283 Hunter and the Russo family 4

After lunch, Keith announced that the next test will be at three o'clock in the afternoon, without disclosing what the test will be.

"Why can't you tell us?" Mia asked suspiciously when Keith refused to give more information.

"This is fine." Hunter responded instead of Keith. "If we know what it is, he might say that you provided guidance or that I practiced, and that will give him an excuse to diminish my victory. I will win, no matter what he comes up with."

Keith gritted his teeth angrily at the sight of Mia and Hunter who walked out of the dining room while holding hands.

Since they had more than two hours to spare, Mia took Hunter for a tour of the mansion.

Along the hallways and various spaces in the mansion, they met numerous maids and other staff, including members of the security. They were all extremely polite in greeting them.

"Do all of them work for your dad?" Hunter asked Mia.

Mia understood that Hunter is asking if they belong to the organization. "Yes. The regular gardener would not survive here for long. They are all trained to detect intruders and to eliminate them. In order to keep everyone vigilant, there are occasional internal competitions. Based on the outcome, the hierarchy is established."

Hunter remembered the butler, Leo. Everyone from the staff is super-polite to him. Hunter thought how that is because Leo is the main staffer in the mansion, but now he believes that the old man must have some crazy ninja skills. 

They didn't go to the basement, but Mia told Hunter how that is the place where they are developing new weapons and techniques. That area is only for the members of the organization.

"After our wedding, if you don't want to be part of this world, you will not get access there. It is for your safety not to know what is going on in there."

Hunter was curious about Mia's choice of words. It is obvious that she knows what is there, and she is talking only about his protection. So far, Hunter's impression was that Mia distanced herself from this place because she does not have anything to do with it, and she wants a regular life. However, after this little speech, Hunter must ask... "Do you want to be part of this world?"

Mia had a troubled expression which showed that she is conflicted. "When I was young, I did what I was told, without questioning anyone. I wanted to please my father and my mother. I wanted them to be proud of me. And then my mother died… My father never told me everything, but he said how it was his fault because he didn't manage to protect her. I was about fifteen years old when I found out that I have a half-brother who is seven years old. It took me some time to realize that my mother passed when I was ten, and that my half-brother was two when that happened so… my father cheated on my mom at least three years before she died. I was angry at everyone and everything. I lost my mother and the image of a doting father crumbled. I accepted that I am all alone and that there is no one to support me. No matter what my father wanted me to do, I did the opposite. I was so rebellious that my father sent me to a summer camp with regular kids, hoping that I will reset somehow. That is where I met Liz and Bri, and slowly we grew closer. The two of them became a replacement for my real family."

Hunter was amused that Mia put Liz and Bri into a bucket of 'regular kids'. Mia is special.

He waited for Mia to continue, but she just stood in silence.

"You didn't answer my question. Based on the situation, I can guess that Fabricio is hoping that you will take his spot. Do you want that?"

Mia looked at Hunter and smiled. "I know that I want to be with you. Everything else is secondary."

Hunter returned her smile. "I hope that you also know that whatever you want to do, I will support you. But if you become the next Boss here, I have two demands. One is that you must send Keith to a permanent mission far away. I will not stand him breathing down your neck."

"What is the second demand?"

"Whatever you decide, I want to be by your side. Don't shut me out, Mia. I can support you only if I know what you got yourself into."

Mia's smile widened. "I will keep that in mind. Let's proceed with the more interesting part of the tour…"

Mia touched a statue in the hallway and the wall moved, revealing an entrance to a dark hallway. "Come, it closes automatically in five seconds…"

Hunter enjoyed exploring the secret passages in the mansion. It made him feel like he is Indiana Jones. The only things missing were a whip and a hat.

A few minutes before three o'clock, Mia got a text message to come with Hunter to one of the training areas in the back.

Mia frowned.

"Another shooting?" Hunter asked cheerfully while observing Mia's expression. He can see that she is not pleased, so Hunter goofed around with a goal to improve the mood. "No, it can't be shooting. Keith would not repeat the same mistake. Keith said that he will not make me fight humans, so… let me guess… Swimming in a moat with crocodiles? Transferring tarantulas from one container to another with my bare hands? Wrestling rabid wolves with my feet tied together?"

Mia rolled her eyes. "Stop it!"

"Well, you are not saying anything so I'm free to bring my guesses out in the open."

"It's an escape room."

Hunter's expression lit up. "I've been into a few of those."

Mia walked down the hallway while explaining: "Not like this. You can really get hurt. There are traps that can cripple you if you are not careful. Usually, we train recruits to overcome individual challenges from that room over a long time, and only when they master all the obstacles, then we let them inside while timing them."

Hunter stopped moving and held Mia's shoulders, forcing her to look at him. "I know what an escape room is. And I had plenty of training with your traps. Don't tell me that now you are doubting my capabilities."

"I am not doubting you, but…"

"No buts." Hunter interrupted Mia. "I told you that I will come here with you and do my best to prove to your father that you choosing me was not a mistake. Rubbing it in Keith's face when I'm better than him in the game he selected, is a bonus. Trust in me. You are allowed to worry, but don't come asking for a lower level challenge. I was born for this."

"You were born for deadly escape rooms?" Mia asked sarcastically.

Hunter chuckled and cupped her cheeks in his palms. "No, silly. I was born to be with you."

Mia looked at Hunter and her heart melted. "I love you."

Hunter leaned lower and pecked her lips. "I know. And I love you too. Now let's go before Keith starts saying that I chickened out."

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