"im sorry what?" dj asks.
he's perplexed, as he should be.

"i mean im fine with that but i can't just choose who's life to take." antheia laughs a little, this is crazy. yes she's known they were in the mafia business, I mean she's not blind she'd seen them do their business. she just didn't think they would ask this of her and her bestfriend.

"it's the way of this world, we want to make sure you're ready. living with us, being in our lives- our world, comes with great costs and taking lives is a major one of them. revenge is another." Antonio speaks. he knows she can handle it, just doesn't know if she's willing to do it.

they want to protect her. her bestfriend too since apparently they're a package deal. he sees a fire inside of her, he just doesn't think it's been lit yet for her to survive in their world. teaching her to fight and hold her own is one thing but killing someone? getting the sweet taste of revenge when the soul leaves the eyes of someone who has wronged you? the fire will spill over. he'd love to see that. would never let anything burn her but let her burn everything around them.

"yes I understand that. you just expect us to bow down to you so we can be in your lives when it was never our choice?" antheia asks.

what they may think of antheia could be right, she has a dark side; as does everybody as corny as that sounds, but was she really ready for this? the test of good or evil? she has a strong urge these days to just let everything go and stop caring. she had been done wrong so many occasions there were many people who came to mind thinking of it. people who deserve to burn in hell for the things they don't even try to hide from the world of what they do. she has been put through hell by them so why not return the favor.

she has her bestfriend to think about still though... they're bestfriends for reasons. similar yet so different. is he willing to do what it takes as well?

antheia turns her head to look at dj. the silent communication passing through them is all she needs.

nodding her head once, "fine. we'll discuss who we choose later but for now I'd like to go get some things." meaning she needs to speak to them alone. dj doesn't catch on but they do by the look on her face.

"well now that that's decided im going to go make me some food." dj says getting up.

once he's out of earshot antheia looks at them both, "on one condition." her voice is stern letting them know she's not taking this decision for the both of them lightly.

"and that is, sweetness?" Nickolas grins .

"dj takes this one life and he's done. out of the game after this mission. he can work as a medic for us or behind the scenes." antheia says.

"may we know why? he's a big boy he can live how he wants." antonio states. his jealousy doesn't sit right with him. he's never been like this for anyone. there was no reason for him to feel this way, his heart stone cold and she was only speaking of her bestfriend looking out for him. it still made a tight feeling take over his chest though.

"yes he is, but i need to look out for him like he does for me. he is not cut out for your lifestyle, im the one that can adapt to it." she explains to them.

there's a tension between the two that even oblivious Nickolas senses.

"right, so he will only take this one life then he stays behind the scenes after. agreed." Nickolas claps and looks between the pair.

"choose the life to take. inform us when you settle your choices. " Antonio's voice is clipped, tight from the anger he still feels in his chest. he walks off into the hallway disappearing from their sight.

"im going to go check the status of everything. let me know if you need anything sweetness." Nickolas says also walking off.

antheia finally feels as if she can breathe now that the men's attention are elsewhere. she only feels a pull towards antonio but the two of them together are still an intimidating feel on her.

let the decisions begin...

UM HELLO THE SUPPORT ON THIS SHIT?!! INSANE. I was truly expecting a small audience for this but im genuinely so fucking happy seeing how big of a support this story has gotten. it's so hard to put my thoughts out into a story line but for those who have been patient and stayed for this showing me support theu it all means literally everything for me. I've been having a very shitty life the past 2024 so it's hard to come on here and update but when I do and see the numbers for everything for this book go up it's really worth it and encouraging so please keep doing it! please put the word out for this book because im kind of thinking about trying to get this book finished and updated if anyone's interested in it that much to support that? just let me know any thoughts on that too!! I love you all. Thank you so much.