Chapter 41

Chapter 41

It was finally Sunday, and Travis was taking me to his base to practice shooting. The previous week

had been nothing short of a nightmare. I hadn't seen Andrew since Monday, and I was still in tears

when I woke up.

"We are training new recruits today; you are welcome to join them." While we were driving to the

base, Travis explained.

"Sure." I stated unequivocally. I wasn't in the mood to talk; all I wanted to do was shoot something.

We pulled into a dirt parking lot next to a massive abandoned structure. "Is this your base?" I

inquired

"It doesn't look like much, but that's what keeps it hidden.” Travis said as he approached a filthy

door.

Travis opened a hidden keypad and typed a passcode, which opened the door. I stood there

stunned before following Travis into the building. When Travis and I walked in, we were astounded

because the inside was nothing like the outside; it was completely furnished with a modern touch.

Travis walked down the white hallway, and I followed him until he entered a large room with a large

group of other people. I noticed a crowd of people and was surprised to see teenagers among

them; these were the new recruits.

"Good day, everyone." Travis stated solemnly. No one spoke in response, only nodded. "We will be

testing your abilities today; if you do not meet certain requirements, you will be ejected.” If you go

to the authorities, you should know that we know where your family is and will not hesitate to kill

them or you." Travis elaborated.

I was taken aback by what he said; this was not the Travis I knew. Travis was funny and sweet, not

serious and willing to murder people's families. I returned my attention to the people in the room,

and none of them appeared surprised or scared.

"All right, let's get started with target practice.” Travis went on.

He walked out of the room, the crowd following him. I was still stunned by Travis's announcement,

but I was quickly distracted when I heard murmurs.

"Who is she?" Someone inquired, most likely about me.

"It might be his wife." Someone else responded. I rolled my eyes, why do people think I'm intimate

with him just because I showed up with him? Can't people make male friends?

"I bet you I can beat her in anything; she appears to be weak.” When someone responded, I turned

around to see who was speaking. I focused my attention on a small girl, a big guy, and some

pathetic excuse for another girl.

I smirked, "I'm going to show this b*tch who the fuck I am." I followed the group of people into

another room, this time with shelves of guns and about a dozen targets.

Because there were about 15 recruits, there would be two rounds of shooting. I grinned, knowing I'd

be the last to leave.

"All right, who will be the first group?” Travis enquired.

Almost everyone in the group walked over to the gun shelf, grabbed a handgun, and aimed at a

target.

"You can shoot whenever you want.” Travis stated.

The new recruits fired at the targets, and when they had finished, 1 looked at the targets. Almost all

of them had hit the target but were nowhere near the bullseye, and a few had completely missed

the target.

Travis demanded, "Next people go."

When I looked at who hadn't shot yet, it was just me and the three people who had talked

nonsense.

"This was going to be fantastic.”

I walked over to the shelf, grabbed a handgun, and stood in front of a target, flanked by three other

people to my left.

"Fire when you're ready.”

I aimed my gun and pulled the trigger, always hitting the bullseye. I looked around at the other

targets and watched them aim, but they all missed the bullseye. I smirked and turned to face Travis,

who was rolling his eyes at me. I flipped him off, and he laughed quietly.

"All right, now we're going to work on hand-to-hand combat.” Travis explained as he exited the

room.

I smiled, knowing that except for Travis, I could beat up anyone in the room.

I skipped out of the room but was stopped by a hand on my shoulder. I grabbed and twisted the

hand before turning around to face whoever had touched me.

"Ouch, chill shortness.” Travis moaned.

"You should know better than to scare me like that, Travis.” I said as I let go of his hand.

Okay, maybe I could beat Travis.

"But what's the deal?" I inquired.

"We both know that if I let you fight, you'll humiliate all of my recruits; I promised you that you

could shoot, so you can. You are welcome to drive my car back to my house once you have finished

practicing.” He responded.

"Damn, okay.” I returned my attention to the shooting range.

"I'll see you at the house, shortness.” Travis responded.

"Wait, Travis," I said as I returned my attention to him.

"Yeah?"

"Did you really intend to murder their families?" I inquired.

Travis sighed and his face changed. "If you're in the Mafia, you have to be ruthless; there's no room

for fun."

"However, you said your sister taught you how to be good.” I mumbled, not wanting to irritate him.

"I won't kill people just because, but these people knew what was going to happen and were willing

to risk their families.” I won't kill anyone's family if they don't report it to the authorities.” Travis

elaborated.

I nodded and walked back to the range. Travis sighed again and walked away to find the new

recruits.

I returned to the room and went to the gun shelf; Travis was correct, they had every gun I could

think of.

For the next few hours, I shot with each and every gun until I hit the target every time.

When my stomach made an ungodly sound and I realized I was starving, I fired the last gun.

"I think it's time to go." I said, shrugging my shoulders and exiting the room, then the building.

I went around the building and found Travis's car. When I opened the car door, got in, and turned

on the ignition, the car purred to life. I drove back to Travis's residence.

I pulled into the driveway and went inside, ready to eat a cow.

I basically ran into the kitchen and began grabbing whatever food I could find. I arrived at the

kitchen table with a perfectly balanced meal of ice cream, cheez-its, and taquitos.

I sat at the table, eating everything in front of me, until the front door opened, followed by a groan.

Travis, was it?

I dashed to the kitchen, grabbing a knife just in case, and made my way around the corner to find

Travis hunched over, face to the floor, clearly hurt.

I threw down the knife and ran over to him. "Are you okay, Travis?" I inquired, my gaze drawn to his

face.

"I'm fine shortness.” He responded bluntly. I shook my head and grabbed his face, lifting it upwards

to see what he was trying to conceal from me.

My jaw dropped open in horror at the damage on his face. His bloodied lip, crooked nose, and

purple eye were all visible.

"What the fuck happened, Travis?” I inquired.

"I was fighting underground and I lost." He responded.

I looked him in the eyes and knew that wasn't the truth. "You're not telling the truth.” I said.

"Tell me right now." I insisted.

"All right, but don't overreact.” He responded with defeat.

I agreed with a nod of my head.

"It was Andrew."

My fists balled up and my blood began to boil, I wasn't sad anymore, I was enraged. I'd developed a

new aversion to Andrew.

"How could he have touched Travis?"

"Calm down, Ava," Travis advised.

"NO, he has no right to touch you. You've done so much for him, and he still does this." I screamed.

"It was because of you."

I felt a wave of extreme guilt wash over me as quickly as the anger had left.

"What?" I inquired.

"He wanted to know where you were but I wouldn't tell him, so he tried to beat it out of me but

then stopped and apologized.” Travis elaborated

"Travis, I'm speechless. I sincerely apologize. I think I should go." I explained, feeling responsible for

what had occurred.

"No, Andrew will continue to be Andrew." Travis stated. "Travis, I'm so sorry; are you sure you want

me here?" I inquired.

"Yes, everything will be fine. But you can make amends by cleaning me up." Travis said with a small

smile.

"Alright, come on," I said, laughing.