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"I'm fine," I lied. "Speed up the Marco hits. I want this over fast."

I hung up, alone in the living room, the silence crushing me. Maybe this was my punishment. My family's sins, my burden. I'd lost Cassie, lost love, lost everything good in my life.

But at least she'd be safe. Free from me, from this dark world.

That was the only comfort I had left, the only reason to keep breathing.

I'd protect her from the shadows, make sure she was safe, but I'd never show my face again. I wouldn't be the reminder of her pain.

It was the last gift I could give her.

Time dragged on, lost in a haze, until my phone buzzed, pulling me out of the abyss.

"Boss?" Dimitri's voice was cautious. "Got an update. Cassie's at the airport, booking a ticket. Red-eye to L.A. tonight."

Los Angeles. She was going to her mom. Far from Chicago's blood and chaos. Good. She'd be safe there, for now.

"Good," I said, forcing myself to sit up, my voice slipping back into the cold, controlled tone of the mob boss. But inside, I was burning, molten rage and pain. "Make sure she gets on that plane safely. And," my eyes sharpened, my voice deadly, "tell all the crews to gear up. The intel's confirmed. I want Marco's name wiped from Chicago in a week."

"Got it, Boss. One more thing," Dimitri said, pausing. "Miss Ginnie says she needs a black card for… wedding prep."

My fist clenched, my voice ice-cold, straight from hell. "Give it to her. Whatever she wants from now on, agree. Don't bother me with it."

Dimitri hung up, and I lost it, smashing a glass, shards flying. Ginnie—that greedy, venomous snake who'd ruined everything.

She thought she'd won.

She had no idea I'd already dug her grave in my mind.

This game would end soon. All debts would be settled.

And I'd make sure everyone who hurt Cassie paid the price.

Even me.

Chapter 24

Cassie

I'd been sitting in O'Hare International Airport's departure lounge for three hours.

People rushed past me dragging their luggage, hurrying to catch flights, but I sat there like a stone, unable to move. My fingers gripped the boarding pass to Los Angeles so tight the edges were starting to curl. The departure time crept closer and closer, but my body felt like someone had poured lead into my bones.

I kept telling myself to go—leave this city full of painful memories, find Mom, start fresh. But every time I tried to stand, the little life inside me seemed to send a reminder—I was carrying Gennady's child.

This baby was proof of our love, and the continuation of our pain.

"Los Angeles flight LA1547 now boarding. First class and business class passengers..."

The announcement echoed through the terminal just as my phone buzzed. Seeing "Mom" on the screen made my heart squeeze painfully.

"Baby? Are you okay?" Mom's voice came through, heavy with worry and exhaustion.

"Mom." Hearing her voice broke the dam. Tears flooded down my face. "I-"

"Cassie, honey, I'm about to board." Mom said, the background noise crackling with a flight attendant's sweet voice checking tickets. "I'm flying to Chicago right now. I can't let you go through this alone."

What?