CHAPTER ONE

AVERY𐚁

 Rome, Italy.

 9:00pm.

"HOney, come closer," the man urged, drooling over my body. 

I smiled and twirled around in rhythm to the music and I noticed his gaze still stuck to my slim curvaceous figure which was effectively highlighted with a red sequin embellished dress.

Shortly, he stood up and attempted to grab me by my buttock but I moved away slightly and pulled him by the tie onto the couch in his luxurious suite. 

His eyes spoke the language of lust and burning sexual desire.

I caressed his neck and he moaned whilst his member hardened.

"Devour me, darling," I said seductively. In a few seconds, he slammed his head in my chest, covering up my skin with wet kisses in a bid to reach out to my bosoms.

Wrapping my hands around his neck, my bracelet retracted a short sharp blade which went cleanly through his throat. Perfect. I tossed his being aside as he struggled like a rain beaten chicken on the floor. Then, I slipped in my gloves and headed over to his desk with speed, time was running out

"Shut up! You aren't the first person to die!" I yelled in disgust as his groans kept distracting me from focusing on my work. 

It wasn't my fault he made the room soundproof but at least it was for my benefit. They were all the same when it came to issues of the bedroom,puppets and brainless animals.

I finished up with downloading the file to the flash drive and deleting his copy then I took the copies of his contracts in the briefcase hidden under his bed. 

Thereafter, I sent him to hell with a gun and headed out after arranging the 'Do Not Disturb ' tag he hung on the door earlier.

As expected, the black Mercedes which brought me to the event was outside the building and I got in without hesitation.

"Drive," I ordered sharply, expecting that the driver would zoom off according to my will.

"Hold on. We gotta make sure it's authentic, honey," Eddie commented, opening the case and going through the files.

I quickly shot a glare at the black suited, pink-haired man seated next to me.

Damn. I forgot that this flea bag came along with us. Aside from the fact that the way he said 'honey' with his croaky voice was utterly irritating, what if the hotel authorities were coming after me? 

"If you're scared, Gary dealt with the CCTV footage," he said as if he read my mind.

With that and with no urge to prolong the conversation, I placed my head on the headrest with a sigh. 

"Drive, it's real," he ordered and the good for nothing driver took off.

My eyes darted to Eddie, he looked calm and excited. Who wouldn't? All he had to do was wait in the car after having fun at the party, he didn't have to risk his life and let his body come in contact with a sixty year old infidel. He got everything on a diamond platter but one couldn't deny the obvious fact, I was better than him.

 And that was why in two weeks, I'll be the one giving orders and not him. All my efforts to become the heiress of Cobra owned by my adoptive father, Rodrigo. 

 Cobra is an elite mafia organization of pick-pockets although they engage in first-class heists, drug dealers and of course, assassins. 

I got recruited into the assassination category at the age of 16 and here I was, aged 23 with a clean record of 109 successful missions pulled single handedly. Only the strongest birds fly alone. And I had the full capacity to keep running this after Rodrigo shifts to human trafficking. 

Eddie suddenly opened up the car window, he didn't like the smell of blood. Weakling. 

But surprisingly, I felt awkward and empty today; the feeling of satisfaction after attaining success was gone and now I felt guilty and empty - for the very first time. Was it because of that man? It was probably something else but why didn't I feel like Eddie? After all, it was my own win.

Suddenly I started tearing up and I pretended to look outside in order to collect myself while praying the ride would end before Eddie noticed my current state. I had no reply to give if I was to be queried on why I was doing something I haven't done for about nine years - crying.

My prayers were answered and we got to the entrance of another hotel ; I quickly left the car and stormed into the building before Eddie could even unstrap his seatbelt.

Hope rained on me as I approached the elevator, until..

"Avery," Eddie called and I turned to look at him after briefly collecting my emotions. He threw my room keys at me from the reception and I caught it before turning back to the elevator.

"Hey," he called again.

"What?" I snapped.

"Use warm water, and finish up quickly. We're leaving at thirty," he ordered.

I could simply nod then I hastily walked into the elevator and headed to my room.

'Use warm water' his voice replayed in my head, what if I decided to bathe in ice? That was absolutely not his business but I was seen as a property hence, treated as such. As much as I hated being told what to do, I had no choice. Eddie was still Rodrigo's right hand man and even if I was next in line. I needed to prove that I was still humble and I wouldn't abuse power. I'd definitely finish this moron off the second I become the new boss. 

Eddie is his biological child but is also illegitimate, he's a product of one of Rodrigo's failed one night stands. 

I arrived at my room and as expected,new clothes were on the bed. I wanted them to get pajamas since we were embarking on a night flight but it was a skimpy short green dress - I was fully convinced that Eddie did this. 

Nonetheless, I had to make a blessing out of my disappointment so I took a shower after a few shots of vodka to bring me back to my senses. After cleaning up, I styled the dress into a top and wore the jeans I wore the previous day along with my jacket. Then, I headed out to give the keys to an attendant passing by and found my way to the airplane hangar. This was one of Rodrigo's Investments so I knew the place like a pro.

I navigated my way to his jet and the moment I walked in, I exchanged glances with Eddie and Rodrigo. 

As expected, Eddie scrutinized my being with disappointment then he carried on with their mini-celebration. I strolled to a couch and laid there, trying to finish up my sleep routine.

Inhaling the remnants of his pipe, Rodrigo brushed back his gray hair with his frail fingers and went through the files with satisfaction.

" Well done, Avery," he commented as I placed a cushion under my head.

"Thank you," I muttered, closing my eyelids. 

I heard their glasses clinked as they celebrated my victory. I'm in no mood to drink today.

That was how it always ended,'Well done' and glasses of wine.