I climb out of Erik's new and improved, slick black car along with Mark and Justine.

"Have fun!" Erik waves from the driver's seat. "Look after yourselves! You call me if there's any trouble."

Justine rolls her eyes. "Erik, we're eighteen. We're like, proper adults now. We'll be totally fine."

I grin at him. The things he would say sometimes... he seemed more and more like a father to us each day.

It's been a year since the catastrophic events that lead to the underground explosion in Monterano. After returning to Australia, the authorities came to visit, questioning me about the unfortunate incident at school leading to Anita's death. Knowing it was due time that the police find me and had a chat, Erik had warned me on the plane ride back to be clueless about the whole situation. The less one knows the better. Ignorance is bliss after all, and some secrets are better left buried. I felt guilty for a long while after that, knowing that Anita's parents would have to live the rest of their lives not knowing why their daughter got assassinated or by whom. School was aggravating for the first few weeks of term four, as a lot of people would stop to stare at me, remembering all too well that the 'mysterious gunman' had called out my name in particular. I had to endure constant whispers and glances. Some were curious enough to ask me directly, to which I would simply shake my head claiming not to have a clue what that was all about and keeping my answers short and simple. Others that I once was acquainted with now avoided me, scared to be my friend in case of another attack, so basically my only two real friends were Justine and Mark, Justine glaring at anyone who she suspected was going to bother me whilst Mark quietly reassured me that in a few months' time, I'd be graduating anyway and I needn't worry. 

After taking out the 'boss' of the organisation, Erik had predicted that they would eventually fall apart, to which his theory was proven correct. None of us heard any news from the remaining assassins- or drug dealers. Wherever they were, Erik assumed they weren't in Australia anymore, or at the very least, not in Queensland. Once finding out that the head boss and captain were dead, we can only assume that they scattered, some staying in Italy, others running away to different countries with new identies. Unfortunately, with all the evidence destroyed from the explosion, we would never be able to bring any of them to justice, another thing I would just have to live with. 

About a month or two later, I was sick of grieving and decided to hold a funeral in an isolate place off the coast of Queensland, which also happened to be near where all of this started, that night my father and Erik had found the mysterious truck full of fake gold. It was a beautiful grassy area and we carved stone heads and engraved three names on three separate slabs of stone; one for Kol, one for Anita, and one for my mum. At first I was reluctant to make the third one, but I couldn't pretend like I didn't miss her, the mum I thought I knew that is. So I agreed on a funeral for Mum as well. She was my mother after all, we were related by blood, and there was no denying that. 

Finishing school was a relief. After graduating from year twelve I had decided to take a gap year, so that Justine, Mark and I could start our own little thieving and intelligence business. Erik had other missions he would usually work on, but when he had time, he would happily help us out. Erik had started as off by taking the three of us with him whenever he was called upon, slowly introducing us to more and more people that were either thieves and spies themselves, or knew of us and paid us to help them with certain tasks. Sometimes, if Erik was busy with another job, he would give it to us, which we gladly took, for it was an opportunity to prove ourselves. We stole things, we searched for vital information and we were making quite a living out of it. Gradually over the months, more people started to hear about the three of us, and they would find a way to contact either us or Erik. Our business was growing rapidly more successful by the month, and it was a good distraction when we needed it.

I lived in Erik's house with Mark for about the first month, my bullet-wounded arm in a cast, Justine and her parents visiting regularly. Luckily, no major damage was done to my arm, but I would need to wear it in a cast for a good couple of months, and Erik didn't think it would properly heal for another few months after taking it off. 

Now, a year later, my arm feels as good as knew, the physical pain practically forgotten, yet the emotional pain is still there sometimes, and it'll probably never leave, haunting me every now and again for the rest of my life. After all, deaths are never fun to watch, and watching your mental mother turn on you, learning she has been deceiving you your whole life, definitely isn't fun either. 

The first few months back in Australia, I had refused to step into my mum's house, desperate to forget my time with her. As the months continued to pass, I soon turned eighteen and I was no longer worried that the authorities might figure out that my mum was missing and come questioning me. After all, I was eighteen, I was an adult now, though at times I still feel like I had a long way to go. Nevertheless, as far as the law was concerned, I was old enough to make my own decisions now, and it wouldn't seem strange if I wasn't living with my mother, or if I didn't know the exact whereabouts of where she was. I eventually returned back to my mum's house, though I rarely stayed home as I constantly went out, training and practicing my thief and intelligence skills, which were improving greatly. 

Originally, I had doubts that I ever wanted to do something of the sort again. But as time went on, I knew that my father had raised me this way for a reason. I was meant to be a thief, a thief who helps people for the better, and I realised that I wanted that. I wanted to help people as much as I could, because I realised that I probably hated feeling useless more than I hated the darkness. Not only did I have the opportunity to be a thief, but I could be an intelligencer at the same time, as could Justine and Mark thanks to the help and training from Erik. Someone being both these things, and actually being good at them, I knew, was rare. 

I can't deny that, thinking back at what happened at Monterano, I don't feel guilty at all, I do; but I also know that it had probably changed me for the better. I have become stronger, independent... I knew that deep down, doing this job just feels right. I couldn't miss out on an opportunity like that. Plus, this is pretty much all I have going for me now.

"Wow, it's huge," Justine indicates towards the graciously big, white mansion before us. A green lawn stretches far before us, and it looked wide enough for it to be a football field. The grass is freshly cut and soft, the hedges surrounding the manor house are perfectly trimmed, and I count probably more than a dozen windows only on the front side of the manor.

"Like, wow are all mansions like this or just the ones in Paris?" Justine continues as we make our way onto the front steps.

I buzz the doorbell, eager and curious to have a look inside. Just then, Justine's phone beeps as she gets another notification for perhaps the thousandth time this day.

"Antonio again?" I smirk, and Justine grins sheepishly at me.

One thing Justine had failed to mention at the time was, when we were in Rome, just by going shopping, about a half a dozen guys had asked for her number. The first guy that had asked her that, Justine told me it took an embarrassingly long time for her to understand what he wanted, until finally, the boy managed to say "number?" in English. 

After about the second or third boy though, Justine said that she finally managed to understand that "numero" meant number, and assumed that the boy wanted her phone number. The final boy that had walked up to her however, was "one to die for" as quoted by Justine. After showing me a picture of him, I had to agree that he was quite gorgeous. He had a beautifully tanned and toned body. He looked about a year or two older and had stunning dark hair and "sexy hazel-green eyes" to put it in Justine's words. 

Since we're in Paris, which is quite close to Italy, Justine insists that after this mission, we go visit my Grandma Helen in Rome. I asked her if this had anything to do with seeing Antonio again, but Justine just scoffed, telling me that she was just suggesting that seeing my own grandmother was a good idea. 

To be completely honest, I'm kind of surprised that her relationship with Antonio had lasted so long. They had begun messaging and calling each other a little under a month back in Australia. Justine would sit there, with either a dictionary translation or her laptop with google translate open, ready to type up any words she didn't understand him speak. It wasn't a very tight relationship, more of a flirty one, but I'm already surprised that the whole 'long distant relationship' is actually working, so if Justine is happy then so am I. 

Being with Antonio sure had improved Justine's Italian anyhow, and luckily for her, she wasn't always having to translate, because Antonio did know some English. Not a whole lot, but it was evidently enough for the two of them to continue talking after so many months.

She reads his message, beaming, and begins to type a reply. Mark slides his hands around my waist, holding me.

Another thing that had happened throughout the past months was Mark and I drawing closer than ever to each other. For three months, dating anyone was the last thing on my mind, but as time drew on, I inevitably fell for Mark's sweetness and his good looks all over again.

I lean my head against his chest and Justine makes a face at us.

"You two are so adorable it makes me sick," she shakes her head at us.

"You're just jealous," Mark teases.

Justine quickly holds up a photo of Antonio, shirtless, on her phone.

"Jealous? Yeah... I don't think so. I think I'm good," she sighs delightfully.

I grin at Justine and the photo of Antonio and his six-pack, then glance at Mark. 

"Yeah, she's good," I admit, because damn is he fine. Mark doesn't seem bothered however, and simply shrugs in response.

Justine slides the phone back into her pocket just as the huge entrance doors of the mansion begin to open from the inside. Mark lets go of me and squeezes my hand instead. I smile back at him.

"What do you think our next mission is?" Mark whispers.

I shrug as the doors swing wide open. That is another thing I find that I liked about this little business we have going. It's spontaneous. We get called in, and find out what we need to do when we get there. I suppose it's what makes it that little bit more interesting.

A short, stout man is standing inside. His face resembles somewhat that of a pig, and his skin is a lovely olive tone. He's dressed in a casual business-like attire and has bright blue eyes that quickly scan us over, considering each of us with a look of scepticism.

He coughs, clearing his throat. "You are the ones that are to help me?" he asks with a strong French accent.

I nod. "That's us."

He looks us over once again. "Forgive me but... you look a little... young."

"So?" Justine says, full of pride. "We're the best of the best! I'd like to see you do any better!"

I cast Justine a warning glance as the man frowns at her.

"What Justine meant was, we may be young, Sir, but we can steal and extract information like no other person can, whatever the problem, we'll figure it out." I state professionally, but he continues to frown. Mark squeezes my hand again, and noticing the movement, the plump man smiles.

"Ahh, young love," he looks between Mark and I.

I blush, not expecting the comment and Mark raises his eyebrows at the man.

"Someone stole my precious painting that is worth millions," the little man says, suddenly serious. "I don't know who it was. They disabled my alarm system and security system. I was out for a business meeting and got back late one night and found it missing. I have a few suspicions on who it may be but I cannot go to police about this because..." he pauses, searching the area behind us as if to make sure no one was watching or listening in on us. "It is best we talk about details and your payment inside," he says in a hushed tone. "Someone told me that you're trainees of Erik Bristow. He is well known by people of the likes of me," he stops, staring at each of us in turn. "He is a good man, and good at his job. Are you?"

Mark smiles at the man. "Like Justine said, we're the best of the best."

The man nods. "Yes but are you up to it?"

"Well if we weren't, we wouldn't be wasting our time or yours by being here," I point out.

The short man gives a toothy grin. "Very well. Come on in then," he beckons us in and I share a smile with Justine and Mark, sensing a buzz of excitement in the air for our next mission as we step inside the elegant manor.

"Right then," the man clasps his hands together, smiling. "Let's get started."

The End! Fin! The finale, ladies and gentlemen.

This is gonna be kind of long but honestly, can't thank you all enough for reading this. Deception has gotten to more or less 5.5K reads overall, and I have all of you wonderful readers to thanks! <3

Special thanks to those who have been commenting and voting from the start. There are so many of you that I don't want to miss out anyone, but you all know who you are and I send you a million thank you hugs <33

BTW: I've just been nominated for "The Fiction Awards 2016". If you guys think this book deserves it, please head on over to that book and nominate!

@Frequently_uncommon - Extra special thanks to this lovely gal who nominated me XxX Idek  how to thank you honestly. I'm honoured to know you think my story is worth it <3

This is the end of Deception, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I originally wrote this a bit under two years ago, so it's in need of some desperate editing, which means if any of you happen to re-read this again some time in the near future, the plot will be slightly different.

Please spread the word! I'm excited for the Wattys 2016, and I hope you all are too <3 Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favour!

QUESTIONS:

Will there be a sequel?

At this point in time I have no idea. I'm focusing on another book at the moment, called "ALL FALL DOWN", and I've got yet another story in progress as well. However, I never say no, and I purposely ended it this way so that there may be an opportunity for a sequel if I choose to continue (and of course, if you guys decide it's worth reading a second book).

Will this be available as an eBook/Paperbook?

The plan is: yes. I aimed to get it done ages ago but these months have been hectic, you guys would not believe it... But yes, I'm determined to self-publish, and I will notify when it is available.

Have any other questions? Don't be afraid to leave a message :) Hopefully, I'll hear from some of you again in my next book.

Stay tuned for: ALL FALL DOWN (A young adult novel). Ghosts? Check. Warlocks & witches? Check. Two orphan sisters? Check. One hot boy? Double check. World about to end? You bet.