NEO'S POV
Neo woke up with his heart doing something stupid in his chest.
It took him a second to realize why....Then the memory hit him.
Luca's voice.
Low. Calm. Teasing.
The way he said "you like hearing my voice"
Neo groaned into his pillow.
What the hell was that?
Why did Luca's voice sound like that?
Why did he react like that?
And worst of all...He had a girlfriend.
A very silent, emotionless, bare-minimum girlfriend who only replied "k" to everything he sent… but still a girlfriend.
"Focus," he muttered, slapping both cheeks lightly.
He dragged himself out of bed with his usual lazy, uncoordinated movements, slipping into slippers as if gravity hated him personally. He trudged downstairs, yawning loudly.
Pia sat at the small dinner table, scrolling through her phone.
She didn't even look up as she said:
"So lazy. So tragic. So Neo."
"Screw you," he muttered. "Already did in a past life."
Their mother, Maggie, stood in the kitchen, preparing breakfast with rhythmic, comforting motions. The smell of fried eggs and plantain filled the small home.
When she finally came out, she was smiling soft, warm, and motherly.
"I'm glad you two are on break. This semester was awful, right?"
Pia and Neo said at the same time "The worst."
Maggie laughed. "Good. I missed my babies being home.
Neo felt a small squeeze in his chest. With everything happening the Familia, the estate, guns, secrets being home felt unreal. Too soft. Too normal.
Maggie placed food on the table, then said:
"Neo, baby… a whole month has passed already." "Hm?"
"Your birthday is around the corner. You're turning eighteen soon."
Neo froze.
Pia blinked at him, then burst into laughter.
"Oh my God.....you forgot your own birthday?!"
Neo's eyes widened.
A month…A whole month had passed?
With all the chaos, danger, emotions he didn't even notice time flying past him.
He was going to be legal.
Legal in the mafia world
Legal in whatever dangerous life he was suddenly living
Legal… around Luca,his brain short-circuited.
But Pia didn't care about his internal crisis. She dragged him back with:
"Neo's finally going to be an adult. I can bully him properly now."
Maggie continued, "Have you thought of a cake? Balloons? How do you want to celebrate?"
Neo's mind wasn't on cakes or balloons.
It was on gunshots.
On secrets.On Luca's voice.
He forced a smile. "We'll… plan something."
"And your job?" Maggie added with a proud tone. "Ah! One day I must meet your boss. Let me thank him for giving my son work."
Neo choked.
Pia choked even harder.
They both stared at their mom with trauma in their eyes.
"Mom."
"No."
"Forget that idea."
"Never think it again."
Maggie blinked at them innocently.
Before Neo could run away from the topic, his phone buzzed.
Headache (Lucas):
Be at the estate by 7:00.
A car is waiting. Don't be late.
Neo swallowed.
Maggie looked up. "Work?"
"Y-yeah. Work." He hugged her quickly and escaped the house.
Outside, at the corner of the street, a sleek black car waited engine purring, windows tinted.
Neo sighed,Here we go again.He entered.
The door shut behind him like fate sealing itself.
AIDEN'S POV
Aiden woke up with rage.
Not normal rage.
mortified, what-the-actual-hell-is-my-brain-doing rage.
Because he had a dream.
A very stupid dream.
A dream involving Kellan.
Kellan's stupid face.
Kellan's stupid eyes.
Kellan's hot tattoos.
Kellan's stupid hands-
"Oh hell no," Aiden snapped, kicking his blanket off. "Absolutely not. My brain is a traitor. I will sue it."
He stormed into the bathroom, splashing water on his face aggressively.
"No. No. No. No."
"Why him?"
"Why not someone NORMAL?"
"Why Kellan frigging D'Moretti?!"
He brushed his teeth like he was fighting demons.
After dressing up, he marched downstairs where his sarcastic parents were already seated.
His dad took one look at him and said:
"What's with your face? You look like someone who got rejected by his crush."
Aiden choked. "NOBODY rejected me. My crush isn't- I mean....THERE IS NO CRUSH."
His mom raised a brow. "So defensive."
Aiden pointed at her. "You two birthed sarcasm. Congratulations."
They laughed.
Breakfast was chaotic three sarcastic demons insulting each other lovingly.
Halfway through, Aiden's phone buzzed.
(Lucas):
The same as Neo.
Be at the estate by 7:00.
Car is waiting.
Aiden shrugged casually. "Going to work."
His dad, "Try not to get fired today." Then his mom added,"Or arrested."
Aiden saluted. "No promises."
Outside, another sleek black car waited for him.
He grinned. "Showtime."
DARIAN'S POV
Darian sat in his office, tension hanging in the air like smoke.
Across from him sat a man…
A figure, an undeniable presence
Cassian Drayce not needed to be described and not fully seen.
Only felt.
The kind of man whose silence made the room colder.
Darian cleared his throat. "The plan failed."
Cassian hummed. Slow. Unbothered. Dangerous. "And Lucas?" he asked.
"He's… moving."
Cassian smirked faintly. "Good. Means he grew up. I always knew the boy would rule his kingdom well."
Darian tried to hide his fear.
"He came to my mansion. Warned me. Threatened me."
Cassian leaned back, voice deep like velvet-coated knives.
"Then use what makes him weak."
Darian's heart thumped.
"You mean—?"
Cassian's voice sharpened.
"Yes,The boys.His new little attachments."
Darian swallowed.
Cassian chuckled. "Let the game begin."
Two black cars rolled into the center courtyard of the Moretti estate.
Guards straightened.Maid's paused.
Kayla watched with arms crossed.
Matteo and Ethan stood in one corner.
Elijah was beside them, unreadable.
Lucas and Kellan stood at the front with Elena the head maid silent and composed like the spine of the entire household.
When Neo and Aiden stepped out, their jaws dropped.
"What the hell?!" Aiden whispered. "Why does this look like a coronation ceremony?"
Neo muttered, "Are we being sacrificed?"
Kellan snorted.
Lucas stepped forward, hands clasped behind him.
"Welcome. Training begins today."
"Training?" Neo blinked.
Lucas nodded. "Shooting. Aiming. Handling a weapon. You'll learn everything."
Aiden's soul left his body.
"G-gun? Us?" Neo squeaked.
"Yes," Kellan replied. "You'll need them."
Neo swayed.
Aiden grabbed him. "Don't faint. If you faint I'll faint and then it'll be embarrassing."
Elena stepped forward, her voice strong and steady.
"I'll be in charge of assigning your weapons today. Follow instructions, don't touch anything without permission, and you'll survive."
Aiden whispered, "The 'and you'll survive' part didn't comfort me."
Matteo whispered to Ethan, "He truly is an interesting fellow."
Ethan nodded. "Mm."
They began walking toward the main house.
Suddenly...Aiden froze.
Then screamed
"OH MY GOD!!!!"
Every guard reached for their gun.
Kellan almost jumped,Lucas turned sharply.
"What happened?" Lucas demanded.
Aiden pointed at Neo dramatically.
"His birthday is around the corner! My boy is going to be,LEGAL! Now you can suck dicks or eat pussy or get drunk and go wild with me FINALLY!"
He smacked Neo's arm.
Neo hissed, "ARE YOU INSANE?! HERE?!"
Aiden froze.
"Oh… shit. Sorry. I don't do those things, I mean... I didn't mean- i.... fuck me. Sorry. Sorry."
Kayla pressed her lips together. "Let's… move on before he says something worse."
Even Lucas let out a small, unwilling exhale of amusement.
Elena hid a smirk.
They entered a long hallway.
Then another,Then a deeper one.
Neo whispered, "Are we… underground?"
Aiden whispered back, "Either that or we're walking into hell."
Then the doors opened.And both boys gasped.
The hall was massive,Weapons everywhere.
Rows and rows of guns black, silver, matte, polished.Rifles, pistols, shotguns.
Knives.Arrows.Target boards.Training dummies.
It looked like a museum mixed with a battlefield.
"Oh my God," Neo breathed,"Oh my God," Aiden echoed.
Elena stood in front of them, arms behind her back.
"Welcome to the training grounds."
Kellan leaned against a pillar.
Lucas stood beside him, unreadable.
Elena began explaining the different guns names, types, weights, uses. Neo and Aiden nodded like traumatized students.
Elena stepped forward, her boots clicking sharply against the reinforced floor of the weapons hall. Her presence alone made Neo and Aiden straighten up. Her voice carried, smooth but authoritative like someone who had known guns longer than she had known love.
"Welcome," she began. "This is the Luther's Armory. Every weapon here is catalogued, tested, cleaned, and maintained under strict regulations. Today, I'll introduce only what you need for beginner-level training."
Neo swallowed, Aiden saluted for no reason.
Elena ignored both.
She pointed to the first rack.
These are Handguns also known as Sidearms
"These are your primary weapons for close to mid-range personal defense."
She motioned to them one by one.
"Glock 19 Compact, 9mm, lightweight, low recoil.Easy to handle. Good for beginners. Reliable in all weather. Fifteen-round magazine." She paused staring at them "next the SIG Sauer P226 Full-size, 9mm.
More accurate, heavier, military-grade. Used by elite forces."
"The Beretta M9 Semi-auto, smooth action.
Good accuracy. Slightly wider grip." She moved slowly as she spoke
"Next the Desert Eagle 50 AE caliber."
Neo's eyes bulged.
Aiden whispered, "That thing could kill a cow."
Elena nodded calmly. "High recoil. Not for either of you." She continued
"Smith & Wesson M&P9 Polymer frame.
Balanced. Good trigger control."
Elena looked at them seriously.
"Handguns are defensive tools. Not toys. Not fashion accessories. If you treat them like one, you'll lose a finger or your life."
Aiden put his hands behind his back.
"Revolers"
She moved to a smaller section.
"These are simple, mechanical, and reliable." She made hand gestures as though speaking to a class
"Colt Python 357 Magnum,Excellent stopping power. Minimal jamming."
"Next is the Ruger GP100 Durable stainless steel"she said carrying it up
"Good for harsh conditions."
Neo blinked. "The bullets look big."
"That's because they are," Elijah muttered from behind them.
"Submachine guns known as SMGs"
Elena gestured to a wall mounted set.
"These are for close quarters. Short barrel, fully automatic capacity. Not beginner-friendly."
"Next is the MP5 9mm, A classic. Easy to control for rapid fire."
"Here, Uzi Compact, high rate of fire,Sprays fast, wastes ammo fast."
"Next FN P90 5.7×28mm,Armor-piercing rounds. Used for tactical raids."
Aiden whispered, "This one looks like a Playstation controller."
Matteo snorted loudly. These are Assault rifles
Elena tapped the next rack tall rifles with modified grips.
"These are intermediate to advanced weapons. Mid-range to long-range."
"AK-47 , 7.62×39mm. High recoil. Very durable. Works in mud, sand, heat doesn't jam."
"Next is AR-15 5.56 NATO, Lighter recoil. Easy to aim. Accurate at 400 meters."
"Here is M4 Carbine,Tactical variation of the AR. Preferred for mobility."
Neo's mouth hung open.
"You will not touch any of these today," Elena added.
Both boys nodded violently.
"These are sniper rifle for Long Range Precision"
At the back of the hall, raised on a platform, more intimidating weapons rested.
"These require patience, calculations, and emotional control."
The Remington 700 Bolt action,Standard training rifle here the Barrett M82 50 BMG. Anti-material." She paused for a while
"Can shoot through engines and armored plates. Also not for you."
Aiden whispered, "Can it shoot through my problems?"
Ethan looked away so he wouldn't laugh.
"Then shotguns"
Elena opened a cabinet containing brutal, heavy weapons.
"These are for close-range stopping power. Strong recoil. Here the Remington 870 Pump Action,Reliable. Easy to clean."
"The Benelli M4 Semi-auto combat shotgun,Military-grade. Excellent spread."
Neo backed away. "I don't want to be near that one."
"We have speciality weapons"
Elena stepped aside to show an additional cage-like section.
"These are advanced or situational weapons.Crossbows & Recurve Bows....For silent takedowns. Archer training optional."
"Next Throwing Knives,Requires precision and wrist control." "Next Tactical Batons for close-combat."
"Here Smoke Grenades or Flashbangs ,for disorientation, not killing."
Aiden pointed to the grenades. "Those look illegal."
"They are," Elena confirmed.
She moved closer, expression dead serious.
"Before either of you touch anything, memorize these rules"
She raised a finger.
1. Treat every gun as loaded.
2. Never point at anything you're not ready to kill.
3. Finger stays off the trigger until you aim.
4. Always check your surroundings.
5. Guns do not hesitate. People do. That's how people die.
6. Listen to command.
7. Disobey onceleave the estate forever.
Neo gulped.
Aiden stood stiff like a new soldier, Elena finally selected two weapons. She handed Neo a Glock 19. "Lightweight. Low recoil. Good starter weapon." She handed Aiden a SIG Sauer P226. "You have stronger wrists. You'll manage the weight."
Aiden blinked. "You've been watching my wrists?" "No. I have eyes."
Kellan coughed into his fist to hide a laugh.
Neo lifted the Glock and his arm immediately sank.
"This thing is heavy! Why does it feel like holding a brick made of steel?!"
Aiden spun the SIG in his hand like he was in a movie. The gun slipped
Kellan caught it mid-air.
"For the love of God," Kellan growled, "stop doing that."
Aiden coughed. "My bad. My fault. My past life's fault. Everybody's fault."
Lucas pressed two fingers to his temple
Aiden raised his hand. "Yes?" Elena asked.
"Do they come in pink?"
Silence.
Matteo snorted from above..and Lucas rubbed his forehead.
Elena continued "we can move on"
Then the actual shooting practice began.
Neo fired,The gunshot BOOMED then Neo fell backwards.
Aiden screamed. "WHY IS IT SO LOUD?!"
Aiden tried next.He closed one eye and then squeezed the trigger.
He missed the target completely and somehow shot the ceiling.
Elijah ducked.Kayla covered her eyes.
Lucas pinched the bridge of his nose watching the chaos go down.
Ethan whispered, "This is painful."
Matteo replied, "It's entertaining." he said Clearly entertained.
Neo tried again he closed both eyes this time "I-I can't do it!"
"OPEN your eyes," Kellan barked. "I don't want to see the bullet!"
"That's not how bullets-" Kellan stopped himself. "Never mind."
Aiden tried to copy a cool stance. Instead the gun recoiled so hard it almost flew again.
Kellen stepped behind Aiden, correcting his posture.
Aiden froze.
Neo froze.
Everyone froze.
Even Lucas looked mildly shocked.
Kellan cleared his throat and stepped back.
Hours passed.
Neo hit the target once by accident.
Aiden hit it but screamed when he did.
Elena remained patient like a saint reborn.
By the end, both boys collapsed on the floor, trembling, Neo whispered, "I want to go home." Aiden whispered back, "I want new arms." Elena clapped once.
"Good first attempt."
Lucas smirked.
Kellan shook his head.
Matteo whispered to Ethan, "At this rate, they're going to take ten years to learn."
Ethan whispered back, "Or they'll surprise us.".
The boys groaned.
Training had truly began and their arms were shaking like jelly.
Lucas stopped at the quiet corner of the training hall, leaning one shoulder against the wall as he looked Neo over slow, deliberate, like he was checking for lies on his skin. "So…" he drawled, eyes narrowing with a dangerous amusement, "Aiden says you're planning to go wild on your birthday." His voice dipped lower. "Clubbing. Drinking." His gaze dropped to Neo's lips. "And sucking random dicks, hm?" Neo choked on air, turning red instantly, but Lucas only stepped closer, just enough for his breath to touch Neo's cheek. "Tell me, Neo…" he murmured, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth, "you really planning all that? Or was Aiden just talking nonsense again?" There was no mocking in his tone just that quiet, lethal curiosity Lucas carried, the kind that made Neo's heart sprint and his brain shut down completely.
Neo couldn't even form a proper answer just a strangled, embarrassed sound that made Lucas' smirk deepen before he finally pushed off the wall and walked away like he hadn't just rearranged Neo's entire heartbeat. Neo stood there for a second, face burning, then spotted Aiden across the hall laughing with Ethan.
Without warning, he marched straight to him and smacked Aiden hard on the arm.
Aiden yelped. "What the hell, Neo?!"
"You know what you did!" Neo hissed, hitting him again.
Aiden snapped back instantly, swatting at him. "I was hyping you up, idiot!"
Within seconds, the two devolved into a messy, playful fight shoving, grabbing, half-laughing, half-arguing while everyone else watched like it was the most normal thing in the world.