{ her outfit above } { Andrea's POV }

Today I woke up and got dressed for the breakfast in the library with Ander.

I wear something I never have since I married Samuele. I wear some fancier work out clothes knowing that I want to go to their training today after breakfast. I do my hair in braids, and don't waste time doing makeup knowing that later on it will sweat off.

————

Once I enter the library, I can see Ander is already sitting down having coffee. I have water and fruit while he eats coffee and eggs. It's what we asked for.

"I have a request, I would like to ask you." I tell Ander as we start eating

"What is it?" He questions

I sip my water and say "I want to join the training that you have planned for today."

He studies me for a second.

"Not even Isabel, or Roslyn train with us on days like today. It's strictly for the bosses. Meaning neither underbosses, or wives train with us." Ander says

"Lucky for everyone I'm soon to be neither of those things any longer." I reply

"But you are still technically a wife." He reminds me

"I'm not a bosses wife anymore, correct? I may still be married to the bastard, but he isn't a boss or even apart of this family anymore. Meaning my current marriage situation doesn't matter." I tell him

"Still no." He says firmly

I raise an eyebrow slightly shaking my head. That firm no isn't going to work. I need this.

"I was asked by Artemis to take over being the boss before he died. I chose for you to take over instead, not because I wasn't ready but because I didn't want to be the boss. I don't do well with all the responsibilities, and titles. I was trained longer than you, and I'm sure I can handle it. Maybe even better than you. No offense. Just let me show you, if I can't take it or get severely injured then I'll walk away and admit that you were right.. but I need this, please let me get rid of some anger. I have a lot built up." I tell him

He just stares at me for a while then stands up and says "Come with me, we'll spar until everyone else gets there, and when they get there if I feel you can handle it then I'll break my own rule, and allow you to train.. if not you either leave or sit with Roslyn, Isabel, and Charlotte. Is that clear?"

"Yes boss." I say mockingly

————

Ander and I arrive in the training area, and I notice it hasn't changed since I lived here. He hands me a wooden stick like the ones Jason and I use to spar with and he takes the other one for himself.

"I'm assuming you've done this before.." Ander says

I nod

"Did Artemis teach you?" I ask him back

He nods saying yes.

"Then it's wise to assume he taught me." I say to him

He just shakes his head.

"If you know as much as I do, then why didn't you kill Samuele yourself?" Ander questions

"I know more than you do, and I could've but I would've been killed for killing a boss with no evidence.. I'm a lot of things but a traitor isn't one of them.. and I promised Artemis that if he let you take over that I would remain loyal to you, and the family." I tell him

He looks at me for a while then tries to catch me off guard by hitting me with the stick. I duck making me miss his swing, and I take mine and hit his legs at the same time that I duck. Which makes him lose his balance.

"Focus Ander." I taunt just a little he gets a little annoyed.

He hits me with the stick making me take a step back.

"Focus Andrea." He says taunting me back with a smirk on his face.

Then it begins.

————

We were sparring for about an hour never having a winner. Neither of us could get the other one on the ground. We both came close a few times but the other kept their balance.

We are drinking water when Roslyn, Nicolás, Luis, Chan, Isabel, Andrei, Charlotte, Vlad, and Donte walk in with Isla and Bart following behind them. Most of them looking at us questionably, well everyone outside of Roslyn, Isla, and Bart.

"What are you two doing here?" Ander and I ask Bart and Isla at the same time

"Boss, we wanted to watch Andrea." Bart says politely and with respect

"How did you know she would be training?" Ander questions seeming suspicious

"We know her better than anyone sir." Isla answers politely

Ander just nods seeming deep in thought. Roslyn, Isabel, Charlotte, Vlad, Luis, Donte, Bart, and Isla all go sit on the sidelines, but they are still in hearing range.

"Are you really allowing her to fight?" Luis asks as if he disagrees

"Yes." Ander says firmly

"Are you sure she will be able to handle it?" Vlad questions looking at me

"No." Ander says watching me

I hear Bart laugh a little and I smile. Everyone looks confused as to why he laughs, but surprisingly they don't question it. I know why though. Bart would watch me train, and he did so for years...and I wasn't trained to be delicate.

"Are you sure you want to train with them?" Donte asks me

I look at Ander, Nicolás, Andrei, and Chan to see all of them watching me carefully as if to see how much they can push me.

"I'm sure." I answer

"We tried to train with them one time. I ended up with broken ribs, Luis ended up with a broke hand, and Roslyn and Isabel ended up knocked unconscious." Vlad informs

I nod showing I'm listening.

"As much as I hate to say it there is a reason they are the bosses now." Isabel tells me

I nod to show her I understand.

"It gets brutal." Luis says warning me

I smile when Bart says "She's counting on it."

Because he couldn't be more right. Everyone looks at him then at me like we've lost our minds.

I give a glance at Charlotte and wink at her because she looks nervous being here, she smiles and gives me an encouraging nod. I return the smile then I walk to the platform with Ander, Nicolás, Andrei, and Chan. I take a deep calming breath because I've needed this for a while.

I think it's time I release my anger.

And prove why I'm here.

Not because I'm someone's wife, but because I was thrown and forced into it.. but instead of dying or running away. I stayed. I fought.

Because I may have not been born into the mafia directly, but I have mafia blood in my veins.

I may not be a cold blooded killer, but I'm a survivor, and I'm a fighter.

I wouldn't say I was born for this life.

But I found my place in it.