A Cop for the Mafia Boss

chapter 3

First Move

The moment Cassie stepped through the entrance of the club, she forced herself to relax. Her heart was beating too fast, but she refused to let it show. She smiled at the hostess, handed over the fake ID she had been given, and walked past the entrance like she had done it a hundred times before.

The music hit her immediately, loud enough to make conversation almost impossible. Cassie moved with the rhythm as she walked, swaying her hips slightly and letting herself blend into the crowd. She didn't look around too much. She had learned that people noticed those who looked like they were searching for something, so she danced.

She moved deeper into the club, occasionally laughing when someone bumped into her and pretending not to care when a few men looked her way. She kept her face relaxed even though every part of her wanted to check where the exits were and count the number of security guards in the room.

Then she spotted the bar.

Cassie made her way toward it and grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the passing waiters.

"Whooo," she muttered under her breath as she took the glass.

The champagne was almost spilling over the edge.

She steadied it quickly and continued toward the bar, moving like she was simply looking for a place to enjoy her drink.

When she reached the bartender, she leaned against the counter and finally allowed herself to look around.

That was when she saw him. Eddie Casa-Ami sat upstairs in the VIP section and Cassie recognized him immediately from the photographs in her file.

He looked even more intimidating in person.

He sat comfortably on a black sofa with one arm resting across the back. Two men stood several feet behind him, while another security guard stood near the staircase leading to the VIP area.

Cassie took a small sip of her champagne before her eyes moved slowly around the room while she studied the security.

Two guards near the staircase, one at the entrance to the VIP area another standing near Eddie and at least four more spread across the main floor.

Cassie lowered her glass. Getting upstairs wasn't going to be easy. She looked back at Eddie.

Cassie took another sip.

"Think, Cassie."

She couldn't simply walk upstairs, she needed a reason. Maybe she could pretend she knew someone upstairs but that would be too risky.

She could flirt with one of the guards and convince him to let her through but that would be excessive. She took another sip and frowned.

Then suddenly, shouting broke through the music.

"Hey!"

Cassie's head turned.

A man had shoved another man near the center of the club and within seconds, the situation got worse. Someone pushed someone else, causing a glass to fall and shatter.

People began moving away from the center as several men started yelling at each other.

"Hey, hey! Not here!" one of the security guards shouted, followed by two guards who immediately rushed toward the crowd.

Cassie's eyes flicked toward the staircase. The guard who was still standing there was now watching the fight.

This was her chance. She placed her champagne glass on the bar and moved.

She didn't run, she walked quickly, keeping her head down as though she was simply trying to get away from the trouble.

As Cassie got upstairs, she looked toward Eddie, who was still sitting on the sofa and paying no mind to the fight downstairs.

Cassie took another step and was almost there when a large man suddenly stepped directly in front of her, causing her to stop.

He was huge, very huge. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his expression made it clear that he wasn't interested in hearing excuses.

Cassie forced a smile. "I just need a word with him."

The man raised an eyebrow.

"With who?"

"Him." Cassie pointed toward Eddie.

The man's face remained blank. "No."

"No?" Cassie blinked.

"No."

She smiled again. "Okay. That's fine."

She turned around as though she had accepted the answer. Then, the moment the man looked away, she quickly turned back and hurried toward Eddie.

She had barely made it two steps before the man caught her by the arm and pushed her aside.

"Hey!"

Cassie stumbled but quickly regained her balance. "Don't touch me."

The man's expression didn't change.

"Then don't try to pass me."

Cassie opened her mouth to respond, but a calm voice came from behind them.

"Juan, let her through."

The big guy immediately turned.

"Eddie…"

"I said let her through."

Juan stepped aside and Cassie adjusted her dress, looking him up and down, then she scoffed.

"Charming."

Juan said nothing.

Cassie walked past him and approached Eddie and for a moment, she wasn't sure what to say.

This was the man she had spent the entire day studying. The man her agency had spent years trying to get close to. The man she was supposed to make trust her and now she was standing right in front of him.

Eddie looked up at her. His eyes moved briefly over her face before settling on hers.

"Can I help you?"

Cassie smiled.

"I hope so."

"You came all the way upstairs to find me."

"I did."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see if you were as rude as your security."

Eddie's lips twitched.

"Juan is actually very polite."

Cassie glanced over her shoulder.

"Then we have very different definitions of polite."

Eddie laughed quietly.

"What's your name?"

"Cassandra."

"Just Cassandra?"

"For now."

His eyebrow lifted.

"For now?"

"You haven't earned the rest."

Eddie stared at her for a second. Most women who approached him usually knew exactly who he was and treated him with either fear or too much interest but this one was different.

"You walked into my club," he said, "made it past my security, and insulted one of my men within thirty seconds."

Cassie smiled.

"I was hoping you'd appreciate the effort."

"I do."

"Good."

"But I'm still wondering why you're here."

Cassie looked around before turning back to him.

"I wanted to meet you."

"Why?"

"Because everyone seems to know who Eddie Casa-Ami is."

"And you wanted to find out for yourself?"

"Something like that."

Eddie leaned back.

"And what have you found out?"

Cassie looked him straight in the eyes. "That you have terrible security."

Eddie laughed. This time, he didn't try to hide it.

"You're brave."

"I've been called worse."

"I'm sure."

A man suddenly approached them.

"You're enjoying yourself, Eddie."

Eddie's smile disappeared slightly and Cassie turned toward the newcomer. The man looked polished, confident, and completely comfortable walking into Eddie's private space and somehow, they have some similar features.

"Andrew," Eddie said.

There was something different in his voice and Cassie could not quite place her finger on it.

Andrew smiled before he continued. "I didn't know you were entertaining guests tonight."

"I didn't know I needed your permission."

Andrew chuckled. "You don't."

"Then why are you here?"

"Business."

"Of course. Business." Eddie nodded slowly.

"And who is she?" Andrew glanced at Cassie.

"Cassandra." Cassie smiled politely.

Andrew looked at Eddie. "She doesn't look like the usual company you keep."

Eddie's eyes narrowed slightly. "Maybe that's why I'm keeping her company."

"You're still the same, Eddie." Andrew laughed.

"And you're still nosy, Andrew."

Cassie watched the exchange carefully and Andrew looked back at her.

"Does she know what kind of man she's talking to?"

"I'm standing right here." Cassie smiled.

"I can see that." Andrew looked amused.

"Andrew." Eddie said, leaning forward.

"Yes?"

"Choose your next words carefully."

"Relax. I was only asking." Andrew smiled.

Eddie didn't answer. Then Andrew leaned closer to Eddie and lowered his voice.

"Eddie, we need to talk about what happened tonight."

Eddie's expression changed.

"Not here."

"It's important."

"I said not here."

Andrew glanced at Cassie again. Then he smiled.

"Maybe she should leave."

Cassie crossed her arms before speaking. "Maybe you should."

Andrew's smile disappeared and Eddie looked over at Cassie.

For the first time that night, there was clear amusement in his eyes. Then he looked back at Andrew.

"Actually, Andrew, I think she should stay."

"Why?" Andrew frowned.

Eddie's eyes returned to Cassie.

"Because I have a feeling she might be exactly who I've been waiting for."

"Who are you, really?"