Mia's POV

By the time I alighted from a cab that brought me to the club, you know disguising myself was part of the game plan, and so not coming with my car was a great step.

I was fitted with a wire and fake ID, and I already had my role memorized: Aria Black, jazz singer from Philly.

On getting closer to the club hall, I observed the dark velvet walls, chandeliers that dripped crystal, and shadows curling in corners like smoke. I stepped inside wearing a red silk dress that hugged my curves and heels sharp enough to double as weapons.

A man with a heavily built chest, like he was born to kill, blocked my way to the main door with a thick Italian accent.

"You're not on the list."

"Tell the manager that he'll regret it if he doesn't hear me sing," I said boldly with a wink. Honestly, I wasn't scared, considering what I have faced as an FBI agent for a good 6 years. This is just the usual.

He blinked, caught off guard. "You got balls. I can see that."

"Not balls. It's called Talent."

He gestured to the next person that was built the same way he was, and then they tried to push me as a way of bouncing me out.

"That's not how a lady is to be treated."

A voice cut in, and I tried to get ahold of my stamina and, at the same time, looked in the direction of the voice at once.

My eyes fell on this angel in human form.

Guess who.

Oh, you guessed right.

The same Kraven Astor. My eyes captured those tattoos of his, around his neck before it finally fell on the ones at the back of his palm.

His presence alone was enough to command respect and maybe fear. There was something magnetic about him, but I had no intention of being drawn in.

Does that mean he isn't photogenic because only that could explain this cuteness standing right in front of me?

Dark suit. Shadowed expression. Holding a glass of liquor that smells expensive.

I tried so hard not to get carried away, as it's still at my fingertips that I am on a mission.

Just then, he nodded me through at once, and I followed him in suite.

Looking around, I saw the lights were dimmed to perfection, creating that sultry vibe you only get in places where money didn't just talk-it whispered. The low hum of conversations, the clink of glasses, and the slow jazz playing in the background were enough to make you forget who you were for a while.

But then I wasn't here for cruises or jokes.

"Let's see what you've got. I heard you say that you are an artist." His voice caught me off.

Only one thought was in my mind: was he trailing all along, or was he only opportuned to hear when I said that?

Right now, I don't even trust him-not when he is from a Mafia family and not just that but a lord at that.

I decided to play along very fast.

I took a glance around, and I observed that the stage was already lit. A slow jazz beat played in the background, but I didn't need music. I walked up, tapped the mic, and closed my eyes.

And I sang.

First I performed a song I had composed when I lost my parents- was a song that came in place of love.

Then afterwards, I performed 'all of me,' by John Legend. God knows that I sang like my life depended on it with the best melody anyone could imagine, as I learned from the update from Agent Porter that Kraven loves live music.

They say everyone has a talent, and I think mine is singing, but then I didn't do that for a living.

When the last note dropped, I looked up, and my eyes met with his.

I didn't blink.

He didn't smile.

From that distance, he just lifted his drink slightly in the air-like a toast. I think this significantly explained to me that I impressed him; maybe he can smile later-his business.

Now, I just feel like I already had his attention without even doing too much.

Mission one, over to mission two.

Kraven Astor's gaze followed me from the moment I stepped off stage. He didn't applaud, yet maintained not smiling, didn't even move a muscle. He just watched. His eyes were like storm clouds-dark, brooding, and promising a hell of a lot more than I was ready for.

I knew that look. The kind that said, You're mine, whether you know it or not.

But I wasn't his.

I didn't bother waiting for his applause, as the one from the audience was already enough for me. I just grabbed the edge of the mic stand, tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, and walked off stage.

"You're good," a voice said from behind me.

I didn't have to turn around to know it was him, as I already took note of his voice the first time he came to my rescue.

I could feel him like a weight pressing against my spine. His words were low, a little rough, but there was something predatory about them that made my skin tingle.

I kept walking, pretending I didn't hear him. But his footsteps followed. Not hurried, not slow-just enough to keep me aware of his presence.

"I didn't get your name," he said, stepping into my path as I reached the bar.

I tilted my head, offering a tight smile. "You already know it, don't you?"

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling up at the corners, but it wasn't a smile. Not really. "I like to hear it from the source."

I couldn't tell if that was a challenge or just his way of being... Kraven.

"Aria Black," I said smoothly, keeping my voice steady. "So, you can call me Aria."

His eyes blinked briefly, like he was processing something. The name seemed to amuse him, though. I saw the flicker of recognition, then something more guarded. He was figuring me out, no doubt. But so was I.

"Aria," he repeated, his voice like a velvet caress, soft but deadly, you know. "You're a long way from Philly."

"Life's full of surprises," I said, leaning casually against the bar, though my insides were on fire.

He took a step closer, his cologne wrapping around me, clean with a hint of smoke. I had to force myself not to flinch. This wasn't some cheesy romantic scene. This was business. This was survival, and a greater part of my career depends on how well I survive this.

"I don't hire people I can't trust," he said, his eyes never leaving mine. "You've got something about you, something I like. But that doesn't mean I won't toss you out if you can't deliver."

I could feel his words were like a challenge. The problem was, I wasn't sure if he was talking about my singing skills or something deeper-like my ability to get close to him. I was going to have to outplay him at his own game, but I wasn't ready to let him know I was already playing.

"I'll deliver," I said quietly, not looking away. "You don't have to worry about that."

He studied me for a moment with his eyes flickering, like he was weighing my words. I still didn't flinch. I couldn't afford to.

"Good," he said finally, the smile on his lips gone, replaced by something more dangerous. "I'll be watching."

Before I could respond, he turned and walked away, and this time it seemed like I felt his presence lingering like a shadow over me.

I took a deep breath and downed my drink in one go, trying to keep my cool. But my heart was racing. I'd just made it to the inner circle-at least, I thought I had.

I couldn't help but wonder how much longer I could keep playing this game.

But that didn't stop the ache in my chest as I watched him. There was a story in those eyes-one I didn't have the patience to unravel.

Mia's POV

I was still reflecting over how I had watched Kraven from the edge of the bar as he walked the hall with a cold charm.

From the distance I had observed him, he stood a few feet away, his tall, imposing figure cutting through the crowd like a predator. And I was in a deep thought that I got carried away.

"Maybe I like what I see," I heard a voice just right behind me, loud enough for me to hear over the ambient noise. Beyond a reasonable doubt, I could tell that was Kraven's voice. Just then, he moved right in front and made himself comfortable in the opposite bar seat that faced me. His gaze ran over me, slow and deliberate.

I didn't flinch even when the distance between us wasn't up to a stone's throw, as I could smell the faintest hint of leather and tobacco. There was something about him-about this whole situation-that made every cell in my body scream danger.

But I wasn't backing down.

He gave the sweetest smile with those cute lips I've ever seen and leaned over to steal a kiss.

Just immediately he parted his lips from mine, I could feel that I was already in on a long thing as I felt all the sexual cells in my body asking for more.

Let's say, I enjoyed it too or even more. Who knows!

I know that I wasn't supposed to be doing this with him, of course I know but I think this was indeed an advantage to me that things were happening so fast.

But then, for this assignment, I can be anything.

Just then, the sound of some haphazard footsteps around interrupted the tension. Kraven's gaze around 360 degrees in a twinkle of an eye before snapping back to me.

And just immediately, I heard the sound of gunfire echo through the hallway.

"Bang!! Bang!"

"Stay here," Kraven ordered at the top of his voice before turning sharply and walking toward the entrance close to the bar spot.

The door swung open instead, revealing one of his men, face pale, eyes wide with urgency.

"There's a problem. We've been compromised," the man said, his voice tight.

Kraven's expression shifted in an instant-cold, calculating. "What do you mean, compromised?"

"I think the Giovanni men are here, but we will try to get every one of them down."

The blood drained from my face as the realization hit. Though I haven't really heard of the 'Giovanni,' with the look of things, it seems like they're their opponents in the Mafia.

Kraven's gaze flickered back to me, dark and unreadable. "Get out of here. Now."

My heart pounded in my chest. I didn't move. I couldn't.

"Where do you want me to go now? Can't you see that it's not safe if I leave the premises now?" I pleaded, yet my voice was barely above a whisper.

Kraven's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure you are not a part of this?"

I maintained this straight face like I didn't know what he was referring to, not minding if the game had changed against me or not.

How on earth would he even conceive such a thing in his mind? What on earth can I get involved with the dirty games of a Mafia, of all things to do in this life?

I swallowed hard but didn't let him see the way my heartbeat sped up at his words. I was a professional. I had a job to do.

And yet, every second I spent near him made that job feel harder.

"I just asked you a question; why are you all playing dumb?"

He asked again, this time in a higher-pitched tone than the former.

And before I could respond, the sound of gunfire echoed through the hallway all over again.

"Ratatatatata."

This time the sound was quite different and more like an automated fire, and I guess it came from Kraven's men, as the sound of the other was quite different.

Of course, I use arms if need be during operations, and so I can comfortably tell the difference.

*****

"If you are willing to work for me, then I must access you to be sure you are not sent from Giovanni," he continued, The weight of his words hung in the air like a warning. "You stick around, get close to me, and we'll see how deep you're willing to go. But remember this-everything in this world has a price." He added, still maintaining the thick voice.

'Could he be that possessive?'

I straightened, and this time I was ready to step away. "I don't buy into your world, Astor," I said, though the words felt like they were coming from someone else. Because, where could that morale from me be coming from?

He chuckled, the sound dark and teasing. "Not yet, you don't have a choice here."

His fingers brushed mine briefly-just a touch, but enough to send a shiver through me.

I didn't know how much more I could take. I couldn't let him know what was really going on. I couldn't let him see how much he rattled me.

I needed to stay focused.

Kraven took a step back, his eyes still burning with curiosity, though there was something more in them now. It was as if I'd sparked something in him he hadn't expected.

"Follow me," he said, with a commanding voice. "I need to show you something."

My mind raced with possibilities as I hesitated for a split second before I nodded, letting him lead me through the back door of the club.

We got to a room that seemed more like an office. The moment we stepped into the office, the door clicked shut behind us. A massive desk sat at the center of the room, papers scattered across it, and the walls were lined with bookshelves full of legal files, old family portraits, and what looked like ledgers of a very different nature.

Kraven gestured to the leather chair across from him. "Sit."

I ignored the chair and leaned against the desk instead, crossing my arms. "What's this about?"

"What do you want from me, Aria?" He nabbed with a fake smile that didn't reach his eyes instead of answering my question.

"What exactly do you think? It seems like you find it so difficult to believe me."

I understand how 'trust' is such a big deal in the Mafia world, but I never knew it was this bad.

"Let me know everything, starting with the truth. Besides, how would I believe a total stranger?" He took an unusual glance at me and continued regardless, "But then, if you insist you know nothing about what I am talking about, then it's fine. But one thing I will assure you is that if I smell anything fishy with you, I won't spare your life for anything in this world. Ask around; I am Lord Kraven for a reason, and I earned that."

Something about the way Kraven said the last statement made my pulse race, but I still maintained my ground of acting dumb, like I have no clue what he is saying.

The silence was thick, the weight of his words pressing down on me. I should've left right then and there, but something kept me rooted to the spot because I thought that could worsen the situation.

"Bang!!! Bang!! Bang!"

The gunfire came up again just when I thought we were done with that phase.

With the look on Kraven's face, I could tell without a doubt that we weren't safe here anymore.

"Let's leave here at once."

He said and dragged my wrist out of the office.

Mia's POV

I didn't have time to think. I didn't have time to process either.

The gunfire was a blaring alarm, and my instincts kicked in without hesitation.

"Move!" Kraven snapped as he made his way forward, shoving me toward the door. Still holding on to my wrist, pulling me through the narrow hallway at a pace that left me breathless. I stumbled, trying to keep up, but I wasn't a rookie. Not in my line of work.

"I thought you said we were safe here!" I spat, tugging my arm free from his grip as we reached the exit.

Kraven's jaw tightened. His eyes were as cold as ever, and he kept scanning the surroundings like a hawk on the hunt. "Safe? You're with the Astors now. Safe doesn't typically exist."

I hated the bitter truth in his words, but it didn't stop the gnawing feeling that twisted in my gut.

We reached the back alley, the sound of shouting and more gunfire echoing from the building behind us. I could hear the tension and the chaos growing louder. My heartbeat raced in my chest, and at the same time, my adrenaline kept pumping through my veins.

"Get in," Kraven growled, jerking his head toward the sleek black car waiting a few steps away.

I didn't hesitate, not even for a moment. There was no time for hesitation, and we needed to get out of there before things went further south.

I threw open the door and slid into the passenger's seat, and Kraven followed on the other side to the driver's seat with his body close enough that I could feel the heat of his presence. But then he had all his attention fixed on the road while his hands were steady on the wheel.

"I fully understand you didn't see all these coming, Aria, but there is a lot to me that you might get to know later," he said with his voice low but with an edge I couldn't ignore. But then, before I could say anything, my eyes caught a black spotted mark on his right temple.

This was exactly the same birthmark my son had and on the same spot.

I looked away and while I was carried away with a million and one thoughts going through my mind, his words snapped me out. "I hope you got what I said?"

After half a minute of silence, I turned to him with flashing eyes. "Let's see how it goes, Astor. I only hope it's something I can handle."

His lips curled into a smirk, though there was no humor in it. "I didn't say you couldn't handle it. I'm just saying it might cost you."

I shot him a look. "And what's that supposed to mean?"

He didn't answer immediately. His jaw tightened, and for a second, I saw something dark flicker behind his eyes.

"I need you to understand that once you're in this, there's no way out. Not for you, not for me."

I bristled, hating the feeling that crept into my chest: Must I continue with this in this manner? Anyway, I think I have signed up for this.

Kraven's gaze shifted to me with his eyes narrowing, as if he was trying to see through me. "I think you're playing a dangerous game. And you're not the only one with something to lose."

The silence between us grew thick. He was right about one thing-this is likely to be more tedious than I had envisaged. I only hope it's worth it at the end of the day.

In not long enough, the car jerked to a stop, the screech of tires against the pavement making me almost want to flinch.

"We're here," Kraven muttered with a kind of tender voice.

I glanced around. We were in the middle of nowhere, and the dim glow of streetlights barely illuminated the deserted road. It felt... wrong, you know. This wasn't safe to the best of my knowledge. But then again, nothing about this world was.

Before I could say anything, Kraven had already opened the door and stepped out of the car, pulling his gun from the holster under his jacket. He didn't look back at me.

"Stay low," he ordered, his tone firm. "We've got company."

I barely had time to process his words before a black SUV screeched to a halt in front of us, blocking the only way out.

Four men stepped out, each one dressed in dark suits and carrying weapons. I wasn't shocked that I couldn't recognize any of them.

"There you go again. Giovanni's men. I see."

I could hear Kraven mutter under his breath.

"Shit." I barely cursed under my breath.

Kraven whispered right to my ears with his body rigid with readiness. "Don't move unless I tell you to."

I didn't need to be told twice. My hand hovered near the other gun he kept tucked at the back of the car. But I wasn't foolish enough to think I could take on four armed men in a standoff like this without Kraven suspecting a thing, and so I was thinking of a way not to bring in more reasons for him to suspect me.

The one that seems to be the most fierce looking-a tall man with sharp features and an even sharper glare-stepped forward. "Kraven Astor. You've got a lot of nerve."

Kraven's voice was smooth, calm, and at the same time almost cold. "You came at the wrong time. This doesn't end the way you think it will."

The man scoffed, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "We've got you surrounded. You may not escape this."

I watched the exchange from behind Kraven, and my heart pounded in my chest. This wasn't how I'd planned this. I wasn't supposed to be in the middle of a mafia war. But as I stood there, I realized something that sent a shiver down my spine.

"You don't get it, do you?" The tall guy said. "You think you can come into our territory and walk away untouched? You're more involved than you know."

That was enough to make me freeze as his words hit harder than a punch, but I didn't have to.

Kraven didn't flinch. His voice was low and dangerous. "You're playing with fire, you know. And by now, you should know that I don't lose."

Sharp cracks of gunfire rang out just the moment he dropped the last word, and I had my eyes focused to know where to channel my energy.

The tall man had his gun raised, and Kraven had already fired back.

Before I could take another breath, and pulled my own trigger right from behind where I was, everything happened at once. And when the gunfire sound had died down, I risked a careful glance around and noticed that Kraven ended up taking three down while I pulled at one of them. They all lay in the pool of their blood.

Just then, another car pulled up with a loud screeching sound against the coal-tiled pavement.

"Is this what the tall guy meant that they had us surrounded?"