The Mafia Ice Queen

WINTER POV The sound of tires scraping against the tarmac floor cut through the humid summer air as the black BMW rolled to a halt. My gaze shifted outward, taking in the sweeping driveway of the Asherford estate. In the center of the courtyard stood a grand peacock feather fountain, its carved head erect, spraying arched streams of water into the basin below. The door pulled open, and I stepped out. My heel pressed hard into the stone, and the sharp, chilling air hit me instantly. It tasted sweet against my skin. My lips curled into a sly grin. Fourteen years, and it still looked the same. My gaze swept over the maids scurrying around in a panic and the interior designer Lily had hired, frantically ushering his crew to finish decorating the grand hall. Guards were posted at every corner, but the moment their eyes landed on me, I watched the color drain from their faces. Pure, unadulterated fear seeped straight into their souls. “M-Miss Asherford?” they stuttered, dropping to their knees on instinct. I walked right past them, cutting through their terrified stares. Guards fell to the floor and waitresses froze in place, too paralyzed to move an inch as I passed. The entire courtyard was swallowed by the heavy, dreadful aura I brought with me. A faint smirk tugged at my lips as I crossed the threshold into the mansion. Fourteen years, and I was breaking my own absolute rule by coming back. I made my way straight toward Father’s office without bothering to knock. I threw the door open, my eyes landing on the once cold-hearted man who was now washed up on wine and far too soft. If it weren’t for my shadow protection, the Asherfords would have disappeared long ago. He shot up from his desk, his icy blue eyes, so identical to my own widening in shock. “Barbie?” I stilled at the old nickname. There was a time when Father looked at me and saw a daughter, but that was a lifetime ago. That was before Mother died, and before I turned into the monster I am “You’re really here?” he breathed. “Hi, Dad.” I sank into the leather chair opposite him. “Shocked?” “What are you doing here?” My left eyebrow kicked up, and his mouth pressed into a tense line. “Today is Lily’s wedding,” I said calmly. “You didn't seriously think I would miss my only sister’s big day? I might be a monster, Dad, but I’m not a terrible sister.” He didn't answer. He simply reached for a cigarette and pressed it to his lips. “You are impossible.” “I’ve been called worse,” I smirked.My face remained deadpan as I snatched the cigarette straight from his mouth and tossed it aside. “And drop the habit. It’s not good for your health.” “Barbie” “You’ll thank me later. This is Lily’s wedding, do you really think it’ll look good if you drop dead in the middle of it? The Asherfords would lose face in both the business world and the underworld.” “Who would dare touch me when I have a daughter like you?” he countered softly. I shrugged, forcing down the faint smile trying to break through my cold exterior. “I don't control foolishness.” He studied me for a moment. “Does Lily know you’re here?” “It’s a surprise. It’s the least I could do for my little sister.” He just watched me in silence. I could tell what he was doing, he was looking for the little girl he had raised, the child who picked up a gun and executed men before she was even a teenager. He was searching for the master strategist, the perfect assassin he had forged... and the monster he became so terrified of that he sent her away when he realized he could no longer control her. Slowly, his rigid shoulders relaxed . “Fine, princess.” He reached out, taking my hands in his. “I’m just glad you’re finally home.” I opened my mouth to tell him I was leaving the second the ceremony ended, but a soft knock at the door cut me off. The door creaked open, and a tall figure stepped into the room. Alfred. Father’s chief assistant and most trusted ally. His gaze locked onto mine and he froze instantly, uncertainty flickering wildly in his eyes. “Y...you’re here, ma’am,” he stuttered. “Of course I am. Is there a problem, Alfred? Surely it isn't a crime for a sister to attend her own family's wedding.” “I... I apologize, Miss Asherford. I didn't mean to give the wrong impression,” he stammered, gulping nervously. “It’s just... you’ve been gone for fourteen years. You refused to return, only reaching out when you were on a mission or required intelligence.” I leaned back in the chair, resting my hands on my knees as my eyes narrowed. “So tell me, since when did you become so deeply invested in my personal life?” He swallowed hard. “Nothing serious, ma’am, but” “Save it.” I dismissed him with a sharp wave of my hand, then turned back to Father. “I’m going to change. I can't walk into my sister's wedding looking like this.” I gestured down at my combat gear “Fine,” Father murmured. I stood up and turned toward the door, but his voice stopped me in my tracks. “Winter.” I paused, slanting my head back to look at him. “I really am happy you’re back,” he said softly. “I missed you.” I knew he meant it. Father pretended to be tough, but deep down, he had gone soft. The day he sent me away, he had tried to reverse his decision, claiming he couldn't let me go. But it had already been too late. I had already accepted what I was. And thank heavens I stayed strong if I hadn't, I would have ended up like Lily: soft, kind, and fragile. The kind of delicate thing that breaks easily. Being sweet was fine for normal people, but in a mafia family, it was a death sentence. I had spent fourteen years in the shadows protecting them, hunting down any enemy that dared plot against our name before they even had the chance to draw a weapon. I opened my mouth to tell him I missed him too, but the words caught in my throat. “You’re being weird,” I said flatly. I turned and walked out, but I didn't miss the subtle smile that tugged at the corner of his lips as I left. I made my way down the west wing toward my old quarters. I knew Father and Lily would have kept it untouched, ordering the staff to clean it every single day. I pushed the heavy oak door open, and sure enough, I was right. I shook my head Too soft. My gaze swept over the massive king-sized bed, draped in cream-colored silk sheets, courtesy of a father who still insisted on calling me his little princess. Staring at the familiar room, a sudden, unfamiliar ache tugged at my chest. I shoved the feeling down instantly and pulled out my phone to order a proper outfit. I was staying as discreet as possible; I wanted to reveal myself at the altar, not a second before. For the next two hours, I stood by the window, silently observing the frantic courtyard below. Caterers rushed back and forth, decorators adjusted arrangements, and luxury cars streamed in and out of the estate gates. From my vantage point, I could see half the property. Then, my eyes locked onto a figure stepping out of the main house in a flowing white gown. My breath caught in my throat. “Lily...” I pressed my hand flat against the glass, watching her step into the waiting limousine. I couldn't clearly see her face from this distance, but the breathtaking lace dress did absolute justice to her grace. A sharp knock at my bedroom door broke my trance. Instantly, my hand dropped to my holster, drawing the gun and concealing it behind my back. “Come in.” The door pulled open, and a young footman walked in carrying a high-end rolling rack stacked with designer clothes. . “Good morning, ma’am. The Don asked that you select something from these.” Dad. “Leave them and get out.” The moment the door clicked shut, I stepped over to the rack and unzipped the bags, searching through the silk and tulle until I found a simple, elegant black gown. I changed quickly, stepping up to the floor-length mirror to inspect the result. The dress was backless with delicate thin straps, clinging perfectly to my waist before cascading smoothly down to my ankles. I swept my blonde hair up into a tight, polished bun. Looking back at my reflection, I looked far more like an Asherford daughter than a ruthless hitwoman. I took one last look, forcing a practiced, subtle smile onto my face. I strapped a compact firearm to my inner thigh band, concealed a thin dagger inside my ankle boot, and stepped out into the hallway to head toward the chapel. By the time I made it downstairs, a private estate shuttle was waiting. I stepped inside, and my phone immediately chimed with a notification. It was a live video feed of the chapel interior, sent directly from Dad’s encrypted tablet. I sighed, but I couldn't stop myself from watching. My eyes softened as I looked at my little sister on the screen. She was all grown up, looking ethereal in her white veil with a radiant, breathless smile on her lips. “Driver, hurry it up,” I commanded The wedding was taking place at the southern mansion on the far side of the estate. It was a fifteen-minute walk, but by car, it barely took five. After what felt like an eternity, the vehicle smoothly pulled up to the grand stone entrance. I stepped out and walked purposefully toward the massive double doors of the chapel. The moment I pushed them open, the soft music seemed to pause. Every eye in the room swept toward the back entrance. Lily’s eyes locked onto mine. Her breath hitched, her pupils widening in shock as tears immediately pooled in her eyes. Before she could speak, the deafening crack of a gunshot shattered the silence. Blood spattered violently across the white aisle. I went rigid.