Deadly Game; Seducing The Ruthless Mafia King

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 growing weaker with every word.

Panic surged through me. I looked around desperately and dashed into the room next to me-the store-and locked the door behind me. My hands shook as I fumbled with the lock, the sound of my parents' cries echoing in my ears.

"Open the door now," I heard a husky voice demand. It was the man who had moved toward me. I trembled at the thought of what was happening to my parents. I couldn't leave them like that. They needed me; I needed to save them.

"Open the door if you don't want your parents to die," the voice came again, ominous and threatening. My heart dropped. What did he mean? Would they really die if I didn't obey?

I moved to unlock the door, but my mom's tearful plea stopped me. "Don't, Zara. We'll be fine. Please don't open the door."

Then I heard a blood-curdling scream from my mom, and my heart sank. Should I have opened the door? The sound of someone pounding against the door made me jump. "I will break down this door if you don't open now!" The threat was clear. What should I do?

"Leave her, Pierce. We don't harm kids," the other man said, and then there was silence.

Minutes passed like hours. I waited, my heart racing, until I finally mustered the courage to open the door slowly. The room was empty except for my parents who lied lifeless. The men had left. I rushed to my parents, shaking them, pleading for them to wake up, but there was no response. They lay still, their faces pale and lifeless. A loud cry escaped my lips as I realized I had lost them. Despair washed over me, and I continued to shake them, hoping against hope for a miracle.

Zylara. My little sister! I remembered her, and a surge of panic gripped me. What if the men had gone after her? No! I couldn't let that happen. I dashed out of the room, my mind racing as I made my way to her daycare. Thankfully, she was safe. i picked her up and headed back home. But when I arrived, chaos surrounded our house. People were gathered, blocking the entrance.

I fell on the floor with a thud when I realized that my parents were really gone and I let out a loud cry.

****

PRESENT

"Here, it's the next target," Xander said, sliding a file across the desk toward me.

I picked it up and the name CASSIUS DIMARCO leapt off the page, stark and foreboding.

"Cassius, Mafia Lord?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. There's no one in New York who doesn't know the name Cassius, even if some don't even know what he looks like-including me.

Xander nodded, his expression serious. "Why? When did I migrate to mafias?"

"Just now!" he replied, exasperated.

"No, Xan. I really can't do this. This is Cassius we're talking about! What if I get caught?"I felt the weight of the world pressing down on me. Years ago, when I first heard whispers that it was a Mafia Lord who had killed my parents, I had vowed to myself that I would never have anything to do with the Mafia. If I ever encountered one, I promised that I would kill him immediately without hesitation.

"I believe you're not a newbie who doesn't know her way around a mission," he countered, his confidence frustrating me.

"Xan, this is huge! I can't handle this," I said, frustration bubbling to the surface as I slammed my hand on the desk. I feel like I am going to fucking kill Cassius before I even start my mission.

"Well... and here I was thinking it'd be your last mission," he teased, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Really? I can quit after this?" My eyes widened, hope flickering within me. I had been wanting to quit for a long time but Xan just wouldn't let me go.

"Yes, but since you don't want it..." he began, reaching for the file.

"No, no, no! I will do it!" I snatched the file. Xander's smirk widened-he had a knack for getting his way.

"Okay, so what are the details?" I asked, taking a seat opposite him.

******

I found myself sitting on an opulent sofa in Cassius's mansion, glancing around in awe. Fuck! This bastard is damn rich! The walls were painted a deep green and white, and the sofa was a pristine white, while the rug beneath my feet mirrored the green of the walls. It was clear Cassius had a penchant for the color green. Was it his favorite? Even the throw pillows were a vibrant shade of emerald.

"When you're done glancing around, can we move to business?" His husky voice jolted me from my thoughts.

He sat across from me, exuding an aura of power and charisma that was almost intoxicating. Damn! He's fucking handsome for a ruthless Mafia lord. His green eyes held a captivating intensity-no doubt where his color scheme came from.

What the hell are you thinking, Zara? Get your fucking mind straight.

As I gathered my thoughts, I began, "My name is-"

"Crystal Greene, right?" he interrupted, his gaze penetrating as if he could see right through me.

"Yes," I managed to reply, fighting back the urge to add 'bastard' at the end. I felt an overwhelming urge to kill this handsome bastard right now. Perhaps eliminating him would free me from the burden of vengeance that weighed so heavily on my heart-the vengeance I had been craving since that afternoon when my parents were taken from me. The vengeance to kill a Mafia Lord.

"Okay. Take this." He handed me a document. "You can start work tomorrow after going through that." His tone was casual, but my mind raced at his tone. Why then had he asked me to come over today? I had thought he wanted to interview me. Fuck him.

Right, I was to be his cook. The thought of being so close to him was thrilling-and dangerous. The annoying part was that I would be moving next to him. It's all for the better!

"I really don't tolerate spacing out," he said, breaking the silence, his voice low and commanding.

"I'm sorry, sir," I said quickly, shaking off my daze.

Just as I thought I could regain my focus, a woman burst into the room-no, a slut. Her outfit screamed attention, and she rushed to Cassius, planting a kiss on his lips that made my stomach churn. What a cliché!

I squeezed my face in irritation. This had to be the latest in a long line of fleeting flings, a mere distraction for him. I had heard he changed women as often as he changed clothes. Probably just a woman for the week-or was it just for the day?

Heck! I don't care! Just want to get rid of the bastard and be done with this hell of a job.

"Hope you didn't miss me?" she cooed, her voice dripping with seduction.

Cassius's eyes flicked toward me, gauging my reaction. "You really shouldn't squeeze your face like that if you want a job here," he commented, making me quickly force a smile, reminding myself that Crystal was supposed to be sweet and accommodating.

"You should take your leave now," he added, dismissing me with a wave of his hand, while I noticed the woman scanning me with evident disdain. Bitch!

I nodded, stepping out of the room, a sigh escaping my lips as I exited his mansion. This mission was shaping up to be more complicated than I had anticipated. Cassius didn't look like an easy target.

Well... it's Zara Singh here-only one Zara Singh, a perfect woman who's good at seducing any man. Cassius would be a piece of cake, as the past guys too! And I would make sure to kill him mercilessly at the end.

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 really the one that killed them? I mean, they could have died in an accident or a fire or anything," I said, trying to rationalize the horror.

"No, they have the Mafia signature on them," he replied. His tone was grave, and I felt a chill run down my spine. Cassius had a reputation, one that sent shivers through even the most hardened criminals. Anyone he killed bore his signature-a stark letter M etched into their foreheads. It was as if he wanted the world to know who was behind the violence, taunting the authorities who had failed to catch him for five years and counting.

I am an assassin too, but I kill only when sent to do so. I made sure my targets were truly evil, and my killing motives were driven by the bastard who had murdered my innocent parents. Since that day, I had vowed to eradicate all the bad people I ever set my eyes on, and Cassius was next in line.

"This one that you are gritting your teeth-don't destroy the mission, Zara," Xander said, breaking into my thoughts. I hadn't even realized I was gritting my teeth in frustration. "Get a lot of information on him before you kill him. You know the only way to get information is by seducing him."

"I know, Xan," I said, forcing the words out through clenched jaws.

"Good, that's my girl." He flashed a smile at me, and I tried to return it, but it felt forced.

He dropped me at the front of the mansion. As he helped me with my luggage, a bodyguard approached, taking the bags from us. I followed the bodyguard into the elevator, and waved at Xander who waved back. Xander had been like a father to me ever since he took me and my sister in when I was twelve years old, barely two years after my parent's death.

He had witnessed me stab a boy my age who had been harassing a little girl. Instead of turning me in, he took a liking to me and saved me from going to prison, choosing instead to take me with him.

As the elevator doors slid open, Cassius was standing outside, leaning against the wall with a casual air that belied his sharp gaze. He looked at me with an unreadable expression. "Who was the man that dropped you just now?" he asked, his tone casual. I felt like dipping a hand into my suitcase where a knife is and stabbing him right there. This is the same person who had killed thirteen people just yesterday, looking dashingly innocent.

"The man? Your bodyguard, of course," I replied, as I turned to the bodyguard who just dropped my luggage, bowed to Cassius and entered into the elevator immediately.

"I mean, the one that dropped you in a car," he pressed, his eyes narrowing.

"Why do you care?" I shot back, but he simply turned away, walking through the hallway.

"I didn't know you were into old men," he muttered under his breath.

I could hear you, bastard. I wanted to scream, but I swallowed my anger, dragging my luggage through the hallway behind him. I hated how he could get under my skin so easily.

His house was built like a hotel-really, it was since he brought different women home every night, each one more beautiful and curvy than the last. Zara, how did you know? i screamed internally. But it's obvious, isn't it?

The layout of the house was grand, with one long hallway. At the end of the hall was a large room to the left, and at the right, an equally imposing door that probably led to a large room as well.

"This is your room," he said, pointing to the door on the right. "Come and make a quick meal once you settle down." He handed me the key and didn't wait for my response before disappearing into the room on the left.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat. Thankfully, this room wasn't painted that garish green like the others I had seen. Instead, it was decorated in warm, inviting tones. I gasped as I took in the expansive sitting room, plush furniture.

"This place is insane," I murmured to myself. I wandered further into the suite, marveling at how lavish everything was. The kitchen was stocked with high-end appliances, and the bedroom was larger than my entire apartment back home.

He sure is a fucking rich bastard. Staying here wouldn't be as bad as I had thought.

***

I had been living in this luxurious mansion for two days now, and I had been making sure to cook him the perfect meal. My culinary skills seemed to be impressing him, as I noticed he couldn't get enough of my cooking. I was determined to use this to my advantage.

As I got ready for the evening, I decided to wear something that would catch his attention. I opened my closet and pulled out a pair of bum shorts and a V-neckline crop top that revealed my breast moulds. I checked myself in the mirror, making sure I looked perfect.

I headed out of my room, feeling seductively attractive. It was dark already, the perfect time to put my plan into action. Now, to the mission: seducing the Mafia Lord.

I opened the door without bothering to knock, as I had grown accustomed to doing. And then, I saw him. He was sitting on the couch, shirtless, and my heart skipped a beat. I gulped down my spit, trying to composed myself.

"Can't you knock?" he barked, his deep voice sending shivers down my spine.

"I'm sorry," I quickly replied, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

He scanned me from head to toe, his eyes lingering on my curves. I could feel his gaze like a physical touch, and I shivered inwardly. Why the fuck is his gaze making you shiver, Zara? Get a hold of yourself.

"Why are you wearing that?" he asked, his tone rising.

"It's late already, so I just decided to quickly come and make you dinner," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

He looked away, his eyes fixed on his phone, but I could sense his gaze still on me. I felt a pang of frustration. Why wouldn't he just wear a shirt? Did he want to torture me with his half-naked body? Torture? Zara, do you just say torture? Get the fucking hold of yourself! You are here to seduce him nor the older way round.

I entered the kitchen and quickly made him a plate of spaghetti. I dished it out on the dining table and then went back to the sitting room, where he was still busy on his phone.

"Your food is ready, sir," I said, trying to sound as professional as possible.

He scanned me again, then nodded, and I left his presence to go back to the kitchen. I was starting to get frustrated. This wasn't going as planned. He was supposed to be seduced by now, not still ignoring me. I never dressed up to this that men bowed at my feet.

As I stood in the kitchen, I couldn't help but wonder why he was resisting my charms. Was it because I was his cook? Did he not see me as a woman? Should I have entered his life as a whore instead? Ugh, the thought alone made me shudder.

Just then, he yelled from the sitting room, "Bring a rag and clean this place." I scoffed inwardly. How did a cook become a cleaner? But I didn't say anything, I just picked up a rag and headed towards the sitting room.

As I entered the room, I saw that water had spilled on a low table in front of him. Then, a thought crept to my mind and I bent over the table, making sure my boobs showed in a great amount, as I rounded the table seductively, swaying my hips as well. Then, when I got to his side, I quickly dropped the rag on the floor and pretended to slip, falling onto him.

My boobs hit his bare chest, and my heart raced as I looked up at him. His expression was confusing - anger, annoyance, or was it lust? I couldn't seem to read his expression. But then, his hand went to my boobs, rubbing the visible moulds, and pulling me closer so my boobs were hitting his chest even more. It seemed my plan had been working all along, he was just holding back.

He rubbed my nipple with his thumb beneath the clothes I was wearing. He must have been an expert to know exactly where my nipple was located. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he pinched it with the cloth, and I let out a gasp.

The gasp seemed to awaken him, and he pushed me away almost immediately making my butt hit the couch with a thud. Fuck. Why did he stop? I didn't wanted him to.

"Crystal, you are playing with fire," he growled, his eyes flashing.

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 on the phone from the contact saved as Shadow: 'It's happening tonight.'

What the hell is happening tonight? Is he going to kill people as well? I really need to keep an eye on him.

"Bring my phone here." he yelled from the dinning room. He must have heard the pop-up notification sound. I picked up the phone and headed towards him as I handed it to him. He looked at the phone and looked at me, then looked back at the phone as he typed something and placed the phone back on the dining table as he continued eating.

"Did you check my message?" he asked as he scanned me.

"What's there to see?" I retorted back.

"Are you talking back at me?" he demanded.

"I am just answering you." I replied and in a swift motion, he stood up from his chair and headed towards me as he pulled me toward the table pinning me on it as his gaze went to my boobs who was clearly visible.

He used his other hand to push my boobs upward, making the mould more visible. I almost let out a gasp but i didn't wanted him to stop like the other time."I told you, you are playing with fire." he said as his gaze left my boobs to mine, he let go of the hand beneath my boobs.

"What will happen if I continue playing with it?" I said.

"You will get burnt." he said.

"Does that mean you would fire me?" I asked. Heck. I was starting to leave Crystal Greene, now I am becoming Zara Singh. I really should stop if I don't want to lose my chance at him. He can fire me right now and nothing would happen.

"That would be for me to decide, not you." He said and I bit my lip to stop words from coming out. If I don't do that, I really would say what I am not supposed to. "Stop doing that." he said, letting go of me as he went back to the table.

"Stop doing what?" I asked, but he groaned instead. I wonder what he asked me to stop doing? Stop behaving like that? Fuck him!

I went back to the sitting room and barely sank into the cushion when his voice rang through. "Come and clear the dishes."

I stand straight and went back to the dining room, and made to pack the dishes. "I am not done." he said and I sighed controlling myself from saying what's on my mind. If he wasn't done, why the hell had he called me?

I took my seat opposite him and then the idiot voice came again. "But, I didn't ask you to sit down." and I quickly stood up and waited until the devil was done eating before packing the dishes into the kitchen. I have to find a way to keep an eye on him today, I can't let him out of my sight. I have to make sure he doesn't kill any innocent body tonight as well. But how?

"You can go now." he said as I emerged out of the kitchen.

"Is there any other thing you want me to do?" I asked.

"Coming from someone who was squeezing her face on mere little errands." he said and I scoffed as I rolled my eyes.

"Well...I am ready for any work now." I said.

"I have somewhere to be in an hour." he said. "So, you can leave so I can start preparing."

Yeah, he's definitely going to kill more people. Bastard.

"Where are you going?" I had said before I regretted it.

"Do I need to tell a kid like you where I am going?Moreover, it's not a place for kids like you." He said and I scoffed. "You will really lose your job if you continue behaving that way, Crystal." he said and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

Wait...I can just follow him secretly. Perfect. Why didn't I think of that before?

"I am feeling sleepy." I said as I pretended to yawn. "Goodnight sir." I bowed slightly.

"Stop pretending to be respectful." he said as he stood up from the chair and went upstairs as I hissed behind him. Handsome devil.

I quickly rushed into my room as I rummaged through my closet, I needed to wear something that would allow me to move freely. After a moment of deliberation, I settled on an orange shirt and fitted jeans, pairing them with a black face cap. A quick shower invigorated me. I was supposed to call Xander, but Cassius would soon be out, and I didn't want to miss him. I could inform Xander of my findings later.

I sank down on the couch in my living room, anxiously waiting for the sound of Cassius opening his door.

Finally, I heard his voice, faintly talking on the phone. My heart sank a little as his voice faded away.

I opened the door slightly and crept through the hallway to the elevator. The elevator beeped as I pressed the button, and the doors slid open and I stepped inside.

Once outside, I scanned the area. All the bodyguards were gone, and I caught sight of Cassius's car driving away. "Fuck," I muttered under my breath. I wished I had brought my own car, but Crystal was supposed to be a struggling rat, making ends meet. I stopped a taxi, urgency propelling my words. "Follow that car at a close distance," I instructed the driver, pointing at Cassius's sleek black Mercedes-Benz. I had studied my surroundings as part of my work and knew Cassius owned at least five cars-those were just the ones parked in his compound

The taxi driver nodded, and we took off, following Cassius's car. It stopped in front of All Enjoyment Club, the only five-star club in all of New York. My stomach twisted with dread. Is he planning something terrible in a club? OMG! Devil!

A bodyguard jumped out of the driver's seat, swiftly opening Cassius's backseat door. He stepped out, and the two security men at the club's entrance bowed as he entered. Where are his other bodyguards? I thought, but I pushed the question aside. I had to focus.

I paid the taxi driver quickly and made my way to the club entrance, only to be stopped by a stern security guard. "Where's your entry card?" he asked, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. Dammit. I hadn't thought of that.

Before I could respond, a strange voice interrupted me. A man suddenly held me by the waist, declaring, "She's with me." The security men bowed, and I was swept inside. I had no idea who he was, but I didn't question it.

"Thank you," I said as we crossed the threshold, finally getting a good look at him. He was undeniably handsome.

"Not yet," he replied with a smirk, pulling me toward the dance floor. Fuck me. What have I gotten myself into? I thought, covering myself with the face cap as I forced myself to dance with him.

Then, fortune smiled on me when a man approached and whispered something in my companion's ear. He let me go and left the dance floor, and I seized the opportunity to slip away to a quieter corner of the room. Where is Cassius?

I scanned the crowd but found no trace of him. Suddenly, a commotion erupted from a corner, and I hurried over to investigate. My heart dropped as I saw a group of girls collapsing to the ground. I moved closer, inspecting the scene-they had been drugged. Some girls were shouting in panic, and anger surged through me. Is this Cassius's handiwork?

Just as I was about to intervene, a hand spun me around, and I stumbled against a solid chest. It was the guy who had helped me enter.

"Don't get involved," he said firmly. "Let's go enjoy ourselves."

"We need to save them! They're being harassed!" I protested, pointing at the girl being dragged away by some guys.

"No, there's nothing you can do," he insisted, pulling me by the waist. This bastard won't let me go!

I leaned in closer as if I had accepted his words. In a split second, I kicked him where the sun doesn't shine. He let out a cry, doubling over in pain.

Two guys who seemed to be his bodyguards rushed toward me, but I was ready. I grabbed a glass from a nearby counter and smashed it over the head of one of them, blood gushing out as he crumpled to the floor. The other lunged at me, but I twisted his arm behind his back and kicked him hard in the stomach; Xander trainings helped.

I darted toward the girls, but just as I was about to reach them, I felt a sharp pull on my leg that sent me crashing to the ground, my face cap flying off.

I turned to see the guy I'd smashed the glass on. He was the one who had pushed me down. But before he could react further, he suddenly fell to the ground, and I looked up to see another guy had kicked him from behind. Then, to my shock, I saw Cassius standing behind the guy.

Panic surged through me, and I instinctively ducked my head, scrambling to retrieve my face cap. I really don't seem to understand what happened but Xander can help find out the rest. I just need to get out of here first. Cassius mustn't see me!