion.

"Make me, Antonio..."

Cassandra pulled her face away, looking up at him with eyes clouded with pleasure.

"Go deeper."

Antonio growled softly, burned by Cassandra's desire, now no longer shrouded by doubt.

"You always drive me crazy, Cass..."

he murmured, his hands gripping her waist tightly, leading her deeper into a whirlpool of passion that could no longer be stopped. Cassandra stiffened, her back arching perfectly as pleasure hit her like a hurricane.

"Let's go out together..."

her breathing became shorter, her body began to tremble under Antonio's touch.

"Ah, ah, ahhhhh! Fuck, it's so good!"

Antonio clenched his hands behind Cassandra, digging deeper, harder, as if to make sure she could never run away from him again. With one last deep, intense movement, he threw off all control and let himself fall completely into the pleasure created by the woman who was now his world. She released her fertile juices inside Cassandra, filling every space in her, uniting them not only physically, but also in heart and soul.

They remained connected in a meaningful silence, only the sound of labored breathing filling the room. Cassandra lay limply on Antonio's chest, her chest still rising and falling rapidly, her body feeling light as if floating on a cloud of pleasure like she had never felt before. Antonio gently rubbed her back, his fingers drawing small circles on Cassandra's skin, letting the warm sensation of their bodies still joined flow peacefully.

"Thank you, Antonio..."

she said in a weak voice, her eyes looking up at him with a tenderness she had always resisted.

"I love you."

Antonio stroked her hair gently, caressing each strand as if it were the most precious thing he had ever owned. He looked down and kissed Cassandra's forehead reverently, with a promise deeper than words.

"I've always loved you too, Cassandra."

Cassandra smiled slightly, then closed her eyes, drowning herself in Antonio's warmth. Tonight was not only an intoxicating passion - but also a bond that was becoming more deeply rooted in their souls. They were no longer just lovers. They belonged together. And nothing could keep them apart.