1. Raven
Chapter one
Raven
6 years later…
The alarm blaring in my ear wakes me up. I roll over to shut it off and drag myself out of bed. Ugh. Fucking Monday. Walking to the bathroom, I turn on the shower, waiting for the water to get hot as I brush my teeth. Once the steam bellows the room, I hop in and do my thing.
Finishing up, I grab a towel and dry off. Walking back into my room, I throw on some black ripped jeans and a tank top before I start to dry my hair. I tie my hair in a quick braid before adding some mascara and winged eyeliner to complete the look. My alarm goes off again letting me know I’m going to be late for my coffee date with my bestie before heading over to Orpheus.
Running down the stairs, I slip on my black Converse shoes and grab my keys from the counter. My phone rings and I see Naomi calling,
“Hey girl, what’s up?” I say down the line.
“You still wanna meet up for coffee before work?” she asks.
“Yeah, I’m about to walk out the door now. I’ll see you in ten.” I reply back to her.
“Okay girl. Love you, bye bitch.” She laughs before hanging up.
“Love you too babe.” I say as I walk out the front door, letting the Texas sun warm my skin. Getting in my black and purple Shelby GT500, I start her up, put it in gear and haul ass to the coffee shop. I’m not really a morning person, so I’m always in a rush to meet her for coffee. You’d think I would start getting up earlier, but I like what little sleep I can get.
Getting out, I walk to the door and immediately spot Naomi. Walking up to the counter, I put my coffee order in and go sit down at her table to wait.
“Long night?” She asks with an arched brow as she takes a sip of her coffee.
“As always, Eddie had me out late on a job.” I huff through a yawn.
“Sounds about right. Glad I work in the office and don’t have to be in the department you’re in. I just get to boss people around.” She chuckles. ‘ Department’, like we work in a normal office environment. I chuckle with her, my mind traveling back to the day it all started,
Following Eddie into his office, he quickly shuts the door. The look on his face tells us this is a serious conversation that we’re about to have. Looking between the two of us, he locks his gaze on my face as he asks me to join his organization as their assassin, and then shoots a look over to Naomi as he asks her to help him and his partner run things. I tell him that as long as it gets me away from this place, I’m down. Eddie says I’ll be helping them take down other men out there like Brock, and finding safe places for women and children to stay who go through what I have been through. This is how I become the Mafia's Assassin.
The barista setting my coffee on the table pulls me from the memory. Thanking her, I take a deep sip of the refreshing heavenly liquid, groaning at the taste. This is just what I needed to start my day . Nothing like a caramel iced coffee.
Naomi and I catch up from the weekend. While we see each other at work, it’s normally just in passing. I’m tasked to take out targets and other jobs Eddie has me run, while she works in the gym, helping with the less hands-on things. She mostly just gets to boss people around. I think that’s her favorite part of the job. I also race on weekends, or when I don’t have to make runs for him, which keeps things entertaining to say the least.
I love that I can make my own schedule for the most part. Naomi and Eddie are the only family I have left, or that I claim anyway. They might not be my blood family, but they have been there for me in every sense of the word.
Once we wrap up at the coffee shop, Naomi hops in her black and pink Dodge Challenger as I get in my car, racing each other to Orpheus. Obviously I beat her there.
Walking in, she goes to the office and I go to the floor for practice. The gym is huge. There are weights and treadmills, along with other equipment, on one side of the gym. In the middle, you’ve got a boxing ring and punching bags. Lastly, you’ve got a stack of mats on the other side. Eddie tries to make sure I’m always in shape and ready for anything that comes my way, especially since I mostly do my job alone.
Eddie’s tall, and built like a brick wall. He's also in his late forties and used to do underground boxing matches. He has sandy brown hair that matches Naomis, deep green eyes and has all kinds of tattoos on his ivory skin. He's already waiting for me as I walk up to the mats. Today he’s wearing his signature red workout shorts with a cut-off tank.
“Hey kid, are you ready to start the day? I’m not taking it easy on you this morning.” He says with a sly grin. Like he ever takes it easy on me anymore.
“I’m always ready, give me your worst old man.” I taunt, getting ready for whatever he has to throw at me.
He starts throwing daggers left and right, I duck, avoiding each one as they land on the mat that’s hanging on the wall behind me. Then he comes at me, throwing jabs and hooks, trying to catch me off guard. He falls low to try and take my legs out from under me. Close but not quite. He quickly moves behind me and puts me in a chokehold,
“Get me off you Raven, don’t let me take you down.” Grunting, I pull my arm in and elbow him in the side which makes his hold on me weaken giving me a chance to turn around and pin him down.
“Don’t worry old man, I was just letting you think you had me for a second.” I joke, getting up so he can stand.
We keep on with the rotation for an hour until he calls break-time. Clearly we both desperately need one. Going to grab us some water, I come sit next to him on the mat, still trying to catch my breath.
“I probably won’t have anything big for you until later in the week, is that okay?” He asks, turning to face me.
“Yeah, I can always catch more races and side jobs you want to throw my way. Besides, I need to get my bike to that shop you told me about for those upgrades.” I assure him in between drinks.
“Okay kiddo, just know whatever you need, I’m always here.” He states, as he wraps his arm around my shoulders for a hug.
“I know, uncle Eddie, I appreciate everything. Whatever you need, I’m just a call away too.” I laugh and hug him back. He’s definitely one of the few people I can actually rely on.
I give myself a couple more minutes before getting up and heading to the showers. Once I'm done and changed, I head towards Naomi's office. I basically keep a mini wardrobe in my locker here. My home away from home. Walking into her office, she lifts an eyebrow at me.
“What?” I smirk, cocking an eyebrow back at her.
“Oh nothing, just figured you’d run off without saying bye this time.” She teases.
“No chance in hell. I always try to say bye and at least give you a rundown of my day.” I sass back, leaning against her desk.
“I know, I know. I just worry about you. Yes, you can handle yourself, but I need my best friend to come back in one piece. You aren’t unkillable, ya know?” She trails off, worry etched on her face.
“Don’t worry. Today I’m just taking my bike to the shop. Then I’ll probably just pick up a side job.” I assure her. Who knows what the side job will be. Since Eddie runs the Mafia, they have their hands dipped in a little bit of everything at this point. From small businesses that help the community stay afloat, building safe houses for trafficked women and kids, to running weapons and more. The latter I hardly help with.
“Okay, love you. I’ll still see you tonight, right?” She hints, making sure I haven’t forgotten.
“Most definitely! Bestie date night is still on at my house. However, will you see if a couple of the guys will follow me in my car so I can drop my bike off?” I plead pushing off her desk.
“Definitely. I’ll call Marco now so they will be right behind you.” She replies back, already picking up the phone.
“Thanks, you’re the best. Also, tell those fuckers they better not burn up my clutch.” I tease as I walk to the door.
“Oh, I know I’m the best. What would you do without me? Don’t worry, I’ll let them know you’ll kill them yourself if they mess up your baby.” She jokes.
“I definitely wouldn’t be here without you. See you later babe.” I walk out of the office, heading to the back door of the gym where my bike and gear are locked in the garage.
Pulling my leather jacket from the hook, I put it on and zip it up before grabbing my helmet and hopping on my Ninja H2, ready to start it up. Of course it’s black and purple as well to match my car. I may use them both in street races, but I also have to keep them street legal. Pulling my phone from my jacket, I turn on my playlist before pulling out of the garage.
About thirty minutes later, I’m pulling into the shop Eddie told me about a few weeks ago called Delgados Auto Shop. It’s in the next town over. Apparently, he has deals all over this side of Dallas. He’s already called and told them I’d be coming and what needs to be done, all I have to do is drop it off.
Walking in the front door, the bell above chimes. Moving towards the counter, I wait until I hear a guy from the back yell out.
“Give me a sec, I’ll be right in.” After a couple of minutes, the guy walks in, wiping his hands on a shop rag and shoving it into the pocket of his dark wash jeans. Holy shit . God he’s tall, and damn does he have the brightest ocean-blue eyes I have ever seen. His jet black hair is cut short and slicked back. Tattoos litter his body and my eyes can’t help but follow them down his bronze colored arms and back up his neck. Shit, I wonder where else they are. Nope . Nope, not going there .
“Hey, I’m Reyes. What can I do for you?” When I look up, he has a smug smirk on his face. Stunned because apparently I was gawking at him.
“Oh, umm yeah, Eddie said he called about my bike. I’m just bringing it up here to drop it off. I’m Raven, by the way.” I state, trying not to stare at this beautiful man before me.
“Yeah, he called and told us everything you want done. We already got everything ordered. We will get it ready today or tomorrow and call you when it’s done. Just write your number down here for me. If I’m not here, my brother will be.” He replies as he slides me a piece of paper and pen to write my info down on. Getting a whiff of his scent has me pausing. He smells like motor oil, something woodsy, cedar maybe? And is that weed?
“Thanks. It’s hard to find anyone reliable to work on bikes or cars these days.” I say coolly as I write my name and number down.
“That's true. My brother and I have owned this shop for a while, bikes are more our thing. Our friend, however, owns a car shop. If you ever need yours worked on just let me know, I’ll send you his way. And by the looks of your car outside, pretty sure you work on it just as often as your bike huh?” He winks as he points to my car outside.
Damn, that wink alone turned me on. Chill the fuck out. “You’re not wrong, and thanks, I’ll keep that in mind. Just give me a call when it’s done.” I slide my info back over to him before turning to head out of the shop. Chuckling on the inside, he’s not wrong. I probably have more money in my car and bike than in my house.
“Anytime. Catch ya next time, Raven.” He replies, meeting my stare with that damn grin again as I walk out of the shop. Walking up to my car, I give a two-finger salute to Marco and the other guy with him to let them know I’m good to go so they can head back to work.