Seduced by an Angel

Kismet

Chapter Two

     Jewel Cross pursed her lips together. She tried to focus on whatever her boss, Maxim de Luca, was saying. But it was impossible to do, especially when a set of eyes were boring on her back. She gripped her bag tighter, fighting the urge to glance at the familiar yet estranged man behind her.

     She couldn't believe that he was here. Of all the time and places they could meet, it had to be here. Shock and surprise registered in her face as soon as she was introduced to him--Alexei Nokinov. In a brief second, his smile disappeared and a stern confused look reflected on his face. But that look was easily replaced with a determined and predatory look. She tried to hide the shiver of excitement and fear as his stare lingered and surveyed her body. Like a predator, he had marked her as his prey. The determined look he gave her, all but explained that unlike their last meeting, she wouldn't be able to escape so easily. He extended his hand at her before pasting a small smirk in his lips. Then he slowly raised her hand to his lips, the same lips she had kissed two years ago.

     She shook her head, trying to dissolve the heat of the image creeping in her memories. But it was no use, seeing him again ignited the old flame she kept in her heart, the one she buried behind her cold facade. The persona she created two years ago along with the letter that was addressed to her mother.

     She wasn't  the same girl he met two years ago, the one who was naive about the world and carefree. Now, she was a calculative and manipulative woman working for the mobster boss, Maxim de Luca--her very own grandfather. But of course, he wasn't aware of that fact. She didn't want him to know either.

     In order for her to fully execute her plan, she threaded carefully in the mafia--joining as an rookie achiever in the business, gaining her momentum as one of best and earning Maxim's acknowledgement. For two years, she planned this day. The day, she would finally meet her grandfather. The day, she would avenge her mother's death.

     Even though the police stated that everything was an accident, she knew otherwise. Her mother would never drive carelessly. She would have easily foreseen that her breaks weren't working properly. She would have easily dodged that incoming truck. She wouldn't have reminded her beforehand of their dinner date.

     Thus, seeing that letter on her mother's desk put the final nail in her coffin-- all of it was planned. That her very own grandfather sentenced her mother's death.

     She hid her trembling hands in her lap.

     No, seeing him again wouldn't change anything. She had a mission to accomplish. She stiffened her resolved and looked ahead to her target. Today was her only chance. This was her end game, and the ball had been tousled in her court. She couldn't fail.

*****

     "Hey, ease up man. I don't doubt she'll melt like an ice cream, the way you keep staring at her like that."

     Alexei ignored the large muscled blonde beside him and continued analyzing the woman who had been haunting his dreams for the last two years.

     At first, he thought that he had finally lost his mind seeing her apparition in front of him. But as reality finally sunk in his senses, he couldn't help but think that finally fate had smiled down to him, at last. He had searched everywhere he went hoping he would see her again. The lost angel he had found in the dark alley.

     He still felt the same, dumb-struck as they met the second time. Even if they were in the middle of brusque and cold-hearted men, he didn't care--he staked his claim and almost wanted to roar all over the building that she was his. No matter how much they stared at her beauty, she belonged to him. She was his prey--the only woman who left his bed easily and yet all he wanted for her was stay in it. He would make sure that this time, she would stay in his bed and even in his life even if he had to tie her in it.