Page 15 of Mafie Kings

I walk back to my suite, mentally berating myself the entire way. Why did I just do that? Why did he look at me that way? Why are my cheeks on fire?

Maybe it’s because that’s the first meal I’ve shared with someone other than my Uncle or our butler, Robert, in years. It’s weird though, how connected I feel to him after only having met him once. I honestly can’t remember the last time someone brought me coffee other than Robert, and it’s his job.

I go back to the suite and shower. I take my time getting ready, trying to think of the perfect outfit to wear for the day. First impressions mean everything.

Then it hits me, I grab my favorite shirt, throw it on, and check myself out in the mirror. I opt to wear my hair down, I’ll pull it back if I need to make a statement. These Kings have no idea who I am, and while I plan to play the long game here, I also need to maintain some level of control for my own sanity.

I walk over and sit down at my desk before calling my uncle.

“Hey there, Little Warrior. All settled in?” His smile brings me some peace, knowing that someone out there is on my side.

“Hey, Uncle. Yeah, the room is really nice. It didn’t take me too long to get settled.”

“Did you meet your suitemate?”

“I did,” I roll my eyes. “She’s a character,” I tell him with a laugh. “I swear she walked straight out of that Legally Blonde movie and right onto this island.” I shake my head but remember the real plot of that movie. Elle wasn’t just a pink-covered blonde-haired bimbo. She was smart, and she used other people’s assumptions to her advantage. Maybe I need to work to understand Laney more.

“Sounds like you’ll have your job cut out for you there then,” he laughs. “You’re going to need to learn to make friends someday, might as well start today.”

My uncle has always tried to help me make friends. In school, he would send me sleepover packages so I could invite girls over, and we could do nails or face masks. As I got older, he tried to introduce me to some of the daughters of his friends at the compound, but none of them ever really stuck.

“I guess,” I shrug. “I really will try to make an effort here. I want to learn more so I can make you proud one day.”

“Little Warrior, I’m already proud of you. You have been through so much. You deserve to find something that makes you happy other than fighting with the world. Enjoy your time there as much as you can, make friends, and bask in being young. We will accomplish our goals in the meantime, but there's no rush,” he says gently.

I can’t look at him when he says stuff like that. I refuse to cry in front of him. Ihavebeen through a lot, and I’ve fought for everything in my life. I can try to let go and enjoy this time, maybe even let myself make a friend.

“I’ll do my best,” I tell him. “Now wish me luck on my first day. Do you like my outfit?” I ask as I take the phone over to the mirror to show him what I picked out. A barking laugh comes through the phone when I pull my hair back, and he shakes his head at me, making me grin like an idiot.

“You always did know how to make a statement. Good luck, and don’t let those boys walk all over you today. Know when to fight back.”

“They won’t get away with anything I’m not willing to give them,” I assure him. “Have a good week, Uncle. We’ll talk soon.”

“Sounds good, be safe.” We end the call, and I grab my bag for the day, not fully sure on what I’ll need. I grab the tablet they provided for us that has our books and schedule on it. Then, I pack some paper and pencils. I know most people my age are all into tech, but writing things down has always been the best way for me to remember.

I head over to the building connected to the gym when a voice calls out my name.

“Evie!” someone yells. I turn back to see a tall older man with silver and black hair walking towards me.

I turn to walk and meet him. “Yes?” I ask.

“Hello, sorry to meet you like this, but your file went missing and I didn’t have access to a phone number,” he says in a rush. “I’m the Dean, Arrow. Would you mind coming to my office for a few minutes, so I can get a few basic pieces of information for your file?”

“If I come with you now, I’ll be late for the first class,” I tell him, wondering if this is some sort of trick or test.

“You won’t have to worry about that. I have a special card I’ll give you to excuse you from any punishments for being late.”

“Okay,” I say hesitantly. When I don’t immediately move he gestures for me to follow him at his side. “Sooooo, Arrow?” I ask, trying to break the weird silence.

He turns to look at me, half his lips turning up in a smile, “When we accept a job here on Elysium, we can choose to come with our name, or we can let the society assign us a name. Most of us choose not to disclose our names. We don’t need any up-and-coming mafia leaders tracking us down because they’re pissed off about a bad grade.”

“I didn’t even think about that,” I admit. “It must be a big risk for some people to come work here.”

He nods his head in agreement. “It can be. The Mafie Society does its best to assure us of their protection, but they can’t control everyone. To some, revenge is worth it, even if it means sacrificing yourself.”

My blood runs cold at that statement. Is that what I’m doing? Sacrificing my life to ensure my revenge? My thoughts begin to get away from me. By the time we sit down in Arrow's office, my hands are sweating. I wipe them on my pants attempting to dry them off and take a deep breath. I won’t let my revenge cost me my life. I won’t let it get that far.

“Are you alright?” Arrow asks me as he takes a seat.

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