Sanchez stepped out of the Escalade limousine and walked straight to where the boys were awaiting his arrival for his instructions. Tied to a chair and blindfolded was a man in his forties with blood stains all over his body, evident of the severe torture he has undergone.
“Has he spoken yet?” Sanchez asked, signaling for a cigar smoke. ” He is still proving stubborn, Adrian spoke; he is the top henchman of Sanchez's echelon of hoodlums. “Remove the blindfold,” Sanchez ordered the boys. “You think you can double-cross me, you nitwit?” he asked, pointing his walking stick at the man sitting under their torture. ”Are you ready to speak to save your life?” Sanchez asked, stooping low to give him a lower gaze. The man spat at Sanchez’s face; immediately, his boys began another round of beatings as he began coughing blood. While the boys were still at it, a call came through for Sanchez. “Have you seen the whole package”?,he asked the caller before ending the call. “Adrian, you can dispose of him as dead; we have gotten the tons and money back. Meet me at the subway when you are done with this bin of trash.” he ordered as he made his way out. The subway was outside the city of Genoa, facing the river with an echo of cool breeze blowing across. Sanchez, standing facing the river while puffing the cigarette, looked on as the boys arranged the tons of cocaine in the bag and stashed the wads of dollar notes in briefcases. Sanchez turned around to see how the boys had rounded up their exercise; he headed into the car as they all, in their droves, drove out of the space. The sun bathes the courtyard in a golden hue, as Alejandro’s laughter rang through the open space as he kicked a worn leather ball, his small feet scuffling against the ground. His mother sat under the growing oak tree, watching him with great admiration. There is a soothing contrast from under the soothing leaves compared to her son’s playful energy, with a glimpse of wistfulness glaring in her eyes.. A convoy of sleek, black cars rolled past the giant iron gates, with the tinted windows making the men inside hidden. The vehicles gradually came to a halt in front of the villa, with a deafening silence bearing an aura of authority. Alejandro’s attention was caught, with his small arms wrapping around the ball as he looked on at the thrilling scene unfolding before him. His mother instinctively rose to her feet,with a sharpened gaze. The air shifts with a thicken unspoken anticipation. Sanchez emerged from the lead car as the door opened. Decked in a dark, designed tailored suit, he with an audacious command of power and authority, how the world shifts at his mere presence.The courtyard hallowed his presence with glistering of his polished shoes by sunlight,he adjusts the cuffs of his shirt with tenacity. His face had an unreadable expression leaving a cold feeling with no room for warmth. In a split second Alejandro sprang into action. "Papá!" His voice brought ease to the atmosphere that was getting tensed up. Sanchez with a slightly curved lip caught Alejandro mid-air, lifting him swiftly before settling him down, with a gentle but firm grip. Alejandro’s mother had stepped forward too,but couldn’t name what had drawn her.. Her hands clutching her fabrics with clenched fist hoping to be acknowledged by her husband. He didn’t even give her a glance. It was not the first time and it would not be the last. She swallowed, the flicker of hurt meeting with a lump in her throat with an undertone of pain,mirroring her non-existence in the face of her husband. Sanchez, walking along with his son’s hand in his, finally spoke. “I see you’ve been playing football, Chapo,” he said, ruffling Alejandro’s dark hair gently. Alejandro giggled, clutching his father’s fingers like he will never let it go. Following closely is his mother whose presence has become unnoticed. She exhaled softly with her gaze still lingering on the space she once stood before the arrival of her husband whose presence had melted the joy blooming in her heart. Young Dino just woke up and was crying in the room, the old nanny Mara went in to bring him out,he went into the open arms of the mother.”I think he is hungry” she said looking at Mara “get him his food”.Mara took Dino and heads to the pantry for his food. Celia was watching her youngest son being led to be fed in the pantry, had a lump in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes.Sanchez was standing right behind her with murderous looks on as he watched Dino being led by Mara. “You startled me,” Celia said as she stylishy wiped her eyes.”I didn't realize that,” Sanchez said, lifting her face to have a proper look at her Celia felt a cold chill down her spine as a mere touch leaves a scary crawl on her skin. “I'm awaiting the day you would tell me what I need to know” He snorted at her. “I don't know what you are talking about” she replied as she fought back her tears. “With time I promise, you will know” Sanchez replied with a wry smile and walked away. Celia walked to her room wiping her tears, she brought out a box she hid in a secret drawer and saw the picture of a young man.She touched the frame before her,as her little cry turned into wailing.She heard the door of her room opening slowly,she hurriedly kept the picture in the box and hid it under her bed. She saw Alejandro walk towards her “Mama why are you crying” he asked; she couldn't mutter any word she just drew him close for an embrace.Turning to look at her son,”promise me you will always take care of your brother Dino” she said looking at his eyes carefully as if she was searching for an answer. Alejandro tilted his head, confused. Take care of Dino? His mother’s voice trembled, her grip tightening around him. “Promise me, mi amor,” she whispered, desperation seeping into her tone. “I—I promise,” Alejandro said, though he didn’t understand why her words felt so heavy. Celia exhaled shakily, brushing his hair back. But before she could speak again— A distant thud. The sound came from the hallway. She stiffened. Alejandro did, too. Another thud. Closer this time. Then— A baby’s cry. Dino. Celia spun toward the door. The nursery was down the hall, but something felt wrong. The cry grew louder, more urgent. Alejandro clutched her arm. “Mama?” Celia took a slow step forward, heart pounding. The nursery door creaked open. A shadow moved inside. Someone was in there. She barely had time to react before— The crying stopped.The rain fell visibly heavy in Sanchez’s estate; Emilio Capello’s heart is in turmoil just like the brewing storm outside. Sanchez’s study was dimly lit by a single desk lamp as he sat in a black leather chair. Sanchez, the most dreaded drug lord of Central Genoa, with a glass of whiskey in his hand. His blue sparkling eyes were glued on Capello, who sat like a man about to be hanged.“Emilio, you look like shit,” Sanchez said in amusement.Capello restrained his fingers from clutching a fist. The last few months have seen him drown in financial ruin; his thriving car import business is left with no trail. His last hope, the shipment from Miami to Italy, had sunk; he is now left with unrepaid debts. Hospital bills pile up as his wife, who is undergoing treatment, is still in a state of coma.Sanchez had extended his hand once, under the guise of friendship, and lent a loan to him. The time is due for the debt to be paid, and Capello is empty-handed as he has no hope of paying.Capello
There was music and laughter making the estate lively. The casting golden light on and chandeliers overhead guests mingling, meaningless hums fills up the conversations. Elena sat near the edge of the lounge, she watches as servers moved between the tables, refilling the glasses with whiskey and wines as guests beckoned with resounding whispers in the air. It was another one of Sanchez’s elaborate gatherings, tonight was supposed to be met for celebrations ,where alliances, betrayals, and blood money are made by powerful men with their wives. But tonight was meant to seal her fate, Elena’s thoughts. She saw her father Capello whose face is filled with guilt and tension and his eyes has avoided her gaze. Sanchez swirling his drink with an air of satisfaction, leaning back on his chair. "niña,you are not enjoying this moment" he mused, his voice sounds silky like a sharp blade. "This ought to be a joyous and memorable night for you." Elena curls her fingers in her palms. "Joyou
The estate’s grand hall was filled with echoes of clinking glasses and laughter, as the night was fast approaching. Inside, women adorned in diamonds whispered secrets behind painted lips, while the men bartered over power with fine wine. Wealth, blood, and control were the foundations of this world. Everything was different, as the dim light shone over the balcony. Elena's gown was shimmering under the soft glow of the garden lights as she stood before Dino.Her voice remained steady as her chest rose and fell with quiet fury. "I need your help." Dino, expecting this, had seen the desperation in her eyes back in the hall, with her hands trembling against her dress when she realized the truth. Before she could speak, she had already been sold. Tightening his jaw "It's not as easy as you think." Elena chuckled. “It has never been, has it?” Dino's gaze shifted past her, beyond the balcony, where the city stretched in the distance. Out there, people lived free. He always dreamt abo
After Alejandro left, there was tension lingering in the balcony.There was no going back to pretending as Elena stood frozen and her pulse hammering in her ears.Dino stared at his hands, fingers curled into a fist, as if he could still feel the weight of that moment. The same hands that gripped Alejandro a while ago.He exhaled finally. “We aren't doing anything reckless tonight.”Elena flinched. “You think I don’t know that?” “I think you’re angry. And anger makes people careless.” As his dark eyes met hers.Elena let out a bitter laugh. “Maybe I want to be careless.”Dino, lowering his voice, stepped closer. “No. I Want to be free. And those aren’t the same thing.”Elena caught her breath.She should have argued.But he was right.Her fury at Alejandro, at Sanchez, at her father—the thoughts burned in her chest like a wildfire. But wildfires aren't planned. They just destroy, with no strategies.Dino wasn’t going to let her self-destruct as he saw it in her.He glanced back towar
There was a distant hum of music fading from the ballroom, drowning beneath the pounding of Elena’s heart. Alejandro’s grip on her wrist was possessive with a silent declaration of control. Guests whispered around them, their glances shifting between the two. Some watched with amusement and discomfort.But none of them would dare intervene.“I see you were distracted,” Alejandro said, tilting his head as he murmured. His voice was soft and teasing, but Elena knew better. There was calculation with no warmth in his words. “Thinking about him?”Elena kept her expression blank as her stomach twisted. She didn't want him to see the effect he had on her.“Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, with an even tone.Alejandro's thumb brushing over her palm with a smirk on his face. The touch was a mockery of affection but gentle. “I felt your hesitation and your mind somewhere else as I held you.” He whispered.She forced herself to meet his gaze as she tightened her chest. “You’re drunk.”He smiled.
The ballroom felt like a prison for Elena despite the glittering chandelier. Every clink of a champagne glass, every polite smile, just tightened the invisible chains she felt placed on her by Alejandro. She had tried to escape his grip, as his fingers rested boldly and possessively on the small of her back, knowing fully he would never let her go easily.With a silky and firm voice. “You’re tense. Elena. Relax.” Alejandro spoke.She forced a smile. The feel of his palm against her spine made her skin crawl. She wanted to shove him away and scream that she would never be his. But with his men blended in the crowd, she was surrounded as they were watching her every move.Her eyes darted across the room, searching for an exit. She needs to leave now, because this might be her only chance.At that moment, her gaze met Capello’s, her father. He stood by the bar, watching her with guilt in his eyes and a drink in his hand. He knows. Something twisted inside her.He knows what Aleja
Wealth and power radiated in every corner of Sanchez’s grand hall, but to Elena, it felt like a gilded prison.Alejandro hosts another extravagant party, a well calculated display of his control over her fate. Her father,Capello,lingered near the bar, silent reminder of his betrayal looms as he avoids her gaze.Alejandro was already behind Elena who tried to disappear into the crowd. “Enjoying the night?”His voice, smooth yet laced with menace, sent a chill through her. She turned away, but his grip tightened around her wrist. “Don’t walk away from me.”“I don’t belong to you.” She yanked free, her pulse pounding.His eyes darkened. “You will. Accept it, or I’ll make you.”Before she could react, she spotted Dino.Dino’s Silent FuryDino stood at the edge of the room, his presence commanding even in the shadows. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with quiet rage as he locked onto Alejandro.Alejandro hesitated, loosening his grip. Even he feared Dino.Dino’s voice
Dino led Elena through a maze of dimly lit backstreets, his movements swift and sure. He had spent years navigating the city’s underbelly, and now, that knowledge was keeping them alive. The night air was thick with tension, every sound amplified as if the city itself was holding its breath.After what felt like an eternity, they reached a rundown garage on the outskirts of town. The metal shutters were rusted, the paint peeling from years of neglect. To anyone else, it looked abandoned—but for Dino, it was a safehouse he had set up months ago, anticipating a day like this.Once inside, Elena collapsed onto an old, threadbare couch. Her body trembled, her breaths shallow. Dino knelt in front of her, scanning her face.“Did he hurt you?”She shook her head, but tears burned her eyes. “He almost caught me.”Dino exhaled slowly, his hands clenching into fists. The thought of Alejandro touching her, caging her like a possession, made his blood boil.“He won’t get another chance,” he promi
The howling of the wind against the speeding vehicles was met with Capello's expert driving precision, leading Dino, Luciana, and Tomiwa toward the Genoa harbor. Their escape had been nothing short of smooth, with Victor La Cruz’s forces hot on their heels. Now, freedom was at hand, but an even deadlier trap still awaited them.As they approached the port, the glow of floodlights cascaded the docks. "We’re almost there. Stay sharp," he warned, eyes flicking to the rearview mirror.Capello’s grip on the wheel tightened. Dino loaded a fresh magazine into his pistol. "We won’t let them take us back. No matter what."Crouched in the backseat with her weapon at the ready, she nodded. "Agreed. If we have to fight our way onto that ship, we do it." Luciana added.Just as they approached the container yard, there was a blockage on the way ahead. A long line of shipping crates had been arranged deliberately, cutting off their escape route. In the distance, several black SUVs screeched to a ha
Every shadow felt like an enemy, every distant sound a potential threat. Still the night air was thick with tension as Capello led the group through the plains of back alleys, their only chance to escape Sanchez’s tightening grip. But nothing was easy in their space. The escape plan was to reach the docks and board a cargo vessel bound for Genoa. Luciana's breath was ragged but steady as Dino kept her close. Tomiwa scanned their surroundings, his gun ready. They all knew the danger wasn’t over.While approaching the dockyard's perimeter, Capello halts his movement. “Something’s wrong,” he muttered, eyes narrowing at the steel gates ahead. The guards were missing. The area was too quiet.Then came a chilling voice from the darkness.“Luciana? Going somewhere,”The group spun around to see a towering figure step out of the shadows.Luciana’s blood ran cold. The man who had tormented her for years, the same man who had broken her spirit time and time again, now stood in their path, his
The warehouse felt the impact of the weight of destruction. Smoke curled through the rafters, mixing with the horrid scent of gunpowder. Underneath, Alejandro's men scampered in disarray, while some tried to regroup and others lay wounded amidst the rubble.The explosion had given them a momentary advantage, but it wouldn't last long. Dino, Luciana, and Tomiwa clung to the metal beams above, their breathing heavy but controlled. "We need to move," Tomiwa hissed, scanning for an escape route.Dino nodded, his eyes locked onto Alejandro, who was barking orders, his face twisted in fury. "He won’t stop until he has us dead or in chains."Luciana wiped a streak of sweat from her brow. "Then we make sure he doesn’t get the chance."Gunfire erupted once more, bullets ricocheting off the beams. They had been spotted. Tomiwa fired back, his shots calculated and efficient."There's a window on the north side!" Luciana called. "We can jump to the neighboring rooftop."Dino exchanged a glance w
The tension in the air was thick as Dino, Luciana, and Tomiwa bypassed through the dimly lit streets; their senses were at alert for any sign of an ambush. Alejandro's disappearance and betrayal are still fresh in their minds. The weight of what had happened stared at Dino, but he couldn’t afford to dwell on it. They needed to stay ahead of Sanchez’s men.Luciana’s fists clenched, her body tense with barely restrained fury. She had been through hell, and the revelation of Sanchez’s involvement in her past only fueled her rage. She had once thought she had no family, no one who cared. Now, she had a brother—a brother who was willing to fight for her. She would not let him down.Tomiwa tapped the earpiece connected to their hidden frequency. “Still no sign of Alejandro,” he muttered. “I don’t like this, Dino.”Dino’s jaw tightened. “Neither do I.”Just as the words left his mouth, a bullet whizzed past his ear, embedding itself in the brick wall beside him. “DOWN!” he shouted, pulling L
The night air was thick with tension as Dino, Luciana, and Tomiwa made their way through the dimly lit alleyways. The city pulsed with an undercurrent of danger, each shadow a potential threat. Alejandro had vanished after his betrayal, and now they had to regroup. But they weren’t alone.A figure emerged from the darkness, stepping into the faint glow of a flickering streetlamp. Capello. His face was lined with worry, but his posture remained firm. He had been tracking their movements ever since Rafael’s men had attacked.“Dino,” Capello’s voice was hoarse with urgency. “We need to talk—now.”Dino clenched his fists, his body still wired from the last fight. “Now isn’t exactly the best time.”“I know what’s at stake,” Capello countered. “But there’s something you need to know about Sanchez. Something that might change everything.”Luciana’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”Capello took a breath, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping. “I found evidence—documen
The night was thick with tension as Dino, Luciana, and Tomiwa navigated through the narrow alleyways, their breath labored from the relentless pursuit. Sanchez's men were closing in, their boots slamming against the pavement, echoing through the darkened streets.Alejandro's betrayal had struck like a dagger, but there was no time to process the sting. Luciana’s instincts, honed by years of survival in the underground fight circuit, came to play as she scanned for an escape route. "We need to split up!" she hissed, her eyes darting between Dino and Tomiwa. "They’ll expect us to stick together."Dino hesitated. The thought of separating, even momentarily, made his gut churn. But she was right. With a sharp nod, he pointed toward a shadowed alley. "We meet at the abandoned railway yard in thirty minutes. Capiche ?"Luciana and Tomiwa nodded before slipping away in opposite directions. Dino took a deep breath and plunged into the darkness.Luciana sprinted through the dimly lit streets,
The air was thick with tension as Dino, Luciana, and Tomiwa moved cautiously through the dimly lit alleyways of Mexico City. Alejandro’s betrayal had left them exposed, forcing them into a desperate escape. With every step, the weight of uncertainty pressed down on them. Their enemy was closing in, and they had no idea who to trust.Luciana’s mind raced, piecing together the betrayal. Alejandro had always been ruthless, but turning against them in such a crucial moment meant something bigger was at play. Dino, his fists clenched, was struggling with the sting of his stepbrother’s treachery. He had never trusted Alejandro fully, but this move was bolder, deadlier. Tomiwa, ever the strategist, scanned their surroundings with an intensity that betrayed his years of combat experience.“Where do we go from here?” Luciana whispered, her voice steady despite the tension.Dino exhaled, eyes darting around. “We get out of Mexico. But first, we need to find out why Alejandro betrayed us.”Tomiw
Dino gripped the steering wheel tightly as the SUV sped through the dimly lit streets of Mexico. Luciana sat in the back, her gaze shifting between Tomiwa and Alejandro, suspicion creeping into her eyes. The weight of everything they had just been through pressed down on them. Escaping Rafael's ambush had been brutal, but they had made it out alive. For now.Tension crackled in the air. Alejandro had been too quiet, his usual arrogance subdued. Dino noticed but didn’t comment—yet.“I still don’t trust him,” Luciana muttered under her breath, her voice just loud enough for Dino to catch.“You’re not alone in that,” Tomiwa responded, his eyes fixed on the side mirror, scanning for any sign of pursuit.Alejandro let out a scoff. “You’re quick to doubt me after I just risked my life back there?”Luciana folded her arms. “You had no choice. If Rafael had taken us, you’d be dead too.”Dino didn’t join in. His mind was elsewhere, thinking ahead. Something didn’t sit right with him. Alejandro
The night air was thick with tension as Dino, Luciana, Alejandro, and Tomiwa navigated the dimly lit streets of Mexico. Their narrow escape from Rafael’s ambush had left them wounded but determined. The newfound connection between Dino and Luciana brought a sense of urgency—she was no longer just a mysterious fighter; she was family. And now, she was entangled in the same deadly web Sanchez had spun around them all.Alejandro checked the rearview mirror of the stolen black SUV they had secured during their escape. “We need to get off the streets,” he muttered. “Rafael’s men won’t stop hunting us.”Dino glanced at Luciana, who sat in the passenger seat, her hands gripping the dashboard. “Are you okay?”Luciana nodded, though her knuckles were white. “I’m fine. But we need answers.”Tomiwa, seated in the back with Alejandro, let out a breath. “Then we go to the source. Sanchez.”Luciana stiffened at the name. “He’s the one who took me?”Dino nodded. “Sanchez stole you from our mother wh