CHAPTER 17 Joy's Initiation ceremony

*Cristos*

My aching head. Too much tequila. I opened my eyes and found Joy wiping my face with a cold cloth.

"I need to go to the bathroom," I mumbled. I got up and walked quickly to my bedroom.

I threw up. After letting out all the alcohol from my stomach, I brushed my teeth and took a quick shower. I felt much better after. I put on some clean boxers, planning to go back to sleep.

I was surprised to find Joy sitting on my bed, waiting for me. She pointed to the glass of water and aspirin on my nightstand.

"I just got Xavier into bed. Sebastian said we should take care of the both of you, but he's snoring," she said while I took the medicine. I felt self-conscious standing in front of her clad only in my boxers.

"It's still dark out. Why don't you stay with me?" I asked, patting a pillow. She lifted her feet and laid down. She patted the other pillow next to her, telling me to lay down next to her.

Once in bed, she snuggled close to me. I could smell the floral scent of her shampoo. She placed a hand on my chest which made me tremble. I quickly pulled up the sheets, trying to cover my body. I was only human and the girl next to me wasn't just hot, but someone I adored. I didn't want to hurt her.

She needed her sleep anyway. I moved my head to kiss her good night.

Unfortunately, all my chivalrousness flew out the window once my lips tasted hers. It has been quite some time since the last time I had sex, my body and mind was waging war against each other.

Joy sat up on the bed and took off her shirt. I gasped while I stared at her naked body. Apparently, she wasn't wearing anything underneath.

She straddled me, kissing my lips, moving downward to my nipples, down my stomach, making her way to my boxers. I was already hard and my dick was throbbing for release.

She pulled down my boxers and took my penis in her mouth. She licked and sucked, bobbing her head up and down. I couldn't stand it. Anymore of her mouth and I would come.

I reached down and pulled her up, quickly maneuvering my dick inside of her. I groaned, thinking of other things so I wouldn't come so fast.

She began to move while watching herself move up and down my shaft. She suddenly pushed up, flipping her hair in the air while cradling her breasts in each hand. Oh, gosh she was so hot and her pussy was so warm inside.

She moved up and down, faster and faster, against my cock, dripping with her juices. I propped myself against my pillow and reached down to stroke her clit.

"Oh yes, Cristos! I'm going to come," she said.

I sat up and grabbed her hips, pumping harder. She quickly held on to me as we both found our release.

She collapsed on top of me, panting and sweaty, with my dick still inside her. I stroked her back until her breathing slowed.

She rolled to her side, covering herself with the bedsheet. I couldn't move. I just kept staring at the wall, blissfully happy.

"Love you," she said sleepily.

"Love you more," I replied.

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*Joy*

After that one unforgettable night, I returned to my normal life.

Now Xavier and I were driving to a mansion in Beverly Hills for my initiation ceremony. I was nervous and excited at the same time.

I was wearing a white strapless gown while a black ceremonial robe sat on my lap. Xavier was wearing a tuxedo and looked proud aside from handsome.

Aside from being a college graduate, I would now become part of the Blood Disciples, something I never thought would happen....

Our junior year went by as quickly as our freshmen and sophomore year.

Xavier and I would train after class or during our free time. He taught me self-defense, mixed martial arts and weaponry.

Cristos was my work-out and shopping partner. We would jog together, hike together, work out at the gym together. Aside from that, he was also my nutritionist. I really hated taking those protein shakes, but he would scold me every time he caught me dumping the contents of my glass in the sink.

Since Sebastian needed an assistant to keep track of all his cargo arriving at the ports, he employed me to help him. Once word reached the bosses, I was tagged as an associate... I was doing work for the family, but really not part of the family. I had accepted my fate, believing I couldn't do more to elevate my status within the organization.

For our senior year, I continued helping Sebastian. We became a team on the docks and since it was a job, I was earning money.

We were nearing graduation when one night, while Sebastian and I were manning the docks and overseeing the unloading of cargo, a capo from one of the mafia families under the Blood Disciples unexpectedly paid Sebastian a visit.

While they were talking to each other, I noticed a hooded man, who was covered from head to toe in tattoos, sneaking behind Sebastion.

Since Xavier trained me in using knives and daggers, Cristos gifted me with a hair comb accessory with a sharp needlelike blade in the middle. I would usually wear it when I was working with Sebastian since Xavier warned me to be vigilant at all times, especially at the docks.

I took the hair comb, inserting the blade in between my balled up fingers and stealthily ran behind the tattooed gang man and quickly inserted the blade into the back of his head, like a pithing needle. He collapsed loudly on the ground behind Sebastian alerting the capo who was speaking to him. Before the capo could grab his gun from under his jacket, I threw my hair accessory at his chest, stabbing him, giving Sebastian enough time to shoot him in between the eyes.

After taking pictures and alerting the organization of the rogue family, Sebastian and his crew threw the men in the sea. While they were doing that, Capo De Luca took off his coat, wrapped me in it and had me sit in his car. I was shaking and scared. I had just killed someone.

"You okay, Joy?" Capo De Luca asked me tenderly. I shook my head. I couldn't get myself to open my mouth and speak.

"You did the family a great service. The three bosses will be forever in your debt," he said, taking a bar of chocolate from his coat. "Here, have some. You'll feel better." I took the bar of chocolate and bit into it. He was right... It did make me feel better.

Sebastian left Capo De Luca to finish overseeing the unloading of the shipment and drove me to Cristos' bar. Xavier and Cristos were all smiles, proudly waiting for me at the door.

They took me by the arms and kissed me on both cheeks. When the bartender saw that, he made everyone raise their glasses to me.

"I owe you my life, Joy. Thank you," Sebastian said, taking my hand and kissing it. "The Blood Disciples owe you a debt." He then kissed me on both cheeks and the bartender again called for a toast.

Sebastians phone began to ring and he showed us who it was...it was his father. He answered it and smiled. "He wants to talk to you."

I took the phone and answered, "Hello, Mr. Domenico. I'm Joy Taylor."

"From now on, Joy, you can call me Papa. An initiation ceremony in your honor will be held after your graduation from university. Welcome to the family."

"Thank you, Papa," I said.

"You saved my boy, Joy. Anything for you."

And now here I was, about to pledge my life to the family.
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As we approached the private driveway, I could already see the multi-level residence ablaze with lights. Valet attendants in uniforms ushered in the numerous luxury vehicles, assisting the guests into the entrance of the mansion before parking the cars near the four door garage at the end of the sprawling property.

"Welcome to Cristos' house, Joy," Xavier said.

"This is Cristos' house?!" I exclaimed, marveling at the modern mansion. It was a work of art. "And what about you and Sebastian?"

"Nearby," he answered. "Actually, Cristos, Sebastian and I are going to move out of our parents' homes soon. We found a nice house in Calabasas and we thought all four of us could live together."

"I would like that," I replied, already imagining life together in one house. "New job, new house." I just accepted a job as a rookie sports agent which the three of them were against.

"You don't need a job, Joy. You have us," Xavier argued.

"I want to do this on my own, Xavier," I reasoned. "Anyway, since I'll be living with you, I'll be saving on rent."

"But you'll be bossed around and yelled at. With us, you're the boss," he said.

"Can't I at least try it out first? Once I start earning the big bucks, I can open an agency of my own. A legitimate business."

"How about we hand you the capital and you do it now?" He asked, stopping at the mansion's entrance. We got out and walked into the glass atrium entry.

"With no experience and clientele, it will be doomed. No, I'll work my way up. Meet the athletes, gain connections, establish a rapport. I need to make a name for myself."

We were ushered into the glass-walled ballroom where a stage and numerous tables were set up for guests. Xavier guided me to one of the tables near the stage, took the robe I had been carrying and placed it over my dress. A few of the guests who were already seated, pointed at me and clapped their hands.

One by one, the guests lined up and began kissing me on both cheeks. Apparently, I was the guest of honor and all of them wanted to pay their respects.

I didn't see Cristos or Sebastian until the initiation ritual began.

I was escorted by Xavier to a podium facing the stage before he put on his hooded robe and took his seat on stage. There sat in front of me the three bosses and three underbosses of the Blood Disciples.

Sebastian took a needle and pricked my finger. A drop of my blood was placed in a small crystal tube shaped pendant which was given to one of the bosses.

I took my oath in front of everyone, solidifying my position in the family. I was then asked to sign a contract by placing a thumbprint with my blood as ink.

"I am proud to introduce our new family member, soldier Joy Taylor, The Shadow," one of the bosses said. Judging by his blue eyes, I assumed it was Cristos' father.

The guests gave me a standing ovation as soon as the ceremony was over. The band began to play and the celebration commenced. It was like a wedding reception.

I met Cristos', Sebastian's and Xavier's parents. They treated me like their daughter, asking me to call them Mama and Papa.

While we were lounging around outside beside the massive pool, I asked them why was I given the nickname Shadow.

"Your shadow is the last anyone will see before they die," Sebastian answered.

It sounded terribly gruesome.

But I was already excited about life as "Shadow".

The only thing I didn't expect was that the accident would come so soon...