The Mafia Alpha's Hired Bride

Chapter 3

Deeya stood frozen in place. Jasper's words had just struck her harder than any slap ever could: I want you to marry me.

"...What?" she murmured, barely audible, disbelief lacing every syllable. Jasper's voice was so cold, nearly glacial, and that was precisely why the words sounded so threatening. Marriage? To the man who had just treated her like personal property and paid her afterward?

Jasper's brow furrowed, irritation flickering across his features at her delayed response. "Did you not hear me?" His voice cut through the air like a blade.

Deeya shook her head slowly, fighting to keep her composure. "No... I mean, why would you want to marry me?" she asked, genuine confusion bleeding through.

Instead of answering with patience, Jasper slammed his whiskey glass onto the table. The sharp crack of shattering crystal made Deeya flinch violently. His gaze swept over her, frigid and seething with barely contained fury.

"Don't get the wrong idea," he said flatly. "This is nothing more than an arrangement. You marry me, and I pay you."

Deeya's eyes drifted to the black briefcase overflowing with cash, her breath caught somewhere in her chest. She tried to process it all, but her thoughts were spinning too fast, crashing into each other. "But... you must have plenty of other options. And I... you know what I am. I'm just... a—"

The word nearly refused to leave her lips. But it slipped out anyway, barely a whisper, laced with a faint, tangled shame.

"Whore."

Jasper went rigid. His fingers curled around a second glass, and this time he didn't shatter it, he simply set it back down with excruciating slowness, every movement dripping with controlled menace.

"You think I don't know who you are?" he said, his voice razor-sharp. "I would never marry someone like you... if I had any other choice."

The words buried themselves in her chest like a dagger. Deeya's eyes widened. She stepped back, her body tensing, trembling faintly at the edges. What does he mean? Why is he being forced into this? Who's forcing him? What is he hiding from me? The questions clawed through her mind, tangled with suspicion and a creeping, cold dread.

Jasper continued, his tone sharpening further. "Stop asking pointless questions. You marry me, I pay you. We both get what we need."

Deeya swallowed hard. "What else do I have to do?"

"We'll be married for one year. After that, you're free to leave... with ten million dollars."

Ten million... Deeya barely managed to conceal the shock that rippled through her. Her fingers clenched the fabric of her dress. Beneath all the fear, some buried part of her was screaming with silent, greedy delight.

A small smile curved at the corner of her lips. "Okay," she said at last.

Jasper narrowed his eyes. "So your answer is..."

"Yes. I agree to marry you," Deeya said firmly, without a trace of hesitation this time.

Jasper nodded. "Good. I'm glad to hear it."

Deeya walked toward him with a sway in her hips, settling onto the sofa beside him. She picked up the whiskey bottle and poured it into his glass. "So... should we drink to our deal?" she whispered, resting her hand against his chest.

Jasper caught her wrist, his gaze darkening once more. His hand slid along her waist, then pulled her body closer. He leaned in, his lips brushing her ear, his voice cold as frost.

"Woman, remember this well. This is only a deal. You're a w***e. Don't ever think of me as your husband."

A shiver rippled down Deeya's spine. The smile on her face froze instantly. But she drew a deep breath and forced her expression back into careful neutrality. "Of course, sir. I know exactly what I'm selling, and it's not love."

Instead of looking satisfied, Jasper's face darkened further. He gripped her chin and stared at her with piercing intensity.

"Don't turn me into one of your clients either. And don't even think about playing games with me..."

"Or what?" Deeya asked, refusing to shrink under his gaze.

Jasper pulled her body even closer, his hand pressing against the small of her back with a touch that burned through the thin fabric of her dress. "There will be consequences," he murmured.

Deeya stared into his face. Why does his touch feel like magic? Why do I want to get even closer to him? The thought unsettled her, a confusion she couldn't untangle.

"Relax, Jasper. I'm only interested in your money," she said, her smile flat and practiced.

Jasper's eyes narrowed, his expression unreadable and dark. "It better stay that way," he muttered.

He rose to his feet, buttoning his jacket with calm precision. "Now come with me."

"Where?"

"To my place."

Deeya stood, then suddenly froze.

A large shadow loomed in her mind. Jace... My son. I can't leave him alone. Especially if Jasper finds out Jace is a werewolf...

She swallowed and forced a smile. "I don't think I can leave tonight."

Jasper stopped mid-step. His gaze pierced through her like a dagger. "Are you trying to break our deal already?"

"No... I just... I need to calm my child down first before I leave with you."

"...What?" Jasper turned, his eyes flaring with shock. "You have a child?"

His gaze snapped to Nick. "Did you know about this?"

Nick looked panicked. "The timeframe was too tight. We missed this piece of information. But I'm certain she's single, Boss."

"Nick's right. I am a single mom," Deeya said calmly.

Jasper exhaled heavily, his eyes razor-sharp. "Woman, you are truly infuriating."

His phone rang. He stepped away, answered it with clipped words, then ended the call with a grim expression.

"Listen closely. I don't care whether you actually have a child or not. I'm only giving you one night to calm him down."

"One night isn't enough. I—"

Jasper cut her off swiftly. "I'll pick you up tomorrow morning. You will come with me. Don't waste any more of my time."

Deeya lowered her head, concealing the worry churning beneath her skin. "Okay. I understand."

Jasper stared at her sharply one last time, then turned to Nick. "Make sure she doesn't try anything."

"Yes, Boss," Nick answered quickly.

And just like that, the night had transformed into a dangerous contract, one bound by money, marriage, and secrets yet to be revealed.

---

Deeya pushed the door open slowly, letting the cold night air slip inside for a moment before she stepped in with careful, measured movements. Jace was still fast asleep in her arms, his breathing steady, his tiny fingers clutching tightly at her neck. Without waking him, she carried him to Nick's car waiting outside and carefully transferred his small body inside.

The drive to Judith's house passed in silence, filled only by the low hum of the engine and Nick's occasional glances in the rearview mirror. When they arrived, Deeya lifted Jace into her arms and brought him straight to the back bedroom. Judith was already waiting, the window curtains pushed wide as she watched Nick's car disappear down the street.

The moment Deeya returned to the living room, Judith crossed her arms over her chest and stared at her with utter disbelief. "What did you just say? You're going to marry Jasper?"

Deeya glanced toward the bedroom, making sure Jace was still sleeping, then lowered her voice. "It's only for a year," she said quietly.

"But that still means you'll be marrying him, doesn't it?" Judith couldn't keep the pitch from rising in her voice.

Deeya nodded slowly. "Yes... that's right."

"Oh my God!" Judith practically slapped her own forehead.

"You're looking very dramatic right now, darling," Deeya said with a faint, weary smile.

"Good God, do you realize what you're doing? You're about to marry the cruelest man who's ever existed! That's Jasper—the mafia boss," Judith said, her voice a messy collision of panic and frustration. "You're lucky you made it home alive after spending the night with him. But now? Now you want to marry him?"

Judith pulled a cigarette from her pocket, and with jittery, nervous movements, nearly lit it before Deeya gestured toward the bed.

Judith set the lighter down and looked toward Jace, who was sleeping peacefully. "Oh... that sweet little angel," she whispered.

"Yeah... he's my little angel," Deeya said, her voice softening. "I don't know how I would've survived the last few years without Jace."

"You really saved him seven years ago," Judith murmured.

Deeya nodded slowly, her gaze growing distant, as if she were pulling memories from deep within a fog. "I was so terrified and confused back then. But strangely enough... I knew exactly what I had to do."

A faint smile touched her lips. "I'm even certain... Jace's father and I must have loved each other. Even though I've lost every single memory from that night."

Judith fell silent for a moment, then hesitantly asked, "Do you think... is it possible that Jace's father is also a werewolf?"

Deeya turned to her. "He has to be. Otherwise, how could Jace be a werewolf?"

"But he never came. He never looked for you... after all these years." Judith's voice was soft, almost a mumble. "Do you think something happened to him?"

"Maybe," Deeya whispered. "Maybe something terrible."

"Don't be so pessimistic," Judith said quickly. She patted Deeya's shoulder and gave her a brief wink. "Have you ever thought about finding a stepfather for Jace?"

Deeya raised an eyebrow. "You don't mean Jasper, right?"

Judith laughed quietly. "No. I meant... why not a werewolf stepfather? So Jace doesn't feel so alone?"

Deeya went quiet. Her thoughts drifted. "It's not that simple. When Jace first started shifting... it took me a long time to accept everything. We've been living so carefully in Seattle, Judith. And all this time... we've never met another werewolf besides Jace."

Judith looked at her seriously. "I still remember that night so clearly. You know, I was scared half to death when I saw Jace turn into a wolf for the first time."

Deeya nodded slowly. "Yeah... and even now, he still can't fully control himself. Especially when his emotions explode. If Jasper finds out Jace is a werewolf... he'll kill him without hesitation."

"And that's why you need me, right?" Judith said with a small smile. She reached for the black suitcase in Deeya's hand, unzipped it slightly, and peeked at the contents, stacks of cash.

"I'll take your suitcase of money. And I'll take care of Jace. You just focus... on dealing with Jasper."

Deeya let out a small shriek, laughing softly through the rush of giddiness. "Oh my God... you really are the best!"

Judith nodded. "We have to help each other. Besides... you know I can't have children anymore. And I've always adored Jace."

Deeya gripped Judith's hands tightly, gratitude swelling in her chest. "Judith."

Judith squeezed back, then glanced toward the bedroom. "Don't you want to say goodbye to Jace?"

Deeya lowered her head. "No... if I see him sad, I'm afraid I won't be able to leave him."

Judith nodded with quiet understanding. "Okay. Don't worry. I'll take care of him as best as I possibly can."

After a brief embrace and words of gratitude that got caught in her throat, Deeya stepped out of Judith's house. Her heart was heavy with doubt, but her steps remained steady. Because starting tonight... her life would never be the same again.