I asat in Slavvy's dimly lit room, surrounded by the opulent decor that seemed to whisper secrets of the underworld. The ceiling above me was a masterpiece of intricate designs, a reminder of the lavish lifestyle Slavvy led. My mind wandered to the events that had transpired, and I couldn't help but feel like I was trapped in a never-ending nightmare.
"Whom have I turned to
Slavvy burst into the room, his chiseled body glistening with sweat. "You wanna go somewhere?" he asked, his voice low and husky.
I raised an eyebrow, my gaze trailing over his physique. "If I could walk, I would love to, but thanks to you, I'm paralyzed," I said, my tone laced with sarcasm.
Slavvy chuckled, the sound sending shivers down my spine. "I don't mind carrying you for the rest of our lives," he said, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
I rolled my eyes, and instantly regretted it. "Whatever," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Slavvy's expression turned dark, his tone dripping with menace. "Must I remind you, my dear, that you're not supposed to roll your eyes at me?"
"Or what?"
Slavvy's gaze bore into mine, his eyes burning with intensity. "Don't roll your eyes at me again, or I won't spare you next time," he warned, his voice low and deadly.
I nodded, my eyes locked on his. "I won't," I promised, trying to keep my tone steady.
Slavvy's expression softened, and he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good girl," he said, his voice dripping with approval.
We drove through the darkness, the only sound the hum of the engine and the occasional passing car. I had no idea where we were headed, but I knew I was at Slavvy's mercy.
"Uhmmm, Slavvy, when am I going to see my parents?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light.
Slavvy's gaze flicked to mine, and he focused back on the road without responding.
I bit my tongue, trying not to push him. But the silence was killing me. "Slavvy, I'm talking to you," I said, my tone firm.
He ignored me, his eyes fixed on the road.
"Slavvy!!!!" I yelled, my anger boiling over.
The car screeched to a halt, and Slavvy turned to me, his eyes blazing with anger. "Yes, " he growled.
I glared at him, my heart pounding. "We can't just disappear from my family forever," I said, my voice shaking.
Slavvy's expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "It's too dangerous, " he said, his voice low and husky. "We can't risk putting your family in harm's way."
I felt a pang of fear, but I refused to back down. "But it's my family," I said, my voice firm. "I need to see them."
Slavvy's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "I'm trying to protect you, Tess," he said, his voice dripping with frustration. "Can't you just trust me?"
I glared at him, my anger boiling over. "You're a jerk," I spat.
Slavvy's eyes flashed with anger, but he took a deep breath and composed himself. "I'm just trying to keep you safe," he repeated.
I felt a pang of guilt, but I refused to apologize. Instead, I turned my attention to the door handle, trying to open it. But it was locked.
"Open the car!" I yelled, pounding on the window.
Slavvy's eyes locked on mine, a warning glinting in their depths. "Tess, don't," he said, his voice low and deadly.
But I was beyond reason. I kept pounding on the glass, my anger and frustration boiling over.
And then, something strange happened. Slavvy groaned, clutching his head, his jaw tightening in pain. "Stop!" he barked, but his voice broke like something inside him snapped.
I froze, my hand midair. "What's wrong with you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He turned to me, eyes stormy and unreadable. "What did you just do?" he asked sharply, his tone edged with both fear and awe.
I blinked. "I don't know," I stammered, confusion flooding me. "I didn't do anything."
Slavvy's gaze didn't soften. He studied me like a man seeing something for the first time. "Your eyes," he murmured. "They're… focused. Calculated."
I frowned. "What are you talking about?"
His attention dropped to my trembling hands, the same hands that had been pounding on the glass a moment ago. They weren't shaking anymore. They were steady. Too steady.
"Slavvy," I whispered, "what's happening to me?"
He exhaled slowly, jaw tight. "I was hoping I'd have more time before this started," he muttered under his breath.
My stomach knotted. "Started? What started?" I demanded.
He looked at me, his eyes dark and knowing. "You really don't remember, do you?"
"Remember what?" I snapped, frustration bleeding into fear.
Slavvy leaned closer, his voice a dangerous whisper. "You've been trained your whole life, Tess. Conditioned. Programmed to survive."
I stared at him, my pulse racing. "Trained for what?"
He hesitated, his expression grim. "For this world," he said finally. "For my world."
I shook my head, refusing to believe it. "You're insane," I said. "I'm just… normal. I'm just—"
"You're not normal!" he roared, slamming his hand against the steering wheel. "You were raised in a mafia family, Tess! Hidden, protected, lied to. You were meant to take over one day—but your mother ran before they could turn you into a weapon."
His words hit me like a bullet. I could barely breathe. "That's not true," I whispered. "My mom… she wasn't—"
"She was one of us," Slavvy cut in, his voice cold. "One of the best."
I shook my head furiously, tears stinging my eyes. "You're lying."
Slavvy's gaze softened slightly. "I wish I was."
Silence filled the car, heavy and suffocating. My heart pounded in my ears.
"Everything you're feeling right now," he said quietly, "the way you react under pressure, your instincts, your control—it's all part of your training. It's in your blood."
I stared at my hands, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "So all this time… my nightmares, my flashes… they weren't just dreams?"
Slavvy nodded slowly. "They were memories. Fragments of what they taught you before your mother took you away."
My throat tightened. "Who are they?"
He looked at me, his expression unreadable. "The Black Doves. The organization your father built… and the one you're destined to lead."
My blood ran cold. "You're crazy."
Slavvy smirked, but there was no humor in it. "Am I? Because I've seen you fight when you didn't even know you could. I've watched you read a man's weakness in a single glance. That's not coincidence, Tess. That's training. You were made for this."
I pressed my back against the seat, trying to process his words. Everything inside me screamed to run, but another part,a darker, quieter part wanted to believe him.
"Why are you telling me this?" I asked, my voice trembling.
Slavvy's gaze softened, just barely. "Because the people who trained you are coming back for you," he said. "And this time, I can't protect you unless you remember who you are."
I looked at him, my heart pounding. "And who am I, exactly?"
He smiled faintly, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You're not the victim you think you are, Tess. You're the storm they're afraid of."
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