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"I won't remind you to be careful around these folks again, Nyx." Matthew sighs, leading me into the shady corridors of this grand hotel. "You know how easily these kind of people get offended." He continues lecturing me, clearly nervous about the meeting.
"And what's the cost of transgression?" I ask, unbothered. "Death." He answers bluntly, shooting me a cold, icy glare. "Sure would love to see them try." I laugh mirthlessly, not really looking forward to this meeting either. But I guess I don't really have another option.
Especially not after the shit I just pulled 30 minutes ago...
Matthew looked like he wanted to strangle me at this point, but since we had already reached the room, he decided to just roll his eyes at me instead, and banged twice on the door. About a minute later, it was finally opened by two giant men, dressed professionally, in all black.
To say that I was intimidated by them was an understatement. These people freaked the crap outta me, and I felt like throwing up and passing out at the same time. But of course I wasn't gonna let them know that. They feed on your fear.
I just took in a deep breath to calm my nerves, and walked in confidently.
With the Reapers out there to get me, the Ishcheykas, or the Bloodhounds, are the only ones that can keep me safe. It's a different thing that pleasing them, or convincing them to hire you in next to impossible. But eh- Not like I have anything to lose.
"Greetings, Agent Hart." A deep voice boomed, echoing throughout the room, snapping me outta my thoughts. Sheesh, I've been zoning out a lot today... I squinted my eyes a little to see better, and spot where the voice was coming from.
It was dark, and all I could see was one big chair's back facing me, and two rows of bodyguards, standing on either sides of the room. I looked at them all from the corner of my eyes, already mapping out a nearby exit, should things go wrong.
And that's when I noticed something really off about this whole place...
WHY ARE THEY ALL WEARING SHADES AT NIGHT?!😭
"May I ask you who your comrade is?" The same voice asked again, and the big chair slowly began turning towards me, revealing the rather tiny man sitting on it. That was oddly misleading. I honestly expected him to be a lot more... Uh, scary, to say the least.
Isn't he like the most-feared mafia boss out there anyway?
"Wilbur, sir." Matthew introduces himself. "Matthew Wilbur." He smiles, trying to conceal the fear in his cold, blue eyes. "I am Ms. Hart's legal guardian, and professional advisor." He adds, making me roll my eyes. Professional advisor, my ass. All he ever does is lecture. Not advise.
But he is, in fact, my legal guardian.
You see, my life was actually pretty normal before my 11th birthday. And then, on the night I turned 11, I discovered a huge secret about my parents. It was honestly a really cool one, considering that there were a lotta books I had read about such things.
They were skilled assassins, working for an organization called Grimace, who called themselves the Reapers. Cuz like GRIMace, and Reaper...Pretty cool right? WRONG. It was absolutely traumatizing. One of the worst things that could ever happen to anyone to be honest.
My entire life had been ruined that night.
My parents were killed by the Reapers that night, who broke into our house and set it on fire before leaving after doing their work, not really caring about an innocent child bawling her eyes out, crying for help. If it weren't for Matthew, I probably would've been dead.
He basically took pity on me, and decided to take me, and raise me as his own. Though we don't always get along too well, and he annoys the crap outta me with his persistent lectures, I still love him. He's like a dad to me, and a really good one too.
He has a huge heart, and always did what was best for me. Not only did he take me in when I needed help the most, but he also gave me a home. A family. A life... Being the first kind person I had ever met, he gave me HOPE.
After having such a hard start to life after my parents' death, he did everything in his power to ensure I was content and safe. And that's also what he's doing right now as well. Having a kind heart has always been a weakness for a mobster. But since we were a team, I balanced it out since that was exactly my strength.
I was just a scared, defenseless kid when he saw me. Anyone else in his place would've just walked away like everyone else did, if not put me outta my misery. But for some reason, he didn't. And that is something I'll forever be grateful for.
At first, I was still very confused about everything that had been going on.
For many years, I chose to believe that my parents weren't the bad guys everyone always told me they were. But on my 13th birthday, my training had finally begun, and that's when I discovered the whole, complete truth about why the Reapers had to eliminate my parents.
Fucking traitors...
If it weren't for them, I would've had a normal life like every other person my age. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't always be so mistrusted and hated by everyone at the academy. And most importantly, if it weren't for them... I wouldn't have ever been so heartless.
Matthew made me who I am today, and it may not sound like such a great thing right now, but thanks to the way he raised me, I am on top of my field, despite being one of the youngest. I owe it all to him, and I lowkey wish I wasn't always such a burden.
"Every member of this crew is impeccable, both physically and mentally. Each person best in whatever they do. Be it cooking, be it cleaning, be it killing. We strive for perfection, and that is exactly what we have." The mafia boss, Adrik jabbered away in his thick, soothing accent.
Dear god, does he ever shut up?
"I-I see, your majesty-" Matthew stutters a little, freaking out. "Majesty?" I whisper to myself, chuckling silently at his anxiety. I could already feel his icy eyes glare at me, but I chose to ignore it. "You see, Ms. Hart has had a very rough life growing up. But rather than letting it demotivate her, she used it as fuel to boost her to where she is now." Matthew rambles away.
"Well, perhaps you could write a biography about the tragic events of her life and then present it to us for educational purposes." Adrik smirks cockily, acting as if he just cracked the wittiest joke ever. "Uh- I would be honored. Yes--" Matthew mumbles, embarrassing himself.
"I think that could be... Pretty uh, pretty tragic." He spoke, not really knowing how to react. "I am not into that kind of a genre..." He started again, but I cut him off this time, not liking the way he was put down by the mafia boss.
"Oh please." I scoff, taking a step forward, not scared of the consequences. "The Ishcheykas proposed an offer in exchange for my services, should I be worthy enough." I say, remembering the reason why we flew all the way here in the first place.
Well, it was for a mission actually, but since I fucked up bad, Matthew drove me here before I could face the consequences. Only they are the people who can help me now. My fate lies in their hands now, and they know it.
"Tell us your answer, and depending on what it is, we shall gladly be on our way." I demand, and everyone suddenly went quiet. Adrik's then amused look was now exchanged with a grave expression, as if it was him now, who didn't know how to react to this.
"Nyx-" I heard Matthew hiss from behind me, but I just raised my hand up, indicating him to remain quiet. Adrik's dead grey eyes bore into my burning, onyx ones. "Sir, I am terribly sorry about that--" Matthew starts again, only to be shushed by Adrik himself, this time.
His face then softened, and he burst out into a maniacal cackle. "You know what? I like this girl." He declared, pretty impressed with my directness. "From now on, you have my protection, provided you agree to the terms and conditions." He said, and a lady barged into the room, with a ton of paper work.
Well, that wasn't so hard...
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