Hello everyone! I am back with a new chapter.

When I re-read the chapters I posted before I noticed some mistakes I didn't see before publishing and I promise I will correct them when I have time. Please take into consideration that those chapters are unedited.

Enjoy reading!

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When Anna woke up the next morning, it took her a few minutes to realize her whereabouts. She sat up in her bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She went to the bathroom and took care of her business. Today, she wore black skinny jeans and an oversized white t-shirt with white trainers. She brushed her hair and pulled it in a high ponytail.

She opened her room door and looked out in the corridor. The house was dead silent and it seemed like everyone still sleeping. Anna took the first step out of her room and start walking down the stairs.

When she finished the stairs, a maid in a black skirt and white blouse appeared in front of her. She bowed her head and said formally:

"Good morning Ms. Sanders, I was about to come up to your room and wake you. Mrs. Black requires your presence in the dining room for breakfast. If you would please follow me, I will lead the way."

Once Anna nodded her head in agreement, the woman turned her back and start walking down another hallway. Anna followed her while staring at the big pictures in golden frames hanging on the walls. The house was modern and at the same time classic which gave it a special thing.

The maid turned to the right and opened a big oak door to reveal a large dining room with a twelve seat table that dominated most of the space. Jacob was sitting at the head of the table while Karen sat on the chair to his right. When Karen noticed Anna standing in the doorway with the maid behind her, she smiled while Jacob looked up from his tablet and just nodded at her.

"Good morning sweetie, come and join us for breakfast," Karen greeted pleasantly.

Anna couldn't resist smiling back. This woman was strange, she had a lot of love and wasn't afraid to share it with people around her. Anna started walking to the table. It was obvious she would take the seat next to Karen. It was unlikely for her to eat her food beside Jacob. His face was hard as ever and his lips were set in a thin line. She wasn't used to his facial expressions and in her mind will never be.

Anna felt awkward and kept her gaze on her plate. She was used to her friend's chatter and endless talking but now the room was silent apart from the sound of the utensils connecting with the plates. Karen was the first to break the silence.

"Jacob, I want you to arrange security today for me and Anna. I wish to go shopping with her," Karen spoke to her husband.

Jacob put his fork and knife down and looked at his wife.

"Of course dear, I will call Carlos and let him know. He will make all the required arrangements." He stated with a kind voice.

Jacob stood up from his chair and turned his icy stare towards Anna who finished eating and was listening to the conversation between the two of them.

"I need to talk with you. If you are done eating follow me," he ordered her like usual and started walking towards the door.

Anna felt butterflies erupting in her stomach. She was nervous and curious at the same time. She shot Karen a pleading look hoping the woman will save her from being alone with Jacob, but Karen just smiled at her reassuringly and motioned with her head in the direction where Jacob had disappeared. Anna sighed and jogged towards the door to catch up with the man.

Jacob entered his office and waited for Anna to follow him. Minutes later, the girl was standing in front of him wriggling her hands nervously. He offered her one of the chairs and waited patiently for her to sit and took in her surroundings. When he was sure she was ready to listen to what he was about to say, he started speaking with his businesses cold voice.

"You met the Don yesterday, and I know that one meeting with him was enough for you to know he is a man that expects perfection and blind obedience."

He paused to let his words sink in, then resumed his talk.

"Well, the Don had organized a camp for the teenagers in his family and others from his allies. He wants you to be a part of this camp. He believes that this experience will benefit you in both physical and psychological aspects. So you need to be ready tomorrow morning to start this new adventure."

"Tomorrow?" Anna blurted out in surprise.

"Yes," was his only reply.

It was easy for him to say those words, to order her and demand her submission. She can't refuse him anything, she can't make decisions anymore. When she signed the Omerta, she knew she had signed her life away but the meeting with Jacob today was the confirmation that her freedom is a part of her past. So with a heavy sigh, she nodded her head in confirmation.

"With that conversation out of the way, I think I should tell you that the camp won't be easy for you. The training will be intense and you will be put in a new environment with new people. You need to work hard for the next two months to pass this camp. All I can say is good luck. Do you have any questions?"

Anna found it almost funny how her life changed in two days. She was going to spend her summer vacation with criminals in a camp doing things she never dreamed about. When the Don made his intentions about using her talent to his favor, she thought he would send her to some prestigious boarding school to develop her skills. She didn't think for one second he will transform her into a mafia soldier.

Anna heard Jacob clear his throat in an attempt to grab her attention and she realized the man was waiting for an answer to his last question.

"No sir, I don't have any questions," it was futile to ask questions about things she got to learn by tomorrow morning.

"Good, you are dismissed," with those words Jacob averted his stern gaze from her and focused his eyes on the computer's screen in front of him.

Anna took that as her cue to leave and exited the office with a mixture of emotions bubbling their way to the tip of her stomach. To say she was nervous would be an understatement. Like this morning, she found herself lost in this maze they called home. But again a maid came to her rescue.

"Mrs. Black is waiting for you in the living room, would you please follow me?"

For a moment Anna considered declining the maid's offer and going to some corner to hide there. She knew Karen plans for today and she was somewhat excited to spend the day with her. But now and after the bomb Jacob threw in her face, she wasn't in the mood to go anywhere and especially with a cheerful Karen. The woman was so sweet and kind and Anna doesn't have it in herself to crash the woman's hopes, so she followed the maid silently and tried to memorize the hallways of this mansion.

Karen put the fashion magazine she was reading on the coffee table and sat up when she saw Anna entering the living room. She immediately noticed the girl's sad eyes and the defeated slump of her shoulders. Those signs were evidence that Jacob talked with the poor girl. She told him to be nice and approach Anna gently but knowing her husband, she was sure he was in a business mod and didn't give the girl any chance to cope with the news. Karen was determined to cheer Anna up and make her day bearable at least, so she plastered a wide smile on her face and spoke with so much enthusiasm.

"Anna dear, if you are ready, I think we should start our shopping trip."

To Karen's chagrin, the girl just nodded and walked silently beside her.

Like yesterday, the security was tight and alert. Anna looked out the car's window and noticed that their car was accompanied by another two black cars and about six bodyguards one of them was Carlos who picked her and Jacob from the airport, but unlike yesterday she understood the reasons behind all these preparations for a simple shopping trip. This life was dangerous, she was certain that the number of their enemies was ten times or more the number of their allies.

Anna was aware of Karen's efforts to start a conversation with her, but she wasn't really in a talkative mood right now. The events of the last few days caught up with her and she was a nervous wreck. She was thankful when Karen's attention averted from her to the phone in her hands.

"Are you afraid?"

Anna didn't expect the question and truthfully didn't know the answer so she remained silent with her eyes on the windows by her side.

"It is okay to be afraid. You can be terrified and I won't blame you. I know I was afraid when I entered this world. I can assure you, with time you will get used to it. So it is okay to get overwhelmed at first." Karen continued speaking with her voice sounding miles away.

Those words caught Anna's attention and she looked at the woman in front of her. The usually happy Karen had a strange glimmer in her eyes. Her smile was sad, and suddenly Anna's head was full of questions so she blurted the first one that came to her mind.

"Aren't you happy with your life Karen?"

"No sweetie, don't get me wrong, I am very happy with Jacob. He is a loving man who has great loyalty to his family. What I meant with my statement is that life sometimes can get very nasty in our world. The mafia world can give you a lot of power, money, and authority but at the same time this world can take a lot of things from you, Things that are dear to your heart."

From Karen's words, Anna knew the woman had lost something dear to her but she didn't dare to ask her about it. She didn't dare to open some old scares. They stayed silent for a few minutes until Anna worked the courage to utter her next words. They were the truth and she needed to share it with someone and at the moment Karen was her only sanctuary.

"I am scared," Anna whispered softly.

Karen moved closer to her and squeezed her hand in a comforting gesture.

"As I said before, it is okay, what matters now is that you stay strong and overcome your fears. You will be safe at this camp, nothing will happen to you with my twin boys there."

Anna felt her eyes bulged and she stared at Karen with surprise.

"You have two sons?"

"Yes, they are two years younger than you. They are on a trip right now, but they will be present tomorrow for the camp. I will make sure Jacob introduces you to them," Karen spoke while chuckling at Anna's expression.

Anna smiled at Karen and she understood the woman's motherly actions more. She was sure Karen was a great mom.

"Your smile is beautiful Anna. Try to laugh and live dear. Life is short, so take every opportunity in it and enjoy it."

Anna found herself admiring the woman more and more with every passing minute. She came to the same conclusion last night. Karen was her only hope in this life.

The rest of the ride was in a comfortable silence until the car came to a halt in front of a huge building which Anna suspect will be their first stop in their shopping trip.

"We are here, let's start our fun day," Karen exclaimed with so much happiness.

Anna shook her head and thought to herself while climbing out of the car "gone the wise Karen and welcome back playful and carefree Karen".

Anna ended with her feet sore and her hands full of bags of clothes she never thought she would possess in her life. She tried to convince Karen that she doesn't need new clothes and shoes and that the wardrobe in the mansion was enough for her but Karen's response to her protests made her shut her mouth and accept anything she offered her. Anna knew that day was one of her best days in life.

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Hunter groaned and tried blindly to turn off the alarm clock that was blaring in his room. With another groan, he sat up in his bed and rubbed off the sleep from his eyes. He cursed the alarm clock that was wandering around his room. He was a heavy sleeper so his father decided an alarm clock that can run around would be the perfect wake up call to his son.

Hunter stood up and stretched his cramped muscles, then he got a hold of his alarm clock and turned it off for good. He eyed the device with so much hatred and considered smashing it against the wall but immediately dismissed the idea when he remembered his father's threat the last time he broke the damned thing.

Damien had threatened him he would hire a man who will come to his room every morning to wake him up with horns. The mere idea of that happening sent shivers down his spine so he put the alarm clock with more than needed care and went to the bathroom to take care of his morning business.

When Hunter was done checking his bag for the camp he left his room. He came downstairs to find Samuel the head of security in his house waiting for him. The man bowed respectfully the moment he spotted Hunter walking his way.

"Mr. Salviatti left an hour ago. He gave us orders to take you to the Don's mansion at eight. So I suggest we leave right now because it is 7:45."

Hunter nodded his head and gave his bag to the guard who was standing behind Samuel. He started walking towards the cars that were waiting for him. Leave it to his father and he will organize the security fitting for a president just for a ten minutes drive. Waiting there were five black cars with tinted windows and at least three guards in each one of them. Hunter made a mental note to speak with his father and convince him to loose the tight security.

He got in the car that was in the middle and waited for the journey to begin. After 10 minutes, the cars came to a halt in front of his grandfather's mansion. They went through the usual check then they went up and stopped in front of the mansion's door. The driver hopped from the car and held the door open for Hunter who didn't waste time and marched towards his grandfather's office.

He knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter. Hunter stood in front of his grandpa's office silently while the man was reading and signing some documents. He watched the man as he took his glasses off and eyed him with his icy blue eyes. At that moment, Hunter knew he was in trouble because usually the old man looks at him warmly and reserves his stern side for specific occasions.

"You are two minutes late," the Don stated coldly.

"I am sorry sir, it won't happen again," Hunter apologized sincerely.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, boy," growled Rafaello.

There is one rule in Rafaello's book that any wise man will choose to follow at all costs, don't be late for meetings or you will have hell to pay. Hunter swallowed hard and tried again.

"I am sorry I wasted your time, sir. I will try from now on to be on time." Hunter spoke trying not to wince at the thunderous look that was on his grandpa's face.

"I think the walking alarm didn't achieve her purpose, maybe I should start looking for someone who will wake you every morning with other methods," Rafaello spoke with his stern voice and tried very hard to hide his smile when he saw the look of horror on his grandson's face.

"As you see sir," Hunter expressed his forced agreement while cursing himself for not paying attention to time this morning.

Hunter sighed in relief when the Don dropped his stern façade and smiled at him with amusement.

"come here, my boy."

Hunter smiled and walked to his grandpa who rose from his chair and gave him an affectionate hug. It was rare for the man to show his feelings and Hunter was happy that he was one of the few people who have a special place in his heart. After talking for another few minutes about how being in time for meetings is a part of the responsibility Hunter will have on his shoulders one day, the Don took his seat and offered Hunter the chair across the desk.

With the two settled, Rafaello sled a file across his desk without saying anything. Hunter took it and opened it to reveal a dozen pictures of the same girl. The last page contained her information name, age, height, weight and family statues that stated the girl was an orphan. After he finished looking at the photos, he looked up at his grandfather quizzically.

"Who is she?"

"She is the key to our success in the next mission."

"You mean the mission we tried to do for a year with no success?"

Rafaello nodded his head and let his grandson process the new information.

"What do you want me to do?"

This time the Don smiled proudly at his grandson response. No questions were asked, no hesitation was expressed the boy knew he has a role and was ready to fulfill it. He was like his dad and the Don was extremely pleased with his two future leaders.

"I want her protected and unscratched until the mission is over. The girl is civilian and fragile. Our world is foreign to her. I don't want her to get harmed with some foolish actions. Also, I don't trust her to be loyal to us, so you will watch her and make sure she stays within the rules."

"Can I know what is so special about her?" if he was going to babysit her for the rest of summer, Hunter needed to know who he is dealing with.

Rafaello nodded and motioned for his grandson to look at the flat screen behind his desk. By the time the video ended, Hunter was looking at the dark screen now with his mouth open.

"Wow! The girl is a genius," Hunter exclaimed.

"Exactly, and this is why I need her for the next mission. You know that our problem last year was our inability to hack in their system and our experts couldn't bring their equipment to the field, but now with Anna with us, that problem is solved."

"Do you think the girl will be ready for a mission she knows nothing about? Don't you think she would screw things more with her lack of training and discipline?"

"Good question my boy, here comes your job the girl will join you in the camp, I trust your uncles and aunt to do the job properly but you are the same age as her and will be the perfect one to help her see our world from another sight," the Don explained his expectations.

"I take it the instructors will be informed of the situation so they can help her."

"The only thing they need to know is the girl will join the camp as a new member of Jacob's family. The man fostered her and the story will be believable as they all know Karen was yearning for a daughter all this time and her husband finally fulfilled her desires."

"You know they will notice her unique talents and skills and will eventually start questioning the validity of the story." Hunter pointed out.

"We will stick to this story until the time comes to reveal the truth."

Hunter nodded and waited for his grandfather's next words but was surprised when a timid knock sounded on the door.

"come in," the Don granted the permission of entrance to his visitor.