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Chapter 25: Aftermath
Last Updated:
2025-03-15 05:50:36
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The Mafia Debt Chapter 26: Collateral Damage
Cassian's POVI sat at the bar, letting the amber liquid swirl in my glass. The whiskey burned as it went down, but it wasn't enough to dull the rage that consumed me.My phone vibrated against the polished wood of the bar. Viktor's name flashed on the screen."What is it?" I snapped, my patience hanging by a thread. "It better be worth my time, or I'll have your head.""I have something for you in the lockup room," Viktor said.I downed the rest of my whiskey in one gulp, welcoming the burning sensation as it hit the back of my throat. "Fine, I'm on my way."I slammed the glass down and threw a hundred-dollar bill on the counter. The bartender wisely kept his distance as I stormed out.The warehouse was a hive of activity when I arrived. I pushed open the door to the lockup room, and there he was. Silas. The pathetic excuse for a man who had sold his own daughter. Twice.I forced my lips into a smile that felt more like a snarl. "Ah Silas, just who I want to see. Are you here to clea
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Aria's POVI spent the night drifting in and out of consciousness, the uncomfortable position and constant fear making real sleep impossible. The dripping water somewhere in the distance had become a torturous sound, marking the endless seconds of my captivity. My limbs ached from being bound to the chair, my wrists raw and burning from where the ropes cut into my skin.Morning arrived with no natural light to mark its passage—just the harsh bulb that never turned off. I had no way to track time, but my parched throat and growling stomach told me many hours had passed since I'd last been given water.The metal door swung open, and Riccardo Lion strode in with casual confidence, as if he were entering a boardroom rather than a makeshift prison. He carried a bottle of water and what looked like a protein bar."Good morning, sunshine," he said, his voice dripping with false cheer. "Did you sleep well in your five-star accommodations?"I refused to look at him, keeping my eyes fixed on a
Last Updated : 2025-03-16The Mafia Debt Chapter 28: The Devil’s Bargain
Cassian's POVMy men had been searching the city for nearly twenty-four hours with no results. It was as if she had vanished into thin air. Silas is still not talking. The door to my office opened, and Viktor entered without knocking—a breach of protocol that told me he had news."Boss," he said, his expression grim. "Silas is asking to speak with you. I think he is ready to cooperate. "I was on my feet before he finished speaking. "What are you waiting for then lead the way"" But boss—" Viktor hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "He seems... different. Almost amused by the situation."A dark anger surged through me. If Silas knew where Aria was and had been withholding that information..."Keep searching," I instructed Viktor. "Follow every lead, call in every favor. I want her found."Viktor nodded and left, closing the door behind him. I downed the rest of my whiskey in one swallow, welcoming the burn as a counterpoint to the cold rage that had settled in my chest.The lock
Last Updated : 2025-03-16The Mafia Debt Chapter 29: No Mercy
Cassian's POVI checked my watch for the third time in five minutes. Lion's text had come through with coordinates to an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Typical. These fuckers always picked the most cliché locations for their dramatics."Boss," Viktor's voice came through my earpiece. "We've got eyes on all exits. No sign of her yet, but we've identified at least seven of Lion's men positioned around the perimeter.""Keep them in your sights," I ordered. "No one moves until I give the signal."I adjusted the bulletproof vest under my jacket. The black duffel bag in my hand is filled with just enough cash."Remember," I added, "Aria's safety is the priority. If things go south, get her out first. We can deal with Lion and his men after.""Understood," Viktor confirmed.I ended the call and stepped out of the car, scanning the area.The main entrance was left ajar, just as Lion's text had indicated. I pushed it open with my foot, the metal door creaking."Come in, Roma
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CassianThe drive to the safe house felt like an eternity. When we finally arrived, I carried Aria inside, refusing to let anyone else touch her. The doctor was waiting for us, an older woman with calm and experienced eyes."Put her on the bed," she instructed me, already opening her medical bag. "And then I need you to step out while I examine her."I hesitated, reluctant to leave Aria's side."She's safe now," the doctor said gently. "Let me help her."Reluctantly, I laid Aria on the bed and stepped back. "I'll be right outside," I told the doctor.I paced the hallway like a caged animal while the doctor worked, my mind racing with dark thoughts. How many times had she called for help? How many times had she wondered if anyone was coming for her? The door opened after what felt like hours, and the doctor emerged, the expression on her face grave."How is she?" I demanded."She is dehydrated, malnourished, and exhausted," the doctor replied. "Multiple contusions, a sprained wrist, a
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Aria's POV I sensed him before I opened my eyes. Despite wanting to keep pretending I was asleep, curiosity won out. I cracked my eyes open just enough to see him standing there, staring at me without blinking.The bruises on my body throbbed with each heartbeat. It’s been hours since he'd rescued me from Lion, and everything still hurt.Will I ever be free? The thought hit me like a punch to the gut. Would there always be another ordeal waiting for me? Another psycho ready to use me as leverage against Cassian or my father?Why did he save me anyway? Was I just property he needed to recover? Or did he actually care? God, I was so tired of not knowing where I stood.Before I could stop them, tears spilled down my cheeks. I heard his footsteps coming closer, but I couldn't hold back the sobs anymore. Everything hurt—my body, my heart, my trust.The bed dipped as he sat beside me. His voice, usually so commanding, went soft in a way I'd never heard before."Please don't cry." He reache
Last Updated : 2025-03-17The Mafia Debt Chapter 32: Stay or Go
AriaCassian drove in silence as I stared out the window. The coastal road curved upward, climbing a steep cliff that overlooked the ocean. Eventually, he pulled over at a lookout point where the entire coastline stretched out below us."Come on," he said, getting out of the car.The wind whipped my hair around my face as I followed him to the guardrail. The view was breathtaking—endless blue water meeting the horizon, city lights looking just like stars.We stood there, not speaking. The crash of waves against rocks hundreds of feet below was all I could hear."If you could go anywhere in this world, where would you go?" Cassian asked suddenly.I glanced at him, caught off guard. "Why are you asking?""I want to know." His eyes stayed on the ocean.I turned back to the view, thinking. "I’ve always been drawn to the ocean," I finally said. "A bit quieter than this. A little house where I could wake up and see the water every morning."He nodded. "Sounds like a place of peace.""Yeah."
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AriaThe safe house was surprisingly homey for a place owned by someone like Cassian. Overstuffed furniture, wooden beams across the ceiling, large windows overlooking the ocean. If circumstances were different, it might have been romantic.Minutes later, he returned with a plate of sandwiches and a glass of orange juice. "Here you go. This should tide you over."I took the plate, our fingers brushing. We both pretended not to notice. "Thank you," I said softly. I meant it for more than just the food.He nodded, taking a seat across from me instead of beside me. "I ordered Chinese takeout. It should be here soon.""That sounds great." I took a bite of the sandwich, suddenly ravenous. It was simple—turkey, cheese, lettuce—but right then, it tasted better than any five-star meal. "I'll get dressed before it arrives."In the bedroom. I changed into sweats and a t-shirt, both too big for me. Cassian's clothes. I'd grown accustomed to wearing them, to being surrounded by his scent.Freedom
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
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The Mafia Debt Chapter 110: Somewhere to Start
Viktor was out of critical care by the next morning. The doctor explained he was stable, though the road to recovery would be long.Dr. Nikolai said, his eyes tired but satisfied. "Try not to exhaust him."Viktor looked small against the hospital sheets. His face brightened when he saw us, though the effort seemed to cost him."There's my favorite lovebirds," he croaked, his voice rough from the breathing tube they'd only recently removed."You look like shit," he told Viktor, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him."Tell me what I don’t know," Viktor attempted a laugh that dissolved into a painful cough.I moved to his bedside, carefully taking his hand in mine. "I'm so sorry I wasn't here.""Don't apologize for protecting yourself, Aria. This life... it takes pieces of you if you're not careful."Cassian shifted uncomfortably beside me. "Save the philosophy for when you're not full of morphine.""The morphine makes me philosophical," Viktor countered weakly. His gaze drifted betwe
The Mafia Debt Chapter 109: Yours, Not Hers
"How is he?"Cassian pulled back just enough to look at me, his hands cupping my face as if he needed to assure himself I was real. "Not good. The doctors say..." He swallowed hard. "They're not optimistic."I nodded, blinking back tears. "Can I see him?""He's sleeping now." Cassian's thumb traced the curve of my cheek, his eyes never leaving mine. "Aria, about what happened—""Later," I interrupted gently. "We'll talk about everything later. Right now, I just need..."I didn't finish the sentence, but I didn't have to. Cassian understood. His hand found mine, fingers intertwining as he led me down the corridor, away from Viktor's room and the nursing station."Where are we going?" I asked as he pushed open the door to what looked like a small consultation room.He didn't answer, just pulled me inside and locked the door behind us. The room was furnished with only a small desk and two chairs, a window overlooking the city.Before I could say another word, Cassian's mouth was on mine.
The Mafia Debt Chapter 108: The Promise He Kept
I turned, surprised by the hardness in his tone."I love you more than I've ever loved anything in this life," he continued. "But I can't keep doing this dance. I can't keep watching you run away when things get hard.""Things get hard?" I echoed incredulously. "We were kidnapped, Cassian. Tortured." "And I'm still here," he said fiercely. "Standing right in front of you, asking you to stay and fight for us instead of running away."His words hit their mark. Was that what I was doing? Running away when I should be fighting?"I don't know how to fight this toxicity," I admitted, my voice small.Cassian took a step toward me, careful, like I was a wounded animal that might bolt. "Together," he said simply. "We fight it together."I shook my head, tears flowing freely now. "It's not that simple.""It is," he insisted. "It's the simplest thing in the world, Aria. I love you. You love me. Everything else, we figure out as we go.""And what happens the next time someone comes for us? The n
The Mafia Debt Chapter 107: If You Walk Out That Door…
Cassian's POVWe're walking through the hotel gardens the next day. Aria has been talking non-stop for the past twenty minutes, her voice filling the space between us with stories I've heard a thousand times before. Normally, I'd find it endearing, the way she rambles when she's nervous or trying to distract herself. But tonight, it just highlights how desperately she's trying to pretend everything's normal.Nothing about this is normal. Not the way my skin still crawls with the memory of Charlie's hands on me. Not the hollow ache in my chest when I think about Aria being forced to watch. I listen to her, smiling at the appropriate moments, even though I already know where each story will lead. But I can't maintain the facade. A bitter chuckle escapes me, cutting her off mid-sentence.She turns to me, confusion clouding her features. "What?""Do you ever stop for air?" I ask, trying to divert her attention.She stops walking and crosses her arms over her chest, her expression shiftin
The Mafia Debt Chapter 106: A Break, Together
Aria's POVI couldn’t sleep so I sit on the balcony, knees pulled to my chest.I know it wasn't entirely his fault. I know that. But the memory—it replays in endless, torturous loops. Each time it feels like another piece of my heart shatters.I stare out at the city, wondering if love is supposed to feel this way—so heavy and suffocating at times that you're unsure if you can breathe. I love Cassian. My love for him runs deep, twisting through every part of me. He's my other half, my anchor. But with that love always comes something darker. Something I can't shake. A bad omen, hanging over us like a shadow. Could we ever escape it?Could we ever live a normal life?I remember once asking him that very question, if we could ever be normal. His answer was distant, almost resigned, as if the idea of "normal" wasn't in the cards for us. Maybe it never had been.Is this my new normal? Constantly afraid, constantly in danger, watching the man I love be violated while I'm forced to watch?T
The Mafia Debt Chapter 105: The Night Love Wasn’t Enough
Cassian's POV"Keep your hands to yourself. Don’t touch me." she says, her voice flat. "I'm done with you and your fucked up lifestyle."I stand frozen in the middle of the room, blood still warm on my knuckles, watching as she places the gun in my hands. Her fingers are ice against mine. There's something vacant in her eyes—something I've never seen before. Not fear or shock, but something worse: emptiness.The rejection hits harder than any of Dom's blows. My throat constricts, words dying before they form. What the fuck am I supposed to say? That I'm sorry she had to watch Charlie violate me? That I'm sorry I couldn't protect her from seeing that?"Aria—""No." She cuts me off, wrapping her arms around herself. "I need space. I need... not this." Her eyes dart around the basement, on Charlie's body sprawled in a pool of crimson, on Dom's unconscious form. "I can't breathe down here."She turns abruptly, stumbling toward the stairs. I follow, each step sending pain shooting through
The Mafia Debt Chapter 104: Anything for Love II
Aria's POVCharlie continues her assault, making obscene noises as she works, and I feel my stomach rolling in nausea. My vision blurs as tears well up, and I choke back a sob. I want to scream, to fight, to do anything to stop this, but I'm helpless, trapped in this nightmare.Cassian's eyes are on me the whole time, as if he's trying to communicate something, some silent message of strength, of endurance. But I can see the pain in his gaze, the torment of being unable to stop what's happening.And then, suddenly. Cassian's hand shoots out out of his restraints, grabbing Charlie's hair in a grip so tight it must be painful.Charlie's eyes widen in shock and fear as his grip tightens. Dom lurches forward with a shout, but he's too late. Cassian has already flung Charlie across the room. She crashes into the wine rack, bottles shattering around her as she falls.Dom moved like a snake, delivering a brutal kick to Cassian's ribs that sends him crashing to the ground. The sound of his bo
The Mafia Debt Chapter 103: Anything for Love
Aria's POVI sit rigidly in the basement they let us into—our own basement, turned prison—my heart hammering against my ribcage so violently I fear it might shatter. Across from me sits Cassian. He's tense, every muscle in his body coiled tight like a spring ready to snap, eyes darting between me and Dom, calculating, always calculating.Dom stands between us. "We're going to play a game," he announces. "It's called Anything for Love." He smirks, savoring each syllable. "I want to see just how far the great Cassian Romano will go to protect his precious Aria.""If you touch her—""Ah, ah, ah," Dom interrupts, wagging a finger like he's scolding a child. "No threats, Cassian. Remember who holds the power now." His gaze slides to me, making my skin crawl. "And if you don't comply..." He lets the threat hang in the air, but it's clear—if Cassian doesn't play along, I'm the one who'll suffer.The basement feels smaller suddenly, the air thicker."Cassian," I start, trying to sound brave,
The Mafia Debt Chapter 102: Siblings from Hell
Aria's POV"I was beginning to lose my patience," Dom says, his eyes narrowing as he glares at the woman who just entered. She strides in with a confidence that makes my skin crawl, her bright orange hair cascading down her shoulders like liquid fire. The leather mini-skirt she's wearing barely covers anything, and her top—if you could call that scrap of fabric a top—leaves nothing to the imagination. Her breasts strain against the thin material, and I notice Cassian deliberately averting his gaze.Charlie walks directly to Dom and plants a kiss on his lips that's anything but familial. Her tongue visibly slides against his, her hand gripping his hair as she moans into his mouth. My stomach churns at the display."Did I miss anything fun, brother?" Charlie asks when she finally pulls away, a string of saliva still connecting their lips. Her eyes gleam with perverse enjoyment as she catches my horrified expression."Brother?" The word escapes my lips before I can stop it.Charlie's la
