An hour later

"Are you sure we can trust her?" I ask my father, who is sitting behind his desk, smoking his awful-smelling cigar.

He looks up at me and frowns. "Yes, don't you?"

"I don't know her, dad. She was practically working for the police," I reply, moving my hands around and sitting on the chair in front of his desk.

"She is to be trusted, don't worry. Besides, she is also wanted by the police by now."

It's true. By now, the police is informed of our departure and her involvement in it. The good thing is that they could never find us here. This house is registered under my mother, who's registered as a single woman, with no kids.

She is currently visiting my grandparents in Spain and is coming next week.

"Did she make the right decision? And why would she help you in the first place?"

I have so many questions. I don't trust easily, especially when it has something to do with my family.

"Can I worry about Ana? Don't worry, son—anyways, how's everything going on with you and Carmen?"

Carmen. A name I loathe. We have been engaged for five long, agonizing months. Before my father got prisoned, he asked me to marry his friend's daughter so our mafias get stronger. I said no at first because I hated the idea of marriage and kids, but after thinking about it, I agreed. I would do anything for my father even if I had to marry a woman I don't love. I am not mad at him because I know he wants to see me happy, but I didn't have to get engaged and married to be happy. That's what he doesn't understand.

"Not good," I simply reply.

"Why? What happened?"

What didn't happen?

"Dad, her and I, we don't work. She's too clingy, gets jealous a lot, and only cares about what brand she wears. I don't want to be married to a woman like her."

He sighs in frustration, making me feel guilty about confessing what's been bothering me.

"Stay with her for another month, if she didn't change and you couldn't stay with her, I'll speak with Lionel."

"Thanks, dad."

"I am sorry for forcing you to get married to her," he says.

"You didn't force me, dad. Don't worry about it."

I don't do good with emotions. I was never in a relationship before and even when I was younger, I was very cold, despite my mother's attempts to make me feel something.

I was and still am a cold person.

Why?

I don't know.

"By the way, inform Cody that Ana will be working with him at our infirmary. I would have liked for her to work at our hospital, but her identity would not be hidden, anyone could find her."

"Okay. I'll talk to him," I say and walk out of his office.

An hour ago, we left Ana in her new room that we provided for her. Tonight, she will take the omertà oath and will join our mafia. There will not be a ceremony or anything, just a few of our most trusted men will be present in my father's office as they witness Ana take the oath. There have to be a few witnesses every time someone joins our mafia.

I remember when Cash joined, Alex was already in before him. Cash was a little bit startled when he learned what his brother does for a living, but soon thought that it was better to join than to live with abusive parents.

"Cody." My voice echoes through the hallway as I near the infirmary. I walk in and find Cody behind his desk, reading a medical file. He looks too focused as his eyebrows are crossed and his eyes narrow.

"Cody," I call again, finally grabbing his attention.

"Yes? Sorry," he replies, putting the file down.

"I am here to inform you that a new doctor will be joining as your assistant."

"What? Why? I don't need one. Sabi is helpful," he quickly replies.

"I know she is, but she's not even a nurse. Ana Wright is a surgeon, she will be very helpful," I persuade him.

"Fine. When will I meet her?" he asks, standing up and walking towards me.

"Tomorrow. She will be taking the oath today and will start first thing in the morning."

"Okay." He nods, adding a sigh at the end.

After I left, I went to my room and was greeted by Carmen.

"Carmen? What are you doing here?" I ask with furrowed brows and narrowed eyes. She looks extremely ugly with her heavy makeup that hides every feature of her face.

"I've missed you." She pouts, circling her arms around my neck and pecking my lips.

Damn it.

I push her away gently. "Carmen, I am busy."

"What's going on with you? And who's that?" She points at someone behind me. "I have never seen her here before."

I look behind me and see Ana standing uncomfortably, looking everywhere but at us.

"Go home, Carmen," I order.

"I want to stay with my fiancé," she says on purpose.

She does everything on purpose.

"I said I am busy. I will talk to you later."

"Promise?" She pouts yet again, giving me puppy eyes.

"Fine, now leave."

After she walked away, I turn around and look at Ana. She looks annoyed.

"Is there something that you want?" I ask, not really in the mood for any more drama.

"I just needed a towel..."

"Did you check your bathroom?" I ask.

"Yeah, there aren't any."

I nod and motion for her to follow me. I honestly don't know where the towels are kept, so I decide on giving her one of the ones in my bathroom. One that I never used before.

"Here you go," I say, giving her a red towel.

"Thank you." She takes it from my hand and hugs the towel while still standing.

"Is there something else?"

"Yes. What will happen when I take the oath?" She nervously asks.

"You will continue working in your profession just like before."

"Really?" She grins.

"Yes. We have an infirmary. You will be working as Dr. Smith's assistant. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes! Thank you so much." She smiles brightly, making my lips lift a bit.

I just nod and leave.

* * *

Standing beside the door, I look at my father, who is sitting behind his desk, Cash and Alex, who are standing across from me, and Ana, who is standing in front of my father's desk.

"Do you swear to remain loyal to the mafia?"

"Yes."

"Do you swear to protect your family even if you had to die?"

"Yes."

"Do you swear to remain silent and protect this mafia's secrets?"

"Yes."

My father nods and smiles. "Welcome to De Santos mafia, mi hija," my father says proudly as if she's his biological daughter.

"Thanks?" She awkwardly replies, making my father and Cash die from laughter.

"Ana, with us, you will always be protected. This is your family. A family that you never had, always remember that."

"Thank you, uncle." She hugs my father.

Before anyone could say anything, the door is slammed open and Cody enters in a hurry. "You need to see this."

All of us follow him to the living area. Once we reach, we find a group of men gathered in front of the TV.

"Dad?" Ana mutters as she looks at the screen. Her father stood behind the podium, talking about four criminals, her amongst them.

"Ana is no longer my daughter. She is associated with criminals and helped them escape. I didn't raise my daughter like that. I will do everything in my power to bring justice and help catch these criminals."

I see her reaction only to find her fave blank. She doesn't show anything and just watches her father speak about her as if she isn't his daughter.

"I will keep my phone open for any inquires and calls as I work with the police on this case. I hope the public doesn't associate my brands and cut them because of my daughter. I am a fair man and my daughter will be put behind bars because she is guilty. Thank you!"

When he finished his speech, Ana didn't move.

"Are you alright, Ana?" My father asks.

She doesn't answer. When he asked again, she replied, "I need some air. I will be outside."

* * *