MAFIA’S ASSASSIN

WRONG TURN

SCARLETT POV.

“Target is heading to the highest floor. I repeat, target is—”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time.” Jane’s voice crackled through my earpiece. “Do you always have to repeat everything, Deadshot?”

I smirked. “Don’t be silly, Knockout. I’m tryna keep us alive here.”

I adjusted my grip on the sniper rifle, eye locked on the scope. From my rooftop position, I had a full view—nothing escaped me.

Below, Jane moved through the crowd like water, her ginger hair tucked beneath a cap. The target, a tall man in a white suit, stood out, but something about him felt…off.

“Deadshot,” Jane hissed, “he’s not the one. He knows we’re here.”

My stomach twisted. “What?”

I zoomed in on another angle. Sighted a man, different pace—tense, jittery. That was him. He stepped into the elevator.

“Knockout, take the elevator. Now!”

“It’ll be too slow.” Her voice was tight.

She sprinted toward the stairs, but didn’t bother with them—she leapt to the next level, caught the railing, and descended in seconds. Fast. Deadly.

“The elevator’s almost down,” I muttered, eyes locked in. Inside, he drew a small gun.

“Knockout, he’s got a—”

The doors slid open. Too late. He raised the gun toward her.

Bang.

My shot tore through his chest before he could blink. Blood sprayed onto Jane’s shirt.

She exhaled, trembling. “Damn. That was close. Great job, Deadshot.”

I lowered the rifle. I never missed. That’s why they called me Deadshot.

Then came three more. Men charged at Jane, weapons drawn.

I didn’t flinch. She didn’t need me.

She ducked the first swing, dropped the second guy with a spin-kick, and brought the last to his knees with a jab to the throat. They all crumbled. That’s why she was Knockout—strong, fast.

“All cleared. Move!” she called.

I was already exiting the rooftop, sliding into the getaway car. Jane jumped in beside me just as distant sirens wailed.

We knocked knuckles, grinning like lunatics. “Mission accomplished.”

****

The elevator doors slid open at the academy and we strutted in like queens.

“Great job, guys!” Nickolas greeted, arms spread. Code name: Poison.

“Thanks, Nick.” I rolled my shoulders, still buzzing from the adrenaline.

We passed a few assassins at the training grounds and headed to the command room. We were scanned automatically—doors slid open.

Bryan stood inside, smiling like he’d been waiting.

“Great job, ladies,” he said, arms crossed.

Jane beamed. “Since no one’s here… maybe we celebrate?”

She dove into the mini fridge, pulled out a bottle of wine and a glass. Bryan raised a brow, but played along—grabbed two more glasses while Jane poured.

I turned on some slow music. The academy walls were soundproof—we could have a little fun. When I turned, Bryan was already holding out a glass.

I took a sip, eyes drifting to his lips. His gaze locked on mine. Then—his mouth crashed into mine. Gentle, hungry.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you too, baby.”

A loud cough broke us apart. We turned to see Jane with her arms crossed.

“I’m still here, you know.”

I smirked. “Sorry, Miss. Forgot you existed for a sec.”

Jane laughed. “It’s okay, lovebirds. I’ve got ya.”

Bryan scratched his neck, shy. “Thanks, Jane.”

We all laughed. I leaned into him, letting his warmth calm me.

Crazy, right? But in a place built for death, Bryan and I found love. It wasn’t allowed, but somehow I got lucky. As for Jane—she was more than a friend. She was my lifeline. My best friend.

****

The next morning. It was Saturday. My favorite day of the week. I perched on a rooftop miles away, where no one could see me. The city was still asleep. 6 a.m— quiet, peaceful.

I raised my binoculars, scanning a familiar window across the street.There she was— Daniella. My baby girl. Curled up in bed, her black silky hair spread over her pillow.

She had my hair. My chest tightened. She smiled in her sleep— sweet, safe. My eyes welled up.

“Six already,” I whispered. Six years without her. Six years of torture. Bryan made it easier—he made sure she had the best step-parents, and he let me watch her, from a distance, once a week.

It wasn’t much… but it kept me breathing.

“One day, my baby girl,” I muttered, brushing away a tear. “I’ll hold you again.”

I didn’t know when, or how. But I would. Just then, my comm buzzed.

I wiped my face, answering quickly. “Missing me already?”

Bryan’s voice was soft. “You know I always do, baby.”

I sighed, swallowing the ache in my chest. “I’m on my way.”

“Good. There’s an urgent job from one of the commanders. Come quickly.” Then it dropped.

I looked at Daniella one last time, stuffed my binoculars into my bag, and disappeared into the wind.

****

I sat across from Bryan as he slid a folder to me. I flipped it open.

“Target: Luca Morreti, 31. Billionaire.”

My eyes paused on his photo. Chiseled jaw, intense grey eyes. His aura oozed danger.

I frowned. “This is all?”

“Clean and simple,” Bryan said. “You’ll take him out tonight.”

“Tonight?” I raised a brow. “That’s tough. It’s his wedding day.”

“Bad timing,” he shrugged. “Word is, he pissed off someone in power. Politics.”

“Hmm. Poor guy.” I sighed. “Well, Jane and I can handle this—”

“You’re not going with Jane,” he cut in.

My brows furrowed. “What?”

“She got hurt during the mission. Pretty bad.”

I shot up. “And you’re just telling me now?”

“Scarlett—”

“She’s my best friend, Bryan! You should’ve told me!” I shoved his shoulder and stormed out.

“Wait—”

“Love you,” I called over my shoulder. Didn’t wait to hear it back.

****

Jane was still asleep when I entered her room. Her bandaged hand rested on the blanket. Even in sleep, she looked exhausted.

I pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“You’re in pain,” I whispered.

I sat on the bed across from hers, the ache in my chest heavy. When does this end?

It doesn’t. I know that now.

There’s no escape for people like us. Just missions. Blood. Silence.

****

Later that evening. The sky was still bright, the breeze cool. I was in position on a rooftop not far from the courthouse. My rifle was steady. Pulse calm. One shot—clean and done.

I adjusted my face cap over my head, eyes narrowing through the scope. Then I saw him.

Luca Moretti.

Even from this distance, his presence was electric. Every movement calculated, dangerous. I blinked, reassessing. For a moment, I hesitated.

Five men followed him. Tattoos. Symbols. A pale blonde woman clung to his arm—his bride.

“Poison, you set?” I whispered through the comm.

“Oh, I was born ready.” He chuckled. “You sure you don’t need backup?”

I smirked. “Watch and learn, baby boy.”

I aimed. Then fired. Luca twisted—too fast. The bullet missed him and—straight to his bride. She dropped instantly.

My breath caught. No. I never miss. How did he know?

Gunfire erupted. Three men turned and aimed at me. Bullets rained down. I ducked behind cover, heart racing.

“Deadshot missed? Never thought I’d see the day,” Poison teased.

“Shut the f**k up,” I snapped, reloading.

I tried again—aimed. Then—a sharp pain. White-hot pain tore through my stomach.

I gasped, gun slipping from my grip. Blood soaked my hands.

Poison’s voice turned frantic. “Deadshot, you’ve been hit?! s**t! This wasn’t supposed to be—!”

With shaky hands I tried to connect to the others at the academic.

“I can’t connect with the academy,” I choked. “Something’s wrong…”

I gasped for air, realizing how dangerous these people are. “Retreat! Now!”

I tried, stumbling down from the rooftop, but they were fast. They’d already blocked the exits. Gunfire exploded at the base. Poison fired back, covering me.

I fought to stay conscious, but the blood loss was too much.

“Poison—retreat now!” I hissed.

“No way I’m leaving you!”

“It’s an order.” My voice cracked. Tears blurred my vision. This was it. I could feel it.

I collapsed against the wall. Then suddenly—silenced. Too quiet. There was no sound of poison again; no gunshots.

“No…” I whispered, eyes widening as I piped.

Poison was on his knees. Soaked in blood. Luca Moretti stood before him. Chilling. Calm.

“Damn you, Poison!” I screamed, pain piercing through me.

A slow, cold voice echoed through my comm. “Oh, damn you too.”

It was him—Luca. My breath caught.

“You’ve got three seconds to come out… or I blow his head off.”

His voice sent a shiver through me.

“Who… who are you?” I whispered.

He laughed. Scary. Dark. “I am your worst nightmare.”

3…2…

I couldn’t just let poison die like that. Without thinking, I stepped out. “Please don’t kill—”

Bang. Bang. Bang.

Three bullets. Straight into Poison’s head. It came so fast, there was nothing I could have done to stop it.

“Noooo….” I let out a painful scream. My cap fell, hair spilling down as I fell to my kneels. Then, I collapsed.

Luca raised the gun to me—then paused.

“You’re a girl?!” His voice echoed in shock.

“Take her,” he ordered.

That was the last thing I heard before my world went black.