As I have said in all chapters before all characters, settings and parts of the plot belong to Ally Carter and the rest of her team.I'll be responding to some of your comments on the last chapter.

Guest: I know Alexei is a sweet guy, but they all have dark sides. Possibly in the next chapter or two we will see things from his perspective, and get to know more about the system within the group.

A New Look: I'm glad that you loved the last chapter. And I will say how involved he is will make you surprised so don't go jumping to conclusions lol.

smartiegirl800: Thanks for the support, and I actually had trouble with trying to make both seem very mature. Because I'm use to 16yo Grace lol. I tried to make it tense because they haven't spoke in five years.

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Do I Trust?

Grace POV

" Well Noah Estaban who can't tell me how he got here, and wants be my friend...can I trust you?" I said pointingly. I probably look like a sleep deprived monster, ready to kill if I can't sleep. Even though I am probably there in my opinion. All this guy does is ease his hand from my grip and rubs it. He looks around in my a little before looking at me again.

" Let's get out of here." How did he say that so casually? Has he done this before? Why do I care?

" Ummm are you forgetting about the rules that are in place now?" He looked at me like I was the world's hardest puzzle, and then starts to laugh.

" Ohh those stupid rules, yeah they forgot to mention the pass you get if you are breaking them for the first time. Even though I am technically breaking it like the 100 th time." Free pass if it's your first time breaking them? What makes this guy so special?

" How are you able to get away with it?"

" As I said I have my ways, more like a close friend that is apart of this group. I just say this, he is pretty high in the ranks."

" Where are you going to take me?" I cross my arms over my chest. To be honest I actually really want to go to bed, but Noah has me intrigued with how he can get away with stuff. He seemed like he has done this way more than just a couple times. Possibly where we go can tell me who is allowing it, and see how Alexei is apart of this. If you looked and talked to him you would never know he was apart of it until you saw the tattoo on his neck. Why was it lighter than the one on his father? I'm pulled out of my thoughts when a duffel bag was held in front of my face.

" Here put this on."

" That is a duffel bag, I can't really do that." His eyes widen when he figures out what I said. Noah threw the bag aside and grabbed the sweater and black skinny jeans underneath. I grab them and look at him pointingly, are you going to turn around? I thought. He just stood there for a couple more seconds until the realization crossed his face.

" Ohhh...you need me to turn around, yeah that is what you need I'll turn around now." It took him a couple seconds to turn around, but he did. I tap his shoulder to signal that I was finished. He turned around and looked at me from head to foot, like he was sizing me up. He took out a marker and pointed at my hand. I looked at him confused.

" Since you are coming tonight, I need to mark on your hand. All I'm going to do is draw a symbol that no one really knows about. The reason is because no one is ever really granted protection of a higher rank in this group."

" So there is different symbols for different ranks? What is this group anyway? And tell me who is allowing you to do this." The words spill from my mouth without me really knowing it. Noah took that moment to grab my hand and start to draw. He had already drawn what looked to be a shield when he finally spoke.

" Well for starters yeah there is different symbols because higher up the person the more protection their symbol has. Secondly, I shouldn't be telling you but, basically this group is a mafia that basically has control over everything in Adria at the moment. Even though they have all the control there are still people that are against it, so they like to cause trouble. As for the who is allowing this, I can't really answer it, because I'm pretty sure he doesn't want you to dislike him."

He finished the drawing as he finished his sentence. I looked at the drawing it definitely was a shield and the person was clearly represented. The shield was divided into four sections and the first and fourth sections had letters. A in the first section and V in the fourth. I only knew one person in this city with those initials, Alexei Volkov so I definitely was not seeing things. He really was in the mafia, like I wasn't seeing things. I became a little uncomfortable when the realization hit. Why and How is he in that type of a crowd? I have known him for basically all my life, he never seemed like that type of a person. Yeah sure, he could come off intimidating at first, but he changed to the opposite as time went on. He always was nice or tried to be, when I was being his friends annoying kid sister. To me he could hurt someone, but I would never see it happening over like a bad deal or a deal gone wrong. I wouldn't see it over money, or anything materialistic.

" Grace... you okay?" Noah was slightly leaning down to look into my eyes, smiling. He had put the marker back in he pocket, and was lightly holding my wrist. Is he apart of this? Without thinking I move my head to both sides of his neck. I ddon't see any symbol like the one on Alexei's father, or Alexei himself. The bad thing is, Noah probably thought that I knew a fair amount of people not to be able to pinpoint Alexei.

" Noah...two questions. First, you do realize that I barely know anyone here. Even though I always came here every summer from birth upto five years ago, right? Secondly, how far up the ranks is Alexei actually?" His smile vanished and turned into a gasp. His eyes widen considerably at the words. Yeah, he definitely thought I knew a lot of people.

" I am so screwed, I thought you knew a good amount of people. Alexei is going to kill me. Well I'm a goner so I might as well tell you. Alexei doesn't even know how far up he is, all he knows is that that he is pretty far for just starting. He allows my sister to hold fairly small parties on the cliffs. Just tonight I called him to get you approved to come with, he sounded hesitant so I knew he didn't want you to know. Alexei might even show up , he apparently had a meeting super late."

" How do you know about him being in it?"

" So when my parents moved here, this was a new big place. One evening I was trying to hurry to at least reach the Brazilian embassy, before it got too dark. I was aware of the rules, that was why I was hurrying. But before I could reach it some guys, two of them pulled me into the alley. They started to try and convince me into joining the anti mafia group. Before stuff got out of hand, Alexei and a couple other guys showed up. They ended up scaring off the guys. Alexei was the one who asked if I was okay. He said that they were on their way to something but they could give me a ride to my embassy. Alexei gave me his number and told me text if I was ever in need of assistance again. After that we became pretty close, or as close as a mafia member can get to someone."

"That's all those guys did, try and talk you into joining a group? Sorry Noah but I don't really believe that."

" Okay, maybe they did get a couple hits in before Alexei showed up. My ribs hurt for a couple days, but nothing much." He had a look on his face that it still hurt mentally. An awkward silence came between us until he spoke up.

" Maybe we should get going, before Lila gets mad that I'm not there. Even though the only reason I go is incase they need documentation for our ability to be there."

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It took a little while to even get down stairs, before we got out to the main gate of the embassy. To my surprise Noah just walked up the the guard, and shakes the man's hand. If we are sneaking should we not be shaking hand with someone. They were talking in low voices until I was right beside Noah.

" Well Martin look who I got to come with me. When you said I wasn't going be able to. It may have taken a lot of explaining and convincing but we here." The guard looked over at me, and laughed a little.

" Where are you taken her, Mr. Estaban you might want to be careful with the new rules."

" Ohh don't worry she has Alexei's symbol on her, I doubt anyone will try anything."

"Well she doesn't need just the symbol now." Martin nodded his head, behind us. Noah was the first to look back, and judging by his face someone was there. I turn around, the first thing I notice outside of the gates was the unmistakable blue eyes. He does look intimidating and scary in only the street light. Enough to convince me he really isn't the russian boy that I knew, he is a man that could kill and not question himself. Noah elbowed me in the side a little to bring me out of my thoughts. By the look on his face told me no one has said anything. So I take it into my own hands and step closer, then say...

" Hello Alexei." That brought a small smirk to his face.

" Hello Gracie."

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Well that is chapter three to be honest, never thought Alexei was going to be at the gate by the end...but the story goes where it want to go. This might be the chapter that I just don't like for some reason. Like I wrote so many versions and never found something that completely satisfied me. But on the plus side I had Noah go against Alexei's word of "don't tell Grace about me". She found out herself in the end, so stay tuned for the next chapter that will probably be up in the next 2 weeks...I promise fr. Love you all stay safe.