Amelia’s POV
My heart was pounding as I stared at the photo in my hand, Kai knew exactly what he was doing, and it made me angry. I’d always been protective of her, despite everything between us being a mess. I knew she’d been through so much, and the thought of her being dragged into my mistakes made me want to strangle this man to death right now.
“Why are you involving my mother in this?” My voice shook, a mix of anger and fear.
Kai’s eyes were cold and steady as he answered, “Consider it a lesson in the consequences of your actions. I want you to understand that your choices don’t just affect you.”
My grip on the photo tightened. Part of me was ready to scream at him, but the other part knew that losing control wouldn’t help. “This is between you and me. I got myself into this mess—you don’t need to use her against me,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady even though I felt anything but.
Kai’s small smile faded, his face growing serious as he pushed  a lose strand of my hair behind my earlobe  “I’m not using her against you, Amelia. I’m reminding you that your actions have a ripple effect, and sometimes others pay the price. I know it isn’t fair, but sometimes, life isn’t fair”
I glared at him, my voice dropping low against my wish, “So, what do you want from me now?”
His gaze didn’t waver. “I expect submission, Amelia. Complete submission. Is that too much to ask?”
“Fine,” I replied, my voice sharp. “As long as you keep my mother out of this. Is that a deal?”
He gave a small smirk. “I don’t make deals, Amelia. And just in case you didn’t realize—this isn’t a negotiation. It’s a command, for the safety of those you care about.” With that, he turned and walked towards the door, leaving me standing by the pool with my thoughts spinning. I watched him go, feeling a mixture of fear, anger, and regret. The photo floating in the water felt like a bitter reminder of the mess i got myself into.
[INSERT]
Don Alessandro leaned against a polished wooden table, a photograph in his hand as he spoke to Marco, his trusted right-hand man. The room was dim and filled with the thick scent of cigars.
“So, Marco,” Don Alessandro began, his voice calm and calculating, “tell me everything you’ve found out about her.”
Marco glanced at the photo and cleared his throat. “Her name is Amelia Carrington. She’s American. She’s a private investigator, a teacher, and—most importantly—a hacker. She’s one of kai’s most valuable asset right now. She even managed to hack into his main account, which was supposed to be impossible. I think that’s why Kai decided to keep her around.”
Don Alessandro’s brow furrowed, his fingers tapping on the table in a steady rhythm. “A hacker, you say? I suppose that’s the reason he let her live.”
“Yes, with her on the team, things could run smoother for Kai,” Marco replied cautiously.
“That’s exactly what I don’t want,” Don Alessandro cut in sharply. “Kai’s been growing wings lately, making decisions without my input. He thinks he doesn’t need me, but he’ll learn. I want him to see that no matter how old he gets, he’ll always depend on me, he’ll come back to me when things starts to fall apart. Anyone who helps him will fall with him.”
Marco hesitated, then asked, “So, what should we do about the girl?”
Don Alessandro walked over to the window, lighting a cigarette. He took a slow drag, the glow casting a shadow across his face. After a long exhale, he turned back to Marco, his expression unreadable. “Give her an offer. If she refuses, you know what to do.”
 
THE NEXT DAY
The next evening, I woke up to a soft glow flooding my room. The sunset was beautiful, but it didn’t make up for how tired I felt. I hadn’t slept well the night before—not with Kai’s threats replaying in my head. Just when I thought I could catch a break, there was a loud, obnoxious knock at my door.
I groaned, rolling over to bury my face in my pillow. Maybe if I ignored it, they’d go away. But whoever it was didn’t get the hint—the knocking grew louder and more persistent.
“What now?” I mumbled, dragging myself upright. My hair was a mess, and my brain was barely catching up with reality.
The door swung open, and Carlos stepped in, looking way too amused for someone who just ruined my nap.
“Rise and shine, Sleeping Beauty,” he said, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Time to get up.”
I shot him a glare. “Do you even know what time it is?”
“Six in the evening,” he replied smugly. “And you’ve been asleep all day. But don’t get too comfortable—you’ve got an event to attend.”
“Event?” I echoed, squinting at him like he’d lost his mind. “What event?”
He smirked. “Kai wants you there. Something about a meeting.”
My heart sank. Of course, it was Kai. “Why me? What does he want now?”
Carlos shrugged like it was no big deal. “You’re his hacker. If you’re invited, you’re needed.”
I groaned louder this time, flopping back onto my bed. “I barely slept last night, and now he expects me to jump into whatever death trap he’s set up? This guy’s unbelievable.”
Carlos didn’t even flinch. “Kai’s orders. Freshen up and wear something black. You’ve got an hour.”
Before he could leave, I called after him. “Wait. What’s the dress code?”
He turned, his smirk widening. “It’s a club event, so dress like you belong. And remember, black only. You know how Kai feels about bright colors.”
I sighed, rubbing my temples. “And what exactly am I doing at this ‘event’?”
His expression shifted, and he stepped closer, lowering his voice. “You’ll be undercover as Kai’s girlfriend. He’s meeting with some opposing mafia members for a deal. Your job is to play along, act normal. But that’s not all. When the time’s right, you’ll slip away, find their armory, and hack into the system. I’ll help you.”
I stared at him, my stomach twisting. “And if I get caught?”
Carlos hesitated, then shrugged. “you wouldn’t.” he said with a small smile
He turned to leave, but his words left me frozen. My head was spinning. Going undercover in a club full of mafia members wasn’t just reckless—it was suicidal.
“That bastard really wants me dead,” I muttered under my breath.
Still, I didn’t have a choice. Not with my mother’s life dangling in Kai’s hands. Gritting my teeth, I got up and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.
After drying off, I slipped into a black dress—fitted, square-necked, and way more daring than anything I’d normally wear. I curled my hair, keeping the waves loose, and did my makeup: just enough to look polished but not overdone. Once I was ready, I grabbed my purse and headed for the door.
But then my phone buzzed. I froze when I saw who was calling. My boss.
Why now? I hadn’t been to work in weeks, but something told me this wasn’t just a check-in. Taking a deep breath, I answered.
“Hello?” I said cautiously.
“Amelia,” his gruff voice came through, no time wasted. “We need to talk.”
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice steady. “Yes, sir.”
My pulse quickened as he continued, and I braced myself, knowing this was just the beginning of an already impossible night.
 The phone felt heavier in my hand as my boss’s voice echoed through the line.
“My dear Amelia, it’s been a while since we last met. Did you decide to quit?”
I could hear the smirk in his tone, and it made my stomach turn. Quit? If only it were that simple. I stayed silent for a moment, his words sinking in. Quitting wasn’t an option, not with Kai holding all the cards. Working for him was like walking a tightrope over a pit of fire, and I wasn’t even getting paid—not yet, at least.
Sure, we had an agreement. A lump-sum payment after the job was done. But trusting a man like Kai? I’d be an idiot to bank on that. If I eventually make it out alive, I’d need something stable, something legal. Returning to my old job as a private investigator might be my only option. I couldn’t go back to teaching after what happened at the school, and stripping was completely off the table—especially after the danger it dragged into my life. And hacking? Never again. That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.
When I started hacking, I thought the worst-case scenario was getting caught by the police and spending a few years in jail. But now? Now I was in something far worse—embroiled in the mafia, working for a man who treated life like a disposable commodity. If I had a choice, I’d take prison over this any day.
“Amelia?” my boss prompted, dragging me from my spiraling thoughts.
“I’m not quitting,” I finally said, my voice steady. “At least, not yet.”
“Well then,” he said, mockery dripping from his tone, “you should be carrying out your mission since you’ve decided to keep the job, right?”
“Yes, sir,” I muttered. “I’m currently working for Kai Alessandro as his hacker.”
I expected him to react, maybe ask how I ended up entangled with the Alessandro family, but he didn’t even blink.
“I knew you were capable,” he said smoothly. “I was never wrong to hire you. Earn his trust, Amelia. Make sure he’s wrapped around your finger. Then strike when he least expects it. I’ll be expecting good news soon.”
“It’s not as easy as you think,” I snapped, frustration bubbling up. “Kai is... he’s the most complicated man I’ve ever met. Sometimes I think he doesn’t even have a heart. Nothing fazes him. He’s a murderer, after all.”
My boss chuckled, a low, chilling sound that sent a shiver down my spine. “Even the coldest hearts have weaknesses, my dear. Find his, and use it against him. No man can keep his guard up forever—not if you play your cards right.”
I went quiet again, his words swirling in my mind. He must have sensed my hesitation because he pushed harder.
“The Alessandro family is one of the biggest threats in America. They claim they don’t harm innocent people, but we both know that’s a lie. Taking down Kai isn’t just about your job. It’s about rescuing this country from his grip. You’d be saving lives, Amelia. And, of course, there’s something in it for you—a promotion, double your salary. Think about it.”
As much as I hated to admit it, he wasn’t wrong. The Alessandro family cast a long shadow, not just in America but across Europe, where their so-called “business” operated. And now my mom was caught in the crossfire.
Kai had promised her safety as long as I followed his orders, but trusting him was like trusting a snake not to bite. Taking him down would mean freedom for both of us. But how? The man was made of steel—unshakable and utterly indifferent. He didn’t even flinch the first time I gave him a lap dance to try and distract him.
Still, I had to try. Not for the country, not for the people who feared him—I didn’t care about any of that. I cared about one thing: my mom. If taking Kai down was the only way to protect her, then I’d do it, no matter how impossible it seemed.
“I won’t let you down, sir,” I said finally, my voice firmer now.
“Good,” he replied, the line going dead before I could say another word.
I sat there for a moment, staring at the phone. Determined or not, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous than I’d ever imagined.