S K A I

My demeanor was calm as I exited the car. The familiar building loomed over me, inviting me to come in. I adjusted my jacket, fingers twitching as they slipped into my pockets.

I climbed the broken, tiled steps. Two bodyguards stood at the top- tattooed, scarred, and stone-faced. They gave me a slight nod before unlocking the massive steel door.

I stepped inside. The stench hit me immediately- cocaine and new money. It reeked of cartel business, all of it packed into this mediocre building.

I already knew the protocol- keep my head down, mouth shut and eyes to myself. This wasn't the place to let your gaze wander. Although it was relatively safe for me, I had no intentions of corresponding with anyone other than the big boss.

I knew his real name, but I never called him by it.

I didn't need to.

I've been an assassin for three years now. It wasn't the path I had imagined taking growing up, but life wasn't favorable to me. At the early age of ten, my father was already teaching me to shoot arrows. I didn't understand it at the time, but as I grew up everything played itself out.

My father was an assassin for fifteen years before he passed. My mother wasn't present, hadn't been since I was five. I had no siblings. No one to look up to and no one to look up to me. I grew up with my father, and overtime, he was all I needed.

He taught me everything about killing, martial arts and how to cover up my tracks. He was a master at the art of killing, and he never, ever, left a trace. He'd always tell me that skill is something no one can take from you. The stronger you are, the more skilled you are, the more people will fear you.

Was killing wrong? Yes.

Did the ones being killed deserve it? Also yes.

We killed with morals. The innocents were left unharmed, and the culprits met their ends.

When I lost my dad, I felt like the world didn't matter anymore. I felt alone. At one point, I wanted to end my life. I wanted to join him on the other side. I wanted us to be together again.

But as I said, life wasn't favorable to me.

My dad left a huge debt behind. One I had no clue about until last month. The debt wasn't just a normal one. It was a blood tie to the big boss. I found out what it meant- my dad had to wipe an entire bloodline from existence.

The Feramos.

My father took them out one by one. But he died before he could finish the job, leaving two brothers alive.

Last month, I sat in the big boss's office, listening to him rant about the blood tie he shared with my father. I never wanted to be involved- but I didn't have a choice. I'd thought about leaving the city, but changed my mind when I heard about the Feramo Brothers.

The brothers were cruel people. Men who used their power and wealth to prey on the vulnerable. They weren't just gangsters, they were also rapists and sadists.

One of them, I had the privilege of killing. His name was William- short, fat and disgusting. He was an easy target. The all night casinos and strip clubs never missed him. I remembered the look on his ugly face before my bullet pierced his skull.

The other brother however, I had no clue of his whereabouts.

My feet stopped at the black, wooden door. I knocked and waited.

"Come in."

I pushed the door opened, entering into the big boss's office. The sight before my eyes was a first but expected.

There behind the desk he was, but he wasn't alone. A female was bent over, her naked figure pressed against the wooden desk. The big boss's right hand was gripping her neck, keeping her in place. His other hand was on her waist, seemingly digging into her flesh.

I groaned inwardly.

"Skai, I wasn't expecting you so early,"he retorted flashing me a toothy smile, his gold teeth making its presence known.

"You called for me, I thought it might be very important, "I replied taking a few steps forward.

He nodded before removing himself from the woman. She stood up, unsteady, and I knew at once- she was drugged. Her eyes were heavy-lidded, her nose flushed and red. I watched as she took up her clothes and left the office staggering.

It wasn't anything new. The things that happens in this place wasn't surprising anymore. It was a place of drugs, money, violence and sex.

"Take a seat, we have alot to discuss,"he said after pulling on his pants. I unzipped my jacket and took a seat in the black, leather chair.

The big boss was tall and well built. He was in his thirties but he didn't really look his age. He was bald and covered in tats from head to toe. He wasn't handsome, but he wasn't bad looking either.

"Your mission is finally coming to an end,"he said, taking a seat on the opposite side.

I looked at him in confusion. "What do you mean?"

He went in his drawer and pulled out a cigar. He lit it, taking a huge puff then blowing towards the ceiling.

"The final brother has been found."

I sat upright in my seat. "How did you find him?"

"It wasn't a piece of cake trust me, the guy is always on the move. Can't say I blame him, he's the last of his bloodline. He must be scared shitless,"he responded before releasing a dry laugh.

I placed my hands on the desk. "Is he here in the city?"

He nodded. "He's here and I got information about where he will be tomorrow night."

This was good news. I could finally finish the mission. I will no longer be indebted to the big boss. Maybe I could finally leave the city. And maybe, just maybe - I could choose a different life for myself.

"Where? "I asked, eagerness lacing my voice.

"There will be an auction tomorrow night at the Grand Vita. It will be hosted by the Colvens and he will be there."

I bit my bottom lip. Of course it had to be Grand Vita- the playground of the rich, where the wealthy bartered over useless junk. The whole place made me sick.

"How would I know it's him?."

He reached into this drawer once more, this time taking out a small photograph and handing it to me.

I took it and examined the brother. He looked just like William, except he was tall and lanky.

"Isn't the Grand Vita an invitation thing? "I asked him before placing the photo in my pocket.

"Indeed. I have a friend who will be attending. He can get you inside but there's a small catch, "he said next and I released my abused lip.

"What's that?,"I asked, a small smirk appearing on his lips.

"You have to be his date. That's the only way you can get in."

Of course.

The worst possible catch ever. I had never had a situation where I needed to be some guy's date. I worked alone and I always find a way. But since it's the Grand Vita, I may have to bend my rules a bit.

"Who's this friend?,"I asked calmly.

"It's Marko."

I groaned out loud. Of all the people in the world, it had to be Marko. He was a spy for the big boss. I had only interacted with him once before, and I expected it to be the last. He wasn't someone I wanted to be around.

"Don't overthink it too much. He'll just get you in then you go your separate ways, "he said next, giving me a wink in the process.

I stood up and adjusted my jacket. "I guess I have no other choice then."

He smiled. "It will be a piece of cake. The Feramo bloodline will finally come to an end."

"And I will no longer be in debt to you,"I told him, and he nodded in response.

"Here, take this,"he said before reaching into his drawer for the final time. He closed it before throwing a stack of cash on the desk.

I looked at it for the longest before taking it up. I knew it was drugs money, but that didn't matter. Every money I've held was dirty.

"I would say good luck, but I know you don't need it."

I half smirked. "You're right. Enjoy the rest of your day."

I turned and walked out.

My mind wasn't relaxed. Things could go south, especially at a place like that. I had to be smart and extremely cautious.

Fucking up on the last mission wasn't an option.

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