Asher’s piercing blue eyes met hers, and a slow, knowing smirk curved his lips. Her heart skipped a beat, but she maintained her cold composure. She couldn’t afford to let anyone see through her mask, especially not her enemies.

“Your brothers are here,” Visha murmured from behind her, pulling Alissa’s attention back to the present.

Her gaze shifted to a group of men near the far wall. Her brothers— Aries and Aiden and the cousins - the eyes of her brothers were fixed solely on her.

For a moment, their composed exteriors faltered. Aiden, who is usually stoic, looked like he was about to cross the room to pull her into a bear hug. Asher grinned openly for a split second before quickly masking it.

Alissa felt a pang in her chest— They were excited to see her, genuinely so, but their roles as Spanish mafia leaders required restraint. Public displays of affection could be perceived as weakness, and weakness had no place in their world.

Aries leaned closer to Aiden, muttering something that made his brother nod. They straightened their postures, their expressions returning to neutral masks. To the outside world, they looked like a picture of calm authority. But Alissa knew better.

Alissa descended the staircase, her movements deliberate, the room parting for her like waves before a storm. She first walked to where her father was. Alexandro smiled, looking at her like a proud father. He introduced her to some of the people from their legal businesses. After some time, she whispered something to her father, who then nodded, and she walked towards where her brothers were.

She saw the tension in their shoulders, the barely contained energy as they waited for her to approach.

When she finally reached them, Aries extended a hand formally, his dark eyes searching hers. “It’s good to see you, sorellina,” he said softly, his tone betraying a hint of emotion. They wanted to hug her, but they knew that right now was not the time.

Alissa shook his hand, her fingers tightening slightly in acknowledgment. “You too, Aries.”

Aiden stepped forward, his grin threatening to resurface. “You look... different.”

“Better, you mean?” she replied, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

Aiden chuckled, shaking her hand as well, though his grip lingered slightly longer than necessary. “Always.”

The exchange was brief, their words simple, but the connection between them was electric. None of them needed to say aloud what they truly felt—the relief, the pride, the love.

"Alissa, it's been forever," Ryder said, looking at her.

"Yeah, right." she has to admit that she really missed him too. He is the only cousin who she likes.

Rocco stared at her, not knowing what to say, I mean, his idol was just standing in front of him.

After a few minutes of chatting with her brothers, Asher appeared beside her, his presence sending a ripple through the room. Even the cousins and brothers showed a little bit of fear.

“Asher Kingston,” he said smoothly, extending his hand towards Aiden, his voice like velvet over steel. “It’s a pleasure to meet Alissa’s family.”

Aiden forced a smile, his hand hesitating for a fraction of a second before he shook Asher’s. “The pleasure is ours.”

Her father approached them, his towering presence silencing the room. Alexandro ’s eyes narrowed as they landed on Asher.

“Asher,” he said, his voice dangerously calm. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Asher smiled, unfazed. “How could I miss such a momentous occasion? Your daughter’s debut is the talk of the world. Plus, I couldn't just throw away the invitation you gave me, i'm not a rude person you see”

"Where is your father?"

"He is on a business trip and wasn't able to come," Asher said.

"Anyways, I came here to ask the birthday girl for a dance," he said and extended his hand toward Alissa, his movements deliberate and commanding. “May I have this dance?” he asked, his voice smooth yet edged with danger.

Alissa’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his. “Of course,” she replied, her voice steady despite the weight of the gazes on her.

"I will be back," she said to her brothers.

The crowd was shocked when they saw the fearless mafia king asking the daughter of Alexandro for a dance, who also agreed easily.

The string quartet began a waltz, its soft, haunting melody filling the air. The room seemed to hold its breath as Asher guided Alissa onto the polished dance floor. Their movements were perfectly in sync, every step a display of control and elegance.

The whispers began almost immediately.

“Is that really Asher Kingston?”

“Why is he dancing with her?”

“They’re close. Too close…”

"They will make a perfect pair if they were dating."

Alexandro DeLeon stood at the edge of the room, his expression an unreadable mask. His sharp eyes followed their every move, though he made no attempt to intervene. He knew that Asher wouldn't dare cross him, so he was reassured.

Visha, who was beside her father, the Korean mafia leader, was squealing like a fan girl, looking at the couple on the dance floor. She already knew that they had been dating since Alissa told her.

On the dance floor, Alissa and Asher were oblivious—or perhaps, they simply didn’t care. Asher’s hand rested lightly on her waist, guiding her with a precision that was almost possessive. Alissa met his gaze, her head held high, her expression one of calm defiance.

“You’re enjoying this far too much,” she murmured, her voice low enough that only he could hear.

Asher smirked, his thumb brushing against her hand. “Why wouldn’t I? I get to dance with the most dangerous woman in the room.”

"I missed you so f*cking much детка" his hold on her waist tightened slightly, and he dropped his head between the crook of her neck and inhaled her sweet scent which makes him go crazy.

"Asher, we are on the stage. People are watching," Alissa warned him.

"So let them, who cares anyway?" he smirked.

"I do, remove you head this instant," she said. Reluctantly, Asher removed his head and looked into her gray eyes as if he were wronged.

"If people see you like this, they are going to wonder if something is wrong with your brain." Alissa said.

"You're so mean, you know that? I'm starting to wonder if you really love me," he said in a pitiful voice

"Aww, мой бедный малыш" she said and rolled her eyes.

T: My poor baby

Asher chuckled and leaned to whisper in her ear.

"You're enjoying this hmm, come, I will make sure you enjoy it even more," he said, his voice husky and pulled her upstairs to her room.

"Asher..." Alissa said the moment they arrived inside her room, but Asher cut her off with his lips on hers. His lips pressed against hers with a passionate intensity that spoke of how much he had missed her. His kiss was unrestrained, filled with raw emotion and hunger, as though he was trying to make up for every second they had been apart. Each movement of his lips was a testament to his yearning, a desperate effort to remind her how deeply he cared.

His hands roamed around her body. They moved with a blend of hesitation and longing, tracing the curves he had missed so deeply. His fingers traveled from her waist to the small of her back, pulling her even closer, as if trying to erase the distance that had separated them. The warmth of her skin beneath his touch only fueled his hunger, his lips never leaving hers as he kissed her with a raw, unrestrained passion. His hands explored her gently, but urgently, memorizing every detail, as though he feared this moment, might slip away.

Alissa was short of breath, and she gently tried to push him away, but he remained still.

"A-asher" she said breathlessly through the kiss. Asher hummed but continued to kiss her anyway.

The heat of his touch sent shivers through her, his fingers trailing down to the curve of her thigh. In one smooth motion, he lifted her leg, his grip firm yet gentle as he hooked it around his waist, drawing her impossibly closer. The act was both possessive and passionate, his lips never breaking from hers as he poured all his longing and desire into the kiss. Every movement spoke of how much he had craved this moment, desperate to feel her against him once more.

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