HOW TO TRAP A MAFIA BOSS のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 11 - チャプター 20

HOPEI didn’t remember when he pulled away—only that my lips still tingled from his kiss.Ace’s hands lingered on my waist for a moment longer, his eyes unreadable and dark as ever. Then, just like that, he took a single step back, dragging the air out of my lungs with him.“We’ll pretend that didn’t happen,” he said.His voice was clipped. Cold. Like he hadn’t just kissed me like I was the only thing keeping him alive.“Oh,” I managed, swallowing the ball of emotion threatening to rise.It was the right thing. We were playing with fire, and we both knew it. But still… his tone felt like ice.He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a sleek black phone—new, slim, untraceable. He tossed it to me.“You’re my assistant now. Use that. Your schedule’s already been loaded in. You'll have access to specific rooms, but only the ones you need. Don’t overstep. Understood?"I nodded, gripping the phone tighter than I should. “Yes… Ace.”His name tasted different now.He gave a quick nod, alre

HOPEThe morning sun crept lazily into my room as I zipped the last corner of my suitcase shut. The navy-blue dress Bee helped me pick was packed away neatly, waiting for its debut. For now, I wore something... safer—but definitely suggestive.A black crop sweater that showed just a hint of toned stomach. High-waisted jeans that hugged my curves too well. Comfortable white sneakers. Hair up in a claw clip, just messy enough to say “I didn’t try hard” when I very much did. A spritz of light floral perfume and I was ready.Not to impress Ace, of course.Just... representing the enterprise. Professionally.Okay, maybe a little to impress Ace.A few minutes later, one of his men knocked and escorted me down to the waiting black SUV that drove us straight to the Mason's private airport. The moment I stepped out and saw the sleek jet glinting in the early light, reality settled in.This was my life now. Mafia-linked charity gala in another city. Designer gowns. Secret agendas. And Ace freak

HOPEThe clinking of silverware and soft classical music filled the extravagant dining hall. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above us like frozen fire. Every table was its own universe of whispered power plays and fake laughter.I sat beside Ace, trying to blend in. Trying to remember that I was playing a role—a carefully scripted character who didn’t have real feelings for the man beside her. Too bad my body never got the memo.Dinner had barely started when trouble arrived.He walked in like he owned the damn floor. Broad shoulders, a scar splitting one brow, and the kind of smirk that promised danger for breakfast and disaster for dessert.“Ace,” he called out smoothly as he approached our table. “Didn’t think you’d actually bring a date. She’s a knockout.”Ace’s jaw clenched, but he kept his tone even. “Salvatore. Thought they banned you from anything with table manners.”“Temporarily,” the man chuckled. “But I clean up well, don’t I

HOPEEverything had changed.Not just the way he looked at me—softer now, more lingering. Or the way his touch wasn’t always fire and restraint, but warmth. Real.It was everything. The silence. The eye contact. The way he stood just a little closer than before.Ace Mason, the man who didn’t bend for anyone, loosened up around me. He smirked more. Joked, even. Touched me just because.It would be delusional to think I hadn’t trapped him. And yet... the dangerous part? I felt trapped too.Not by him. But by whatever this was—between us. I kept reminding myself why I was here. What I was supposed to be doing. But each time he pulled me into his arms, whispered my name like a secret only he was allowed to keep, it got harder to remember.We stayed back for a few extra days after the gala. Days we spent getting lost in hotel sheets and between kisses. It was reckless, selfish—and addictive.By the time we landed back home, I had to

HOPEI knocked lightly on Ace’s office door, half-hoping he wouldn’t answer. When no voice responded from within, I turned the knob and peeked in.Empty.Good. I whispered to myself before walking into the room completely.I had brought a stack of reports that needed his signature, but truth be told, that wasn’t the only reason I came. My handler’s warnings echoed in my mind like an alarm clock I couldn’t hit snooze on anymore.Get something on him. Get proof. Something that justifies your existence in this mission.And here I was. In his office. Alone.I stepped inside slowly, shutting the door behind me. The air smelled like cedarwood and something distinctly Ace. Power. Discipline. Secrets.The documents I was supposed to drop off sat in my hand, but my eyes weren’t on them.They were on the drawers.No cameras. No assistant. No watchful Ace.My heart beat faster as I inched toward his desk. Just a quick look. A harmless peek. I told myself it was part of the mission. That it was ju