Chapter 4

Since we began our training program several months prior, nobody was permitted to quit. My familiarity with guns had surpassed my familiarity with knives, and I could shoot as accurately as a sniper. Our training included a lot of science and some fundamental medical procedures in addition to kicking ass and murdering. Dellan used to say that in order to thrive in this dangerous world , we needed to be both street smart and intellectually astute. There was no getting around that.

My understanding of finances was also put to use. I could now see why Ms. Ravens had pushed me to study accountancy. I was gradually developing the aptitude for numbers.

Jack, on the other hand, has never ceased acting strange. I had grown accustomed to his bipolarity. I am not the kind of woman to approach a man first, instead, he will finally open up first if he likes me.

Today was the last day of training; it had been a wild trip, but it had also been worthwhile. There were times when I wanted to go to Ms. Raven's office and sob uncontrollably so that she would allow me to give up, but everyone else pushed me to persevere, Jack inclusive.

Dellan took a position in front of us all in the training center and addressed the group.

“I want to congratulate everyone present and say how proud I am of you for finishing your training. I have no doubt that you'll use all of your knowledge and skills to excellent effect. But before you all can formally join this mafia family, you each have one more task to complete. You'll receive these assignments at the worst possible time, which can even be right now. Make sure you pass the assignment because if you don't, you'll die. You can go out and celebrate, but don't go crazy!”

When I was about to enter my house after following the men out of the training area, I felt a hand grab my right arm. I quickly spun around and, in response, I twisted the person's arms away from his back.

“Tracy, it’s me!” Jack cried out.

“Oh sorry!” I apologized and had to let go of his arms.

"I can see that you are now extremely watchful of everyone and everything. If it doesn't bother you, I just wanted to know what you have planned for this evening so we may have dinner together and chat.”

“Oh okay, it’s fine by me.” I answered

“Okay see you around 7pm, at the gardens.”

I entered the room and quickly showered. I then then walked to the closet to selected an outfit. I’d say I looked stunning in a crimson blood diamond inlaid dress and silver stilettos, which suited my slim figure wonderfully. I asked Jane for assistance because I struggled to put on makeup. When she was finally finished with my makeup,I couldn't believe who's reflection I was seeing in the mirror. My makeup was immaculate and lovely. For a change, i opted to wear my hair down.

“You look very gorgeous, If Jack won’t pour his heart to you today then I don’t know when.” Jane hummed out loudly.

“ Well, you can never tell with Jack. Okay! It’s almost 7! Wish me luck!”

“Good luck!” Jane smiled.

I hastily left the mansion to the gardens when I heard noises coming from the underground basement. Even though I was aware that it was forbidden, I became intrigued to learn more about what was happening there. However, my legs deserted me, and I was forced to stealthily open the door of the basement in order to avoid raising suspicion.

I inhaled deeply before peeking inside to see what was happening. Ms. Ravens, Dellan, and two other men were gathered around a man who was on his knees pleading for his life. The victim was brutally beaten, and his own blood was painted all over his clothing. It can be difficult to recognize him because of his damaged face. Although I was prepared to kill, the scene in front of me was terrifying.

Mrs Ravens got a dagger and slit open the wrist of the man kneeling and blood began to flow out of his right hand. “Oh my Gosh!” All heads turned to my direction when I screamed and Ms Ravens gave me a deadly glare before she started walking to my direction.

“What did I tell you about not coming to the basement?!” She angrily asked me.

“Anyways, since you’re already here I’ll will have to give you that assignment myself. I heard you’re good at guns and I would like to be the judge of that now. You will have to kill this man kneeling here. If you don’t shoot him dead, I’ll will shoot you dead and I am serious about it. I hope you remember what you were taught when you started your training.”

She placed a gun into my hands and helped me aim it at his forehead. Tears began to flow out of my eyes effortlessly, who would have thought I would never kill a fly much less a whole human being?!

‘Kill your emotions and show no mercy to your enemy.’ I recalled Dellan’s teachings as I closed my eyes, slowly pulling the trigger and hearing a sound of a gunshot.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the man laying down in a pool of blood with a bullet buried in his forehead.

“Congratulations my child, you just passed your assignment. You’re officially a member of this Mafia family.”

She hugged me and I cried bitterly onto her chest.

“I just killed a man!”

“I understand, people die. We all die eventually. It’s the life you chose to live . That man was one of our enemies and you did a good job to end his life. However, this is just the beginning. You need to be strong and kill your tears too. You may now take your leave.”

I left the basement and I started to regret ever going there in the first place. I should have just had dinner with Jack and all would have been great. I looked at my dress and I saw the blood stains on it ,busy reminding me of my first kill. My legs felt too weak to walk and I slowly sat down on the ground, burying my face into my knees and crying myself out.

"Are you okay?" Jack's voice spoke to me from behind. I noticed him when I looked up, my eyes welling up with tears.

“I…I regret killing the man I just did.” I muttered.

“No problem. Now, you simply cannot give up! The action has already been completed. Do not forget that you selected this life. Get up right away and take a nice, soothing bath, you'll feel better afterward.”

He consoled me and pulled me tightly into his grasp until I was well enough to walk on my own.

…………

I haven't left my bedroom for the past two weeks since the assignment was given. The circles under my eyes have grown darker, and I've lost my appetite. When I close my eyes, I constantly envision the man I killed pleading for his life or just lying in a pool of blood. The only way I was going to make it through this was if I could get past this, I believe.

I showered and had a long, soothing bath before getting dressed and applying light makeup to my face. I walked to the kitchen after descending the stairs, where everyone appeared to be somewhat shocked to see me.

Jane and Maria both hugged me right away.

"Bless you, little one. We were so worried about you. Which dish do you want to eat? Do you want me to make you your favorite?”

I exuded a flimsy smile and said, "I'm now fine and certainly, anything you prepare is fine by me ma'am."

We chatted and laughed while I helped them prepare my meal even though I wasn’t allowed to do any chores by Ms Ravens.

My mood felt light and I could say I felt a whole lot better. Jack entered the kitchen and our eyes met.

“ I came to your room and you were not around. Ms Ravens wants to see you in her office.”

I ate my meal quickly and headed to the office. After hearing an answer to my knock, I got in.

“Since you've left your room, I can only assume that you're feeling considerably better. You are welcome to sit. I sat down when another knock came, and Ms. Ravens invited the individual inside.”

“ I have some information about Carlos’s cocaine

cargo from Mexico, it’s going to arrive at the dork around 8 PM. We can finally put him into his place, he really has been a thorn in the butt.” Dellan said eyeing at me then at Ms Ravens. He sure he must have been surprised seeing me too.

“Okay, Gather up some men and get them ready.” Ms Ravens ordered

“I want to go too” I interrupted.

“Are you sure about this? Are your emotions in check now?” She asked in an indifferent tone as she started to put some documents in order on her desk.

“ Yes I have. I just needed some time to completely kill my emotions. I can do this.”

“ Alright then, just don’t get yourself killed. Dellan, please you give her a heads up before we leave.”

We started our journey to the warehouse where Carlos’s shipment would be offloaded around seven o'clock in the evening.

“Driver! We're running late, so please move quickly. As for you all, please put on your gas masks since Carlos likes to play with gas. Ms. Ravens gave the us a heads up. Gladly, we were relieved to arrive on time.

The firing started as soon as we got out of the cars. We were successful in shooting a few of Carlos' men that we came across and had our weapons ready to shoot anyone who appeared abruptly. Dellan then led the group to the entrance of the warehouse.

However, it felt like we were trapped when we got into the warehouse. It only had one empty container with a drum filled with dirty water. As we walked further from the entrance, someone from outside threw in a tear gas at us and closed the doors.

“CONCEAL!” We all ran behind the empty container to take cover. Surely, the masks really did came in handy.

The shooting started again and this time they were aiming at the container where we were hiding from.

After there was a cease of gunfire and the gas diffused enough for us to see clearly, we began to shoot back. It seemed like someone aimed their gun at me when Ms Ravens suddenly appeared in front of me to protect me from the gunshot, her blood splattering onto my body and face.

I immediately took my gun and shot back at whoever it was, not sure if She/he was killed or not. I laid Ms Ravens into my arms as she bled profusely from the gunshot that hit her onto her spine, there was no way she was going to survive this.

“ Do not allow yourself to die young, I…I love you my girl.” Ms Ravens closed her eyes and died. “ I love you too! Please don’t leave me alone mom!” I cried out but it was too late. I lost the only person who treated and loved me like her child in her own ways after my mother died.

“Boss!” I heard someone call out.

“Over here!” I shouted.

They immediately got to us and figured out that Ms Ravens was already gone. Dellan ordered the men to take her body and gave me a hug. This was the first time I saw him show off his emotions.

“ let’s go home! Carlos and most of his men are dead but we have the guy who killed Ms Ravens.” He quickly wiped off his tears from his cheeks.

“So he’s alive?”