Pretty Little Weapon

In Enemy Territory

How does the Don of Viper Gang know my name?

That’s the first thought that runs through my mind.

He’d found me collapsed on the road, but knew who I was and brought me here to be a member? What secret weapon exactly?

“Hazel Atwood, come forward.” Paul, his right hand calls, eyes narrowed at me.

I consider turning around and bolting out of the hall. But being surrounded and on the end of Felix’s piercing gaze, I have no choice but to walk to the stage.

I keep my head bowed, the way I always have and ascend the platform.

A strong hand comes down on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. I look up, and my eyes meet Felix’s gaze.

The people cheer and applaud, and I wonder what exactly they’re cheering for. Felix raises one hand, the hall quiets down, and he speaks. “That’s all.”

He dismisses the assembly with two words, and the crowd begins to move. Within two minutes, the hall is nearly empty. The woman with purple hair gives me one last curious look before she disappears with the others.

The traitor’s body is still on the stage floor, and I try not to look at it.

“Follow me.” Felix says to me, and walks off the stage without checking if I comply.

But I do, keeping a careful distance behind, my head lowered looking only at the floor as I think.

How could I be a member of the Viper gang, which was the enemy?

But then again, I’d been banished from Crimson. I had no reason to be loyal. Especially after Alessandro had betrayed me.

Paul falls into step on Felix’s left. We walk in silence for about thirty seconds before Paul breaks it.

“Boss. Are you sure about this one?”

Felix makes a sound. “Hmm?”

Paul glances back at me over his shoulder.

“She can’t even look us in the eye. And you want her rising through our ranks? Becoming a weapon?” He says disapprovingly.

Felix chuckles. “Paul, have I ever made a mistake?”

Paul responds immediately. “No, sir.”

Felix nods. “And I’m certainly not going to start now.”

Paul says nothing after that. The subject is closed. He gives me a look that’s part skepticism and warning. Then he stops walking and I realise we’re in front of a set of ivory double doors.

Felix pushes it open and enters, but I stay in place.

“Follow him.” Paul says. And I move, rather going with Felix than staying alone with him. Especially when he’s looking at me like he wants to snap me into half.

I enter, and Paul pulls the doors shut from outside. I turn around, and take in the enormous room.

Half of it is a gym, and the other section is a shooting range, with targets mounted at various distances.

I stare at all of it, then at him.

“This is where you’ll be trained.” Felix says.

“Trained?” I repeat, having a hard time understanding what exactly was happening. “Trained for what, exactly?”

He doesn’t answer me. He goes over to the shooting range section, and picks up a fake gun.

I at least hope it’s fake.

He spins it on his finger, and changes the subject. “You were practically dead when I found you.”

I scoff before I can help myself. “That’s an exaggeration.”

He takes one step toward me. “But that’s the story you’ll tell our members when they ask.”

“Our members? I’m not part of your gang!” I cry out.

I’ve had enough of mafia men for an entire lifetime. But Felix seems to have other ideas. Because he laughs, his head tipping back like I just made a joke.

“So you’re saying you choose the other option?”

My ears perk up. Would this man let me go? “What’s the other option?”

Felix stops spinning the gun. Before I can blink, he drops it down, reaches for his real gun by his side.

He drags me, and keeps me locked from behind, pointing the gun to my head, and traces it across my face.

The cold metal brushes my cheeks, and fear runs down my spine. I try to run, but his grip on me is ironclad.

“If you don’t join my gang, then I’ll have to kill you right here, right now.”