Chapter 8 A Step Into Darkness

Valentina's fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted the knife against her thigh. The weight of it wasn't foreign, but the intent behind carrying it this time was. She had taken lives before but always in the name of self-preservation, always when she had no choice.

Tonight was different.

This was an order. A test. A step deeper into Adrian Costa's world.

She exhaled sharply and stepped through the dimly lit hallway of Luis's safe house. It was quiet, save for the occasional shuffle of footsteps beyond the door at the end of the corridor. She knew he was in there, unaware of the fate creeping toward him.

Valentina took another breath, steadying herself. The doorknob was cold under her palm. She pushed it open.

Luis was at his desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand, oblivious to her presence. The moment his eyes met hers, he stiffened. "Valentina?"

She closed the door behind her, slow and deliberate. "Luis."

His eyes flickered with confusion, then suspicion. "What are you doing here?"

She stepped closer, letting the dim light cast a shadow over her face. "You said I should run. You said Adrian wouldn't let go."

Luis set his glass down carefully. "And I meant it. You're playing a dangerous game."

She tilted her head, watching him. "And what game are you playing, Luis? You knew the risks when you crossed into Costa's business."

His face darkened. "So that's why you're here? Did he send you to clean up his mess?"

Valentina's grip on the knife tightened beneath her coat. "He sent me to make a choice."

Luis's jaw clenched. "And what choice is that?"

She hesitated. Her heart pounded against her ribs. Killing him would be easy. A quick slice, a stab to the right artery, and it would be done.

But was that who she had become?

Luis must have seen the flicker of doubt in her eyes because he moved fast. He lunged for the gun on his desk, but Valentina reacted quicker. In a heartbeat, she slammed the knife onto the desk, pinning his hand in place. He roared in pain, the gun slipping from his grasp.

She grabbed it before he could, pressing the barrel to his temple. "You're right about one thing, Luis. Adrian doesn't let go."

Luis's breaths were ragged, his hand still impaled to the desk. "You don't have to do this."

Valentina met his gaze. "I know."

She pulled the trigger.

*************

Adrian was waiting when she returned to the estate. He was sitting in his usual chair by the fireplace, a glass of dark liquor in his hand. He didn't look up when she entered, but she knew he was aware of every detail, her unsteady breaths, the faint tremor in her hands, the scent of blood still clinging to her.

"Was it clean?" His voice was calm, measured.

She swallowed. "Yes."

He finally lifted his gaze to her. There was something unreadable in his dark eyes. "How do you feel?"

Valentina hesitated. "Like I took another step I can't come back from."

A smirk tugged at Adrian's lips. "Good."

Her chest tightened. "You wanted this. You wanted to see if I'd do it."

"No," he said, setting his glass down. "I wanted to see if you'd hesitate."

Valentina exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "And what did you find?"

Adrian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "That you're exactly where you belong."

Her stomach twisted. She wanted to argue, to tell him he was wrong. But the truth was, she wasn't sure anymore.

Adrian rose from his chair and approached her. "You think this is the point of no return?" He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, his touch deceptively gentle. "Sweetheart, you crossed that line the moment you stepped into my world."

Valentina's breath hitched, but she held her ground. "And if I want out?"

Adrian chuckled, low and dark. "You don't. Not really."

He was right. And that terrified her more than anything.

**********

Later that night, Valentina stood by the window of her room, staring at the moonlit garden below. She could still feel the weight of the gun in her hand, the way Luis's body had jerked before going still.

Was this who she was now? A woman who killed because Adrian Costa demanded it?

A knock on her door pulled her from her thoughts. She turned as Adrian stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

"I told you I needed you to prove yourself," he said quietly. "And you did."

Valentina crossed her arms. "Is that why you're here? To congratulate me on becoming your perfect little soldier?"

Adrian studied her for a long moment before stepping closer. "No. I'm here because I know what comes after. The doubt. The nightmares. The feeling that you're losing yourself."

She stiffened. "And what, you're here to comfort me?"

A dark smile played at his lips. "No, sweetheart. I'm here to remind you that the only way to survive is to embrace it."

She searched his face for any sign of deception, but found none. Adrian Costa wasn't a man who lied about who he was. He owned his darkness, and now, he wanted her to do the same.

Valentina swallowed hard, looking away. "And if I don't?"

Adrian's hand brushed against her jaw, tilting her face back toward him. "Then you'll break. And I won't allow that."

A shiver ran down her spine. Because deep down, she knew he meant it.

And worse she wasn't sure if she wanted to fight it anymore.