Secrets Leave Scars [EDITING]

6 - Liar

Dimitri has us line up based on size. I find myself second in line, in between Omar and Ivy. "You're going to tell everyone your story," Dimitri states. "I know who some of you are, but others don't." He motions for Omar to start.

"Omar Aziz. 22 years old. Raised in the mafia, started training late," Omar states, firmly. He held his head up high as he spoke. Dimitri nods and turns to me. For the first time since starting this mission, I get nervous.

"Um," I clear my throat. "I'm Isobel Pierce, I'm 22 years old, I was not raised in the mafia." I stand there waiting for a reaction from Dimitri. He looks at me, unimpressed.

"You weren't raised in the mafia?" He repeats after me. I shake my head no and he continues, "so where'd you come from?"

I hesitate to answer, recalling my cover story. "No where. I don't have a home," I state. Dimitri nods, signaling me to continue. "I'm a foster kid and I don't have anywhere to go. I didn't go to college, I don't have family, and I don't belong anywhere." I feel the other recruits glance over at me as I tell them my 'life story'. I sigh in relief when Dimitri turns to the next girl in line.

"Ivy Crimson," she says. "I'm 18 and have been apart of the Crimson mafia my whole life. I'm here because I want to do better. My family is weak and disloyal." She seems genuine, but how could they accept someone from another mafia I wonder. Dimitri shuffles in his chair and turns to the next recruit.

"Axel Grey, 19 years old, mafia raised," he says plainly. "Oh, and I'm skilled with knives," he adds on, smirking. Dimitri grins and finally gazes at the last recruit in line.

"Trinity Veil, 18 years old, royal blood," she mumbles, reluctantly. Dimitri's eyebrow raises as he gets up. He struts to Trinity's side and pulls out a pocketknife from his back pocket. He slices her hand and lifts it to his face. Trinity shows no sign of pain, holding her stance firmly.

I had heard about the Veil family while I went through training with Shaw. They are close associates of the Steele Cartel and just as dangerous. Although, they don't have their own mafia, they are very helpful in providing for Marcus's. Their family often runs with this crowd, making it no surprise to me that she had been recruited.

"I was sorry to hear about your brother," Dimitri tells her, leaning in closely. Her jaw clenches and her position shifts slightly.

"His death brought me this opportunity," she responds plainly, "for that there's no apology needed." Her words are cold and harsh, the complete opposite of her demeanor. Dimitri chuckles and goes back to his seat.

"Something you all need to learn about training," Dimitri echoes, "is that with it, comes tests." The recruits straighten their backs, unsure of what he's implying. "So today, I'm going to test your pain tolerance," he grins, darkness all over his face.

My stomach churns and I feel tension in the room. Dimitri smiles slyly and directs us back to the hallway we all walked through before. He scans his hand on one of the doors and the lock clicks. He shoves us each into the room. The space is dark with only one lightbulb hanging in the middle. Under the light sits a metal chair and table. "Interrogation room," my mind whirls.

"Who wants to go first?" Dimitri laughs. "How about you?" He asks, pointing his chunky finger at me. I take a deep breath as he continues. "You're the only one who doesn't understand what being apart of the mafia means. You're lonely? So you waltz in here, expecting to be accepted? It's not that easy sweetheart."

I scoff at him. "Do your worst," I reply boldly. I watch Dimitri squirm a little, before clearing his throat. He yanks the chair back and pats it gently. I walk over and sit down.

"Unfortunately," Dimitri bellows, "I can't kill any of you. But Steele said nothing about testing out your tolerance."

"Testing our tolerance or just plain torture?" I scoff at him. Rage fills his eyes and he grabs me by my throat.

"I'm sorry did you just talk back to me?" he growls. His grip around my throat tightens until it's hard for me to breathe. I stare directly into his eyes as he drains the life out of me. I grip onto his hands, which only makes the sadistic look in his eyes grow. Just before the life completely leaves my body, two gun shots ring out.

"Dimitri what the f*ck are you doing to my recruits?" Marcus shouts, standing in the doorway with a gun in his hand. Dimitri releases me and I hit the floor. I cough repeatedly, trying to catch my breath. "I said train them not torture them!" Marcus yells. I watch as Dimitri's startled expression wears off and he walks up to him.

"Come on Steele," He grins, "I'm training them, on torture."

Marcus clenches his jaw as Dimitri speaks, his eyes darting around the room. "Alright you're all dismissed, just get out." he finally says, grinding his teeth together angrily. He whispers something to one of his guards, and hands behind his back, leaves the room. I stare at the two bullets in the wall above me. Those were warning shots, I'm sure of it.

When my coughing fit is finally over, I get off the floor, leaning onto the metal table for support. The recruits slowly leave the room, but Trinity stays behind. She holds my arm attempting to support me but I brush her off. "Why do I keep showing weakness," I scold myself. She looks at me as if she wants to say something. "What?" I ask her, my voice raspy from being choked.

"It's hard to read you," she finally says. "You're hiding something but I can't see what it is."

I look back at her harshly, "Everyone's hiding something."

"True, but I know liars," she stops me, "and trust me you are one."