Mafia or You - A Romance Novel

Chapter 3 - Unseen Threat

The days flew by in a blur of secret meetings and cautious planning. Cassie and Debbie's alliance was like a delicate dance—fragile, but with promise. They were mapping out a strategy to strengthen their hold and cut down on the violence that had haunted their families for years. 

Even with all the serious business, Cassie couldn't ignore how drawn she was to Debbie. Every meeting left her craving more—not just about their truce, but about Debbie herself.

One evening, after a heated debate about territory splits, Debbie flashed a mischievous grin. "How about we take a break? There's this little Italian spot around the corner. They make the best carbonara in the city."

Cassie raised an eyebrow. "Carbonara, huh? Alright, you've got my attention. Lead the way."

The restaurant was cozy and intimate, a warm contrast to the cold city streets outside. Settling into a corner booth, Cassie felt a rare moment of calm. It was nice to forget the harsh realities of their world, even just for a little while.

Over rich pasta and smooth red wine, their conversation flowed effortlessly. Cassie found herself laughing at Debbie's witty stories, and she ended up sharing more about her own life than she had in ages. The chemistry between them grew with every laugh and shared glance.

As the night wore on, the tension between them became almost palpable. When Debbie's hand brushed against Cassie's, a shiver raced up her spine. She looked up to find Debbie's gaze locked onto hers—filled with a mix of desire and hesitation.

"Debbie..." Cassie started, but her phone buzzed abruptly, cutting her off. She glanced at the screen and saw Marco's name flashing.

"Sorry, I need to take this," Cassie said, stepping outside.

"Boss," Marco's voice was tense. "We've got a problem. One of our warehouses was hit. It looks like Moretti's men."

Cassie's heart sank. "I'm with Debbie right now. I don't think she knows anything about this."

"Doesn't matter. We need to move fast. Meet me at the warehouse."

Cassie ended the call and took a deep breath before heading back inside. Debbie's worried eyes met hers immediately.

"What's wrong?" Debbie asked.

"One of our warehouses was attacked. Your father's guys, apparently," Cassie said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I need to go."

Debbie's face tightened. "I'm coming with you. If my father is behind this, I need to find out."

Cassie hesitated but then nodded. "Alright. Let's go."

The drive to the warehouse was tense. Cassie couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal. She wanted to believe Debbie was innocent, but their world was brutal and didn't leave much room for error.

When they arrived, the scene was chaotic. Shouts filled the air as men assessed the damage and tried to piece together what had happened. Marco approached with a grim look.

"Boss, this was a planned attack. They knew exactly where to hit."

Cassie turned to Debbie, her gaze icy. "Did you know about this?"

Debbie's eyes widened, and she shook her head urgently. "No, I swear, Cassie. I had no idea. Let me talk to my father. There's got to be a reason."

Cassie scrutinized her for a long moment before nodding. "Alright. But if I find out you had anything to do with this, our alliance is over."

Debbie nodded, her eyes pleading. "I understand. I'll get to the bottom of this, Cassie. Trust me."

As Debbie walked off to confront her father, Cassie was left with a mix of anger and heartache. 

She wanted to trust Debbie, but the stakes were too high. If this turned out to be a betrayal, it could destroy everything they'd built—and spark a war neither of them could afford.

Cassie watched Debbie disappear into the night, her heart heavy with uncertainty. The line between love and loyalty had never felt so thin, and she was precariously close to crossing it.