The Mafia Queen's Obsession

Part 20

Selene follows close behind, her movements as graceful and deliberate as ever. The door closes with a soft thud, sealing them in.

Inside, the atmosphere shifts slightly—intimate yet charged. 

Ayla places the bottle on the small table between the plush leather seats, but her fingers linger on it for a moment before finally leaning back with a deep sigh.

Selene watches her carefully, her sharp eyes never missing a detail. 

"You're handling this better than I expected," she says, her tone light but with a trace of genuine admiration.

Ayla snorts softly. "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Take it however you like," Selene replies smoothly, settling into her seat with an elegance that seems effortless. She crosses one leg over the other, leaning slightly toward Ayla. "Just don't let the scotch do all the heavy lifting. You'll need a clear head for what's coming."

Ayla glances at Selene, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "Don't worry. I can handle it," she says, though her voice carries an undercurrent of uncertainty.

Selene leans back, her gaze steady and unreadable, but there's a flicker of something softer in her expression. "We'll see," she murmurs, the words lingering in the air as the limo begins to glide forward, carrying them toward whatever lies ahead.

The soft purr of the limo engine fills the silence as it glides smoothly down the road. Ayla shifts slightly in her seat, her fingers brushing the scotch bottle idly. Selene sits across from her, a picture of composed elegance, her eyes fixed on Ayla as if studying her every movement.

Ayla breaks the silence first, her voice laced with curiosity and hesitation. "So... what exactly is the plan? You said we'd be seeing Leo, but you haven't really told me much else."

Selene leans forward slightly, resting her forearms on her knees. "The plan is simple," she says, her tone measured. "We make him talk, understand what his task force knows, and ensure you're not their next target."

Ayla raises an eyebrow. "Simple? Making your ex, who happens to be the head of a shadowy government task force, spill his secrets sounds anything but simple."

Selene smirks, her confidence unshaken. "Simple for me," she clarifies. "You just have to look stunning and play along."

Ayla snorts softly, shaking her head. "Right. And what if he doesn't play nice?"

Selene's smirk fades slightly, replaced by a steely glint in her eyes. "Then I remind him why he shouldn't underestimate me," she says, her voice dropping to a dangerous softness. "Leo knows better than to cross me, but if he needs a reminder..." She trails off, her hand brushing the edge of her jacket where Ayla suspects a concealed weapon lies.

Ayla feels a chill run down her spine but refuses to let it show. Instead, she leans forward, her curiosity pushing past her apprehension. "Why do I get the feeling there's more to this than just protecting me?"

Selene's gaze narrows slightly, but she doesn't look away. "There's always more," she admits after a moment, her voice low. "Leo and I didn't part on good terms, and his involvement in your situation isn't just a coincidence. He knows I'll come for him if he steps out of line."

Ayla tilts her head, her eyes narrowing. "You keep saying this is about protecting me, but are you sure it's not also about revenge?"

Selene leans back, her expression unreadable as she crosses one leg over the other. "Maybe it's both," she says finally, her voice laced with something Ayla can't quite place. "Does it matter?"