Hoyt Volker slammed his hand into the table, releasing an exasperated sigh. One of the captured females in his latest batch of prisoners was pregnant and he had no idea what to do. There was no way he'd be able to sell a pregnant slave, nor one with a newborn baby. He had considered just killing her and the unborn child, but what a waste that would be! She also required more resources than the rest of the prisoners and while it didn't really bother Hoyt with his vast empire, he disliked using more than necessary.

Hoyt pressed a button on his intercom, "Send in the pregnant prisoner."

The guard on the other end complied and two minutes later the woman was standing in front of him, terrified out of her mind.

"Leave us," Hoyt said to the guard.

The man nodded and left.

"I hope you know how much trouble you're causing me. I can't sell you and killing you is a waste."

The woman dropped to her knees, "Then please let me go. I just want to go home and look after my baby. Please, I'm begging you."

Hoyt laughed, "No, I think I'd rather kill you. So tell me, how many months am I required to feed you?"

"T-two months," the woman answered.

Hoyt leant back against his chair, two months wasn't very long, he could afford that. And an idea had begun to form in his mind. Once she gave birth he could either find a buyer or kill her. This did, of course, leave the child, but it solved a future problem that he had only just realised. He found it unlikely that he would ever settle down and have a child of his own. If he took this woman's and raised it, he could have an heir to his vast empire that was fully trained in both killing and diplomacy. He would create this child to be utterly perfect.

A risky, but invaluable investment.

2 months later.

"Hoyt, the woman gave birth to a healthy baby girl."

"And what of the woman?"

"The birth was difficult and there were… complications. She died, sir."

"Ah no matter. She wouldn't have sold for a very high price anyway. Bring the baby to me."

While he awaited the doctor, Hoyt tried to think of a name. These past two months he'd almost forgotten about the pregnant woman and now he had a child on his hands. After much consideration he finally knew what to call her, Adriana.

In time, Hoyt discovered it was actually very annoying that the woman had died. He could have allowed the woman to raise and nurse the child herself, meaning he wouldn't have to pay someone to do it. He had briefly considered enslaving someone to do it, but he needed a professional who actually cared about the welfare of the girl.

Adriana was given everything she ever wanted on two conditions, she always did what Hoyt said and she always came at the top of each of her classes. He did help her achieve top marks, sending her to the best school in the world and hiring tutors for any subjects she struggled with. She did board at the school, but always came home for the holidays. However, even on the island her time was taken up with constant study. Martial arts and weapons training ranging from guns to swords and knives. From a young age he forced her to observe torture sessions. At first she turned away, bursting into tears in abject horror, but after time she slowly grew accustomed to watching and though she never enjoyed it, she did become apathetic to the process. One unexpected symptom of watching the sessions was that it sparked a rather morbid obsession with human anatomy in Adriana. She began to carry around a small notebook with her everywhere she went. Curious, Hoyt ordered her to show it to him. In it were detailed drawings of anatomically correct humans, with neat notes labelling each diagram. She had drawn them for men and women, children and babies too. The notebook also contained animals, mostly the ones found on the island. The notes contained exactly how many newtons of force it would take to fracture each bone in the human body, where best to hit a person to incapacitate and even kill them. The notebook wasn't finished either, there were half drawn sketches and notes that trailed off into nothing.

Most parents would be disturbed by the contents of her notebook, but it made Hoyt smile.

Despite all this one should not be deceived by the exuberant amount of money spent on her; Hoyt Volker did not see Adriana as his daughter. He cared for her only in so far as she was useful to him. To Hoyt, Adriana was a resource. She was a valuable one, but a resource nonetheless and for all her knowledge on maths, science, languages and literature, she did not realise this. She saw Hoyt as her father and treated him as such. Another thing Hoyt thoroughly enjoyed.

18 years later.

Adriana gracefully stepped out of the private jet. She had long ago swapped her private school uniform for a pair of denim shorts, a dark green tube top and hiking boots. Her glossy black hair - usually in an elegant bun - was carefully plaited in a long braid. She stood at the foot of the plane waiting for her escort to arrive and take her to her father's compound. After months of study she'd finally finished and aced her final examinations. Not only had she completed school, she had topped all of her classes. Hoyt would be proud.

A few minutes later her escort arrived and a man with a Mohawk jumped out the car.

"I have been sent by Hoyt to pick up a Adriana, that's you, no?" He had a Spanish accent.

"Do you see anyone else around?" Adriana asked.

The man laughed, "I like you."

Adriana ignored him and opened the passenger door, "Get my bags, please."

The man nodded at the two soldiers in the back of the car and they got out to retrieve the bags. Once everyone was once again seated, the man started the car and began driving back to the compound. It bothered Adriana that she did not know who the man was. She knew every soldier on Hoyt's island and he wasn't one of them. It clearly indicated that he was new, but the soldiers Hoyt usually hired were Russian or American. Not Spanish. However, the soldiers in the back followed his orders so he was clearly in control and for some reason it bothered Adriana.

"You're new, yeah? Who are you?" She asked casually.

The man glanced at her, "I am Vaas, Hoyt Volker's second-in-command."

Adriana narrowed her eyes, but didn't correct him. She was Hoyt's second-in-command and heir to his empire. What bullshit was this Vaas spewing?

"So, who are you, hm? I haven't seen you around before and then Hoyt randomly orders me to pick you up instead of some regular fucking grunt."

"Hoyt Volker is my father."

"Oh, I assumed you were a prostitute."

Adriana balled her hands up into fists; her mouth was a thin line. She felt a strong urge to hit Vaas, but the cliff they were speeding along was just a tad too precarious for her to risk it. Vaas noticed her reaction and laughed, making her skin crawl.

They spent the rest of the trip in silence. Adriana was itching to get out and have a shower to cleanse herself of Vaas' presence. However, she had some business to settle with Hoyt first.

Normally when Adriana arrived Hoyt waited for her in his office. This time was different. He was still waiting in the compound, but outdoors close to where the vehicles were parked. As usual he was dressed in a black and red suit despite the tropical heat and was flanked by two heavily armed bodyguards.

"Ah Adriana, how lovely it is to see you. I trust you've become acquainted with Vaas?"

A little too acquainted if you asked her, "Yes, Hoyt. It does bring up some-"

"Not now, I need you for something. Vaas you come too."

It was unlike Hoyt to cut her off like that, especially in front of his men. He'd spent years building up their respect for her, what had changed? Somehow she figured it was related to Vaas. Regardless, she still did what she was told and followed him without complaint.

Once they reached his office Hoyt dismissed the two bodyguards following him and opened his door, motioning for the other two to step inside. Adriana went through first brushing past Vaas in a hurry, she heard him chuckle quietly to himself and she shuddered. He still rubbed her the wrong way. Hoyt closed the door and turned to them.

"Now you two, have a seat," he clapped his hands together, "We have lots of plans to discuss."

Vaas sat down, swinging his legs over the arm of the chair. Adriana remained standing, arms crossed and trying to keep her distance from the pirate.

Hoyt ignored her choice; "Vaas is now in charge of Rook Island and the pirates there. He will keep them in order and oversee the growth and production of my products. We will also be further establishing our slave prison there. Adriana, you will you find buyers for my products, get contracts signed, use the diplomatic skills you've been trained for, god knows I've spent enough money. And if ever someone needs taking out, that's your job too."

Adriana held back a sigh of relief. Vaas wasn't actually second-in-command; he just handled the unpleasant side of business. Plus if she was finding buyers and creating contracts that meant she could keep away from the Rook Island and away from Vaas. She wouldn't have to deal with him much longer.

"Any questions?" Hoyt asked, bringing Adriana back to the present.

"No boss, I think I've got it."

"Excellent! Adriana?"

"I'd rather ask my questions," she paused to look at Vaas, "In private."

Hoyt nodded at Vaas and he jumped up, "Don't worry amiga," he paused at the door, "I'll find out your dirty little secrets too."

Once he left Adriana turned to Hoyt.

"I'd like some clarification on Vaas. Firstly, what exactly is his position? He claimed he was your second-in-command."

"Aha, I never thought you'd be the jealous type, girl. You can relax, he's only in charge on Rook Island and yes you outrank him. Don't expect him to listen to your orders, though, I suspect he'll only answer to me."

She frowned, if Vaas wouldn't listen to her then she was hardly second-in-command, not that Hoyt seemed to care.

"Secondly, why him? He's unprofessional and immature," Probably crazy too, she thought.

"For several reasons. Vaas is unpredictable, but efficient. In all my years spent in this business, I've never met anyone like him. He used to be Rakyat, so he knows the Island and it's inhabitants well. His sister is Citra; you know the annoying bitch that's fought me every step of the way. He's also addicted to some of my product, which will keep him loyal."

Finally she could see the logic behind his decision. She still didn't like it, but it made sense.

"Very well, Hoyt. Just as long as I don't have to work with him."

"Actually, I'm sending you with him to the Island."

Adriana struggled to keep her face calm and composed as she felt the panic rise up inside her, "What?"

"You heard me, girl. Last time I checked you had ears."

"Why? I thought you wanted me establishing contracts and buyers or assassinating people?"

"Yes, and you will have to travel from time to time, but the Island is the location of my products. It's easier to assess the slaves and send ransom videos – which Vaas will be making, by the way – you are where the action is."

Adriana sighed, "I suppose I have little choice in the matter. Very well, I will take a boat to the Island."

"Vaas will be leaving soon, it'd be easier to catch a ride back with him."

She nodded, not relishing the thought.

Adriana wracked her brain to see what she could have done to possibly deserve this, but found nothing. She always did exactly what she was asked and more. Perhaps this was another lesson? She knew that this business was filled with unpleasant people that she would have to work with. Maybe that was Hoyt's angle in forcing her to work with Vaas? Once she came to this conclusion, she smiled. It was going to suck, but she loved to please her father. This was just another challenge.