Thud

Alianna's foot recoiled from the kick, returning to her original position, ready for another attack. It was 2 o' clock in the morning. Her shift ended only an hour ago and she had only gotten 20 minutes of sleep before her nightmares haunted her. They got more vivid and realistic every night. Tonight she actually felt every death, every bullet, every stab, every snapped neck and more. She felt herself killing herself.

Thud

Her fist connected with the left side of the dummy's face and her arm returned to her side. Every night she got less and less sleep, once she woke up; sleep evaded her. She didn't waste the time, she trained harder and harder every night and it was apparent in her body. Kayla continuously asked for tips on toning her body and Alianna refused to tell her. Kayla's curves suited her perfectly.

Thud

One well aimed punch landed in the dummy's stomach. She retracted her fist and studied the silver blade of her knife that protruded from her fingers, the handle hidden in her fist. She examined the slit the knife left behind. It was deep enough to cause internal damage. Alianna shuddered as memories washed over her. She returned the knife to the strap around her thigh before she walked over to the floor bars before grasping the handles and throwing her legs up into the air and holding herself into a handstand.

~

"Alianna, pass me your blue curacao," Kayla shouted over the pounding music. Alianna nodded before tossing the bottle over to her. Kayla caught it singlehandedly earning cheers from the crowd. Alianna grinned as two girls shouted their orders, nodding and turning to make their drinks. It was a busy Friday night and she loved it. It kept her moving and occupied; it kept her nightmares at bay.

"Anyone got coffee liquor?" Alianna called. She grinned as Alan slid the bottle along the counter top without hitting any glasses, into her hand. Doing tricks like these took some time but they eventually got it, without breaking anything in the process. Alianna handed the girls their shots and she chuckled as they paid and downed their drinks before melting into the sea of people.

Back and forth between the shelves of alcohol, serving countless drinks, that's how her night unfolded; it was tiring work but she loved the monotony of it. The rhythm of the music filled her with energy and kept her nightmares at bay.

Evan grinned as he watched the group work; it was almost beautiful. He admired the bond that they had, something that he only saw in the Boveri family.

"They're good," Jax chuckled as he downed his drink. He and Evan were in one of the VIP rooms the general area had. Neither man wanted to be cooped up in an office or tossed into mafia matters tonight.

"That they are," Evan grinned before sending a guard down with another drink order for Alianna, "it's boosting business. More people are coming to see the newest attraction. I don't mind and they're having fun."

Jax stretched and unbuttoned his shirt a little. It has been a while since he relaxed at work. "It's almost closing time, another fun night comes to an end."

Evan chuckled as they watched patrons slowly filter out of the club. Jax smiled slightly as he watched Alianna joke around as the bartenders cleared up their stations. He took her advice, he made some calls and using some indirect questions he found some information about Marino's school. He was contemplating going undercover to get more information about this assassin but his head and gut was telling him to seek Alianna's advice again.

Alianna smiled as she retrieved her small bag from the staff lockers. Alan and Eric were joking around with Kayla. Their excited chatter made up for the silence that overcame her and Emily. Alianna rubbed her eyes as she felt exhaustion creeping up on her maybe on the walk home she could buy an over-the-counter sleep aid.

"Alianna, are you sure you don't want a ride home?" Eric asked her again. He was the only one with a car and usually drove Kayla, Emily and Alan either home or to the nearest subway station safely. "I know you live pretty close but I really don't like the idea of you walking all the way."

Alianna smiled, as if anything bad would happen to her. "It's fine Eric, I'll be safe." Eric grunted but didn't press the matter further. She told everyone good night before they walked off to the staff parking lot. Alianna smiled at the bouncer as he opened the door and she stepped outside. A wave of fatigue hit her and she swayed lightly and lost focus for a couple seconds.

Jax rest his hand on the small of Alianna's back. He looked down at her concerned. He felt her tense and her eyes met his. "Are you okay?" he asked softly. She looked away but he saw the vulnerability in her eyes, she wasn't okay. He was surprised as he felt her relax. He bit the inside of his cheek, he wanted to talk to her but now wasn't the time.

"If you would like a drink, you'll have to pay me overtime," Alianna joked half-heartedly as she tried to regain her wits. Her head felt fuzzy and her thoughts were jumbled.

Jax chuckled, "No worries, I'm here to indulge in your company." He led her over to one of cushioned benches he had outside the club. He scanned their surroundings; the street was fairly empty before taking in her appearance. "I was hoping to talk to you about the matter we discussed the other day but I think I should let you go home at rest."

Alianna shook her head, "No no, go ahead. I'm all ears."

Jax raised an eyebrow before speaking, "I've been getting some leads and I want to investigate them. I thought about sending some of my men but I think going in first-hand might be better."

Alianna nodded sleepily, "First-hand for sure. No ambiguity in reports, you'd be able to make better decisions and plans. It's best if you go undercover and not your men." She bit her tongue, thinking about the dangers she faced when she was undercover, no job provided her with safety, except this one. She hesitated as her next sentence formed in her head. "But it's more dangerous, your life would be at risk all the time." She mentally slapped herself, why did she say that?

Jax was taken aback by the amount of concern he heard in Alianna voice. He looked at her stunned but she had closed her eyes for a moment's rest. "I'll take the risk. It won't be the first time I put my life on the line," he said reassuringly.

Alianna opened her eyes and looked at Jax and sighed. "Once you know what the risks are, that you mightn't come back," she stood and looked down at him before readjusting the bag on her shoulder.

Jax smirked before standing up next to her, "I will come back, trust me." He took a cigar and lighter out of his pocket and lit it.

Alianna playfully rolled her eyes before inclining her head to him and walking down the stairs. "Alianna." She turned around slowly. "Be careful." She smiled softly before walking off. Jax watched her, a sinking feeling of dread settled in him.

~

Alianna slowly but surely made her way home. She had a bottle of pills that proclaimed a guaranteed 8 hours of sleep. She wholly abhorred the idea of taking medication for frivolous reasons but her no-sleep situation was getting out of hand.

As she rounded the corner to her apartment building, she stopped dead in her tracks. Parked right outside the front steps of the building was an all-too-familiar black Jeep. Fear overcame her, Marino was here. Alianna sighed before walking to the vehicle. She nodded at the unfamiliar man who opened the door for her. She climbed in and relaxed against the seat as the vehicle started and they began their journey to Marino's new headquarters.

~

Alianna stood in Marino's new office. She didn't know the exact location of the new building but it was huge. Marino had wasted no time in replacing his lost ranks and recruiting even more men. She had a brief tour of the building on her way here and with the amount of firepower and manpower present; she realised that Marino was declaring war on Jax.

Alianna jumped and an involuntary cry of pain escaped her lips as something landed on her shoulder. She heard a sadistic chuckle from behind her and the item was removed. She looked at her shoulder, whatever it was had torn through her shirt and left bloodied scratches on her skin. She closed her eyes, blocking out the pain and the anger she felt before looking at the man in front of her.

Marino smiled, "Like my new toy?" He held up a miniature whip. Several lengths of foot long ropes sprouted from a wooden handle. She frowned in distaste as she saw blades intertwined in the rope braids. Her gaze hardened as she looked up Marino, he was barbaric.

Marino chuckled, ignoring Alianna's silence. "Don't worry; I've got something for you too." He gestured to one of his guards. Alianna suspiciously took the box from the guard and opened it. She swallowed lightly as she saw a pair of silver knuckles nestled within black velvet. It was beautiful but she didn't like the idea of using it.

"Why are you here?" she asked, she rolled her shoulder back to alleviate the pain.

Marino chuckled as he sat, "I've decided to get my hands dirty." Alianna hid her shock, Marino never got into the heat of mafia warfare, and maybe she wouldn't have to get too involved this time. "But I still need you." Her hope came crashing down.

"Besides my primary assignment?" Alianna asked. Why would he still need her when he deicide to join the fray?

Marino gauged the woman before him. She had changed since she been undercover, she was strained, like a rope pulled tight, one more job and she would snap. Even though she was the best he had, she was no good to him if she was not with him fully, she was not going to be with him at all. He made a mental note to make arrangements for her.

"As you can tell, we have new additions to our ranks. Most are trained, but not up to my standards, I pulled them out before they could complete their training." She looked at him in emotionlessly; he was desperate to pull students from his school. "So they need a teacher, the best one we've got and that means you."

"When do I start?" Her mind reeled in disgust at the idea of teaching others how to kill but she knew better to agree immediately than refuse.

"This Sunday evening and every Sunday evening," Marino smirked. He was happy to see her still submissive and willing to him. Alianna nodded, it wouldn't interfere with her job.

"Is that all?" Marino nodded and waved his hand dismissing her. Alianna hesitated before picking up the box and walked out of the building. Once she was home safe and treated her wounds, she lay in bed, welcoming the drug fuelled haze that pulled her under.

~

"You need to be more aware Alianna," Evan chided slightly as he handed her a replacement shirt to the one she'd brought to him torn.

Alianna ducked her head as if she was ashamed, "I was tired, I didn't notice that it got caught on the fence until I continued walking. It won't happen again."

Evan studied her slightly trying to discern if what she told him was the truth before looking up as Jax came into the office.

Jax raised an eyebrow as he assessed the situation. "Something wrong?" he asked looking at Alianna.

"Careless mistake," she answered holding up the shirt. Jax snorted lightly, Alianna was anything but careless. His eyes spied the bandages on her shoulder and his gaze hardened as he met her eyes. Alianna swallowed lightly and adjusted her t shirt, mentally cursing herself for the slip up; she was getting careless.

"Go get changed, your shift starts soon," Alianna nodded before walking out of the office.

Evan smiled at Jax as he sat. "Everything is covered for the next couple of weeks. No one would notice that you're gone."

"Alianna would, I told her," Jax said, ignoring the look of shock on Evan's face. "I'll leave for Los Angeles tonight."

Evan nodded. Though he wholeheartedly disagreed with the idea of Jax going undercover, Rex and apparently Alianna were okay with it so he had no choice but to support Jax. "Try not to blow anyone's brains out," he said jokingly. Jax chuckled before leaving the office. As he walked down the corridor, he noticed Alianna leaning against the wall fixing her hair.

"Be careful."

Alianna gasped slightly as his breath tickled the skin near her ear. She didn't need to look back to know the source of the husky whisper. She smiled before remembering yesterday's events and what he was about to do. She licked her lips lightly before whispering,

"Be safe."