Then I would give them exactly that.
—
“Sienna!” Anjali cried out as I stepped out of the car after Ashwin opened my door. She threw herself into my arms, and I held her tightly. “I’m so happy you could come!” she said, pulling back as I took her hands, “I would never have missed your wedding, Anji. Look at you, you’re radiant,” I told her, and it was true. Her long dark hair was braided down her back, her eyes sparkled, and her skin glowed. “Yourmehendiis beautiful,” I added, admiring her hands adorned with intricate henna designs, a tradition in their culture. “You arrived just in time! We’re doing theHalditonight, before the wedding tomorrow!” she said, tugging me inside the large villa. I winced when the skin where Selina had placed the CGM tugged painfully, but itwas manageable, something I would get used to. At first, I had refused. It was more of an inconvenience than anything else to me; I always knew my symptoms before a crisis hit. But seeing my sister’s worry, I had eventually agreed, at least until the birth. She would be able to monitor my blood sugar levels. She would be reassured, at least.
I glanced over my shoulder and briefly met Kenji’s mocking gaze as he chatted with Ashwin and Kamal. They were like brothers, only natural, after everything we had been through together. Just like Anjali and Ganesh’s entire family, who had become a part of ours. They had all opened their arms to us, welcoming us and, above all, teaching us.
Seven Years Earlier, Las Vegas
It had been almost two months since we had left the institute and were now living in one of the Master’s clubs, right in the heart of Las Vegas. We were surrounded by hotels, casinos, attractions. The city never slept, day or night, and we had very few breaks.
“Stella, a new client! Hurry up, he’s a VIP close to the Master,” Joana called from the entrance of our suite, which I shared with the girls, as I stepped out of the shower. I had just finished with a client. I was exhausted, and above all, starving. By some miracle, Joana had obtained the Master’s permission to leave the institute and come with us, and now she managed us. “I just finished with a client…”, “I can send Inès?” she cut in, her voice echoing through the room, she knew perfectly well that I was trying to protect the youngest girls, that I did everything I could to keep them as safe as possible, “I’m coming,” I replied simply.
I sighed and hurried to get ready. I slipped on the only clean nightgown I had left, I would have to ask the cleaning womanto hurry up with the others. I started applying my makeup, my hands trembling, “Sienna!” Ava suddenly shouted. I startled as she rushed into the bathroom, breathless. Her hair was a mess, her makeup smudged, her minidress crooked, and she was barefoot. She must have just finished with a client too.
“You’re the one handling the VIP client?” she asked, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me like a rag doll while I frowned at her. “Yes. Why?” “Oh my God,” she breathed, stepping back, worry written all over her face as she pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Some of the girls saw him go into the Master’s office, Sienna. They said he… he was horrible. Old. Limping,” she paced the small room nervously.
“He’s one of the most powerful godfathers in India, Sienna. There are rumors that he’s covered in burn scars after an attack that killed his entire family,” she whispered, coming back to grip my hands. I felt fear creep into my chest, but I pushed it down. I refused to feel anything. I refused to be weak. It was a promise I had made to myself while waiting for Kenji to wake up after he got his scar. I would no longer let my emotions control me. I would no longer make mistakes.
“We’ve seen worse. And we’ll probably see even worse,” I replied with a shrug, turning back to the mirror and resuming my makeup with a weary gesture. Old, ugly, fat, scarred, it didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore. I was never getting out of here. I was never going to save my sister. It was too late. There was no hope left. Not for her. Not for me. Ava watched me for a moment, then left the suite in silence, the door closing softly behind her.
—
“Good evening, sir,” I said in the deep, gentle voice they had taught us at the institute. I closed the bedroom door behind me, leaving my Shadow in the hallway, before glancing at the stockyman sitting on the edge of the large bed. I began untying the belt of my satin robe. “My name is Stella. I’ll be taking care of you tonight. Do you have any preferences, sir?” I asked as I removed the elastic holding my hair back. Clients’ preferences were normally communicated to us beforehand… but this time everything had been rushed. I would have to improvise. When he didn’t respond, I frowned and turned to look at him. I couldn’t see his face, his head was bowed toward the floor, his forehead resting against his cane.
“Sir?” I called again. "How old are you?" he suddenly asked me in a gruff voice, and I froze. No one had ever asked me that question before. Faced with my silence, he sat up straight, and I struggled to resist taking a step back when I saw the ugly scar running down his neck and disappearing under his shirt.
"It doesn't matter, sir. Would you like me to undress you?" I replied calmly, taking a step toward him, but froze when he slowly tilted his head to one side and fixed his empty gaze on mine. It was as empty as mine, two beings who no longer expected anything from life. "Seventeen," I replied without thinking, meeting his gaze. "Seventeen," he repeated, shaking his head gently. "What a waste," he sighed, which made me smile, a wry smile. "Most of the girls here are young, sometimes even younger than me. You think we're wasting our lives, but you don't mind screwing us," I retorted, crossing my arms, a retort that would surely earn me punishment if anyone heard it, but I couldn't help myself, being belittled like that after being used. And this one hadn't even waited until the end to show his disdain.
"I've never been to a place like this before. My brother thought it would be a good idea to take my mind off things," he said, to my surprise, the first time? "As if sleeping with a seventeen-year-old girl would make me forget that my wife and children had been blown to pieces before my eyes," he sneered, tapping hiscane on the floor as my breath caught in my throat. So his family was really dead, he had lost them forever, he would never see them again. He was like me, hopeless, stuck in this life we were enduring. But me? My sister was alive, somewhere on this earth, we were looking at the same sun, the same moon, the same stars. "In that case, I would advise you to be wary of your brother," I replied without even thinking, and he froze at my words, his expression darkening and giving me a questioning look. "Why is that?" he asked, tapping his cane on the ground, his gloved hands tightening their grip on the lion's head on his stick. "Because anyone who brings you here surely doesn't have your best interests at heart," I replied, simply shrugging my shoulders as he raised an eyebrow, "Are you badmouthing your job? " I rolled my eyes and put my hands on my hips, "I can go back to being a whore if you want," I grumbled, which made him smile. "How did you get yourself into this mess, kid?" he suddenly asked, shaking his head. "My sister was kidnapped by an Italian mobster. I trusted my boyfriend, who told me he knew someone who could help me. He ended up selling me to the Master to pay off his debts," the words poured out of my mouth as I clenched my fists. The way I described things was sadly comical. I had been a real fucking idiot. "But I'll find a way to save her, no matter when or how. I'll save her…" I continued, then froze as my words echoed around the room. Save her? I thought I'd given up, hadn't I? I... I wanted to save her, I had to save her, I was going to save her. Selina was waiting for me.
The man suddenly stood up with the help of his cane and approached me as I stood still. Was he finished with his questioning? Did I have to undress now? Why was he asking me all these questions? Was this another one of the Master's traps? If so, I had just told him about my sister, a secret I had kept hidden all this time, a secret that had cost Kenji a lifetimeof suffering.No. Nausea rose in my stomach as fear twisted my insides. Suddenly, he raised his hand to my face and brushed my cheek before stepping back, my eyes fell on his damp fingers. Damp? I touched my wet cheeks and frowned, I was crying. I was crying hot tears. When was the last time I cried? At Kenji's bedside two months ago. I looked up, my eyes wide, at the man who was staring at me with his brown eyes, with a look that was... warm. He had the same look as my father, and that thought made me tremble. "My name is Ganesh," he said, holding out his scarred hand to me, I looked at it for a moment, hesitant, and finally took it "Sienna," I replied, using my real name. I wanted him to know who I really was. I was tired of pretending all day long. I was tired of hiding my emotions. I was just... tired. A sob escaped me as I felt the warmth of his calloused hand gently squeeze mine, I was so cold, I was shaking inside, a cold so deep that I felt like I would never be able to warm up again. He suddenly pulled me toward him, wrapping his arms around me, holding me close as I began to sob like a baby. I missed my father, his voice, his smell, his warmth. My hands clung to Ganesh's jacket as his arms tightened around me, the smell of incense filling my lungs, it was like…home.
Suddenly, the door flew open, making me jump, but I was already behind Ganesh as he pointed a blade he had just pulled from his cane. A blade? "Kenji?" I whispered as he looked at me worriedly, "I heard you crying," he said, taking a step forward as Ganesh slowly lowered his blade, looking at us in turn. "So this is your Shadow?" he asked, sheathing his blade before handing me a handkerchief he pulled from his pocket. "Yes," I replied after thanking him, "I'm fine, Kenji, don't worry," I reassured my Shadow as I sat down on the edge of the bed before wiping my cheeks and grimacing when I saw my makeup staining the fabric. When the silence stretched on, I looked up and frowned when I saw the two men staring at me. "What?" I asked,confused. "I... nothing. It's been a long time since I've seen you..." Kenji didn't finish his sentence, just shrugged, "I'll leave you two alone," he sighed, turning to leave, but Ganesh stopped him. "Wait a minute, kid. Come in and close the door," he said, tapping his cane gently on the floor. Kenji gave me a confused look but obeyed, closing the door behind him. "What's the name of the mobster who kidnapped your sister?" Ganesh asked me, while Kenji gave me a surprised look. "Antonio Rasili," I whispered, just saying his name disgusted me, "I know him. He's a despicable man," Ganesh said after a moment's thought. "Even his own hate him. He's a real piece of trash," he continued, sitting down next to me. "You know him?!" I exclaimed, sitting up straighter, more excited than I had ever been. It had been almost a year since my sister had been kidnapped, and this was the first time I had made any progress on the matter.
"Oh yes, daddy's boy, the only heir to his family with a few screws loose," he said, scratching his cheek and staring into space. "If the Italians could replace him, they would do so without hesitation. Too bad his cousin is dead. He was a real bastard too, but at least he could have run the business properly." I froze at the mention of Emilio, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Kenji freeze too, he gave me a questioning look and I shook my head gently. Suddenly Ganesh began to laugh, tapping his cane on the floor. "Well, well! Which one of you killed him?" he asked, looking at us in turn as we remained silent and frozen. "Well, never mind, what's done is done," he sighed, rising with a smile dancing on his lips. "It's been a long time since I laughed like that. You remind me of my children," he said, taking a few steps around the room before turning to us, his empty eyes now shining with an indescribable glow. "Do you want to save your sister?" he asked me, looking at me as I jumped up like a shot. "Yes," I said without even thinking, without even hesitating, feeling my blood boil. "Yes, more thananything in the world." He nodded before turning to Kenji. "And you? What do you want?" he asked him, and Kenji stared at him for a moment before his gaze slid over to me. "I want to become strong. Strong enough to protect her," he said, his gaze diving into mine as my lips trembled. My eyes slid over his scar as the memory of his scream still echoed in my head. I shook my head gently. "No, you... I don't want you to suffer because of me anymore..." he took a step toward me and grabbed my shoulders. "All I wanted when they brought me back to this institute was to die, Sienna. Until I saw you crying in that bathroom, until you asked me my name," he said, his gaze locked with mine. "I felt like I was looking in a mirror, Sienna, but with one difference: the determination shining in your eyes to save your sister," he whispered, and I felt my heart break. "It reminded me of who I was, what I was," he said, his eyes shining. "But these last two months have been hell, you understand? Seeing you like this, a shadow of your former self, like a dead person carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders," he shook his head, closing his eyes. "No, I can't. I am your Shadow, Sienna, I am," he whispered, pressing his forehead against mine. "I will always be your Shadow," he suddenly murmured. A promise.
"Well then, I would be honored to help you achieve your goals," Ganesh suddenly interrupted, placing each of his hands on our shoulders, his cane leaning against the wall. "You will be my own goal in life, otherwise I'm afraid this old fox won't go far," he said, shaking his head. "So, do you accept?" Kenji looked at me, waiting for my answer. He would follow me no matter what I chose. I turned to Ganesh, looking for any sign to refuse. Why should I trust him? He was just another man. All the men I had met so far, except Kenji, had hurt me, they had betrayed me, so why should I trust him? What if it was a trap set by the Master? What if it was all a game? It wasn't, I could feel it deep down inside. He had the same look as my father, he had the samewarmth, so I nodded. I wanted to trust him, I wanted help, I wanted help for my sister. Ganesh smiled.
Two months later
"Don't forget to tighten your abs when you stand up," Kamal said as I finished my series on my yoga mat. "That hurts like hell!" I groaned, which made him laugh. Kamal was charming but above all kind. He was one of Ganesh's close guards and often helped me with my training. It had been two months since we met Ganesh, and our whole lives had changed. Ganesh led the Master on, asking that I serve him at his home rather than at the club, and he took Kenji and me to a remote hangar where he had specially moved in for us. There was a gym, a computer room, a classroom, and he trained us with the best tutors, with his own men, giving us everything we needed. He tried to get us out of the club at least once a week, and sometimes he would come for the whole weekend, as was the case today. "Focus, damn it!" Ashwin suddenly shouted from the ring where he was training Kenji. "I told you to keep your right elbow up. Is that how you think you're going to protect her? You can't even defend yourself! We may have to replace you!" He continued to yell, pushing my friend, who said nothing and let him do it. I felt anger rising and stood up to stop him, but Kamal held me back with his hand around my arm, "no, don't get involved," he said, but I shook my head. "I'm not going to let him talk like that..." "Then you'll take away the only thing that keeps him going?" Kamal asked me suddenly, staring into my eyes and freezing me in place. "What?" I asked, confused. Kamal sighed and pulled me toward the bench, where he threw my towel at me as Ashwin and Kenji started trading blows again.
“The system this Master has put in place with the Stars and the Shadows is completely twisted. He made you believe thatthe Shadows’ purpose is to protect the Stars, but the training he gives them is minimal,” he began to explain. “When faced with real danger, the Shadows are incapable of defending you. Master’s true goal is to establish psychological manipulation over the Stars by using their Shadows. At the slightest mistake on your part, it is your Shadows who are punished. They are your leashes, which he pulls however he wants in order to subdue you,” he continued, handing me my bottle of water. “But Kenji does not want to be your leash, Sienna. He wants to become your friend, your confidant, your protector. He has decided what a real Shadow should be, and he is working to become one. But it is not an easy path he has chosen. He will fall more than once, and protecting him is not how you will help him,” he finished with a sigh, his gaze meeting mine again before he suddenly froze. He stood up so abruptly that the bench overturned with a loud crash. “Sienna? Wait, wait… why are you crying? I… I’m sorry, don’t cry,” he began to panic, not knowing what to do, as footsteps quickly approached behind me. “Enna?” Kenji breathed, turning me toward him, and my eyes met his worried gaze. “What’s wrong? Did you get hurt?” he continued, but I shook my head and buried my face against his damp T-shirt, soaking it even more. I hated being seen crying. Suddenly, the towel around my neck was pulled over my head as he wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “I don’t deserve you,” I sobbed, “I’m such a troublemaker, the worst things always happen to me and will probably keep happening. And you’re going to suffer because of me…” “No. You are the best thing that has happened to me in years. You are one of the rare things I will never regret in my life. I would carry hundreds of scars like this one for you, Sienna,” he cut me off, his arm tightening around my shoulders, and I began to sob even harder. “Idiot,” I sobbed, wiping my face against his T-shirt, “I care about you, but wipe your snot andpull yourself together before Kamal has a stroke,” he said, which made me let out a small laugh.
“What is going on here?” Ganesh’s voice suddenly echoed through the warehouse, making all of us jump. I stepped back and used my towel to wipe my face as the men moved away to join Ganesh, while light, quick footsteps approached me. “Sienna?” a small voice asked. I removed the towel and looked at the girl standing in front of me. She was only two years younger than me, yet I felt as though she was just a child compared to me. As if I were already thirty, as if I had lived through decades. But I was no longer a child, was I? Life had forced me to grow up. “Anjali,” I breathed, caressing her chubby cheek. I had had the same cheeks a year ago, the same innocence, the same purity. The thought turned my stomach, and I quickly withdrew my hand. I shouldn’t touch her. I was dirty. But my heart tightened when she suddenly threw herself into my arms, hugging me tightly. “Why did you cry, Sienna?Mama(uncle) Sienna is crying!” she called out to Ganesh, pulling me along with her. He gave me a worried look, but I smiled at him and shook my head. “Who made you cry,Chhori? Which one of these idiots?” he asked, striking the floor with his cane, putting on a fake angry expression. “Kamal,” Ashwin and Kenji answered in unison, and Kamal froze, staring at them in disbelief. “Stop it, idiots. Kamal is the nicest of you all,” I quickly defended him, rubbing his arm as he shot a dark look at the other two.
“Look, Sienna, I cooked this,” Anjali called out to me again from the table we used to eat at. I quickly joined her as she lifted the lid of the Tupperware. A delicious smell immediately filled the room as steam rose. There was rice and what looked like chicken in sauce. “It’s chicken tikka masala with basmati rice. I made it for you,” she said, bouncing in place, as I felt the three gorillas approaching behind me. Men and food were truly a fascinating thing to watch, sex and food. I had to admit that the rumorsabout them remaining in a primitive state were probably well-founded.
“Thank you, Anji, I’m sure it’s delicious,” I thanked her with a smile, which made her bounce even more. “But I doubt it will be enough for all of us,” I muttered as the boys cast hungry looks at the poor little Tupperware. “Let’s leave my niece and Sienna alone, shall we? Your food is in the trunk, you bunch of idiots,” Ganesh scolded them, chasing them away with his cane. They disappeared very quickly, which made me laugh. “Beti, would you mind setting the table while I talk to Sienna for a moment?” he continued. Anjali obeyed, heading toward the small kitchenette, while I followed her uncle toward the desk at the back of the room.
“Here,” he said, handing me the cardboard folder. I opened it, inside were details of Ganesh’s latest weapons transactions, quantities, prices, locations. “This information is far too important for me to give to the Master,” I replied, throwing him a worried look, but he simply shook his head. “If the Master allows Kenji and you to leave the club, it’s because you give him good and important information about me,” he answered, pushing the folder back when I tried to return it. “And besides, he won’t do anything with this information. He just wants to keep an eye on my activities. Don’t worry” I eventually sighed and accepted the folder. He was right, the only reason the Master allowed us to come here was to obtain information on the Indian mafia. A scheme he had set up with Ganesh’s brother in order to get rid of him and put his brother in his place. Something that would never happen. We were watching his brother’s every move, and at the slightest suspicious gesture, it would be over for him.
“I’m still in favor of warning the Ivanovs,” he suddenly said, sitting against the desk, his eyes fixed on his niece as she ran back and forth between the table and the kitchenette.
The Ivanovs were the family who ruled the Bratva, the Russian mafia. And the Master, whose real name was Vassili Kosnetzov, was also part of the Bratva. But he had used his power to create something rotten, something that would destroy him if the Ivanovs ever found out.
I shook my head. We couldn’t warn them. Not yet. I had to find Valentina first. I had promised her. I had promised myself.
