CHAPTER 17 Shadow
Joy
Xavier and I were driving to a mansion in Beverly Hills for my initiation ceremony. I was
nervous and excited at the same time.
I was wearing a white strapless gown while a ck ceremonial robe sat on myp. Xavier was wearing
a tuxedo and looked proud aside from handsome.
Aside from being a college graduate, I would now be part of the Blood Disciples,
something I never thought would happen.
Our junior year went by as quickly as our freshmen and sophomore year.
Xavier and I would train after ss or during our free time. He taught me self-defense, mixed martial
arts and weaponry.
Cristos was my work-out and shopping partner. We would jog together, hike together, work out at the
gym together. Aside from that, he was also my nutritionist. I really hated taking those protein shakes,
but he would scold me every time he caught me dumping the contents of my ss in the sink.
Since Sebastian needed an assistant to keep track of all his cargo arriving at the ports, he employed
me to help him. Once word reached the bosses, I was tagged as an associate… I was doing work for
the family, but really not part of the family. I had epted my fate, believing I couldn’t do more to
elevate my status within the organization.
For our senior year, I continued helping Sebastian. We became a team on the docks and
since it was a job, I was earning money.
graduation when one night, while Sebastian and I were manning the docks. he unloading of cargo, a
capo from one of the mafia families under the ples unexpectedly paid Sebastian a visit.
While they were talking to each other, I noticed a hooded man, who was covered from head to toe in
tattoos, sneaking behind Sebastion.
Since Xavier trained me in using knives and daggers, Cristos gifted me with a hairb essory
with a sharp needlelike de in the middle. I would usually wear it when I was working with Sebastian
since Xavier warned me to be vignt at all times, especially at the
docks.
1/5
CHAPTER 17 Shadow
1 took the hairb, inserting the de in between my halled up fingers and stealthily ran behind the
tattooed gang man and quickly inserted the de into the back of his head, like a
pang needle. He copsed loudly on the ground behind Sebastian alerting the capo who was speaking
to him. Before the capo could grab his gun from under his jacket. I threw my hair essory at his
chest, stabbing him, giving Sebastian enough time to shoot him in between the eyes.
After taking pictures and alerting the organization of the rogue family, Sebastian and his crew threw the
men in the sea. While they were doing that, Capo De Luca took off his coat, wrapped me in it and had
me sit in his car. I was shaking and scared. I had just killed
someone.
“You okay, Joy?” Capo De Luca asked me tenderly. I shook my head. I couldn’t get myself to open my
mouth and speak..
“You did the family a great service. The three bosses will be forever in your debt,” he said,
taking a bar of chocte from his coat. “Here, have some. You’ll feel better.” I took the bar of chocte
and bit into it. He was right… It did make me feel better.
Sebastian left Capo De Luca to finish overseeing the unloading of the shipment and drove me to
Cristos’ bar. Xavier and Cristos were all smiles, proudly waiting for me at the door.
They took me by the arms and kissed me on both cheeks. When the bartender saw that, he made
everyone raise their sses to me.
“I need to go to the bathroom. I think I’m going to be sick,” I said, running towards the
ladies. I threw up, but the uneasiness was still there.
After I rinsed and cleaned up, the three handed me a ss of champagne. That’s when I
became angry.
“How can you guys celebrate when I just killed someone?!” I hissed at them through
clenched teeth.
“Woah. No, Joy. You have it all wrong. You SAVED Sebastian, Cristos exined. “Now, the
bosses are in your debt, a debt which can only be repaid by blood. You are now family.”
“I don’t feel happy and I don’t feel part of the family. I feel sick to my stomach,” I said.
“Normal reaction for your first time,” Xavier said. “Joy, if you didn’t intervene, Sebastian here,” he patted
Sebastian on his shoulder, “wouldn’t be standing here and you would be crying your eyes out over his
death.”
2/5
my be. Jy Thank you. Sebastian sad, taking my hand and kissing it. The Blood Disciple you a debt. He
then kissed me on both cheeks and the bartender again called for a tou
Sebastians phone began to ring and he showed as who it was it was his father. He answered it and
smiled. “He wants to talk to you
I took the phone and answered, “Hello, Mr. Domenico. I’m Joy Taylor.”
From now on, loy, you can call me Papa. An intiation ceremony in your honor will be held after your
graduation from university. Wee to the family”
Thank you. Papa.” I said.
ou saved my boy, joy, anything for you.”
And now here I was about to pledge my life to the family.
As we approached the private driveway, I could already see the multi-level residence are with lights.
V?llet attendants in uniforms ushered in the numerous luxury vehicles, assisting the guests into the
entrance
into the entrance of the mansion before parking the cars near the four door
cars near garage at the end of the spring property.
l’
Wee to Cristos house. Joy Xavier said.
This is Cristos house?! I eximed, marveling at the modem mansion. It was a work of art. And what
about you and Sebastian?”
“Nearby,” he answered Actually, Cristos, Sebastian and I are going to move out of our parents homes
soon. We found a nice house in Cbasas and we thought all four of us could
be that,” I replied, already imagining life together in one house. “New job, new just epted a job as a
rookie sports agent which the three of them were against.
“You dont need a job. Toy. You have us.” Xavier argued.
I want to do this on my own. Xavier. I reasoned. Anyway, since I’ll be living with you. I’ll be saving on
rent
“But you’ll be bossed around and yelled at. With us, you’re the boss,” he said.”
“Can’t I at least try it out first? Once I start earning the big bucks, I can open an agency of
35
CH. TER 17 Shadow
my o. A legitimate business.”
How
we hand you the capital and you do it now? He asked, stopping at the mansion’s entrance. We got out
and walked into the ss atrium entry.
“With no experience and clientele, it will be doomed. No, I’ll work my way up. Meet the athletes, gain
connections, establish a rapport. I need to make a name for myself.”
We were ushered into the ss-walled ballroom where a stage and numerous tables were set
up for guests. Xavier guided me to one of the tables near the stage, took the robe I had been carrying
and ced it over my dress. A few of the guests who were already seated, pointed at
me and pped their hands.
One by one, the guests lined up and began kissing me on both cheeks. Apparently, I was the guest of
honor and all of them wanted to pay their respects.
I didn’t see Cristos or Sebastian until the initiation ritual began.
I was escorted by Xavier to a podium facing the stage before he put on his hooded robe and
took his seat on stage. There sat in front of me the three bosses and three underbosses of the Blood
Disciples.
Sebastian took a needle and pr icked my finger. A drop of my blood was ced in a small crystal tube
shaped pendant which was given to one of the bosses.
I took my oath in front of everyone, solidifying my position in the family. I was then asked to sign a
contract by cing a thumbprint with my blood as ink.
“I am proud to introduce our new family member, soldier Joy Taylor, The Shadow, one of the bosses
said. Judging by his blue eyes, I assumed it was Cristos’ father.
ve me a standing ovation as soon as the ceremony was over. The band began to celebration
commenced. It was like a wedding reception.
met Cristos, Sebastian’s and Xavier’s parents. They treated me like their daughter, asking
me to call them Mama and Papa.
While we were lounging around outside beside the massive pool, I asked them why was I given the
nickname Shadow.
“Your shadow is thest anyone will see before they die,” Sebastian answered.
4/5
CPTER 17 Shardon
Iiri med terribly guestme
Chapter Comments
032
POST COMMENT NOW
SHARE
5/5This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.