Five

Chapter 5 Aviana

Aviana Grey adjusted the hem of her fitted blazer, her pulse steady despite the weight of the moment.

The grand estate of the Iron vine towered over her like an imposing force weighing down on her confidence, showing just a little of what was to come as soon as she stepped inside the gate or the mansion.

She stepped forward, her heels clicking against the pavement, exuding the confidence of a woman who belonged. Infiltrating the most feared mafia family on the East Coast required more than just a flawless résumé—it demanded a mask, and Aviana had perfected hers.

The guard on the left stopped just as she was about to enter through the gates.

“Name?*

“Anna reed, I'm here for the interview. Lucas is expecting me,” she said smoothly, handing over a forged ID.

The man inspected it before nodding towards the intercom

A brief exchange occurred between him and someone on the other side before the huge black gate opened.

As soon as she stepped into the eststez she felt the impending danger and doom if this didn't go well

The iron Vine were ruthless. They'd kill torture and traffic anyone they deemed as a threat. Her tracks were completely covered and everything about her new identity has been perfected to a T but she couldn't help but sense the impending danger that surrounded and awaited her.

Without a seconds more hesitation, she followed a guard to the entrance of the biggest building.

The first thing she noticed when she entered was a huge wolf head in front

She rolled her eyes, convinced that the Boss of the iron vine was some kind of Alpha bro.

She was already picking up on things that she could use in her favor against him.

Her mother used to say that You can always tell a lot by a man by the shoe they wear and their house decor.

.she already knew one thing about him.

He was egoistical which wasn't much information considering most Mafia lords were but it was an important part of his personality that she could use against him.

She followed the guard into the mansion, noting the opulence of the interior.

It was largely decorated with old looking paintings and artifacts.

More ceramic and intricate wolf head sculptures decorated the foyer.

They passed through a double French door on the right and straight into another double French door by the left about five feet away from the first door.

“Wait here,” the guard said with a gruff voice and then he opened the door and closed it in her office.

Aviana took that time to look around for cameras. She found that there were three in the foyer. One close to the entrance another at entrance of the door first double French door and one staring directly at her.

They were nothing if not meticulous.

The door opened and the guard and Curo, the man that she'd helped out in the shootout walked out.

His gaze narrowed when he saw her.

“You, I know you. You saved my life ” Curo’s eyes widened.

Aviana smiled politely.

She'd been expecting to see him but not this soon.

“I…I wouldn't say that. It was just reflex. Besides you saved my life. I would be dead now by my own hands if it wasn't for you,”

Curo chuckled.

“I can't take the credit for that one but I owe you one,”

He smiled and Aviana immediately noticed a gold tooth among his pristine white teeth.

Aviana smiled shyly. A tactic she'd employed years ago to fool people into thinking she was easy prey.

“Anyway, come on in, The boss will see you right now,” he said and she nodded.

.

“I hope you get it,” he whispered as he opened the French door for her to enter.

Aviana nodded, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles on her blazer as she followed Curo inside. The moment she stepped through the door, a wave of authority hit her like a physical force. The familiar scent and attraction she'd felt last night after the shoot out was back again.

The office was vast, with dark mahogany walls, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and a large desk positioned near the panoramic window that overlooked the estate. Behind it sat Duncan Romano—the infamous boss of the Iron Vine.

She couldn't see his face yet, just a Shadow covering his face but she could tell he was handsome.

He leaned back in his chair, his piercing silver eyes assessing her with a quiet intensity. His presence was commanding, effortlessly exuding danger and power that shook Aviana at her core.

She couldn't explain the feeling, it was intense but she refused to back down.

If she could get this job, she could find her mother's killer and bring down this group once and for all.

Aviana held his gaze, refusing to look away. She couldn’t afford to or he'd see right through her.

“Come closer,” Duncan Said, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine. He sounded like what thunderbolts sounded like if they were human.

Carefully, Aviana walked towards him, her stomach in shambled knots.

“Anna Reed?” He asked as she approached.

“Y…yes sir,” Aviana answered her fake name, trying to ignore the weird rush in her body she was feeling for this man. She was doing everything in her power to stop herself. She didn't understand this feeling but Duncan did.

He knew exactly what was going on

He turned around and his face came into view, his eyes widening as he took in the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

His grip tightened around the edge of his desk, his knuckles whitening as he tried to calm his flaying nerves.

Aviana thought she heard him growl but decided she was hearing things.

Tension clouded the room and for a long while they both just stood staring at each other.

“Mate,” Duncan rumbled, his voice low and possessive as his gaze pierced into her skin.

Aviana blinked ín confusion.

Had he just called her mate? What the hell did that mean?