The Mafia Alpha's Hired Bride

Chapter 6

That morning, sunlight slipped through the thin curtains, spilling soft rays across the small dining table. The scent of scrambled eggs and toast still lingered in the air, but the tension and the restrained desire, was growing stronger by the second.

Deeya sat beside Jasper, close enough to feel the heat radiating from his body. Slowly, she slipped off her shoe, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Her bare foot brushed against Jasper's calf, sliding upward with teasing slowness... climbing higher toward his thigh.

"How about this?" she whispered, her smile full of challenge.

Jasper merely glanced at her, his face remaining utterly expressionless. "Is that all?" His voice was flat, almost dismissive.

Deeya giggled softly, then straightened her back. "This is just the beginning," she said lightly, her foot moving just a little higher, her gaze never leaving his eyes.

Then she leaned into Jasper, pressing her breasts against his arm, as if signaling that this seduction was far from over. "Let's take it slow... after all, we both need time to learn each other's bodies," she murmured, her voice soft but laden with meaning.

Jasper's eyes dropped, glancing at the cleavage displayed so blatantly in front of him, sending the heat in his blood surging even higher.

He leaned in, his fingers curling around Deeya's waist and pulling her closer until the space between them nearly vanished. His eyes narrowed, his sharp gaze seeming to pierce straight through her thoughts.

"You seem to have a lot of tricks, woman," his voice was low, almost vibrating.

The touch made Deeya's body flush with heat instantly, as if fire were spreading beneath her skin. She looked at him and smiled.

"I think you want to call me something else... like baby, or honey?" she cooed.

Jasper only responded with a crooked, meaningful smile. "Nice try." He released his grip, but Deeya caught the sound of his breath, slightly sharper than before.

"You can tell me what to do," she said, her voice calm but laced with challenge.

Jasper moved closer, until the distance between them simply evaporated. His proximity made Deeya's breath catch, her heart beating erratically.

"Sir, are you trying to kiss me?" she asked, her tone a mixture of nerves and boldness.

"I just wanted to tell you that—" Jasper began, but his voice cut off as a loud pounding slammed against the front door.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"Oi, w***e, open up! I know you're in there, open the damn door!" a rough male voice shouted from outside.

Jasper's brow furrowed deeply, his jaw hardening. "Who is that?" he demanded, his tone turning ice-cold.

Deeya rubbed her nose and laughed awkwardly, trying to mask her tension. "Ah... that's probably the loan shark. Just some gangster from this district. I... borrowed money from him," she explained, not daring to meet Jasper's eyes.

Her voice dropped, as if she were confessing a sin. "I didn't have health insurance, and Jace was really sick at the time. So... I did whatever I could."

Suddenly, CRASH! The front door burst open with a brutal kick. The wooden frame nearly splintered off its hinges. Deeya jumped in shock, her eyes widening at the damage.

"Damn it, Jim! What the hell is wrong with you?!" she yelled furiously at the man standing in the doorway, his breath ragged.

Jim stomped toward Deeya, his two lackeys filing in behind him.

"Who the hell do you think you're yelling at, huh?! You filthy w***e!" he barked.

His hand shot up, ready to slap Deeya. She stumbled backward, her body going rigid, but before the blow could land, a tall figure stepped in front of her. Jasper caught Jim's arm with lightning speed and shoved him away.

"I don't like seeing anyone hit a woman in front of me," he said coldly. His grip was so crushing that Jim winced, his bones seeming on the verge of snapping. Jasper released him with brutal force.

It took Jim a few seconds to fully register who was standing in front of him. Then he grinned lewdly.

"Oh, so you brought a client home. Why can't I sleep with you here, but he can? Is his d**k bigger than mine?" he taunted.

Deeya immediately thought, Of course it's bigger. But remembering how much Jasper hated being compared to her clients, she quickly cut in, her voice sharp.

"Jim, you'd better watch your mouth! Do you have any idea who he is?"

"Who is he then? You think I care? It's not like he's Jasper, right?"

"That's exactly who he is."

Jim's face went red. He let out a nervous chuckle. "You're joking, right?! Jasper would actually come to your whorehouse? Or... did he get tempted hearing about that spectacular p***y of yours?" he jeered bluntly. His two lackeys burst into raucous laughter.

Deeya glanced at Jasper and found a stare so sharp it could freeze blood.

Right at that moment, Nick entered with two of his men. Three guns were immediately trained on Jim and his crew's heads.

"Sorry, Boss. We were handling some business. Should we kill them all?"

Jasper answered flatly, "Kill them."

Jim and his two followers turned ghostly pale. They dropped to their knees, hands raised to their chests, begging.

"Please forgive us... we didn't know Deeya was with you. She owes us money, and we just came to collect," Jim stammered.

"And?"

"We're just underlings... we're not even worth dirtying your hands over."

Jasper stared at him for a long moment, then shifted his gaze to Deeya. "How much money did you borrow?"

"Fifty thousand dollars," Deeya answered reluctantly.

"It's half a million now!" Jim interjected quickly.

One look from Jasper was enough to make Jim shut his mouth. Jasper regarded Deeya while playing with his tone.

"Darling, do you want me to pay off all your debts to them?"

Deeya froze. Did he just offer to pay off my debt? I'd be insane to refuse. He's definitely playing some kind of dangerous game... and this is the perfect opportunity. Jim has caused way too many problems already. I'm better off playing along with Jasper and getting rid of them.

"Of course, thank you, my husband," she answered sweetly.

For the first time, Jasper smiled broadly. "Very well."

He nodded at Nick. His man handed over a stack of checks, which Jasper signed before giving them to Jim. Jasper's arm wrapped around Deeya's waist, as if staking his claim. He stroked her cheek, then fixed his gaze on Jim.

"Tell your boss this is the money I paid for Deeya."

"Okay, I understand," Jim answered.

Deeya thought to herself, He's sending a message so Jim won't bother me again.

Jasper leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Don't I make a perfect husband for you?"

Deeya leaned back against his chest, looking up at him with a smile. "I'm starting to get used to the fact that you're my husband... and I like it."

"Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm just acting," Jasper said, stroking her back.

Deeya blinked mischievously. "Wow, you're really good at it." She moved closer, brushing against his neck, her lips nearly touching his.

"I want to give you a little reward," she whispered.

But Jasper suddenly narrowed his eyes, tilting his head down so her lips only grazed his cheek. His hand cupped her chin.

"I don't need any little rewards from you, woman," he said sharply.

Deeya bit back her disappointment, but Jasper's gaze hadn't left her yet. He waved a hand at Nick.

"Don't let them leave without a lesson. I want everyone to know Deeya is my woman, and no one gets to treat her however they please."

"Yes, Boss."

Pitiful screams echoed from outside as Jim and his followers were dragged away from Deeya's house.

Jasper raised an eyebrow. "See? We settled the debt together, just like a couple that's been married for years."

Deeya froze, slightly stunned. "Anyway... thank you."

He's not as cruel and brutal as the rumors say, she thought.

As the atmosphere shifted into silence, something suddenly struck Deeya. Jace... The boy was still sleeping in his room.

Strange... why didn't he wake up even with all this noise?

She immediately headed for Jace's room. When she pushed the door open, her eyes went wide, the bed was empty. Panicked, she checked every corner, but found nothing. Jace was gone.

"Oh God... where did he go? If Jace loses control, he could be in danger if someone finds out he's a werewolf..." Deeya murmured, anxiety coiling tight in her chest.