I opened my eyes slowly to see Cassius sleeping next to me. Dammit. He looked unfairly hot and handsome with his rumpled hair. When had he come back that I hadn't noticed, and when had I fallen asleep? I looked closely at his sculptured face, my right hand under my face. My fingers twitched as I fought the absurd urge to trace the sharp angles of his jawline. Get a grip, Zara. This was Cassius—ruthless, arrogant, and absolutely off-limits. Still, I couldn't deny that there was something unsettling about seeing him like this—so still, so…human. The usual sharpness in his features was softened in sleep, his lips slightly parted, his brows relaxed. Even his breathing was calm and steady, a stark contrast to the chaos he usually carried around him like a second skin. My chest tightened. He had come back. At some point during the night or early this morning, he had returned and slipped into bed beside me, unnoticed. Which meant one of two things: either I had been too exhausted to se
Fuck him! I sat up abruptly as i pulled up my leggings, my body still thrumming with need, my fists clenched in the sheets. Cassius just lay there, arms behind his head, looking up at me with that insufferable smirk like he hadn’t just set me on fire and then walked away. Arrogant bastard. "You think this is funny?" I seethed, my breath still uneven. His smirk widened. "I think it's entertaining." I gritted my teeth. He was enjoying this—enjoying seeing me unravel while he sat there completely unbothered, like he had all the control. No. Not happening. I moved before I could second-guess myself, swinging a leg over him so I was straddling his waist. His smirk faltered for a split second—just long enough for satisfaction to spark in my chest. Good. He hadn’t expected that. I leaned down, placing my hands on his chest, feeling the way his muscles tensed beneath my fingers. His breath hitched, barely noticeable, but I caught it. "You like playing games, Cassius?" I murmured, my
Cassius's POVI rubbed my temples as I sat back on the bed. Delia picked up her clutch, dropped it on the table, and walked toward me."Cassius..." she called, her voice soft."Delia, what are you doing here?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice in control."I came to see you, Cassius." she said. "How many times have I told you not to come except I asked you to?" Her eyes softened, and she took a step closer, her hands reaching out to touch my face. I let her fingers trace my jawline, feeling nothing but emptiness."But you never called, Cassius. And I missed you," she whispered, her eyes pleading."And you could have waited for me downstairs." Her hands froze, and her eyes narrowed with frustration. "Cassius, are you being like this because of that... thing? No, Cassius. She has an agenda. She's up to something, don't you see it?"My eyes darkened as I studied her. "What do you think she’s up to?""It's obvious. She's trying to seduce you and run away with your money. She's a poo
Zara's POV 12 YEARS AGO I froze in my place as I looked at the sight ahead of me. My mom and dad were covered in their own blood on the floor, and two men stood over them. One of the men held a glowing iron rod in his hand. They hadn’t seemed to notice me as I quickly hid behind the door, my heart pounding in my chest. "Goodbye," the man holding the iron said, his voice cold and devoid of remorse, as he tore my father’s shirt and pressed the hot iron against my father’s bare chest. A scream erupted from my dad, a sound that pierced through the haze of shock. I gasped, unable to contain my horror. The man's gaze snapped to me, and I could feel the other man moving toward my hiding spot. "Run, Zara," I heard my mom’s weak voice, barely a whisper but filled with urgency. "No, mom!" I cried, tears streaming down my face as i peeped out of my hiding spot. I felt paralyzed, caught in a nightmare that I couldn’t escape. "Zara, please, run... no, hide," she urged, her voice growi
Zara's POV I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. Perfect. Handsome bastard, here I come. I packed my luggage, and damn it, they were too heavy. I had crammed in everything I could think of: outfits for every occasion, a few weapons for protection, lingeries. I needed to be prepared. A knock came at the door, pulling me from my thoughts. I opened it to see Xander, giving me that infuriatingly charming old smile of his. "Need some help, kid?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. I scoffed, stepping aside to let him in. He grabbed my luggage like they were made of feathers and carried them down to his car. I followed and we got into the car, and he ignited the fire into the engine. As we drove, Xander's expression turned serious. "We got a report that he killed thirteen people yesterday." "What the fuck?!" I screamed, feeling the blood rush from my face. Thirteen! What the actual fuck?! I know I’m not a saint, but that was too much! Like fucking too much! "Are you sure he's rea
Zara's POV "What?" I gasped. "I really didn't do anything." "We shall see about that." he said, stood up, hissed, and left for the dining room. Fuck. My body still tingles from his hand on my nipple. Is that how he played with everybody's feelings? Zara, I think you are really the person here playing with someone's feelings. But I haven't even done anything. "Crystal." I heard his voice as I quickly adjusted my top and raced to the dining room. "Am I supposed to serve myself?" I bit my lip and bent over to dish his food as I stood before him as he dipped the fork into the food. "Are you going to stand and look at me?" he asked, and I scoffed and took my seat opposite him. "Are you going to be counting the amount of food I eat, or did you poison it, and you are waiting for me to die?" How I wished I had poisoned it, bastard. I stood up and went to sit in the sitting room. Then, I saw his phone on the table and I looked toward him to see he wasn't looking.Then, a message popped up
Cassius's POV ********************************** "Get everyone on the lookout, I would be there in ten minutes." I said into the phone, locking my apartment door behind me. My gaze drifted to Zara’s door across the hallway. Annoying bitch. Her audacity grated on my nerves, but I couldn’t deny that it intrigued me. Most people cowered before me, their fear obvious, but she? She had a fire I couldn’t quite extinguish. "What if they start before you get here?" Shadow’s voice, steady yet urgent, broke through my thoughts. My head of security wasn’t one to panic, but even he knew the stakes tonight were high. "Just wait for me," I replied firmly, heading to the elevator. My tone brooked no argument. "But make sure everyone is safe. No screw-ups." "Understood, sir," Shadow answered. I tapped my AirPods, cutting the call, and stepped into the elevator. Once outside, I waved over one of the guards. He approached swiftly, head bowed in deference. "Take the alternate route to the ba
Zara's POV Running. I just felt myself running. No, I was running. But to where? I don't know! The sight I had just seen made me lose my senses. I had seen Cassius write a bold 'M' on an innocent man's head. The bastard had done it without a hint of remorse, then he had shot him right in the forehead. Devil. When I had fled the club, I didn't go back home and had just stood at a corner outside the club. Cassius emerged moments later, cool and collected, entering his car and driving off as if nothing had happened. I quickly hailed a taxi and followed him, my heart racing. He stopped at a warehouse—was that where he killed people? Innocent people? Bastard. Did he derive joy from taking lives? It felt like a game to him. I, on the other hand, only killed bad people out of necessity, and I hated every moment of it. After what felt like hours, I found a perfect spot to peep. I crouched low and watched as Cassius bent over a tied-up man. Another body lay lifeless on the floor. I had h
Cassius's POVI rubbed my temples as I sat back on the bed. Delia picked up her clutch, dropped it on the table, and walked toward me."Cassius..." she called, her voice soft."Delia, what are you doing here?" I asked, struggling to keep my voice in control."I came to see you, Cassius." she said. "How many times have I told you not to come except I asked you to?" Her eyes softened, and she took a step closer, her hands reaching out to touch my face. I let her fingers trace my jawline, feeling nothing but emptiness."But you never called, Cassius. And I missed you," she whispered, her eyes pleading."And you could have waited for me downstairs." Her hands froze, and her eyes narrowed with frustration. "Cassius, are you being like this because of that... thing? No, Cassius. She has an agenda. She's up to something, don't you see it?"My eyes darkened as I studied her. "What do you think she’s up to?""It's obvious. She's trying to seduce you and run away with your money. She's a poo
Fuck him! I sat up abruptly as i pulled up my leggings, my body still thrumming with need, my fists clenched in the sheets. Cassius just lay there, arms behind his head, looking up at me with that insufferable smirk like he hadn’t just set me on fire and then walked away. Arrogant bastard. "You think this is funny?" I seethed, my breath still uneven. His smirk widened. "I think it's entertaining." I gritted my teeth. He was enjoying this—enjoying seeing me unravel while he sat there completely unbothered, like he had all the control. No. Not happening. I moved before I could second-guess myself, swinging a leg over him so I was straddling his waist. His smirk faltered for a split second—just long enough for satisfaction to spark in my chest. Good. He hadn’t expected that. I leaned down, placing my hands on his chest, feeling the way his muscles tensed beneath my fingers. His breath hitched, barely noticeable, but I caught it. "You like playing games, Cassius?" I murmured, my
I opened my eyes slowly to see Cassius sleeping next to me. Dammit. He looked unfairly hot and handsome with his rumpled hair. When had he come back that I hadn't noticed, and when had I fallen asleep? I looked closely at his sculptured face, my right hand under my face. My fingers twitched as I fought the absurd urge to trace the sharp angles of his jawline. Get a grip, Zara. This was Cassius—ruthless, arrogant, and absolutely off-limits. Still, I couldn't deny that there was something unsettling about seeing him like this—so still, so…human. The usual sharpness in his features was softened in sleep, his lips slightly parted, his brows relaxed. Even his breathing was calm and steady, a stark contrast to the chaos he usually carried around him like a second skin. My chest tightened. He had come back. At some point during the night or early this morning, he had returned and slipped into bed beside me, unnoticed. Which meant one of two things: either I had been too exhausted to se
Zara's POV I opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the dim light filtering through the room. My head throbbed like a damn war drum, and my body felt like it had been run over by a truck. Damn. Where the hell was I? I tried to sit up, wincing as a sharp pain shot through my ribs. My surroundings slowly came into focus—a familiar, dark-toned room with sleek furniture and the faint scent of cologne and expensive whiskey clinging to the air. Then my gaze landed on the broad, tiger-tatooed bare back of a man standing at the edge of the bed. My stomach clenched. Cassius. He was rolling up his sleeves, his muscles shifting under his skin as he reached for a shirt. His presence alone made my skin prickle, but what made my pulse quicken was the realization of where I was. I was in his bed. Then, everything came rushing back, he had sent me on an errands and some guys had attacked me. Wait...could it be that— "You’re awake," Cassius's voice cut through my thoughts as he turne
Delia’s POV"What?"I felt my chest tighten, my fingers twitching as I glared down at the five men kneeling before me. "We are sorry, ma. Cassius suddenly showed up, and we had to run for our lives," Goto, the leader, stammered, his head bowed. The others followed suit, lowering themselves as if that would make up for their failure. Cowards. My lips curled in disgust as I slowly stood, my nails digging into my palm. "Is that an excuse?" I hissed, my voice razor-sharp. I snatched the glass from the table beside me and threw it with force. It shattered against the marble floor, shards flying in all directions as i watched them flinch. Pathetic. "You could have gotten killed for all I care." I said coldly. If they were weak enough to be taken down, they were useless to me. "We are sorry, ma. The girl was really strong." Bob, the least injured of them, dared to add that nonsense. I turned on him so fast he barely saw it coming. My palm met his face with a brutal slap. He gaspe
"Get your ass here, now!" The devil’s familiar voice came through my phone mouthpiece. Dammit. i had barely fallen asleep. I groaned, throwing my phone onto the bed as I rubbed my temples. The past week had been nothing short of torture. If I wasn’t running errands, I was scrubbing every corner of his ridiculously large house. And when I wasn’t cleaning, I was dealing with his absurd demands—ones that seemed to have no end. I really don't know if he was punishing me for the kiss or for buying a Lamborghini. Hell him. Both wasn’t even my fault. I hadn't asked him to kiss me and he had challenged me, and I had took the challenge head on. Now what? With an exaggerated sigh, I stomped toward the bathroom, my bare feet slapping against the cold tiles. I turned on the faucet and splashed water on my face, shivering as the coldness jolted me fully awake. I glared at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was a fucking mess, and my eyes were slightly puffy from exhaustion. I wiped
I froze. His lips moved against mine with a force that sent a shiver down my spine. It was rough, demanding, completely overwhelming. My fingers twitched at my sides, my breath caught in my throat as he tilted his head, deepening the kiss. Damn. His lips were so soft against mine, and he knew how to kiss. Like fucking knows how to kiss. But wait? What the hell was happening? Why had he suddenly kissed me? Could it mean my tactics had been working so far? I have finally able to capture the Mafia King in the tip of my fingers? Heck, Xander would be so pleased to hear this. Then, his hand slid to the back of my neck, holding me in place as if daring me to resist. My heart pounded so loud I could barely think again. Every rational thought crumbled beneath the intensity of his kiss. Fuck. I hated the way my body reacted to him. Hated that his lips were so warm against mine, devouring every bit of it as if he had been deprived off it for years. Nah, am I supposed to be feeling thi
Zara’s POV I held my chest as I got down from the taxi, paid the taxi man, and headed inside. Nah. I need to see a doctor. This consistent beating of my heart needs to be checked. Is it arrhythmia? That better be it, ’cause tell me why my heart beats so fast these days. But today, it was definitely because of fear. Yeah, that’s what it was. I was afraid he’d find the earpiece, and thankfully, that bitch had separated us just in time. I fell onto my bed as I entered my room, my back hitting the mattress, my gaze fixed on the emerald ceiling. My heart was still racing. Dammit. I fucking need to get checked. I had been too stressed these days, and it was definitely taking a toll on me. A sharp voice crackled through the earpiece still in my ear. "Zara?" It was Xander. He only called me by my name when it was serious, and I could hear the concern laced in his voice. I exhaled and replied, "Xan? I’m here." "Are you okay? You got me worried," he said, his voice a notch softer.
Delia’s POV Fury Yeah, that's the best word to describe what I'm feeling right now. Ever since this poor rat came for her interview, I had known she would be a problem to my relationship with Cassius. Something about her had screamed trouble, but she looked too fragile, too harmless then. I had shaken off my suspicions, convincing myself she was just another desperate girl looking for a job. But now, watching her, I realize I had been a fool. She wasn’t just here to work as a cook. She had an ulterior motive—I could feel it in the way she moved, in the way she held herself around Cassius. She was trying to prove something, trying to act like she was tough, like she wasn’t just another pest that could be easily crushed. How dare her? How dare she think she can come here and take Cassius away from me? Do I look like a joke to her? Well, I’m gonna show her exactly who she’s messing with. I am gonna show her that i don’t share what’s mine. My nails dig into my palm as I wat