Kill, Train, Faking It

EMMA

I pause at the penthouse to switch out my clothes. I don’t want to stain my new outfit with blood. I opt for all black, topping it off with black boots and black leather gloves, a knuckle duster hidden beneath.

I plan to make Robert’s punishment as brutal as I can. I need to uncover what he’s spilled to the Magaddino family—and then I’ll end him.

Levi will deliver his body to their doorstep as a warning once I’m done.

I head down to the basement where Levi’s holding Robert.

When I had the basement transformed into a torture chamber, I made sure only Levi and I knew about it.

That meant Levi and I had to handle the renovations, a task I wasn’t fond of. But what’s about to happen, I loathe even more.

I unlock the door to find Levi leaning against the wall, looking bored as hell.

“Sorry for the delay, Levi. Got sidetracked.”

He just gazes at me blankly, his bottom lip curling downward in a pout. His signature “I’m annoyed with you” expression. I know he’ll forgive me. He always does.

Robert is handcuffed to a chair.

“Levi, this isn’t how we treat our guests,” I chide my bodyguard, unlocking the cuffs. Robert makes the mistake of trying to escape, but I halt him with a kick to his back that slams him against the door.

“Hold on, Robert, we still need to chat. We’re trying to be good hosts here. Please, sit down so we can have a civilized conversation.”

He rises slowly and returns to the chair, sizing me up as he does. Levi watches the scene, uninterested. His only job now is to wait, stepping in only if things spiral out of my control.

As I stand before Robert, I can see he’s afraid of me. No shock there. No one but Levi knows this side of me.

“So, Robert, would you mind telling me what information you’ve been feeding the Magaddino family about us?”

“I-I-I didn’t,” he stammers.

“Wrong answer.” I punch him, first with a left hook and then a right, before kicking him and the chair over.

“Robert, listen. I’m not a patient woman. I have a lot on my plate today. The more you waste my time, the more aggressive I’ll get and the more painful your death will be.

“Stop lying. You’re just delaying the inevitable.”

After twenty minutes of pointless back-and-forth, I completely lose my patience.

I punch Robert, knocking him to the floor again. I hook my legs under his arms so he can’t move while I pummel him left and right. He’s nearly unconscious before I stop.

Finally, he gives me the information I want.

I snap his neck, hearing the satisfying crack before I drop his lifeless body to the ground.

He’s not my first kill and he certainly won’t be the last, but it doesn’t make me feel any better knowing I’ve taken a life.

I hand Levi a letter addressed to the Magaddino family. He’ll leave it with Robert’s body.

I need a shower and a stiff drink. I’m dreading the training session with Travis. It’s already eight p.m.

I’m not in the mood for any nonsense. I just hope the rest of the evening goes smoothly, without any drama.

“Levi, I’m going to shower and head to the club. Please hurry back. I might need you tonight. Today was a bit draining.”

Levi knows my temper better than anyone. He places a comforting hand on my shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze.

“Sure, Ems. I’ll be back before you get to the club.”

Damn, I’m tired. First a shower, a few drinks, and then Travis. Damn, what a day this is turning out to be.

When I get to the club after my shower, true to his word Levi is waiting for me with a drink in hand. I down it quickly before he pours me another.

“Thank you, Levi. Please have a drink with me. After today, I’m sure you need one too.”

I down my second whiskey before taking my third from Levi. I notice that he’s also poured himself one. I give him a big smile, glad he’s relaxing a bit. It’s quite taxing being part of my life.

I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m just grateful Levi is a part of it, every step of the way. His friendship means the world to me.

After two hours of training with Travis I’m thoroughly exhausted and in no mood to fulfill my promise to Diablo to make it up to him in bed tonight. I hope he’s asleep when I get home.

Before I can leave, Carly insists I have a few drinks with her and dance. I feel a bit irritated with her, but I know I’ve neglected our friendship so I stay for an hour before excusing myself. I dread going home.

“Levi, I’m staying with Diablo tonight. Will I see you tomorrow morning at the gym?”

“Sure, Ems. Three as usual?”

“Yes, please. See you in the morning,” I say, yawning.

I make my way to the apartment. I cautiously open the door, praying Diablo is asleep. It’s past eleven already, and I’m exhausted.

I take off my shoes to try and avoid making any noise, but when I turn around, Diablo is leaning against our bedroom doorframe with a huge smile on his face, dressed in only his boxers.

Fuck my life.

I walk to him, mustering up a smile trying to match his. Can a woman not get any rest?