Zara's POV "What do you think you are doing?" I heard the bastard's voice, and I opened my eyes to see him smirking down at me. He shoved his phone in my face, making me know it was his phone he had picked beside me. Dammit. Here I was, having done the most stupid thing of closing my eyes. Heck, I had been anticipating a kiss. Hell me. I pushed him away from me and bolted out of the room. I was fucking embarrassed at myself. What the hell had I just done? No, I wasn't expecting a kiss, it was all part of the plan of seducing him. Yeah, that's it. I was tryna seducing him. I rushed into my room, locking the door behind me as if he were chasing me, my heart beating so fast. Get a hold of yourself, Zara. I moved to where I had hidden my secret phone, tucked beneath my bed and picked it up. Xander had called. I dialed his number and his fatherly voice came through from the other end. "How are you doing, Kid?" he asked. "Hmm...at least I'm alive and still breathing." I replied
Cassius's POV I watched as Crystal walked out of the room. Her ass, fuck, so full and firm. I bet it would be fucking soft. How I wish she wasn't a mere cook, I would have smacked that bouncing ample ass. I couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to bend her over and fuck her from behind. Dammit. I shouldn’t be thinking like this, I have to get myself a whore tonight to fuck, if not; I doubt I would resist the urge to fuck Crystal. That daring bitch. The knock on the door knocked me out of my reverie. The door opened, revealing Shadow. He bowed slightly and walked towards me. "Any information? Were you able to find out who initiated the trafficking?" I asked. "No, sir. But we found a spy who seemed to be the culprit that killed the dead men." he explained "A spy?" I raised an eyebrow. "Yes, sir. He is among your bodyguards, we sighted him receiving a secret call with a burner phone, but he isn't saying anything yet." Shadow replied. "Where is he now?" I as
Cassius’s POV "Get everything you can on the Luciano," I instructed Shadow as he stepped into my room. "Huh? Why?" he asked, his dark brows pulling together slightly. I sighed, rubbing a hand down my face. "Ion know. I just feel this weird thing that they might actually be holding a grudge and had caused the shootout," I admitted, my voice low. The thought itself was unsettling. The Luciano had been our ally for years, helping us countless times, especially after the settlement. I didn’t want to believe they could betray us like this, but Tyler had always been right about these things. And this time, I had a gut feeling he was right again. "But they’re our ally," Shadow reminded me. "I mean, they helped you countless times after the settlement." I nodded, acknowledging that fact. "I know. But still, keep an eye on them. Discreetly. We can’t make any assumptions yet, but we also can’t ignore the possibility. They might actually be the ones behind it. We really can't tell." Shadow
Cassius's POV Crystal’s mouth opened slightly, her eyes widening as she processed my words. "You can’t be serious." I smirked, taking slow, deliberate steps toward her, enjoying the way her breath hitched as I closed the space between us. "Do I look like I’m joking?" My voice was low, controlled, but my eyes never left hers. I wanted to see every flicker of emotion pass through them—anger, frustration… maybe even a hint of something else. Her hands clenched at her sides, fingers curling into tight fists. For a second, I thought she’d argue, lash out, tell me to go to hell. But then she straightened her shoulders, her chin lifting slightly in defiance. "Fine." I raised a brow, intrigued. "Fine?" "Yes." Her voice was firm, but I caught the slight tremor underneath. "I’ll do whatever work you want me to do." Oh, she had no idea what she had just agreed to. "Good." I closed the last bit of space between us, stopping just inches away. Her scent hit me—sweet, intoxicating, making my
Zara's POV A warm, feather-light touch swept across my face, dragging me from the depths of sleep. My eyes fluttered open, and the first thing I saw was Cassius—his hand still hovering near my cheek. For a moment, neither of us spoke. His eyes locked onto mine, dark and unreadable, as if he hadn’t expected me to wake up just yet. The air between us felt charged, thick with something I didn’t quite understand. Then, his expression shifted—his usual arrogance snapping back into place like a mask. "You fell asleep," he murmured, his voice rough from sleep. I blinked, sitting up quickly as I registered where I was. My back ached from sleeping on the floor, my legs stiff from being folded for so long. "I wasn’t sleeping," I said, rubbing my eyes. His lips twitched. "Really? Because unless you were meditating with your mouth slightly open, I’d say you were passed out." I scowled, but before I could fire back, I realized how close we still were. His scent—masculine, rich wit
Delia’s POV This is the fucking second time Cassius is sending me away because of that bitch-Crystal. How dare he?! The moment I saw her, I knew she would be a problem. But I never thought she'd be this big of a problem. She had looked timid the day she came for her interview, and I thought she wouldn't cause any trouble or better still just be a piece of cake. I picked up the pictures Drake had dropped of her the other day. It was nothing! Just random pictures of her and the idiot had said he had found something. And the jackass hadn't been able to say anything except that he couldn't find anything on her that we could use against her. No, there must be something. Everybody has a weakness. She sure would have one. My nails dug into my palm as I remembered how he had sent me out just because of that whore. Why the hell is she living with him? Is she not just a cook who should be coming once in a while? That was my fucking place. I am supposed to be the one living with him, not
Zara's POV My stomach twisted as Cassius leaned forward, his smirk deepening into something far more dangerous. He wiped his mouth with deliberate slowness, his green eyes never leaving mine. "War, huh?" I forced a laugh, crossing my arms. "I think you're being a little dramatic." "Am I?" he mused, pushing the plate aside. "You tried to poison me with salt, Crystal." I shrugged. "You said 'surprise me.' Did I not deliver?" He chuckled, low and dark, and something about the sound sent a shiver down my spine. He stood slow and deliberate, rounding the table toward me. Instinctively, I took a step back, only for my back to hit a wall. "You really think you can play games with me?" he murmured, placing a hand on either side of me, caging me in. I tilted my chin up, refusing to let him see how much he was getting under my skin. "I think I already did." His gaze flickered down to my lips for the briefest second before he leaned in, his breath warm against my ear. "Enjoy your
Zara's POV I practically sprinted down the hallway, heart pounding as if I'd just run a marathon. My skin still tingled where his fingers had traced, and the memory of his touch burned hotter than I cared to admit. Gosh, what was wrong with me? He was the enemy—a dangerous, arrogant mafia lord who would probably kill me the second he discovered why I was really here. But damn if my body seemed to have missed the memo. I pushed into my room, slamming the door behind me and leaning against it to catch my breath. Forty minutes. I had forty minutes to pull myself together. Focus, Zara. I was here for a reason—to get close enough to destroy him from the inside out. Not to get caught up in stupid games that left me breathless and aching. I yanked open the closet, grabbing a sleek black outfit—fitted slacks, a silk blouse, and low-heeled boots—and quickly ran through the shower. The cold water did nothing to cool the heat prickling beneath my skin. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him
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