I watch the outside window closely as Ryland drives me to see Roman. I eye the gun closely in my hand, admiring the beautiful deadly weaponry. A “graduation gift” from Sparrow for passing training. The chrome silver is so clean I can see my reflection behind the inscribed snowflakes. She calls me Snow.

She says that my submission and quiet nature makes me appear pure and soft. However, I can also be cold and deadly when people linger too long. Also my name is Winter so she said it fits.

I tried to ask her real name as well but she changed the subject so fast I forgot. When I remember I didn’t have the courage to bring it up again, it’s obviously a touchy subject.

I sigh as I stare out of the window. It’s the first time I’ve been outside the facility in 3 months. It’s clear that we’re no longer in the city, the woodsy area suggests that we’re a few hours away.

I suppose that means I’m in for a long ride. I could try and strike up a conversation with Ryland. He’s nice enough, but it’s just awkward. Ugh, I’m not good at talking with people. Most of my conversations before this were with this traitor bastard Kyle and Travis. Or the people I sold drugs to, and officer Bailey on occasion. Aside from that there wasn’t much social interaction before joining an organization built on family.

The guard would try to talk with me but after barely saying 2 words they would give up trying. Sparrow is the only person I’m good at talking to. Probably because I didn’t have a choice. She was on my ass every day and I got so frustrated I cracked. I started yelling and fighting blindly and she let me vent my frustration.

Afterwards, she consoled me like I was a child. Looking back it’s embarrassing but it was also very much needed. I hadn’t been hugged like that since my mother died. I almost cried. She gave me a long ass lecture after that about keeping my emotions under control.

I’ve been using her as a security blanket. When did I become so dependent? I’m supposed to have the strength and resilience of an assassin yet here I am damn near trembling with nerves.

I really wish I could get high right now.

“Hey Ryland” the car swerves as he jerks surprised, glancing back at me. He’s a dork but he’s nice, he loves to talk up Roman though. I guess he’s Roman’s right hand or something. Even after Sparrow explained all the hierarchy I still don’t understand it.

“You’re talking to me, you never talk to me.” Maybe because you freak out every time man.

“Would you like me to stop?” Ugh this is so weird. I just wanted to know how long of a drive this is going to be. Now he’s expecting some type of conversation. What should I say?

“N-no, I mean no it’s fine, what do you need something or is there a problem or…?” Ugh, why couldn’t Sparrow just take me to Roman instead?

“I was just wondering, how far is this place we’re going?”

“Oh, it’s about a 2 hour drive.” We fall into an awkward silence again and I stare at my gun. I’m horrible at this conversation shit, though there is one thing I’ve been wondering about.

“Will I have to kill someone tonight?”

“Um, that’s really up to Roman.”

“I see.” I’m nervous, I don’t want to fuck up. My life at the mafia has been close to peaceful and I grew to enjoy training, but now…

“I’m sure it’ll be fine besides Roman will be there with you.” Ryland’s state does nothing to help my nerves. First hand evaluation. Nice, how comforting.

“Right” I mumble, looking out the window again. This is going to be hell.

❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎❄︎

Ryland talks for the remaining hour and a half of the ride. Not put off by my lack of responses or one-worded answers. He’s an oddly upbeat guy. He pulls up the driveway of the largest house I’ve ever seen and I can’t hide my surprise.

What the hell? Why would anyone need a place this big? It’s like a fucking palace.

“This is the Stone family home. A lot of the guards and workers live here. Roman and Reggie have their own places of course but this is the main house where most of the business is done. Roman’s office is here as well. The Stone’s own all the houses for the next 3 private neighborhoods, it’s where most of the members reside.” Damn talk about rich.

Ryland and I get out and I half expect a butler to come out. Instead all I see are heavily armed guards patrolling the area. Between the guards, dogs, cameras, and advanced security, I’m sure it’s impossible to break into this place. It’s like a fortress. I tuck my gun into the back of my pants, keeping my head down as I look around the place. I don’t care about breaking in, I need to make sure I can get the hell out.

I wordlessly follow Ryland inside where we’re stopped by security. A big burly man with an obnoxious perverted grin on his face steps forward.

“Sorry sir, we need to check the girl.” Another guard talks to Ryland while the perv steps forward. I glare at him but don’t say anything as he begins groping me rather than frisking me. He moves behind me, his hands grab the back of my thighs, cupping my ass and I bite my tongue, until he touches my gun.

He goes flying over my shoulder as I twist his arm behind his back, stepping on his shoulder. I’m so glad Sparrow gave me these boots. Guns are pointed at me immediately but I don’t care, this ass had it coming. And he has the audacity to be married.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Groping me is one thing but don’t ever touch my gun, understand?” He tries to stand but I put pressure on his shoulder blade, pulling his arm back, ready to snatch the damn thing off for violating me. His growls turn into a groan then a plea and I inwardly roll my eyes. How lame. If you’re going to violate someone at least have the balls to face the consequences. I haven’t even done anything yet.

“You must be the one Sparrow calls Snow.” A man in expensive looking jeans, a plain white tee and a black sports jacket steps forward. He has milk chocolate skin, a low fade with speckles of gray and a perfectly trimmed beard and goatee. His brown eyes aren’t empty like I expected and his teeth are white and straight. He’s smiling. Is this Roman?

“You’re not as quiet as she implied.”

“I don’t like being touched against my will.”

“Well no one does. You have my permission to kill him for it.” I glance at the tall burly bald man practically shaking like a leaf in fear. He’s staring at the man, paying me no regard.

There’s no point.

“He’s not worth it.” The man raises his brow, his smile never wavering.

“Hm, I disagree.” 2 shots ring throughout the mansion. The bullets narrowly miss my arm before landing in the now dead perv. Well damn. I look at the blood staining the once pristine floor and rug, stepping away from the dead body and bloody pool. Who has to clean that up? That was a little inconsiderate he could’ve had the guy shot outside.

“Does blood bother you?”

“No, I just don’t want to make the job harder for whoever has to clean that up.” The man laughs, nodding for me to follow him and I do without a word. Who the hell is this man?

“Are you hungry? Would you like dinner?” I follow him into a dining room full of people eating, I assume his family. The older woman I’m sure is his wife looks surprised, the 2 girls one younger and one around my age stare at me curiously. And the guy who’s clearly full of himself checks me out, ew gross he reminds me of Kyle.

It’s clear they’re related and I put the pieces together. Sparrow didn’t say Roman had a family so it’s probably not him.

If this isn’t Roman, it must be Mr. Stone, I thought I wasn’t meeting him until later.

There’s a white guy in an expensive looking suit with silver hair, Ryland, and another guy that shoots out of his seat.

“No, thanks.”

“Ms. Dixon? Damn it Ryland why didn’t you tell me she was here?”

“I got hungry.” Ryland shrugs, returning to his plate. I look at the guy and he’s definitely not like I was expecting. He’s fucking beautiful. Like legit pretty and sexy at the same time. His short dark hair falls slightly on his forehead, his almost eyes are soft and tired, his pink lips look so damn kissable and his skin is flawlessly smooth.

It’s obvious he’s fit but still lean underneath his loose clothing and he stands tall against my 5’6 frame. Around 6’3.

“Sorry about the idiot. I’m Roman, it’s nice to finally meet you Ms. Dixon.” His voice isn’t insanely deep but it’s smoother than butter, a velvety baritone.

What the hell Sparrow? You could’ve given me a damn warning.

“You’re the man that bought me” I shake his outstretched hand as people at the table sputter and gasp. The woman stands, charging over to Roman hitting his shoulder.

“You bought this young woman?! What the hell are you thinking? You’re buying people now?! If you’re into that human trafficking business I swear-”

“I’m not, it’s not like that I promise. It just seemed like the less violent option” he tries to defend himself but it’s useless. I mean he’s not wrong Kyle and especially Travis don’t like when someone takes what they call theirs. Travis always tried telling me that I belong to him but that’s never been the case.

“Reuben, did you know about this?!” The woman turns her rage to the man I met earlier and he sheepishly nods.

“You knew your daughter was being sold and did nothing about it!?” She starts hitting the man but I just frown.

Daughter? What the hell is she talking about? This woman is crazy.

“I haven’t exactly told her about that” the man mumbles which only seems to intensify her anger. Ignoring them I turn back to Roman worse fixing his hair. He looks cute when he brushes it back like that. He has this nerdy businessman vibe going on.

“Sparrow said I’m supposed to complete my training.”

“Right, come with me.” We go back the way we came and I glance to see the bloody entrance now pristine. It’s just as clean as when I first arrived. There’s no evidence of anyone being shot at all. Impressive.

I follow him to his office and he goes to the desk, grabbing a file and handing it to me.

“Sparrow told me that you’ve done well. She believes you’re ready to complete your training.” I look at the man in the folder. He looks like a typical mob boss you’d see from an old English movie.

“This is your target. He will be arriving in 2 days and staying at the Private Memorial Hotel & Casino. He will be here for approximately 3 days, you can use any method you see fit.”

Johnny Agate. 40 years old, C.E.O of an oil company. Father to 2 boys, married with a number of mistresses on the side. He has a gambling problem and has used 2 employees to get out of money laundering claims. He used a loan from the Stone mafia to pay off his casino debts but hasn’t bothered paying all of the loan back.

“Do you think you can do it?”

“Yes.”

“Good, if there’s any weapons or materials you need, go to the second floor, third door on the left and ask for Rusty. He’ll get anything you need.” I nod, closing the file.

“Yes sir.”

“As this is your first mission and part of your training, I’ll be observing and guiding if needed. I’ll be there in case anything goes wrong and will get you out.” I nod, looking around the room as an excuse to avoid his eyes. It’s just not right that I’m attracted to the man that bought me.

“Yes sir.”

“Also, you can’t stay at the training facility anymore. It’s not for long time residency, so until we can get your own place, Sparrow offered-”

“Hey, Snow! Did you miss me?” Sparrow pops up behind me completely silent and I have to fight the instinct to flinch. I didn’t hear her at all.

“Always be ready, have you forgotten what I taught you already?” I shake my head, resisting the urge to go to her side, waiting for Roman to let me leave.

“Right, you’ll be staying with Sparrow for the time being. She can help you prepare, if there’s anything else, this is your new phone, my number is saved already. Do you have any questions?”

“No sir” I just want to leave. All my questions can be answered by Sparrow. I avoid looking at his face. Why couldn’t he be old and ugly? That would make it easier not to like him.

“Um, alright if that’s all then…” I quickly turn, grabbing a smirking Sparrow’s hand and pulling her out of the room. She bursts into laughter when we get outside and I glare at her, releasing a deep breath. Those people are fucking weird.

“What’s up with those people?” I mumble as we walk over to her car.

“It could be worse, you know.” That’s true it could, I’ve heard stories about getting mixed into the mafia but it’s nothing like this. That’s why I can’t help but expect the worst. There’s gotta be a catch to all of this.

“I know, that’s why this is all so weird.”

“Embrace it, more importantly, who do you have to kill?”

“Johnny Agate, an oil tycoon with a thing for dominatrixes apparently.” I have a few friends at the BDSM club that could help me with that.

“Hm, alright, we’ll eat some bad food and see what we got.”