Baptized in Fire

The wound on Valeria's palm hurts, but she barely felt it.

She watched as the last drop of blood mixed with Matteo's, sealing the unspoken contract between them.

Loyalty.

That was what he demanded. And now, it was what she had sworn.

Matteo lifted his palm, letting the blood smear before wiping it against his dark slacks, casual as ever. But his eyes told a different story.

He was watching her closely, looking for hesitation.

She didn't give him any.

Instead, she lifted her chin and held his looks. "Is this the part where I'm supposed to thank you?"

His lips curled into something amused but ruthless. "No, this is the part where you prove you're worth the trouble."

A heavy wind swept through the rooftop, carrying the city's whispers.

The underworld never truly slept.

And neither did its monsters.

Matteo breathes out slowly, flicking his cigarette into the night. "Tomorrow, your training begins."

Valeria didn't blink. "I thought it already started."

No, princess. What happens tomorrow will make tonight look like a warm-up."

A flicker of something burned in his looks, something dark and knowing.

He was going to break her.

And Valeria?

She was going to let him try.

The Initiation

Morning came like a blade to the throat—sharp, unrelenting.

Matteo's men were already assembled when Valeria arrived at the warehouse, the smell of gunpowder and sweat thick in the air.

They were waiting for her.

Judging her.

Roman leaned against a rusted crate, arms crossed over his broad chest. "She actually showed up. Thought she'd be smart enough to run."

Nico scoffed. "Smart women don't make it far in this world."

Valeria didn't flinch. "Good thing I'm not just a woman."

Roman smirked. "Then what are you?"

She stepped onto the mat, slow and deliberate. "A survivor."

Matteo clapped his hands, drawing all attention back to him. "Enough talking. If she wants to stay, she fights."

Valeria's pulse quickened. Fights?

Matteo turned to her. "Pick your opponent."

She glanced at the men surrounding her.

They were all bigger, stronger, deadlier.

But she wasn't stupid enough to hesitate.

Her eyes landed on Roman.

The smirk on his lips widened. "Oh, princess. I was hoping you'd pick me."

Matteo chuckled. "Then let's get started."

No Mercy

Roman moved first.

Fast.

A blur of muscle and speed.

Valeria barely had time to react before he was on her, aiming a punch straight for her ribs.

She twisted at the last second, but the blow still connected, sending a shockwave of pain through her body.

She staggered, but she didn't fall.

Roman shakes his head. "You're not bad. For a corpse."

She wiped the blood from her lips. "You talk too much."

His grin sharpened. "Let's fix that."

He lunged again, but this time, she was ready.

Anticipate. React. Strike.

She ducked low, sweeping his legs out from under him.

The impact was brutal.

Roman hit the mat hard, the air leaving his lungs in a sharp exhale.

For a moment, the entire room was shocked.

Then Matteo laughed. "I think I'm in love."

Roman groaned, rolling onto his back. "I hate you."

Matteo smiles. "You hate losing."

Nico stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "She can hold her own. That doesn't mean she's one of us."

Matteo's eyes gleamed. "Then let's make it official."

Blood & Brotherhood

They led her to the back of the warehouse.

The air was thick with gasoline and sweat, the walls lined with old weapons and crates of ammunition.

A single chair sat in the middle of the room.

And strapped to that chair was a man.

Bloodied. Beaten.

Barely conscious.

Valeria's stomach twisted. "Who is he?"

Matteo stepped beside her. "A rat."

The man lifted his head, his swollen eyes barely opening. "P-please…"

Matteo ignored him. He turned to Valeria, handing her a gun. "Kill him."

The world tilted.

She stared at the weapon in her hand.

Cold. Heavy. Final.

Roman sighed, stretching his arms. "See? This is why women don't belong here."

Matteo didn't look away from her. "You swore loyalty last night. Now, you prove it."

Valeria's heart pounded.

The man in the chair whimpered. "I—I have a family."

So did I.

Once.

She raised the gun, her hands steady.

Matteo watched her closely. Waiting. Testing.

Roman grinned. "She won't do it."

Valeria pulled the trigger.

The sound was deafening.

The man slumped forward, lifeless.

Blood pooled beneath him, staining the floor.

Silence followed.

Then Matteo smirked. "Welcome to the family."

A Monster is Born

Valeria didn't sleep that night.

The gunshot still echoed in her skull.

She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at her hands. They weren't shaking.

She wasn't sure if that scared her or not.

The door creaked open.

Matteo leaned against the frame, watching her. "You did good today."

She exhaled slowly. "I killed a man."

Matteo stepped inside, closing the door behind him. "So have I."

She looked up at him. "Did it ever get easier?"

He was quiet for a long moment.

Then he walked over, bending in front of her. Close. Intimate.

His fingers placed against her knee. "No."

Valeria swallowed hard. "Then why do you keep doing it?"

Matteo's smirk was slow, dangerous. "Because in this world, it's kill or be killed."

His hand slid up, curling around her wrist. Warm. Solid. Unbreakable.

Her pulse quickened.

Not out of fear.

But out of something else.

Something she wasn't ready to name.

Matteo's voice was low when he spoke again. "Tell me, princess… do you regret it?"

Valeria didn't answer.

Because she wasn't sure she did.