Mated To The Mafia Assassin

hadows and silence clung to every cobblestone. The night was unusually cold for April,

s clutched tightly around a velvet box. Inside it lay a diamond c

to be seen, polished, and used. Aria was no exception. She was the bloodline jewel of th

them knew wh

office floorboards, detailing a contract-her contract. She wasn't just being introduced to the counci

he Mafia's most feared assassi

ar st

epping out into the rain. He opened her door, a

heels clicked across the marble steps of the old estate. Inside, the hall buzzed with the

iting, his face as

g her hand. His voice was soft, but

ob

eyes scanned the room-a

a fitted black suit. Not one of the regulars. Not a bodyguard. Not a guest. He held a glass

he could see straight through the re

om like a trophy, but Aria could feel the man watching her. A

s pa

drifting back to the stranger. He hadn't moved. He hadn't mingled. He was a

when sh

her wrist. Gen

tu

was

toward the balcony. Somethi

nst the marble floor until the music was muffled by

you?" s

en and rough all at once. "Someone you'

What's that su

t. His face was sculpted like something from a forgotten god's a

s coat. Instinctiv

ed out a silver lighter, flicking

" he said, eyes n

k for my

ork for

are you d

close. She did

e real," he said, voice l

art po

down. Kissed her

d away, there was

n. A thin scratch.

d y

omeone marked you before I did. That

rom inside the estate. A s

tantly alert.

sappeared into the hall. Aria froze, staring

sn't

s when sh

he stone ledge beside h

he mark of death in

hand clamped over her mouth. A sharp

black, she heard a vo

e a deal. Now yo

of tires and the smell

Her captors sat across from her, faceless behind

catch the princess so

cing. Who were they? A rival

the man added. "Or maybe we j

es screamed. Gunfire exploded

creamed. Blood sprayed

open-and standing there, drenched in

nce. Twice

ut her ropes, and pul

go," he

ow did

o meet tomorrow. But now you

, heart thundering.

r gaze. "

e contract. Her

you," he said darkly. "I'