The Mafia's Sinful Addiction

Marilyn's POV

I sat at the far end of the bar, my untouched drink growing warm as the thoughts of my last assignment filled my head.

Chief Hammond is the senior chief officer of our division and for some reason, he likes to dump the suicide missions on me.

This time around, it wasn't just some random mission—it’s more. Chief Hammond is asking me to take down the Black Vultures—one of the most deadliest, and notorious mafia group in the state.

Yes, this isn't the first time I've walked next to danger. I'd once shut down an illegal casino in Los Angeles, busted three underground betting rings, and helped expose a fake charity organization that laundered money for drug dealers.

Of course, I've done all of that.

But I must say this; despite all of these, the Black Vultures are still NOT the kind of mafia group anybody wants to mess with.

For some reason, Chief Hammond's voice wouldn't stop echoing in my head again, “Take down the Black Vultures.” His voice kept screaming in my head.

I'm an undercover cop, and I'm never scared to take down anybody or any cult that's a threat to my country.

So just like I'll always do, I accepted the mission.

I said yes to Chief Hammond.

I didn't even discuss it with my closest allies, Joey and Cassie—I just went ahead and signed the mission.

Joey and Cassie are in my department, however they are my junior in rank but my family outside office.

I barely treat them like juniors, I treated them equally and after seven years of working together in the police force, we grew into what we call ‘one family.’

Whenever Chief Hammond proposes me a mission, I usually consult Joey and Cassie first and then I'll make a decision based on their suggestions.

We've grew together to the extent that people think we're truly related—siblings of the same parents.

I've seven core team members in my department, but whenever there's a task, I prefer working with just Joey and Cassie…we understand each other and it makes the mission to be completed very fast.

They are my closest allies with their special skill and talent.

Joey—he’s the sharp-tongued detective of our team…he doesn't fail whenever he speaks.

Cassie—I must say throughout my stay on earth, she's one of the fearless undercover rookie I've ever come across and I'll do anything to keep her.

We're not just coworkers—we’re family. And I think I've made one of the biggest mistakes today. I didn't inform Joey or Cassie about the new mission, I simply accepted it even before discussing it with them.

The moment I left the office a few minutes ago, I texted Cassie and told her about the new mission and the next thing she texted back with was, “Really? Now taking missions without informing us?”

I knew that was a bad thing to do—not informing the only people who have always had my back.

I texted her back, “It's a dangerous mission—the Black Vultures. I thought you might not buy the idea.”

And after a long while, she replied, “I was gonna tell you this, if you've a death wish, then kindly ask me to put a bullet in your brain. Because why the hell will you choose to die in the hands of those monsters—the Black Vultures? Are you crazy, Marilyn?”

I started to text back but before I could sum up my words, she'd already texted me back again. “We're meeting at the bar, NOW! I'm on my way, bitch…”

And here I am, waiting at the bar for over 30minutes waiting for Joey and Cassie to show up so they could give me the scolding of my life.

I took in a slow inhale and let out the breath I never knew I was holding. I grabbed my glass of wine and lifted it up to my lips, but before I could even take a sip, the door suddenly slammed open and Cassie stormed in with Joey right behind her.

“They're here…oh my God, I'm so dead,” I thought as I quickly lowered the glass of wine back on the table.

“What the hell were you thinking, Marilyn?” Cassie shouted as she matched towards my table, her voice rising above the music. “The Black Vultures? Are you insane?” She yelled.

Multiple heads immediately turned towards us and the bar fell silent for a heartbeat.

I looked around embarrassingly, letting out a fake smile of apology as eyes travelled from Cassie to me.

Cassie finally made it to my table, she didn't sit. Of course, she wouldn't.

I was wrong, I was supposed to discuss this with them before I accepted the deal.

Joey on the other hand remained calm and texture soft…but I can see it in his eyes, he was disappointed.

“Come-on, Queen heroine, start talking. You wanna save the world huh? So why don't you just do it the easier way? Why the hell will you want to have anything to do with the Black Vultures?” She paused and swallowed the tears that were threatening to spill out, then she continued, “For god's sake, Marilyn, even the government is pretending not to see everything the Black Vultures are doing, but you suddenly want to wear the cape?”

I felt her words. I know.

I know Cassie cares about me. But the Black Vultures are trespassing already, it's getting hell worse and someone has to stop them.

“Someone has to stop them,” I said quietly.

“It doesn’t always have to be you!” Cassie fired back, slamming her fist on the table. “Chief Hammond always dumps the suicide missions on you—that’s madness! That man wants you dead, can't you see?” She cried, the tears were finally streaming out of her swollen eyes now.

“Cassie…honey, you've to calm down.” Joey tried to calm her down.

Cassie and Joey started dating a few months ago, and I can't wait to see them get married…it'll only strengthen our bond.

Cassie suddenly pulled out the chair next to her, she lowered herself on it, and quickly wiped her tears, “Look here, Marilyn” she started in a very low and calm tone, but I could still sense the fear in her voice. “I know you love your job, we all do. But you matter. You matter to us, you matter to the team, you matter to the department. We can't just lose you.”

She immediately leaned forward and reached for my hands on the table, she held them tight into her own hands, squeezing them softly while she spoke, “You can't do this to yourself. It's not too late, you can meet Chief Hammond, that nut-case boss of ours, tell him you're not taking up the mission and he should fucking do it himself if that's how desperate he's to sacrifice one of his officers.”

“I agree with her,” Joey added calmly.

“There's a promotion attached.” I finally dropped the bombshell.

“What? Promotion?” Cassie asked, confused.

“Yes, if I can get it done, all of us will be promoted. Let me do this for you all, this is the least I can do for my team.” I explained.

“Fuck you, Marilyn.” Cassie suddenly flared up again, yanking her hands away from mine. “I know you, Marilyn. You're not doing this because of the goddamn promotion. You've always waited for this opportunity to get the permission to take down the Black Vultures. You've always spoken about them, you hated them, you despise the chaos they cause. Fuck the promotion, you're not doing this for promotion.” She fired back.

Cassie burst out crying, and Joey only sat there disstabilized, he was staring blankly at my drink like a star that's lost among other stars.

Then I finally let out the last bombshell.

“You’re off this mission,” I said firmly. “Both of you.” I added.

Cassie turned towards me sharply, eyes filled with tears. “What? You can’t just cut us out, Marilyn! We’re a team.” She cried.

I leaned forward smoothly, “That’s exactly why, Cassie. They always go for the ones I love first. The Black Vultures will try to stop me by hurting the people I care about, so just stay away from this mission, both of you.”

Joey's eyes widened in disbelief, but he didn't say a word. I bet he couldn't believe his ears and eyes.

I swear, they both hate me now.

But I'm doing this for them. I swear it's all for the best.

Joey turned towards Cassie and carefully scooped her trembling body into his arms, patting her lightly but she only cried more.

Then my phone buzzed.

It was just a message.

Just one message.

One line.

It says, “Stop before we stop you.”

I felt my heart beat a million times just within the first second after reading the message.

I turned around sharply and scanned the bar to see if I could notice any unusual person, but hell no.

Everywhere was lively, filled with the regular bar people—the sober ones, the sad ones, the drunk, the sexist, the flirty fuck-ass and all. And for some reason, every face suddenly looked suspicious, making it hard for me to tell who was who.

I let out a crooked smile and shoved my phone at Joey.

He glanced at the screen and with shock in his eyes, he looked up at me.

“What is that? Let me see.” Cassie murmured weakly as she grabbed the phone and glanced at the screen.

She lifted her head and shot me a quick glance, then back to my phone's screen again, “Who sent this?” She asked with a trembling but clear voice.

“I don't know. It's from an anonymous account.” I replied calmly.

Cassie’s voice trembled. “Please, Marilyn, don’t do this. This is a warning.”

“Exactly,” I said smoothly as I collected my phone and slipped it back into my jacket. “Warnings mean I’m getting closer.” I added.

“Just stop, please.” She begged.

“I'll be fine, just stick to the plan. Don't get involved in this mission, I'll pick other team members who will work with me, but not two of you.” I said. “And stay safe, okay?” I added smoothly, and without waiting for another ‘please don't’ from Cassie, I stood up and stepped away from the table.

“You really are not listening….” She cried.

Before Cassie could finish speaking, I was already out of the bar, gone—swallowed by the night.