THE TEMPTRESS

||Beginning||

•STEPHANIE•

I pulled back my fist and slammed it into the red punching bag again. My hands, wrapped in white bandages, were slightly stained from the fresh bruises forming on my knuckles.

But I didn't let that hold me back. I bounced on my toes and continued to hammer the punching bag from all sides, each strike leaving a deeper dent.

My mind was consumed by the memories of that day, scarred in my memory as if it happened yesterday, not thirteen years ago. Every time I forced myself to recall, the pain, fear, and anger resurfaced, fueling my determination.

I had waited long enough, training and preparing meticulously for this moment. It was time to make those bastards pay.

I stopped, gripping the swaying punching bag with my remaining energy. My body was weary, and my knuckles throbbed with pain. I pushed the bag away and made my way to the small refrigerator on the other side of the room.

I yanked open the door, grabbed a water bottle, twisted off the cap, and drank deeply. The cool liquid washed over me, soothing my overheated muscles.

After placing the bottle on the counter, I took a moment to catch my breath. Then, I opened the fridge again and pulled out an apple.

As I closed the door, a soft nudge at my ankle caught my attention. I looked down to see Russ, my Doberman.

"Hey buddy, you hungry?" He barked in response, his intelligence shining through. I'd had him since he was a puppy, a gift from Steven after his mother passed away.

Russ had grown strong from training with me. I retrieved my dagger from the fridge and sliced off a piece of apple, tossing it into the air for him to catch.

I returned to my living room, Russ following closely. My apartment wasn't large, just enough for one or a few people. I had moved out of Steven's house when I turned eighteen, and he helped me secure this place.

I hadn't bothered with much furniture-just a small leather couch, a dining table with two chairs, a medium-sized bed, a flat-screen TV, a microwave, and a fridge. That was it.

A whiteboard stand stood near the TV. I uncovered it, revealing pictures pinned all over the board. Russ always reacted like this when I unveiled my evidence board, a compilation of people I wanted.

Red strings connected the pictures, helping me map out their connections. I'd made notes beside each picture, detailing who needed to be dealt with next.

I'd planned meticulously, ensuring no complications would arise. So far, my execution has been flawless for my first three targets. No traces, no bodies, and no mercy-they got what they deserved.

Alejandro Rodríguez. Javier García. Carlos Pérez.

I removed their pictures from the board one by one, tossing them into a small trash can beneath the stand. They had worked for Luca Diesta when they shot my parents and older brother thirteen years ago.

Now it was their turn to face the consequences. They hadn't seen it coming, which only fueled my thirst for vengeance.

Two more names remained. I stared at their pictures on the board, slicing off another piece of apple and biting it from my dagger.

Diego Martinez. Luca Diesta's right-hand man. I was saving Luca for last, intending to savor his torment. He needed to feel what I felt that fateful day when he killed everyone that I had cared about right in front of my eyes.

Russ barked again, drawing my attention to the glass sliding door. I covered the board and approached Russ, patting his head.

Outside, three black SUVs pulled into my driveway, and men in black emerged from each vehicle. I recognized them immediately.

They were Steven's men, and Steven himself stepped out of the last SUV, his eyes meeting mine through the glass door.

"C'mon boy, we have a visitor."

I unlocked the door, and Russ bounded out to greet Steven's men, his tail wagging excitedly. Steven patted his head with a small smile before approaching me.

"Your friend has grown quite a bit since the last time I saw him."

I glanced at Russ, who was now below us and folded my arms.

"I've been taking good care of him."

"Just like the three people you got rid of three weeks ago?"

My body tensed. He knew.

Steven entered the house, and I followed, closing the sliding door behind us, and leaving Russ outside with Steven's men.

Steven settled on the single leather couch, and I leaned against the wall near the whiteboard stand. His gaze shifted from the covered whiteboard to me.

"So, how did you handle the bodies?"

"That's for me to know. If I tell you, I might have to add you to the list."

He smirked and adjusted his black gloves.

"I've taught you well."

I hid my smile. He'd been my mentor for thirteen years, teaching, training, and molding me. I was grateful, but at times, I wanted to channel my hatred toward him. Despite his shortcomings as a father figure, he was the closest thing I had.

I had been homeschooled by him and learned essential skills for the world outside our own. Now, it was time to put our plan into action, to dismantle Luca Diesta's empire from within.

"I'll have my men double-check, just in case you missed something that could lead back to us."

I narrowed my gaze.

"I'm not sloppy."

"I never said you were. But it's better to double-check."

I uncrossed my arms, taking a step closer.

"Why are you here today?"

He sighed, his gaze dropping to the carpet.

"I've heard you've been tracking Diego Martinez for the past few days. How's it going?"

Nothing escaped Steven Grey's notice. He had sources everywhere.

"I've been monitoring his movements. He frequents a new club in town, so I plan to corner him there."

He studied me closely.

"Did you know Luca Diesta is no longer in charge of the gang?"

My fists clenched. I hadn't known. How had I missed such critical information?

"His son took over a year ago. He's running the empire now, while Luca enjoys his retirement. Can you handle it?"

I hated when he doubted me. I could handle Luca, even if I had to go through his son.

"I'll adjust the plan for Diesta. Right now, my focus is on Diego. Once he's out of the way, I'll deal with Luca myself, slowly."

Steven's smile widened as he stood.

"Good. Make no regrets."

I watched him leave, and when the sliding door closed, Russ bounded back inside. I breathed a sigh of relief, then looked down at him.

"Change of plans. Operation B begins tonight."