𝑹𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒏

C H A P T E R 1

"Well, I guess you don't want your present." She grumbled and began to leave. "Why would you give me a present?" I questioned, starting to feel confused.

"Did you forget that today was your birthday?" She asked, making me gasp in surprise. I was so caught up in my work that I hadn't realized it was my birthday.

I jumped up and hugged her. "I would tell you to thank you but I didn't get my present yet." She laughed and gave me a black box.

I opened it and found a dagger. It looked so sharp, sharp enough to cut paper in one stroke. Underneath the dagger, it had a letter. I took it up and started reading it aloud. By the time I finished reading it, I was crying which made avianna cry.

To my friend, raven,

You have been there for me ever since you arrived in my life. You put a smile on my face even in the worst situations. You cheered me up when I was at my worst. You put me first although it was to be the opposite way. You took my punishments just so you wouldn't see me badly hurt.
You cared for me when no one did. You were more of a sister to me than my real sister ever was. To the most incredible person to ever live, I love you.

I wiped my tears and hugged her for the tenth time already. "Thank you," I whispered, letting go of her. "You forgot something." She smiled, pointing at the bottom of the box. I picked it up and it was revealed to be plane tickets.

"Plane tickets?" I quizzed, looking at her then back at the tickets. "Yeah because we're going to Italy." She declared. I glanced at her as if she was joking. "Why?" I inquired.

"Because you, my fair lady, need a vacation." She bowed while doing a courtesy. "I don't need a vacation and I have school tomorrow." I giggled.

"No, you don't. You have summer vacation in a week. Then you'll have all the fun you want." She pleaded. "Okay fine, I'll go. But you better pay for my food." I demanded.

She chuckled and headed to the kitchen. As I laid my head on the pillow, my thoughts raced back to me. Why would Alessandro come back after all these years? What did he want from me now?

The years after I had been around him, I had come to learn that I was related to him. That was before I escaped but what I didn't know was that no matter how much I ran, he always found a way back to me.

I debated in my mind whether or not I should tell avianna about the letter I got from Alessandro. Concluding that it would be best to tell her before anything were to happen to me. I told her.

Let's just say it wasn't the best decision.

~~~

"What exactly did he say?" She inquired, calming down after a few minutes. "He just said he hoped that I didn't forget him," I replied, already fuming at the thought of him coming back.

He ruined my childhood. I wanted what others had. Others had a perfect family, a sibling they could share their problems with, parents who be there with them through thick and thin.

What I grew up with consisted of me seeing blood every day. People were being assaulted and murdered in their cells. Some of them were innocent. I didn't grow up in a loving home. I grew up with cold, vile, and dangerous men. All of whom were in the mafia.

"Don't worry about him. Jax and I will be here to protect you." She expressed, nudging me on my shoulder, a smile plastered on her face.

"You know, they don't call me the world's best assassin for nothing." I chuckled. "No one calls you that." She voiced, raising her eyebrows at me.

"I imagine people saying it, when I'm not looking," I answered, taking a sip of my imaginary tea.

"Yeah, whatever you say." She said, a little smirk appearing on her face. "Jax and I will be here early on Saturday to pick you up, so be ready." She demanded.

"Yes ma'am," I responded, seeing a scowl appear on her face. She then flipped me off and left, mumbling something about getting Sushi.

Leaving me alone once again, the way I have always been.

~~~

What do you guys think Alessandro wants from her again?