The Mafia Alpha's Hired Bride

Chapter 1

The night air carried the metallic sting of blood and the sour reek of cheap alcohol seeping from the narrow alleys of the red-light district. Neon signs flickered anxiously in the windows of crumbling old shops, their restless light bleeding into puddles and shattered bottle glass littering the pavement. The world felt slow, exhausted, and utterly unforgiving. On one corner, two women sat side by side on a cold, damp concrete stoop.

Deeya drew a long breath, wrapping her arms around her knees, her torn stockings doing nothing to shield her skin. Her black leather jacket was far too thin to cut the chill, but she had stopped caring hours ago. Beside her, Judith chewed her gum lazily, watching the occasional passerby with a hollow, distant stare.

"I didn't think you'd be working tonight," Judith said, breaking the hanging silence.

Deeya nodded faintly, her gaze fixed on the street ahead. "Jace was doing a little better today. He was already asleep when I left."

Judith narrowed her eyes, her voice dropping low but cutting deep. "Be honest with me, Deeya. I know you don't actually want to do this kind of work, right? I mean, no woman dreams of becoming a w***e. Hahaha..."

Deeya didn't answer right away. Her body went still for a moment. A thin, bitter smile crossed her lips. "To me, it's just a job," she murmured. "Besides, I still owe a fortune to the loan sharks."

Right at that moment, the roar of motorcycles tore through the night. A pack of riders sped past, their headlights blinding. Two of them slowed down, whistling and throwing cheap comments their way.

Judith simply smiled, then winked playfully at the riders. "You're right. This is all just about money."

She dug into her pocket, pulled out a crumpled pack of cigarettes, and offered one to Deeya. But Deeya shook her head, firm yet weary.

"I quit smoking," she said.

Judith pulled the cigarette back and smirked. "Sorry, I forgot... Jace hates the smell of smoke."

Deeya just stayed silent, looking down. That name, Jace, always plucked at something fragile inside her. Guilt, fear, and a love far too deep to ever put into words.

"At first, he didn't hate it that much," she whispered, as if afraid the night air would carry her secrets away. "But you know how it is... ever since that thing with Peter... he can't control himself anymore."

Judith's expression changed instantly. Her eyes narrowed, her voice cutting like a blade.

"Don't you dare mention that bastard ex of yours in front of me! He's a f*****g monster! I hope he's dead by now."

Deeya exhaled softly. "I hate talking about it too. But Jace... he's gotten even more withdrawn since we moved to Seattle. As a single mom... and just as a human being... I honestly don't know how to handle him anymore."

Judith lit her cigarette, took a deep drag, and blew the smoke into the night air. "So... what's your plan for Jace?"

Judith Maddiea was the only person who knew Deeya's deepest secret, that Jace was no ordinary child. He wasn't just some quiet six-year-old boy. Jace was a child of different blood. The son of a werewolf.

Deeya stared far down the road. Her eyes looked empty, but a storm raged beneath the surface.

"I have to scrape together as much money as possible," she finally said. "If I can pay off all my debts, maybe I can buy a little house on the outskirts of the city. No more neighbors calling the cops to hurt Jace the moment they figure out what he really is. Like Peter did."

Judith shrugged, smiling slightly. "Good plan. But where the hell are you gonna get that kind of money?"

Deeya smiled bitterly. "Well... maybe I'll win the lottery one day."

As if the cruel universe itself had decided to answer, the smooth, powerful hum of an engine approached. A sleek, gleaming black luxury car slowed down and pulled up to the curb, not far from where they sat. Its headlights burned sharply, reflecting their glare onto Deeya's face.

Deeya turned her head slowly.

That car wasn't the kind that usually passed through the red-light district. A polished black limousine, too clean, too expensive, and far too dangerous to be in a place like this.

She raised an eyebrow. "See? Luck is right in front of us," she muttered, half-joking.

But Judith's face hardened. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, her lips pressing into a tight line.

"Deeya..." Judith's voice dropped, sharp. "That's not luck."

Deeya turned to her, brow furrowing. "Why?"

"That's Jasper's car," Judith whispered quickly. "The boss of The Rabid."

Deeya swallowed. "Jasper?"

Judith tossed her cigarette to the ground, then leaned in close, hissing directly into Deeya's ear. Her voice was thick with tension.

"I know a girl who works as a dancer at Jasper's casino. She says that man is cruel, beyond anything you can imagine. He once tortured a woman to death just because she defied him."

Deeya went quiet, sucking in a deep breath. Judith wasn't the type to panic easily, and if she was talking like this, there had to be a reason.

Maybe she's right about this, Deeya thought. But for some reason, her body didn't move away. Quite the opposite, there was a strange pull, like a magnet drawing her closer.

Why the hell do I want to go over there...? It's like something is calling me to get into that car...

The limousine's front door slowly opened. A man in a black suit stepped out with chilling calm. His body was solid, his expression rigid as stone. He walked straight toward them, then stopped right in front of Deeya. His gaze was cold, sweeping over her from head to toe.

"My name is Nick," he said curtly. His voice was deep and flat. "Are you Deeya Carpenter?"

Deeya tensed. "Yeah... that's me."

Nick gave a slow nod. "Boss Jasper wants you in the car."

Deeya frowned, bewildered. "Me?"

Before Deeya could even process it, Judith stood up and spoke firmly, "Don't go, Deeya."

Suddenly, Nick's hand moved fast, a small black pistol now pressed directly against Judith's temple. Deeya's breath caught in her throat.

"HEY! Nick!" she cried out in panic, stepping forward. "Take it easy! I haven't said I wouldn't go!"

Judith froze, her body rigid, her face deathly pale. Not a single word escaped her lips. Deeya quickly patted her shoulder, trying to soothe her even as her own heart hammered wildly.

"Don't worry, maybe this is an opportunity," she said in a low voice. "You know... I really, really need the money right now."

Judith stared at her intensely, still terrified, but eventually gave a small nod. "Then... be careful."

Deeya nodded back. She drew a breath, steadied her steps, then followed Nick toward the limousine.

As she passed the car window, her eyes caught a glimpse of the figure inside, a man sitting with elegant ease, wearing a dark tailored suit and leather gloves. His face was sharp, almost sculpted, with a stare that instantly pierced right through Deeya's chest.

Just one look. But it was enough to send Deeya's heart into a chaotic rhythm.

Something deep inside her trembled violently.

And she knew... tonight would change everything.

The moment the car door shut and Deeya settled into the back seat, the atmosphere inside turned thick and suffocating. The scent of expensive genuine leather mingled with the faint masculine aroma of costly cologne, hanging heavy in the air. She turned her head, and there he was, the man himself.

Jasper De Leon.

He sat in absolute stillness, yet an aura of menace radiated from every inch of him. A powerfully built frame wrapped in a black suit, his posture relaxed but brimming with sheer dominance. His eyes, merciless eyes, stared straight at her. Dark, deep, and razor-sharp, like a wolf sizing up its prey. Even in total silence, the man exuded pure danger.

"Boss, this is Deeya," Nick said from the front seat, clipped, then started the engine and pulled the car into the cold night streets.

Deeya swallowed hard. Her voice felt trapped in her throat. She tried to pull herself together, lifting her chin slightly. So this is the man they say is the most feared of all? Jasper... he's far more intimidating than I ever imagined.

The voice came suddenly. Deep and heavy, like a stone dropping into the bottom of a well.

"Come closer."

Deeya stared at him, in disbelief. But Jasper didn't wait. In one motion, his large, powerful hand reached out and pulled her body toward him. Deeya slid across the seat, her body pressing against Jasper's hard, hot chest, pulsing with hidden strength. Her heart slammed against her ribs so violently, as if her body was rejecting it but... her mind couldn't look away.

Jasper gripped her chin, tilting her face so their eyes met. His gaze pierced through her, studying every inch of her face with an intensity that made Deeya feel as though she was being stripped bare, emotionally and physically. He didn't speak, just silent... and watching.

Trying to steady herself, Deeya lifted the corner of her lips. "Sir, do you like doing it in your car?"

Her hand touched Jasper's chest, hard, solid, and alive like warm marble. She could feel the beat of the man's heart. Slow but steady. Absolute control.

Jasper didn't react. He just stared at her, as if testing.

"I'm Jasper," he finally said, his tone heavy.

Deeya leaned closer to his ear, her breath warm. "Okay, Jasper..." she whispered coyly.

Jasper responded by placing his hand on her waist, then slowly trailing it down her hip until it reached the edge of her thigh. The touch made Deeya shiver. But before she could catch her breath, Jasper touched her intimately, over the thin panties she wore.

Deeya held her breath, then grabbed Jasper's hand.

"Why so rushed?" she teased. "Why don't we go somewhere nicer... more private?"

Jasper stared at her, then abruptly shoved her body away. A flicker of disgust crossed his face.

"f**k," he growled. "I can't believe I was tempted by you."

Deeya froze. Did he just say... disgusted? Something twisted and stung inside her chest. But she didn't let it show. She looked back at Jasper with a blank expression. If he's rejecting me, why did his eyes look like they were burning earlier? Why did his body tense up?

She tried to move closer, but Jasper immediately stopped her with a hand gesture.

"Sit over there and don't move," he ordered, flat and non-negotiable.

Deeya swallowed and obeyed. She didn't dare move a single muscle.

Jasper then turned forward. "Take us to the hotel," he told Nick, who immediately followed the command without question.

The hotel they arrived at was the kind of place only kings or devils with absolute power could afford. The lobby was ostentatious with polished black marble, crystal chandeliers, and an expensive hush hanging in the air.

Once they were in the suite, Deeya nearly lost her words. The room was like a palace, vast, luxurious, and bathed in the soft glow of glittering chandeliers.

"Wow... this place is incredibly lavish," she murmured.

But when she turned around with enthusiasm, she found Jasper's cold stare pinning her from across the room.

Deeya licked her bottom lip, a little sheepish, and pointed toward the bathroom. "Do you want me to shower first?" she asked.

"No," Jasper replied curtly.

He walked to the sofa beside him, sat down, and poured himself a glass of whiskey. Then he looked at Deeya sharply.

"Take off your clothes."

Truthfully, Deeya felt relieved to hear it. She then winked with a seductive smile. "All of my clothes?"

"Yes. I want you standing naked in front of me," Jasper answered. "I want to inspect my mate."

Mate? What does that mean? Deeya thought. Forget it. Jasper is rich, and I'll do whatever he asks tonight.

"Why don't you take all my clothes off yourself?" she asked flirtatiously.

"You heard me, didn't you? I don't like repeating myself."

"Okay," Deeya replied, standing up. She began to remove her clothes slowly, teasingly. She stood barefoot, left only in her bra and panties. She stared at Jasper, watching his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed.

"Continue," Jasper commanded.

Deeya removed her bra and panties. Now she stood completely naked. Jasper's eyes turned dark, his voice hoarse.

"Now, come closer to me."