Athena"Karen Garcia?"The girl in the passport looked nothing like me, her blonde hair made her look like her make-up, she wore so much make up it looked like it added a few kilograms to her face, and her eyes were drooped halfway like she was more than a bit high.Luciano had a goofy smile on his face, like he was enjoying himself, "You like it?""What Latino is named Karen?"He took a step closer, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me into him despite my protests,"A beautiful goddess, that's who."I wanted to crawl into his skin and stay there for a while, he was that comforting but I pushed him off, "Oh shut up Luciano, it isn't funny."He raised his arms in surrender chuckling, "You gotta admit, it kind of is.""Ah fuck you."The disguises and fake passports were supposed to get us to New York and back without any hitches with police or law enforcement. Luciano didn't really expect any issues at all, they weren't actively looking for him, but he was still a wanted man and did

AthenaAs I watched Luciano disappear around into the elevator, a bittersweet ache settled in my chest.Deciding to take a little walk and clear my head, I dressed in simple jeans and a sweater, throwing on a brown coat to ward off the cold. Grabbing my purse I went down the elevator too.If he thought I was going to languish in his expensive suite, waiting for him dutifully like his obedient wife, he was very, very wrong.I took a taxi as soon as I got out of the lobby, this was going to be my first night out alone in forever.The city, with its bustling energy and countless stories hidden within, had once been my playground. Now, it just felt distant, foreign even.My first stop was the small, cozy apartment in Brooklyn I had called home. The walls seemed emptier, the faded paint a stark reminder of the vibrant colors of my former life. I stood at the entrance, memories coursing through my mind like an old film reel."You remember that time we tried to fit a sofa through that narrow

AthenaYou had to give it to Luciano, he had the entire "shock value" thing down well enough.To say I felt like I had been hit by a bus moving a thousand miles per hour would have been a massive understatement. I had spent all day thinking about escaping the world he offered, the world I had been forced to grow in, the world I had forcibly participated in for all my life, that had nearly killed me multiple times and had scarred me so much it was probably best not to even think about it.I had confided in him, hoping he would help me find a solution to my problem, to have something akin to normalcy in my life, even if it was for a little while.And instead, he had completely blindsided me with the offer to accept it all as my new reality.Like I said, he really knew what got a woman going."What?" I managed to drop, my only intelligible word yet.His lips twitched as he fought to not smile, "You look pretty surprised Raven.""I wonder fucking why Luciano," I spat, frustration rising in

AthenaI sat up from the bed, still a bit groggy, but quite certain I heard him properly."My new associates?" I asked, surely he wasn't serious right?I followed him into the living room of the suite, dimly lit room, decorated with ornate furniture and dimly lit candles. Luciano sat on a velvet armchair, while I stared at him, unsure if he was serious or not. nervously paces the room.Luciano leaned back, observing me, "Raven, my dear," he started, "I don't see any reason why we don't go check it out today, okay? It's time for you to understand who we are and what we do."I appreciate your interest in making me feel at home," I couldn't help but lace my voice with some sarcasm, it was getting ridiculous, "But getting involved with your Mafia is not something I was comfortable with, I only just agreed with it, cam you let me digest it at the very least before plunging me head deep and showing me off like a trophy."He looked up at me, raising an eyebrow, "Do you think that is what I a

AthenaThe meeting went without much of a hitch. I sat at one end, quietly watching the proceedings as they argued over everything. It was mind of amusing, seeing these grown, powerful men squabble like children.Curses flew across the table like missiles, mothers were cursed, fathers were cursed, wives were cursed, calling it a mad house would be a massive understatement. Luciano for the most part, looked like he was tired of their shit, as at some point he just leaned back on his chair and let them threaten all they wanted without trying to interfere or even mediate."Everything in Queens and the North of Brooklyn is mine, don't be a fool." Antonio spat, crossing his arms like a child who had just been refused candy and was planning to throw the biggest fit anyone had ever seen."Damn right it is," Francesco countered, slamming his fat, heavily ringed fingers on the table, "All of the best markets for our good stuff all go to you yeah? And what is there for the rest of us yeah? What