|| RUTH ||

Beating Miles in his own game sure feels good as hell. As I get off my bike, I turn around and smirk at him.

''You were saying miles?'' I laughed as he approached me.

Yeah, sorry, he said, giving me a small hug, wrapping his arms around my waist, and pulling away quickly. '' You are fast; I'll give you that,'' he added.

'' Thanks, Miles. I chuckled, and then he walked away.

As soon as I turned around, I was pulled into a hug by Fallon.

''You totally kicked his ass, oh my god! And you guys just hugged!'' she exclaimed, getting extremely excited.

"Yeah, I did," I replied, still feeling a rush of adrenaline from the race. "And yeah, we hugged. It was just a friendly gesture, nothing more." Fallon's excitement was contagious, and we both burst into laughter as we walked away together.

''You went to college with him!!'', she said loudly.

''Yeah'', I said, dragging my bike to the side as we walked.

''Were you into dating at that point?'' she asked, looking at me.

''That guy hired boys to assault me back at that time, so we were not dating, but we just got on good terms because he helped me kill a target,'' I told her as I let out a soft chuckle.

'' Wait...what'' She stooped while walking and stared at me like I was some kind of freak.

''Yeah, well, it was a long time ago; besides, I won today, so that makes up for that''. I said and smiled at her and got on my bike.

"Well, I guess that's fair," she said as she hopped on the back. "You are treated to lunch, right?" she added with a playful tone.

I chuckled in response, feeling a surge of excitement as she lifted her hands in the air. With a burst of speed, we darted through the bustling city streets. The rush of wind against our faces and the blur of passing cars added to the exhilaration of the moment. In that instant, I couldn't help but revel in the freedom of the open road.

As we weaved effortlessly through traffic, a sense of gratitude washed over me. Despite the unconventional path I had chosen in life, filled with twists and turns, it was moments like these that reaffirmed my decision. The spontaneity, the thrill, and the connection shared with this adventurous companion made every choice worthwhile

.

I parked my bike as we approached the restaurant, and then we both walked inside.

We both sat down, and a waiter placed a menu at our table.

We looked through it and then decided on our meals.

The waiter took our order, and we waited a couple of minutes before he returned with our plates.

He placed our order on the table, but then I noticed that my plate was accompanied by a small red note.

I picked it up and read it: Meet me in the back to find out about your next target.

At the end of the note, there were two initials: MC, which was Marcs Collinger.

I ripped the note immediately. Fuck,'' I mumbled.

What's wrong? What was that?'' she asked.

'' Marcs, I said, taking in a deep breath.

Right now?'' she said, putting her fork down.

I just hummed in response, put my credit card on the table, and said, I'll catch you later, okay?''

''Hey, you don't have to pay, and it's okay, just be safe, she smiled at me, and I got up from my seat.

''It was my treat,'' I smiled as I walked out of the restaurant and into an alley behind the restaurant.

I felt anger building inside me because I was hopeless; there was nothing I could do. I don't remember the last time I spent a day in peace without worrying about something. As I walked further into the alley, the weight of my troubles seemed to grow heavier with each step.

A man was standing in a purple long coat; his eyes were fixed on me he laughed as I approached him,'''Hello, my dear, You came way quicker than I expected.''

Marcs Collinger.

''I didn't have much of a choice, did I?'' I took a step closer to him.

He took a step closer and touched my hair, saying,'' You are such an obstinate girl, aren't you?''

''Stop the nonsense and get to the point,'' I said, rolling my eyes at him.

''Well, don't get too worked up because you don't want to go back to the club and work there again, right?'' He smirked and took a step back.

Shivers went down my spine just as he completed that sentence.

''Yeah, sorry. It's better to immediately apologise rather than argue.

''So about your next target, it's him,'' he said, showing me a picture of an old man.

''Him?'' I questioned him.

His son, he replied with a wide grin on his face.

''And who is he?'' I inquired.

'' Dylan Feynder I hope you're familiar with that name. You will come down to Costas tonight, and I will tell you who he has become since the last time you saw him.''

My feet froze to the ground as he completed his My feet froze to the ground as he completed his sentence: "No, it can't be; please, God, be anyone else in this world, be the president, or anyone else, just not him.

As waves of memories crashed over me, I found myself engulfed in a torrent of emotions. Each recollection of our past encounters felt like a heavy weight pressing down on my heart, filling me with a deep sense of dread and unease. The mere thought of crossing paths with Dylan Feynder once more after all these years sent shivers cascading down my spine, as if the very essence of my being recoiled at the prospect.

But amidst the turmoil of my emotions, I resolved to confront this fear head-on. I knew that facing Dylan again would require summoning every ounce of courage within me, but I was determined not to let the haunting echoes of our past dictate my present.

With a steadying breath, I braced myself to confront the shadows of our shared history, knowing that only by confronting them could I hope to find peace and closure. Though the road ahead seemed daunting, I clung to the flickering ember of hope, determined to navigate through the darkness and emerge stronger on the other side

I was struggling with words; what should I say? I can't refuse, but I can't face Dylan again; he is a fucking nightmare. The air around me grew thicker. Just breathe, Ruth.

''Yeah, I know him, but Marcs, I can't deal with Dylan; can you hire someone else? I'll work extra hours at the club as long as you don't make me deal with him.'' I begged him that no matter how pitiful I appear right now, I would rather lose all my confidence than look at his face again.

I don't need anyone telling me who he is; he is one of the most ruthless mafias around. One minute he is smiling, the next he has shot you in the head before you know it. I have heard how he tortures his traitors; he is very dangerous, but no one has seen his face yet.

He operates in the shadows, leaving behind a trail of fear and mystery. Rumours suggest that he is a master of disguise, constantly changing his appearance to evade capture. It's as if he possesses an uncanny ability to blend seamlessly into any crowd, making it nearly impossible to identify him.

Marcs laughed loudly,'' Aww, Ruth, my dear, you look so pretty while begging, no matter why your demand in the market is so high. Honey, I was not asking if you could do it or not. Besides, if you manage to pull this stunt off, I will clear all of your debt''.

He smirked as he saw my eyes go wide.

Was he serious?

'' What...? I was too stunned to say anything.

'' Costas at 10, he said and walked away.

My back met a wall, and I sat and hugged my knees. I bit my lower lip, holding myself back from crying... God knows what he will do to me if he finds out my identity.

But all my debt would be paid off, which means freedom at last, happiness, and a free woman's life.

I had been living in fear for far too long, constantly on edge and hiding my true self. The thought of finally breaking free from this suffocating situation filled me with a glimmer of hope and the courage to take a leap of faith.

I will do it...I will take the risk, no matter what it leads to.