Kaida took a deep breath masking her emotions into a blank face perfectly well before entering inside Valentino’s mansion. Her red hair pulled back. Her posture, straight. Her expression, calm and collected.

“Ah Miss Russo, welcome” Valentino King said. His grey eyes calm yet Kaida knew the man was on his guard.

The numbers of men situated around the living room was proof of it. By the age of 49, Valentino might be a retired man now but he was still a cunning man.

“Greetings Mr King” Kaida replied. Her voice, emotionless.

“Please take a seat,” Valentino said, sitting down on the couch.

Kaida took her seat quietly, crossing her arms over her chest. “My Father said you were looking for a bodyguard for your son”

“Straight to the point. Indeed Alessio told me that Mr Russo had a daughter who would be perfect for the task. You are the Red Dragon. Italy’s ruthless Assassin right?”Valentino replied observing her carefully.

“Yes. In flesh and bone.”Kaida replied staring at the man calmly.

“Why do you wish to do this job?”Valentino asked, his grey eyes stern.

“My Father's orders.” Kaida replied, her charcoal grey eyes equally stern.

“But you are an assassin. Not a bodyguard” Valentino mused, a hint of mistrust clear in his eyes. He clearly did his research on her. It was true that she was no bodyguard. Never was.

Kaida knew this would happen, she therefore calmly replied “Alessio is important to my father, he said you needed a bodyguard and my father thought I would be perfect for this job. My job is to kill whether it is because of killing contracts or for protection. I'm certain I can protect your son, Mr King”

Valentino stared at her quietly, seeming to ponder over her words. “Alright.. Very well then. I'll give you his address.”

Kaida nodded curtly just when the door barged open. “Dad, how dare you!” A deep male voice was heard behind her. One who was very angry.

She stood up coming face to face with a gorgeous man with the most mesmerising eyes she ever saw. He had mismatched eyes. The right one was grey and the left one, hazel. The man had smooth skin, sharp features and beautiful pink thin lips. His dark brown hair looked soft.. This guy was drop dead hot. And his black jeans, combat boots and leather jacket was not helping. His muscular frame strained against the jacket.

“Ace, lower your tone” Valentino’s stern voice was heard making her snap out of whatever trance she was in.

Ace.. So this was Ace King. Fuck, her father was right. Ace was hot. Hot like a devil straight from hell. But she couldn't think that way.. She shouldn't. Ace was a target. Nothing else.

“Uncle Ares said you are employing a bodyguard for me. An assassin that too. Dad, I don't need one. I'm well capable of handling myself” Ace said glaring at his father before his eyes finally landed on her. His eyes instantly widening, his irises growing slightly larger.

“Who is she?”Ace asked after a few seconds, giving her a once over look, his eyes dragging over her body slowly. Not that she was naked.. She was dressed in an elegant suit, her tattoos well hidden but under his gaze, she had to resist the urge to squirm. There was a glint in his eyes. A glint of something she couldn't quite pinpoint.

“You need one. Ace. Whether you like it or not. She's your bodyguard now and that's final"Valentino replied making Ace scowl.

“It was one time. One ambush. I survived. I succeeded. Didn't I?”Ace replied. His eyes swirling with fury. The Hazel one looked fiery while the grey one looked like the clouds just before a storm.

She had never seen someone with different eye colours but damn it, this just made him look more alluring, captivating.

“One time where I nearly lost you. She's your bodyguard Ace and you are going to keep her by your side all the time. You might be the mafia boss now but I'm still your father” Valentino chided firmly like a father scolding his child.

Ace remained quiet. His demeanour tensed. “Noted, Dad” He said, his jaw clenched.

“Good. Since you are here already, you are taking her with you. Is it fine with you Miss Russo?”Valentino said, his gaze returning to her, emotionless. No more trace of the firmness he used moments ago.

“Fine with me” Kaida replied. She just wanted to be done with the mission already but she knew patience was required. This was a dangerous mission, one that had to be handled with care, intelligence and a fair amount of manipulation.