THE MAFIA ALPHA'S HEARTSTRINGS

THE PLAN

THIRD PERSON POV

Joaquin's eyes met Miss A's as she removed her mask, her eyes sparkling with annoyance. "Is that how you say welcome to your woman? I've been away for over a month, and I don't even get a kiss?" she said with a grumble.

"Patience, pretty one. You'll get what you deserve," Joaquin replied with an abject smile, pulling her into a tender kiss. "Welcome home."

Miss A's arms wrapped around Joaquin in a tight hug. "I missed you," she confessed.

"Did you miss Mommy?" she asked in a sultry tone, but Joaquin's expression remained impassive.

Joaquin's encounters with Miss A had become increasingly unbearable. He despised the woman, who embodied everything that was wrong with the world. She had shamelessly capitalized on his weaknesses and taken advantage of him when he was just 16. Now, he was her decorated lab dog, forced to do her dirty work, including killing her husband. The torture continued, as he was forced to satisfy her desires every week.

"Of course, Miss A," Joaquin lied with a smile, pulling away from the hug. "That's exactly what I want to hear."

Miss A lit another cigarette, her eyes gleaming with boastfulness. "You know those younger women can't give you what I can, right?" she asked.

Joaquin's response was sincere. "I am aware of that." No one else could provide him with the backup and connections he needed to survive in the underworld.

Miss A patted his cheek, her smile ugly. "Smart boy. Now, to more pressing issues. That woman doesn't have your gold bars."

Joaquin's intrigue was piqued. "What do you mean she doesn't have my gold bars? That woman is a pathological liar; don't believe a word that comes out of her lying tongue."

Miss A's anger flared. "You know better than to argue with me, Joaquin."

Joaquin apologized abjectly. "Forgive my insolence."

Miss A's forgiveness was nonchalant. "You're forgiven. So, as I was saying, my informant in THE Havi Syndicate informed me that their boss, Nickolas Devay, is coming into town for his monthly supply of jewelry material. According to him, Nicholas received an extraordinary offer for a hundred gold bars at the low price of two hundred million dollars, and he is scheduled to collect it before the month runs out."

Joaquin's mind was racing. It made perfect sense that someone would want to steal from him and sell it at a higher price, but the question remained: "Who is in possession of my gold bars?"

Miss A's response was thoughtless. "The gang leader of a small terrorist group by name Tony Nicholson."

Joaquin's anger simmered. "Tony Nicholson... I have never heard of that name. What business does he have, daring me like this?"

Miss A's clarification was simple. "It's nothing personal, just business."

Joaquin's bitterness lingered. "But I have some doubts, though. Why did he decide to frame Katherina for the crime?"

Miss A's explanation was straightforward. "Cause she's an easy target. A beautiful, gender-confused young lady with an addiction problem; she seems like a perfect target."

Joaquin's anger flared. "They got me good. I almost killed that woman, you know."

Miss A's frown deepened. "Funny that that's your only problem. You almost killed her; big whoop. You have killed a lot of other people and never once gave a f**k. Tell me, what is so special about that woman?"

Joaquin was unable to answer. Alexandra was a jealous lover, and he should have controlled himself to avoid unnecessary questions like this.

Miss A's urgency returned. "Never mind, it's not important. We need to focus on getting the mole in your camp and recovering your gold bars."

Joaquin's eyes narrowed slightly. "I guess we wouldn't be needing her anymore, then. I'll get rid of her tonight," he said, referring to Katherina.

Miss A's expression changed, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "About that, we might still have use for her."

Joaquin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"

Miss A's smile grew wider. "We need someone to infuriate Tony's ranks, and what better way to get into a man's head than through his pants?"

Joaquin burst into laughter. "You think Katherina can seduce a man? She can't even seduce herself."

Miss A's expression turned serious. "No, she can't at the moment, but in time, she'll be perfect for the job under your guidance. You might not believe this, but she's one of the most beautiful women I've seen."

Joaquin's laughter died down, replaced by a scowl. Beautiful indeed. There was nothing beautiful about that witch.

"Even if you're right about her, it's not possible to change that man into a sexy, classy lady. If anything, it would be easier to carry out gender reassignment surgery," Joaquin said gruffly.

Miss A's eyes narrowed. "I don't explain everything to you, do I, Joaquin? Listen, I don't care how you do it. Break her, threaten her, offer her to all your men if you wish, but don't embarrass me."

Joaquin's expression remained impassive, but a spark of anger ignited within him. Miss A had always made him feel like an asset she'd purchased, but he wasn't worried. One of these days, he would stab her where it hurt the most.

Miss A's voice cut through Joaquin's thoughts. "Get your act together, Joaquin. You know I care about you, but more than that, I care about my money. If you disappoint me, I swear I'll kill you."

Joaquin's eyes locked onto Miss A's, a silent understanding passing between them. He knew the stakes, and he would play by her rules – for now.

As Miss A walked out, Joaquin's gaze shifted to Katherina, who sat quietly in the courtyard, smoking a cigarette. Seeing her in this state irritated him for three reasons: she looked too peaceful, he hated the scent of cigarettes, and the T-shirt she wore was too revealing for his liking.

"Young man, let's go," Joaquin commanded, forcefully pulling Katherina off her seat and causing her cigarette to fall to the ground.

Katherina protested, standing her ground, but Joaquin quickly shuffled her into the car and drove off.

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As they drove, Katherina's eyes met Joaquin's in the rearview mirror. She couldn't stand him anymore – his annoying scent, his handsome face, his incredibly sexy white and black hair, his touch that stimulated her inactive points like no other.

"Hey, mister, if you want to kiss me, just ask. Stop staring so much. You're drooling," Joaquin teased with a smile.

Katherina's eyes rolled. "You wish, I'd rather drool over a snake than you, old man."

Joaquin's laughter filled the car.

" You're are one annoying dude" Katherina's face burned with anger.

"And you're very pretty when you're angry." Once more he teases

Joaquin's eyes locked onto Katherina's, a desirable look that made her uncomfortable. "Whatever," she said nonchalantly, diverting her gaze outside to avoid his stare.

That's when she spotted some police officers at a checkpoint a few meters away from them. A crazy escape plan crossed her mind.

She would appeal to the police for help, claiming she had been kidnapped. That way, she might finally escape Joaquin's clutches.

Joaquin's voice cut through her thoughts, his tone low and menacing. "Katherina, we're coming up on some police officers. If you want to live, I suggest you say nothing and do nothing, got it?"

Katherina nodded, but her mind seethed with defiance. She smiled to herself, a nemesis-like glint in her eye. 'You wish,' she thought. 'I'll mess you up badly.'

As the car came to a halt at the checkpoint, Joaquin greeted the officers with a charming smile. "Good evening, officers."

One of the officers returned the greeting, his eyes scanning Joaquin's driver's license. "Good evening, Miss...?"

Joaquin's smile never wavered. "She's my girlfriend," he said, nodding toward Katherina.

Katherina's response was immediate and dramatic. "Lies!" she exclaimed, pretending to be in tears. "He kidnapped me, and he's been assaulting me."

The officer's eyes darted between Joaquin and Katherina, his expression a mixture of confusion and concern. "Ma'am, are you sure of that miss" he asked, his hand resting on his gun.

Katherina nodded vigorously, trying to hold back a triumphant smile. She had done it. She had finally escaped Joaquin's clutches.

But as the officer reached for her, Joaquin's eyes locked onto hers, and she saw a glimmer of something that made her blood run cold. It was a warning, a promise that this wasn't over yet.

Joaquin's face remained impassive, but Katherina could sense the anger simmering beneath the surface. She knew she had to get out of there, and fast.

The officer gently pulled Katherina out of the car, his eyes never leaving Joaquin's face. "Sir, I'm going to have to ask you to step out of the vehicle," he said, his voice firm but polite.

Joaquin's eyes never left Katherina's face as he slowly got out of the car. His movements were fluid and deliberate, and Katherina could sense the tension building in his body.

The officer's eyes darted between Joaquin and Katherina, his expression growing more and more concerned. "Ma'am, can you tell me what's going on here?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle.

Katherina took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She knew she had to think fast, to come up with a convincing story that would keep her safe.

But before she could say anything, Joaquin spoke up, his voice smooth and charming. "Officer, I think there's been a misunderstanding. This young woman is my girlfriend, and we were just having a little disagreement."

The officer's eyes narrowed, his expression skeptical. "Is that true, ma'am?" he asked, his eyes locked onto Katherina's face.

Katherina hesitated, unsure of what to say. She knew she couldn't trust Joaquin, but she also knew she couldn't trust the officer. She was trapped, and she didn't know what to do.

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