Blurred Line

Chapter 5

Rafael Mancini

The small silhouette caught me off guard as I entered Maya's house. It stared at me with a curiosity that seemed to question my presence in its space, or her space, for that matter. The cat silently observed my movements, offering no reaction. I had imagined various scenarios of how I would execute my plan or how the dangerous woman would respond to my intrusion, but none of them involved being greeted by a furry friend first. Still, I found myself grateful that it was just a small cat and not a guard dog; instead of attacking me, the little creature simply sauntered ahead of me, mimicking its master's slow and seductive pace. It seemed Maya had taught the cat well—or perhaps vice versa. The unfolding of events was uncertain, to say the least.

As I sat in the car, my mind was already unsettled, partly due to Maya's revealing attire, which showcased her silky legs and accentuated her figure in a t-shirt that seemed designed to captivate. I could see the outline of her breasts and those perky nipples that begged to be tasted. I couldn't help but notice the stares of my men, a consequence of my selfish desire to keep her in such revealing clothing. While I wanted her to be exposed to my sight, I hadn't fully considered the reactions she might elicit from others.

Interrupting my reverie, Maya spoke, requesting something unexpected. Meeting her gaze, I tried to discern whether her request was another act of manipulation, but to my surprise, she appeared genuinely sincere.

"What's the cat's name?" I inquired, more out of curiosity than genuine interest, though I also sought to assess if the cat was a liability for her or not.

"Tom. He's the sweetest little furball, and I care about him deeply. I need to ensure he'll have a happy life if anything happens to me," she replied with a serious tone.

Raising an eyebrow, I couldn't help but smile slightly. It struck me that she might prioritize the cat's well-being over her own life—a notion that was both amusing and reckless.

"You should learn to conceal your vulnerabilities," I offered a piece of advice, realizing that a part of me couldn't fathom her not being alive; I wasn't finished with her yet.

She gasped as though insulted. "You wouldn't dare harm him, or I swear I'll end you," she retorted fiercely.

I crossed my arms, maintaining my smile. "So you value an animal's life over a human's?"

"It's not just an animal; it's Tom, my little baby boy. And yes, to answer your question, I adore him. As for you, I merely tolerate your presence. Now, do the math, supreme leader," she replied, her attitude a blend of defiance and amusement.

Beside the seductive woman from the gala night lay a surprisingly humorous assassin—a fortunate twist for me.

"Actually, it's Capo. But I understand the confusion. I won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who crosses me," I stated firmly.

She mirrored my posture, crossing her arms, which inexplicably made me uneasy. Her breasts were now more pronounced, amplifying the distraction she posed. Why was I behaving like a schoolboy?

My demeanor seemed to alert her to a shift, and I realized that perhaps I wasn't the only one experiencing an inexplicable attraction. It was a small gesture, but she pressed her legs together, heightening the tension in the air.

"Is that a threat?" she asked, visibly affected by the charged atmosphere.

Her tempting lips beckoned me, but I knew that if I gave in to the impulse to touch her, I might lose control. It was becoming clear that she had the potential to become my downfall.

"It depends on the information you have for me. Let's start with why you wanted to kill me," I said, attempting to regain control of the situation.

She licked her lips, not to tempt me, though it had that effect, but to buy time to formulate her response.