Elira's POV

Present day

There was a knock at the office door.

I was in my chair, Lucifer sprawled across my lap, purring softly as I scratched behind his ears. I still reeked of blood and gunpowder from earlier, and I should really clean myself up, but I was exhausted and still had a lot to do, plus Lucifer didn’t seem to mind. He never did. My finger hovered near the small trigger on the hidden holster under my desk.

"Enter," I called, voice cold.

The door creaked open.

He stepped in. Tall. Lean. Hair dark, a little too perfectly messy. Jaw like it had been carved by sin and his eyes... Those dark eyes stared into my soul. I didn’t need to hear him speak to know I didn’t like him.

My gun was already out, trained on the space between his eyes.

"Who the fuck are you?"

His hands lifted slowly, palms facing me. Not a flicker of fear in his eyes. He didn't even flinch at my tone.

That unnerved me more than anything.

"Aiden," he said simply.

His voice was deep. Smooth. Polished in a way that screamed he was used to commanding rooms without lifting a finger. I hated that.

Lucifer flicked his tail once and meowed, unbothered as the barrel of my gun stayed locked on this stranger's face.

Then Nico stepped in.

Of course, I thought as I rolled my eyes.

"My lady," Nico said with a short bow, glancing between the gun and Aiden. "This is your new bodyguard."

Without warning, I repositioned my aim and I fired.

The bullet struck the floor between Aiden’s feet with a sharp crack, sending up a puff of dust. He didn’t even blink or step back from the fact that I just shot between his feet or it could have been his head instead.

Impressive.

Infuriating.

I let a smirk curl on my lips as I swivelled my chair around to face the large windows overlooking the compound, dropping my gun to my lap, keeping it away from Lucifer.

"I don’t need a bodyguard."

Nico sighed behind me. "Elira, please."

"No."

"After the last attack, you can’t keep refusing security detail. They broke into your hotel room. They planted a bomb under your goddamn bed."

"And I’m still alive."

"Only because you happened to check under the bed for bugs."

I turned back slowly. "Is it my fault I’m cautious?"

"It’s not about blame. It’s about preventing the next hit, Elira."

"I still don't want one" I retorted, adamantly

"Your father would want you to be safe and since you're my responsibility now, I have to keep you safe. This isn't up for a debate."

I swivelled back to face them and narrowed my eyes at Nico, making him flinch a bit. "Don't you dare bring up my father in this"

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration letting out a sigh.

Nico had been taking care of me since the day I lost everything. He practically trained me to be who I am today, and he does have some sort of control over me, but I'd like to think that he doesn't.

I flicked my gaze back to Aiden, who was still standing perfectly straight. He didn't give off any reaction regarding the conversation Nico and I just had or how I reacted at the mention of my father. He just stood perfectly still.

Something about him ticked every warning bell in my head. Not in the way normal men did when they looked at me too long. No. This was deeper and Instinctive.

"He gives me bad vibes."

"He’s the best, Elira. Former special forces, discharged after a mission went south. Then contracted for private intel groups. He’s never failed a single client. Not once."

I narrowed my eyes. "That's supposed to impress me?"

"It’s supposed to keep you alive."

I leaned back into my chair and exhaled through my nose.

"Fine. But if he breathes funny, I’ll kill him myself."

Nico nodded. "Noted."

Aiden finally spoke again. "Understood, ma’am."

I hated how calm he sounded. I hated that he didn’t look away when I glared at him. Like he was looking through me. Like he knew something I didn’t.

Lucifer hissed once. Even he was picking up on it.

---

That evening, I went to the underground shooting range in the compound. It was my form of meditation. Meditation with bullets. The kind that made my blood settle and my thoughts calm a bit.

I set up the targets myself, refusing help from the guards. They knew better than to offer.

I stood at the line, my Glock steady in my hand. Breathe. Aim. Fire.

Each bullet hit the torso, clean centre mass. Perfect as always, the enemy wouldn't have enough time to think to save himself before he bleeds out.

I comically blew the top of my gun like they did in movies, swirled my gun around my index finger and then reloaded my gun,' when I heard footsteps.

"Your grip was off," Aiden said, stepping closer.

I stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"Your stance. You're leaning too much into your front foot. That'll throw off your balance if you need to move quickly."

I turned slowly, eyes like ice. He was standing barely three feet away, gaze flicking to my hands.

"Show me, then," I said, sarcasm curling on my tongue.

He moved behind me, not touching, just gesturing. "Try this: shoulders looser, feet shoulder-width apart. Don’t overcompensate on recoil."

His voice was low. Close. Too close.

And for a second, I thought of the way his breath warmed the air near my neck.

Nope.

Fuck that.

I spun around and pushed him away from me. He didn't move a bit, not even by a muscle. How strong was this guy? This ticked me off beyond measure, so I raised the gun again, took aim.

And shot him.

The bullet lodged in his shoulder. He stumbled back, eyes wide for a split second as blood began soaking through his shirt.

"Shit," he hissed, dropping to one knee, clutching the wound.

I lowered my weapon and walked toward him slowly.

"Oops. My finger slipped."

His gaze met mine from the floor. Still no fear. Just a flicker of something else. Curiosity?

"I guess I need more practice," I said flatly.

Nico burst into the room seconds later, already yelling.

"ELIRA! What the hell?!"

I shrugged. "He was correcting my form."

Nico looked like he was going to lose it. Aiden was already pulling gauze from his belt pouch with one hand, pressing it to the wound without complaint.

"She shot you," Nico said to him, worried.

He must be thinking Aiden would want to quit. That would only make him a weakling if he actually does though.

Aiden nodded. "She missed my head."

And he smiled.

The bastard fucking smiled.

I turned back to the range, gun in hand, practising like Aiden and Nico were invisible and not trying so hard to patch up Aiden's shoulder.

He wasn't afraid of me. That made him dangerous and a threat.

And I wasn't sure if I wanted to kill him... Or keep him around just to figure out why he made my spine itch.

Elira’s POV

"Ms. Elira! Over here! Turn a little to your right! Goddess, who designed that dress? Give us a smile, Ms. Elira!"

"One photo, boss lady! Just one!"

I turned my head slightly, giving them the cold, calculated smirk I knew they lived for. The flashlights lit up like wildfire. I didn't slow my pace. Nico was already at the top of the steps, waiting, followed by two guards. The gala was well underway, and the orphans were being paraded to entertain the rich for the sake of charity. I hated these events, but we hosted them to clean the blood off our money, or so the press liked to say; they never knew about our true organisation, but everyone liked to think a thing or two.

The sapphire silk of my gown clung to every step. Backless, slit thigh, with hidden holsters sewn along the seams. Just because I dressed like a queen didn’t mean I came unarmed.

Aiden was behind me. I could feel him in the shadows. Nico didn't want him to be my date or even appear publicly with me he said it was better if he remained hidden.

Inside the ballroom, the pianist played the piano softly, crystal chandeliers glittering above a sea of people with masks, hiding their true nature and diamond smiles.

"Elira," Nico greeted. His hand brushed my shoulder.

"Nico," I replied, voice clipped.

"Looking powerful, as always," he replied with a smile and leaned down to kiss my forehead.

I didn’t bother responding. Instead, I moved to the edge of the dance floor, scanning the room. Luca had yet to show. Good.

Aiden lingered by the wall, blending into the shadows. One of the waiters passed with champagne. I took a glass, drained it in one swallow, and waited.

Of course, Luca eventually arrived, late, like always.

He sauntered in with that crooked smirk, a white rose pinned to his lapel and a predator's glint in his eyes.

"Beautiful," he drawled, stepping beside me. "You look like a goddess with that gown accentuating all your beautiful curves." his eyes traced my body with a weird glint in his eyes that I knew all too well.

"You do look like a don with that angry look too. Almost like the role fits," he said, leaning in to me and making me more uncomfortable.

I ignored him.

"Not much of a hostess, are you?"

I turned slightly. "This is a charity event. Not your personal runway."

He leaned closer, voice low. "You're not fit to rule this empire. You know that, right? No one's going to follow a woman."

I smiled tightly. "And yet, here you are. Still following."

His jaw clenched. Before he could say more, I excused myself. "Touching up my makeup. Don’t follow."

I turned to where Aiden was to catch a glimpse of him but he wasn't there. He sure does know how to blend in.

---

The powder room was empty. I stood before the mirror, fixing the curve of my lipstick when I heard the click of the door.

"I said don’t follow," I warned.

"Couldn’t help myself," Luca replied, stepping in.

I didn’t turn. "Get out."

"You think you're untouchable?"

He was behind me now. I saw him in the mirror. His hand reached forward.

"Luca—"

He gripped my arm and spun me, lips crashing down hard on mine.

I struggled immediately, kneeing him, but he anticipated it. Pinned me to the wall. My holster was under the slit of my dress, too far to reach.

"You need someone strong beside you," he hissed. "Not some trained dog you keep on a leash."

I clawed at his face. "Let. Me. Go."

His hands closed around my throat.

My vision blurred for a second.

Then a sudden, violent crack.

Luca dropped to the ground, unmoving. Aiden stood behind him, holding the butt of his pistol, breathing hard. For a second, all I heard was the ringing in my ears and the pounding of my heart.

"Is he dead?" I croaked.

Aiden looked down. "Unconscious. For now."

His eyes scanned my face, and for the first time, something flickered. Was that Rage and worry?

"Do you want him dead?" he asked quietly.

I swallowed. My throat burned. "No. Just... get him out of here. Quietly."

He nodded, already pulling a phone from his pocket.

Soon, two men walked in with Nico behind them. They began to help Luca up and out of the room while Nico looked at me apologetically.

"I'll do something about him."

I just nodded as I didn't know what to say to him.

Once everyone exited, Aiden and I remained, staring at each other till he stretched out his hand.

"Let's go"

---

Five minutes later, we were out of the building and in his black Audi. The car gave off the same vibe as its owner. Dull and brooding.

He drove. I didn’t ask where. Just stared out the window, arms folded tightly across my stomach. The silence was comfortable. Unexpectedly so.

The car pulled to a stop near an abandoned dock by the lake. Moonlight danced on the surface of the water. It was quiet. Still.

He got out first. I followed slowly, my heels clicking on the boards.

"This is where you dump all the bodies?" I asked dryly.

"No. Just come here when I need to remember what peace feels like."

He sat on the edge of the dock. I hesitated, then lowered myself beside him, the cold wood seeping through my dress.

"My mother used to bring me here," he said. "After my father died. Before she got sick."

I looked at him, surprised by the softness in his tone.

"What happened to her?"

"Leukaemia. Fast. She didn’t even make it six months."

I didn’t respond.

"You don’t have to say anything," he added. "I just figured... tonight, you might need air."

The breeze stirred my hair. I turned my head slightly.

"Thanks," I murmured.

The silence stretched, none of us saying a word when his shoulder brushed mine.

His face dipped closer and my breath hitched as our lips hovered.

So close. So fucking close.

And then, I pulled back. "No," I said. "Don’t."

He nodded but I saw the flicker in his eyes.

Something broke through that unreadable mask. Surprise. Frustration. Maybe... regret?

I stood abruptly. "We need to go back ."

What was I thinking? I'm the don, of the Italian mafia. Maybe Luca was right, saying I wasn't right to rule, I mean, look at me being swayed by a man about to kiss me?!

He stood up, dusted his clothes, and waited for me to walk ahead before he followed.

---

We drove in silence once again but if the last time was uncomfortable, this was worse.

I watched the houses fly by when I noticed something.

"Where the hell are you taking me?" I didn't waste my breath as I brought out my gun, pointing it at his head.

He chuckled. "You need to learn not to be paranoid all the damn time."

He pulled over and got out, not fazed that my gun was pointed at his head a second ago or I could have fired when he moved.

He opened my door and put his hand out for me to take. I cautiously took it and stared at him in confusion.

"Welcome to McDonald's. I heard your stomach grumble a mile back. Couldn't take you back home, hungry. "

What? Is he alright in the head?

A small smirk appeared on his face. "Yes, I am"

"Did I say that out loud?" My body felt hot from embarrassment.

"Yes, you did."

We walked into the restaurant and took our seats and I had the best time of my life since I took over from my father.

We laughed and talked all through. From the playful banter about what kind of fry was the best and how people realised popato tasted better in straw like shapes to arguing about what kind of gun had the best feel when aimed.

Maybe I was actually a bit too stiff, right?

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