Kai’s POV
As soon as i drove off, i couldn’t get my mind off the possibility that she might actually be in danger, i don’t even know why i care so much about if she gets hurt or not. Maybe i could reconsider. I drove in contemplative silence, the rhythmic hum of the engine providing a backdrop to the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. It wasn’t too late for me to turn back, but if i do, that means i would be choosing her over the deal i’ve been wanting all my life. And if i don’t, that means i probably will never get to see her again.
Amelia’s POV
I walked into mariano’s estate, something seemed off about this mission, why was i the only one coming? No matter how easy the mission was, kai never sends me out alone. There were lots of securities outside, but they let me in as soon as i told them that kai sent me here, i was led inside by some security guard who walked me to mariano’s office. As soon as i got there, i felt tension rising inside of me, a year ago, if anyone had told me that i’ll be meddling in mafia affairs and working for one of the most dangerous men in the states, i wouldn’t have believed. But here i was, walking into what might probably be the end of me. As i opened the door to mariano’s office, the smell of cigarette and alcohol welcomed me, i placed my hand over my nose as i walked into his office, the room was dimly lit and the windows were all shut, making the room feel more suffocating than it already was.
“hello! Anyone here?” i called out as i walked deep into the office, there didn’t seem like there was anyone in the office, maybe this was a sign for me to leave. I turned around and was about leaving when i heard a voice that made me froze
“have a sit, Miss Amelia” a deep voice said, as soon as i turned around, all the lights went on. I saw a man who was probably around kai’s age with dirty blonde hair and vaper on his hand. He had been sitting there, staring at me the whole time without saying nothing. Although, he looked like he was crafted by God himself, he still didn’t seem like someone who i would ever want to know till the day i die. He stared at me for a while, his eyes surveying me from head to toe, and when he was satisfied, a smirk played on his lips.
“i asked you to seat” he said, while i took a hard gulp before sitting on the seat opposite him
“not there, principessa. Come sit here” he said taping on his lap. I stared at him in confusion, not knowing if he was being serious, what sort of a mission is this? Can we just get over with it already?
“thank you, but i’ll pass. Kai asked me to come see you, can we get over with it already?” i said, but it took me a lot of guts to say that. he placed his hand under his drawer and removed a danger, fear gripped me as soon as i saw him bring out a dagger, i knew there was something off about this man the moment i saw him, i expected worst, probably a gun.
“come here” he commanded while i stood up and did as instructed, not even bothering to argue. A smirk played on his lips as he stared at me, his eyes surveying my entire boy.
“strip” he instructed with a smirk, and for a moment, i wasn’t sure if i had heard him correctly. Did he really just ask me to strip or i was beginning to hear things? I don’t know why kai sent me here today, but i am pretty sure this was not the reason. I was about protesting but with the daggers in his hands, he looked like he wouldn’t hesitate to put it through my neck if i try to argue. I gulped hard as i walked towards him, i wasn’t going to strip willingly so soon, i believe back up should be on its way. Kai must have already sent someone here. I walked towards him and when i was close enough, he pulled me unto his lap.
“i don’t like to repeat myself, principessa, i already told you what to do” he said, his fingers trailing from my collar button, all the way down my breast button. I slowly unbuttoned my shirt, silently praying that someone walks through the door get me out of this mess that kai had subjected me into, why was he taking so long to send backup? Mariano seemed to have noticed that i was intentionally staling, so, he pressed the dagger on my neck and leaned in slightly until his cold lips were touching my earlobe, and then he whispered “Amelia Carrington, junior year computer science major and best underground hacker who would do anything in her power to make sure her identity is protected. I must say, kai is lucky to have you work for him, he probably thought he could keep you save by taking you along wherever he goes” he said with a smirk. For a moment, i felt my heart stop working. If he knew so much about me, that only meant one thing; he might be the person trying to assassinate me all this while, and i needed to get out of here if i still wish to live. Without thinking, i punched him really hard on his nose, that was probably the hardest punch i had ever thrown, but it only had little effect on him, he placed his hands on his nose which was already bleeding while i took the chance to escape. I opened the door and ran out while Mariano chased after me. i ran as fast as my legs could carry me, i knew it was over for me when Mariano ordered the guards to chase after me, shit! This is the day i die, if i die today, I’ll definitely haunt kai for not sending backup on time. I saw Mariano lift a gun, aiming it at me, but i suddenly felt a large hand gripped my left hands from behind and pull me closer. My back hit against a firm body and large arm snaked around my waist, holding be tightly to his body. My flight instinct kicked in an attempted to run but his grip only got tighter. I only stopped struggling when i looked up and discovered that it was kai.
“what took you so long?” i asked, but he shoved me behind him, and pointed his gun at Mariano
“stay behind me” he said with his eyes pinned on Mariano and his body shielding mine. Mariano stared at him in amusement, he obviously did not expect him to be there.
“ask them to drop their gun” kai commanded, his voice as stoic as ever
“kai, move aside” Mariano said as he lowered his gun
“if she gets hurt, no one will leave here alive” kai threatened, his gun still pointed at Mariano.
“kai, we had a deal” Mariano said, only making me more confused
“fuck the deal” kai said as he removed the gun from the save. Mariano’s fist clenched in anger, before he slowly lowered his gun and instructed the guard to do the same. Immediately, kai grabbed my hand and led me outside. Outside, kai didn’t say a word, he got in the driver’s seat while i joined him in the front seat. The drive was silent until kai spoke out
After a while, Kai broke the silence, his voice low and controlled, "Did he hurt you?"
I shook my head, my voice barely above a whisper, "No, I'm fine."
He glanced at my neck and his grip tightened on the steering, i also looked down at my neck and was shocked to find out that there was a small cut on my neck, which probably happened when Mariano placed the dagger on my neck. Kai made a turn, and after a short drive, he made a quick stop at a drug store and came out with a box of bandages.
“that would not be necessary, it’s just a scratch, i’m fine” i said as i watched him open the box and took out one bandage. But i only got silence for a response. He placed his hand underneath my chin, lifting it slightly and placing the bandage on the injured spot. I stiffened awkwardly when i felt his cold hands graze my skin softly. It was only few second but it felt like an eternity. When he was done, he moved away and i let out a breath i didn’t know i was holding. He started the engine and drove off. Kai didn't say a word as he drove silently. I stole glances at him throughout the drive. I was still curious about why he sent me to mariano and what deal he was talking about but he didn’t seem like he was in the right mood to answer my questions, but i still gathered the courage to ask anyways.
"What was that back there? Who is Mariano, and why does he want me?" i asked. Kai remained silent for a while, he didn’t seem like he had any plans on responding to my questions, but he finally answered
“he’s no one serious.” He said, intentionally ignoring the last question
“why does he want me?" i repeated again
“you were there to work” he answered, this only got me more annoyed than i already was, what does this man take me for? A fucking kid?
“kai, i deserve to know. I’m not a fucking child!” i said, my voice going up involuntarily. He glanced at me in surprise, probably shocked that i raised my voice at him. And if i was being honest, i didn’t regret anything, it felt so good doing that. and i would do it again, i don’t care.
“you don’t have the right to talk to me that way” he said, his tone serious and his eyes fixed on the road
“And you don’t have the right to keep me in the dark about something that concerns me” i fired back at him. Kai pulled over at the side of the road and unlocked the car
“get out” he said. I stared at him in confusion, not sure of what he was talking about. Get down? In the middle of nowhere and at this time of the night? There was no way he would throw me out like a used toilet paper.
“I’m not going anywhere” i said, folding my hands across my chest stubbornly. Kai placed his fingers on his temples, as he leaned back slowly. He lets out an exaggerated sigh, his hands grazing through his thick black hair. The silence between us stretched for a while until he picked up his gun and pointed it towards me.
“get out. Don’t make me repeat myself again” kai said, i was going to argue but i knew it was no use, and i didn’t want it to seem like i was begging to stay, so i opened the door and stepped out. As soon as i shut the door, he sped off, not bothering to even spare me a look.  I needed to find an uber, so i can get out of here before it gets too dangerous. I opened my bag, ransacking it in search phone, but i soon realized that i had left it in kai’s car. Great! Now i’m screwed, i would have to find my way back to the mansion on foot. My purse was empty, i had no cash to pay for my uber, and it was freezing cold out here. With that, i began trekking. My hands came into my jacket pocket, all in an attempt to stay warm, i walked aimlessly, i had no idea where i was, and there weren’t a lot of vehicles moving. God, i hate him! Fuck him for doing this to me. After almost an hour walk, my legs were beginning to get weak and the cold was beginning to get unbearable for me. although, it was pretty dangerous to get in a random car, i was left with no option, i will have to ask for a ride from a stranger. I stood at a spot, outing my right hands up and waving continuously, hoping that any of the passing vehicle will see me and offer to help. A few vehicles passed by, none of which bothered to stop, i can’t blame them, it can also be dangerous stopping to give a random stranger a ride, they could be killers or vehicle snatchers. After a while, a black SUV slowed down and came to a stop in front of me. thank goodness! The back glass came down slowly and i moved towards the vehicle.
“hello, sorry for bothering you. i’ve been trying to find my way back home, but i lost my phone, so I’m kinda stranded right now. I was just wondering if i can get a ride” i said desperately even before i saw the face of the person i was asking for help. The lights at the back seat went on immediately, and for a moment, i was almost tempted to flee when my eyes caught with kai’s father, Don Alessandro. What was he doing out here at this time of the night, and why am i so unfortunate to find him when I’m alone, i barely escaped death few hours ago, and here i was, standing face to face with a man kai warned me to stay clear from because he obviously did not like me.
“what a pleasant surprise, Amelia.” He said with a cheeky grin
“oh yeah.. uhmm.. i think  i got the wrong vehicle. I’ll get going now” i stuttered as i attempted to walk away but the door to the vehicle went open immediately and i heard a clicking sound and turned around to a gun pointed against me.
“i don’t think so. Get in, i’ll give you a ride” he said, his gun pointed against me
Hesitantly, i walked straight into the car, sitting next to him while the car drove off. The car moved in silence, i had no idea if i was really getting driven back to the mansion or i was being taken to where would probably be the place of my death.
“i know you are curious as to why i picked you. but i have an offer for you, there will be no need for me to make use of my gun as long as you comply with me” he said while i nodded fearfully.