I counted down the days until I started my mission.
The three with the supporting tasks were told to move two days after I infiltrated the Rios Mafia. Until the day before my flight came, I was already itching to get myself to the airport.
I had packed only a handful of clothing that was thrifted to make sure I looked like the new Fallon I had created for this mission – the frail, penniless, and desperate Fallon Ravestreen. Orphaned at 16, worked as a club maintenance for ten years to make a living, and now fired, forced to come as a girl-for-hire at an auction house. Now, 28 years old and still penniless, I’m supposed to feel defeated by the world and have given up on life, surrendering my pride to the auction. It’s a good story, and it’s not entirely lies.
I found out about the new Rios head looking for a wife when Fox found out about his mother’s fortune’s terms.
The young Boss, Jett Rios, was eligible for all the terms but one – where he was required to be married for at least one year. I cringed at the thought of marrying a criminal but thought about how to approach him and offer marriage anyway.
Until Fox informed me one day that Jett Rios had applied to be a buyer at an auction, where girls are brought up for sale. It was an illegal business and ought to be caught for human trafficking, but Fox suggested I take advantage of it for my mission before I report it to Director Morris. I agreed.
I had bid my farewell to Leo only, her being the only friend I considered—and available during that time—and headed to the airport first thing in the morning the next day. The economy class seats were more than comfortable, and the seat next to me wasn’t occupied which served as the first good thing that happened today.
I landed at the buzzing, busy Las Vegas, and immediately made arrangements to get into the auction. Heading straight to the street where the auction house was, I wore my janitorial uniform and purposely dirtied it with dirt as I looked for a man in overalls who usually visits the convenience store nearby every afternoon to buy drinks.
Where is he?
I waited for a little longer, ignoring the weird stares I got as a dirty janitor. My eyes brightened when I saw the overalls, his signature outfit, and the familiar face. I made myself comfortable on the flat boxes serving as my bed and fixed the position of my can with coins inside. When he neared, I looked up at him, teary-eyed, and made my lower lip tremble.
“D-Do you have any change? Any amount will…will be great a-appreciated,” I croaked, voice raspy and weak, like I haven’t had anything to eat for days. Like I wasn’t just on a plane earlier today.
The gay auctioneer gasped and the disgust in his eyes was quickly replaced with concern. “Oh, my dear! You’re too beautiful to be a beggar! Are you homeless?”
I sniffed and nodded. I don’t really look like a beggar with my ivory pale skin but I’m glad he took the bait.
“P-Please…I was fired from my job a-and,” I paused to let a tear trickle down my right cheek, “I don’t have a place t-to stay anymore and—“
“Oh, God! How awful!” I saw the pity on his face. “I have an auction tonight! I’m confident you’ll be bought at a high price and given a place to stay at your buyer’s house! Come with me!”
I gasped. “Auction?” I slowly shook my head. “N-No… I…I don’t want to be sold…”
He caressed my head. “My heart hurts seeing you like this, darling! You’ll be fed and dressed at your buyer’s house! Don’t worry, they won’t do anything bad to you.”
How tempting for a true female beggar. If only I didn’t know he traffics humans, my heart would’ve warmed at his kind gestures. But I know he was only offering this because I was kind of good-looking. If I was any less attractive, the disgust he first felt for me would stay. But of course, I wasn’t, and this is part of my mission.
“O-Okay…” I conceded, feigning defeat for losing my pride and accepting to be sold as a possible slave. “I hope…I get a nice buyer…”
After the auction, at Casa Rios…
I was led inside the mansion, the luxurious interior making my eyes shine with astonishment. The inside was filled with the combination of silver and black, an intricately designed tall ceiling with quartz pillars, the silver marbled floor blinding my eyes and the tall windows outlined by a neat black. It was a perfect mix of modern and neoclassical architecture. Of course, I wouldn’t expect any less from a prominent Spanish millionaire clan’s grand manor. We walked directly straight, following the main hallway, and eventually arrived at a spacious area, probably a drawing room.
The man in the middle immediately caught my attention. He turned to the entrance, and my breath hitched.
I finally have a better sight of him with the moonlight from the window giving me a good look at his breathtaking features. I knew he was blessed with good looks the moment I saw his shadow earlier at the auction. But seeing it up close is just an entirely different experience.
Our eyes met and I could feel the intensity of our stare, making the surroundings a blur. Caramel and raven-colored eyes crossed, as I stood there agape while his eyes sparked with interest and amusement. Oddly neat yet unruly long brown hair cascading to just above his shoulders framed his face. Crooked nose as proof of his fighting history and bushy eyebrows. And then he smirked, my eyes darting to the small vertical scar over the right side of his lips, a dimple appearing on his right cheek, and I held my breath.
“How are you, my bride?” was the first thing he said to me.
Unconsciously, I envisioned Jaguar’s face over this man’s face, the words replaying in my mind. No, this wasn’t Jaguar. He’s the complete opposite of this man. Jaguar looked clean, and a total gentleman.
The one in front of me looked like a lethal monster – a beast. And to make matters worse, I’m his bride.
No one expects an angel to set the world on fire.That was the first thing that came to mind when I thought about the character of the Fallon that would ensure me an entry to the Rios Mafia. A frail girl fortunate enough to be sold to a millionaire. Some might suspect me, but I’ll make sure to be consistent with my personality and just wait until they give up their suspicions on me. But in front of this man, Jett Rios, I find it hard to pretend to be weak when his stare is burning my soul. Not dangerous, just intense. It makes me uneasy, and the inner Hawk doesn’t want to back down to the stare and fight back but I’m not someone who has a large ego and a tall pride. So I bit my lower lip as if preventing it from trembling and lowered my gaze. “Didn’t you hear me?” He spoke again and lightly chuckled. “Did I accidentally purchase a deaf girl? I knew you were homeless but I didn’t know you were impaired too.”I looked back at him and muttered in a quiet voice, “I-I hea
I figured some time ago that this is like a game. A dangerous game of chess. Where Jett Rios is the Queen of the enemy piece, and I...my position in this game is yet to be revealed. Either I'm a loyal knight or bishop to my Queen or a mere pawn. Everyone playing a role in this game is individually dangerous and takes every move with thorough planning.After we discussed our deal, I was led to the west wing of this mansion by a housemaid, while Jett's colleagues who were waiting outside came back in. Just before I turned a corner, I heard a familiar loud, baritone laugh echo from the room I came from. That was probably him. I maintained my vigilant expression, my sneer almost surfacing. What a loud man.His childish attitude replayed in my mind. It didn't seem like a façade, nor did it seem genuine. Was that how he irked his opponents? Purposely getting under their skin by throwing backhanded compliments and subtle threats while maintaining a casual tone? Even his grins are like double
My wedding, I heard, was today.My first day in Casa Rios and it's already my wedding. He didn't want to waste time, it appears. Of course. They've been planning on welcoming their master's wife for so long, that they've already prepared the wedding. Like I was the last missing key to finish this all."The mansion's garden has been prepared for this special event, Madame. I have arranged everything nearly to perfection that any bride would find this wedding dreamy," said Linda as we made our way to the event place.It didn't surprise me at all that they chose the garden, not a church. Their rivals might take advantage of this peaceful event and ruin it—either by attempting to assassinate Jett or me. The floral pink dress I wore had a sheer pink veil over it that ended at my waist, with a wreath on top of my head. This is a very feminine dress, although not extravagant.As we reached the glass double doors to the garden, the mellow orchestra reached my ears. I almost winced. A servant
The celebration lasted all day. I was tired from the intense partying and was bewildered beyond belief by the childish party games they played. Linda, who was standing at a safe distance from me was the one to inform me of what they were doing. She said they were mostly traditional party games of the Hispanic culture. When she said that, realization dawned upon me. They were a very traditional sort."That's Veo Veo, Madame," said Linda. "Similar to the game 'I Spy'."I nodded understandingly. The jerk was the one in the middle, looking around, while his subordinates were the ones that are to look for what he said. He was saying something Spanish, although there was a repetitive phrase he said every time.Another game was similar to fencing. But, they used real swords. Probably a more dangerous rendition of the game befitting their organization."We call that La Verdadera Destreza. It is the true art and skill of Spanish swordsmanship.""I see. They're good with words too." Not just gu
Old Barry left shortly after that, saying he'll retire for the night. Ross stayed by my side, even teasing Old Barry for his bedtime. Then, Ross turned to me and shyly scratched the back of his head."Your impression of us might've been tainted by Old Barry. Don't worry, Fall, he has the worst attitude! The rest of us are kind!" He beamed.He acts like a child...but I guess nothing can surpass that jerk's childishness because Ross is more tolerable than his boss.I attempted a smile, which might or might not have just appeared as a wince. He took a sip of wine, silence lingering around us. He must've felt my uneasiness because he also left shortly after Old Barry.When I was alone at the table again, my thoughts went to the events after tonight. Will the environment remain as bright as tonight? I highly doubt it.And what of their carefree, jolly attitudes? Will they return to their usual cold, ruthless personalities like the rumors? That, I believe will be the case.They're cold-bloo
The following day, Linda informed me early on about the schedule as well as my role. She was a bit nonchalant this morning, probably because I didn't sleep with her master, but I pretended to be unaware."You'll be making your first appearance today, Madame Fallon. So I prepared this dress for you." She showed me an ivory satin knee-length wrap dress, with elbow-long sleeves and a bit of embroidered handiwork at the shoulder blades. "I hope the Madame doesn't mind sultry dresses like this. It was the master's order to get you a dress that would leave an impression. However, I didn't want the Madame's scars to be revealed, so I kept it as conservative as I could.""N-No...It's beautiful." I gulped. "Thank you, Linda."She bowed her head gratefully. "It is nothing, Madame Fallon. Would you like me to help you get dressed?""Yes, please. Is it...Will the gathering continue even after sunset?"She nodded. "It is a formal business gathering in the casino's ballroom. You can just stay besid
The building, I confirmed, was a golf club. It was a joint project by the casino owners of Las Vegas, Jett being one of them, and it's an exclusive club. We are to greet and play with the co-owners, as Ross informed me. He has been looking at me weirdly ever since I left the van. Probably because of whatever transpired inside, I came out as a completely different person. I started the act the jerk ordered me to be as soon as I left."Are you alright, Fall?" Finally, Ross asked the question he's been itching to ask."Yes, perfectly fine. Thank you for your concern," I replied with a controlled voice, my tone well-modulated. His gaze only became more suspicious, but thankfully he did not push it. The jerk, the person whose side I was supposed to be on, was out asking for a golf cart and his equipment that was stored in his office. He was talking with staff in the distance, so I stayed with Ross. His grumpy mood was still there. Really, he's a man of a lot of questionable personality sid
LeoMy first impression of the underground base of the Agnello mafia was 'spine-chilling'. It has a dark ambiance wherever I go, whichever hallway I turn to, or whatever room I enter.My hasty steps turned to a quiet hallway, a route I'm sure is to the supply room. I've already mapped out the entire base for the entire week I've been here. A few moments later, I stopped in front of a locked door.I pulled out my ID and was about to go in when I heard approaching footsteps."Hey!"Ugh, how unlucky. I slowly turned to the owner of the voice. My eyes went to the color of his ID—gray—an upper officer. I immediately recognized his face once I realized he was an upper officer, a rank only a handful of people have. Rico Brown.His eyes also went to my ID and frowned at the color—brown—I was an errand girl."Who ordered you to the firearms supply room?"I slightly bowed at him, recognizing the huge gap in our ranks, and muttered, "A superior asked me to check the inventory, sir.""Which super