The Dark Duchess

CHAPTER 4 : A NEW START

Alessia POV

FIVE YEARS LATER…

Five years had passed since I arrived in New York City, and my life had changed in ways I never thought possible. I was no longer the sheltered, naive girl I once was. I had grown into a strong, capable woman, trained in the art of combat and strategy by Maximilian.

I remembered the early days, when I would train for hours on end, pushing myself to the limit. Maximilian had been a demanding teacher, but I had thrived under his guidance. I had learned to harness my emotions, to use them to fuel my actions rather than control me, now I'm a real life alpha female.

When I looked back on those years, I realized that I had become a different person. I was no longer the girl who had been trapped in the empire, longing for freedom..I was a woman who had taken control of her own destiny, who had forged her own path

And Maximilian had been by my side every step of the way. He had become more than just an ally, a mentor to me. He had become a friend, a confident, and perhaps something more.

I pushed aside my thoughts immediately when Maximilian came in. His brown hair is now longer and braided by the size, he looks more handsome now that I can't handle it and I have grown more fond of him since he is my only companion. He means more.

“Sia” he called with a smile, over the years, Maximilian has grown more fond of smiling around me. I challenged him to it two years ago and he had been serious when it came to work.

“Max? What's up anything new?” I asked, he nodded before sitting his head in his hand like he is thinking how to pour down the information for me.

“We are having a mission tonight” he finally voiced out and I nodded sharply.

“Details?” I asked.

“45 years old, a human trafficker and he embezzled money from his boss, we are asked to get the forty five million dollars he stole and get rid of him” he explained and I nodded.

“Sounds interesting” I muttered with a smile. This week has been hectic as we have been going from one mission to another.

I nodded, my mind already racing with the details of the mission. "Sounds interesting" I repeated, my eyes locked in Maximilian's. "When do we leave?"

Maximilian smiled, a hint of excitement in his eyes. "We leave in two hours. We'll need to get into character and prepare for the op"

I nodded, feeling a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I loved missions like this, where we got to use skills to take down bad guys and bring them to justice.

Over the years, I had honed my skills in combat, strategy, and stealth. I had become a formidable opponent, feared by our enemies and respected by my peers. And Maximilian had been instrumental in my training, pushing me to be my best self.

I stood up, Maximilian did the same, his eyes never leaving mine. "Let's get to work, Sia," he said, his voice low and smooth. "We've got a mission to complete"

I nodded my head as we both walked out of the conference room, less I forget, we are no more in the penthouse but the empire. Conti's empire. Very big and spacious, more than my father's. This had been my home for five years and I never regret calling Maximilian that night.

I went back to my room in the empire getting myself ready for the mission that's to be held in an hour and half. I stare at my figure in the mirror, getting proud of my body. I added in prospective places like my boobs and ass which stand firm. I'm an epitome of beauty and I know but I hide them all under baggy clothes. I only wear tight clothes on missions.

I went to my closet, then to my mission clothes section. I selected a tight rubber jumpsuit which shows my body shape. Maximilian isn't going to like it but I'm Alessia anyways. I took one of my black boots and wore it, then I took my two pistols and put in the gun strap. Then a combat night at the inner part of my clothes.

By the time I was done with dressing, it's just a few minutes for the mission to start and I smiled darkly applying a black lip gloss making me look like the dark duchess I was. I walked down the stairs, my eyes scanning the room for Maximilian. He was already dressed in his tactical gear, his eyes locked on mine as I descended. For a moment, I saw a look of disapproval in his gaze, but it was quickly replaced by a nod of approval.

"You look...ready" he said, his voice low and smooth. He had never complimented me.

I smiled, knowing he was trying to keep his thoughts about my outfit. "Let's get this done," I said , my voice firm and resolute.

Maximum nodded, and together we walked out of the empire, it's just the two of us since the mission involves just the man, even if there are others, I and Maximilian are enough to clear them.

We made our way to the location, a high-rise building in the financial district. Our target was supposed to be holed up in one of the penthouse suites, and we had to get in, get the money, and get out.

We approached the building, I felt safe like this is my safe place. This is what I was trained for, what I was born to do. And I was ready to prove it.

We entered the building, our guns at the ready. The lobby was empty, except for a lone security guard who was quickly taken care of. We made our way to the elevators, and Maximilian inserted a key card that gave us access to the penthouse suite.

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out into the suite. Our target was sitting on a couch, a smug look on his face. I smirk, I like bloody sinners like him.

“Well, well, well, if not for Maximilian and his little portegee” I said, I smirk more. Then I shot behind him.

“Little portegee? No I'm your f*****g mother!”