Max pressed his lips together, the weight of the truth bearing down on him. He had no strength to face it, but he knew he had to tell Diana everything. Leaving Francisco behind was not an option; the underworld activities were now an inseparable part of him, running through his veins like lifeblood.He remembered the promise he made to Diana, to leave this dangerous world behind. But every time he tried, something pulled him back. Francisco needed him, and Max couldn't abandon his friend, especially now.Max parted his lips, his voice trembling slightly. "Diana..." He lifted his eyes to meet hers, filled with pain and resignation. He shook his head slowly, unable to hide the truth any longer. "I can't let him be alone with that girl."Diana's face hardened as she understood the weight of his words. She turned her gaze away, swallowing hard as her emotions churned within her. "So, does it mean I can move on, right?" Her voice was tight, filled with hurt and determination.Max swallowed
Max stood there, the nurse's words echoing in his mind. He looked back at Diana, lying fragile in the hospital bed. "She will be okay, right?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper."Yes, sir," the nurse replied. "We washed her stomach. She’s stable now."Max took a deep breath and exited the room, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt. Francisco was waiting in the hallway, his eyes filled with a mix of concern and disappointment. Max pressed his hand against the wall and leaned his forehead on it, trying to compose himself."I told you to take care of her," Francisco said, his tone stern but not unkind.Max exhaled heavily, the guilt etched deeply on his face. He couldn’t find the words to answer. Francisco had entrusted him with Diana's well-being, and he had failed. The weight of that failure was crushing.Francisco observed Max, recognizing the torment his friend was in. He tightened his expression, understanding the gravity of the situation but knowing he had to maintain a
"Yes!" Hazel said, her voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in her stomach."Everything is fine. I just thought about meeting him."Lily looked at her skeptically."No one will allow you to go out alone, so I am asking for your help," Hazel added quickly, her expression sincere and imploring.Hazel gave Lily a look that she hoped conveyed trustworthiness and sincerity. She knew that regaining their trust was crucial. After a moment’s hesitation, Lily nodded."Then let me call the boss.""No," Hazel said a bit too quickly, stopping Lily from reaching for the phone.Lily raised her eyebrows, looking at Hazel with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.Hazel pressed her lips together, trying to come up with a believable explanation."Actually, I wanted to give him a surprise. That's all."She forced a smile onto her face, hoping it looked more genuine than it felt. Lily studied her for a moment longer before finally nodding."Okay, girls, carry on," she said to the other maids."I will
Francisco gave Ben a sidelong look but quickly realized that Ben had no intention of leaving the room. Diana hadn't asked him to leave either, and Francisco knew she was doing this on purpose. She understood his preference for privacy at such moments, yet she chose to keep Ben there. Francisco turned back to Max and then looked at Diana again, his eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and concern."Why?" Francisco demanded, his tone stern."Why did you do that?"Diana, avoiding his gaze, looked down at her fingers, rubbing them together nervously."Francisco, it was nothing. I don't know why I did that."Francisco moved closer, his voice softening but still firm."I am not staying in the mansion. Why don't you go there?"Diana offered a slight, melancholic smile."Francisco, you're not there. If I go, it will be the same as living alone. Besides, you won't go there with Hazel, will you?"Francisco sighed, running a hand through his hair."I still need some time, but then I will go
Hazel sat down at one of the reading tables, pretending to be engrossed in a book.Meanwhile, Francisco's voice was a mix of anger and authority as he glared at Ben. "Diana, I don't want to hear anything about it. The thing is, I don't like this man," he said, indicating Ben with a dismissive gesture.Ben, feeling the sting of Francisco's words, pressed his lips together in frustration. He couldn't understand why Francisco had such disdain for him. He was a successful doctor, well-respected in his field. What more did Francisco want?"Mr. Francisco, why?"9865Ben finally spoke up, his voice tinged with a mixture of confusion and hurt."Why don't you like me?"Francisco turned back to him, his expression hardening. "I don't like to repeat my words," he said sternly.Then, addressing Diana again, "Diana!"He continued, "I will choose your partner."Francisco's words hung heavy in the air as he stepped forward to leave. Max, who had been standing silently by the door, exchanged a glance
Hazel gulped slowly as she looked at the man of seduction before her. She whispered under her breath, "I was missing you.""I hope it is okay for you."Francisco held his breath for a few seconds when he heard her. Suddenly, he took a deep breath and cursed, "Fuck!"From his voice, it was obvious that he was suppressing something inside his heart. Francisco touched her soft lips with his thumb, rubbing them slowly, ruining her lip gloss. He came close to her ear and said with a heavy breath, "You can miss me whenever you want, baby.""You can play with me if you want to."His hot breath touched her bare shoulder. Hazel slowly closed her eyes, feeling aroused by him. Though it wasn't her intention to be aroused, it was something she couldn't control, something she hated but also secretly enjoyed. She had come to love the feeling of being penetrated by him.Hazel took a deep breath and, with her shaky hands, grabbed his hair, saying, "If that's the case, then I hope you won't mind here.
"I accept you," Hazel stammered, looking directly into Francisco's eyes."So, let her decide what she wants," she added, hoping to steer the conversation in a more favorable direction.Francisco exhaled loudly, then answered, "I know Max likes her. But the problems they had, I'm not fully aware of."Hazel felt a surge of courage. She had managed to change the topic successfully. Walking slowly, she traced her fingers along his cheek, saying, "I can help."Francisco looked at her, intrigued."How?" he asked."Tell Max to stay with her for the last few days," Hazel suggested."I think they can solve their problems if they're given the chance."Her heart started beating faster, hoping he would agree. If he accepted her suggestion, it would give her the leverage she needed to manage her plans.Francisco moved slightly, looking into her eyes. He exhaled and, while nodding, said, "It's not a bad idea, darling."Hazel's heart leaped with joy. She smiled, her victory evident in her expression
The nurse was helping Diana feed the soup. Max stood beside her, tense and silent, having been rebuffed earlier when he tried to feed Diana himself. Diana had clearly told him no, and so the nurse stepped in to assist. The atmosphere in the room was thick with unspoken tension. The nurse, a silent witness, had arrived just after Max and Diana had a heated exchange, and now the air was heavy with discomfort.Suddenly, the door swung open, and Ben entered the chamber. His presence immediately added another layer of tension. Max and Ben exchanged cold, distant looks, each man pretending the other didn't exist. Ben approached Diana with a soft, concerned tone, "Dear, how are you feeling?"He touched her shoulder gently as he came near her. The casual intimacy of the gesture made Max's jaw tighten. He stood there, fists clenched, watching as Ben's fingers lingered on Diana's shoulder. The sight of Ben touching her, even so innocently, ignited a flicker of anger in him that he struggled to
It had been hours, the room pulsed with dim red and blue lights, an eerie ambiance that cloaked its sinister purpose. The heavy scent of leather, sweat, and stale perfume filled the air. On the floor, Hazel knelt, bound and blindfolded. Her wrists were shackled with cold steel chains, the metal biting into her skin as she trembled.She was clad in tight lace lingerie, her body exposed and vulnerable.Her breaths came in short, ragged gasps, her head drooping as if the strength to resist had long since left her. The collar around her neck tugged slightly as the man looming over her adjusted the leash. Hazel whimpered softly, her voice breaking the unsettling silence.She whimpered as the sting of the whip bit into her back again.“Um…” Her voice was faint, a mixture of pain and helplessness.The man, his face hidden behind an eye mask, grinned maliciously. His big belly heaved as he leaned closer, his hand brushing against her thigh. “How does it feel to play, darling?” he hissed, his
Max nodded, his gaze steady despite the weight of the situation. Ignoring Dimitri’s sly remarks, he turned his attention to Francisco. “Francisco,” he said firmly, signaling discreetly for him to step aside.Francisco’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly, scanning Max’s expression. Something wasn’t right.Dimitri, ever the provocateur, interrupted with a smirk. “What’s this? Is everything alright, Max?”Max forced a tight smile, keeping his tone neutral. “Yes. It’s a personal matter.”Dimitri raised an eyebrow, feigning concern. “Ah, I see. For a moment, I thought my important guests weren’t being looked after properly.”Max’s lips curved into a quick, thin smile. “It’s your party, Dimitri. There’s no way it could flop.”Before Dimitri could respond, Max turned back to Francisco, his urgency thinly veiled. “Francisco, we need you. Right now.”Francisco’s piercing gaze lingered on Max for a moment, searching for answers in his eyes. Sensing the gravity of the situation, he rose from his se
Francisco’s jaw clenched as his phone buzzed again, Arthur’s name flashing on the screen. He let out a slow, deliberate breath, trying to mask the turmoil building within. The room was silent except for the faint rustle of papers and the occasional clink of glasses.Dimitri leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes glinting with amusement as he lightly touched his lips with his thumb. He observed Francisco with a predatory curiosity, savoring the rare moment of tension in the usually unflappable man.“What happened, Francisco?” Dimitri finally broke the silence, his voice calm but laden with intrigue.Francisco’s gaze flicked at him, sharp but unreadable. Before he could respond, James interjected with a smirk, “You’re not the old Francisco anymore, are you?”Dimitri chuckled softly. “Perhaps Hazel is responsible for that change.”The room’s atmosphere shifted, charged with unspoken truths. Francisco rubbed his forehead, his frustration evident, but he didn’t rise to their bait. Instea
Hazel swayed unsteadily as the girl held her arm firmly. “Are you okay?” the girl asked, her voice soft but laced with concern.Hazel pressed her lips together, nodding weakly. “Yes… I’m fine,” she muttered, but her words lacked conviction. She tried to focus her vision, but everything was still blurry. Her head throbbed, and her body felt uncomfortably warm.“I don’t know… I’m just—” Hazel murmured, glancing at the girl who was helping her. She couldn’t make out her face clearly in the haze of her drugged state, but her touch felt steady.“You’ll be fine,” the girl said soothingly. “Let’s get you out of this dress. It’s too tight—it’s not helping.”Hazel didn’t respond. She felt aware enough to understand the situation but too disoriented to resist or make decisions. Her mind spun with the realization that she must have been drugged, and the heat coursing through her body only confirmed her suspicion.The girl carefully worked to change Hazel’s dress. Hazel felt a cool breeze agai
Hazel sat on the barstool, her frustration palpable as she tapped her nails lightly on the counter. Her voice was low but sharp as she asked the bartender for a drink, not caring what it was. She couldn’t suppress the anger and despair bubbling inside her. Francisco had taken everything—her freedom, her choices, her dignity—and left her trapped in a life she never wanted.The glass of beer arrived, and Hazel absently twirled her finger along its rim. Her thoughts spiraled as she stared into the amber liquid. Once, she had stood tall as a detective, a servant of justice. Now, she was no better than a prisoner, bound to a man whose world revolved around power and crime.She finished the drink in one swift gulp, the bitterness burning her throat. "Another, pig," she muttered, her words dripping with venom. The bartender narrowed his eyes but complied, sliding another glass toward her with a wary glance.As she lifted the second drink to her lips, a familiar voice interrupted her."Ma’am,
The room fell silent again, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Dimitri, unbothered by Hazel’s sharp retort, simply smiled at her, his composure as smooth as the wine he swirled in his glass.“Ah, then it must be the sweetest regret for you,” Dimitri said, taking a sip of his drink. His voice carried a mocking lilt. “Just imagine—you’re sleeping with one of us every night.”Hazel’s expression hardened, her face a mask of controlled fury.Dimitri leaned back in his chair, sneering, “How helpless you are. Isn’t it fascinating?”The words struck a nerve, driving home the oppressive reality of her situation. Dimitri had skillfully highlighted her vulnerability, reminding her of the sheer powerlessness she felt among people who thrived on corruption and violence. Hazel could feel the weight of every eye on her, and the humiliation was almost unbearable.Without a word, she yanked her hand free from Francisco’s grip. Her voice was firm, yet laced with barely concealed frustration,
Francisco didn’t react immediately. His sharp gaze fixed on Dimitri’s hand for a long moment, as if calculating every possible outcome of this exchange. Then, finally, he reached out and clasped Dimitri’s hand in his own. The handshake was firm, neither man willing to back down, their locked hands a silent battle of wills.“I am sorry for my unprofessional attitude,” Dimitri said smoothly, his tone carrying a hint of insincerity as their hands finally parted. His smirk never wavered."So, how are you?" Dimitri asked, his voice light, though his eyes glinted with something sharper. "How’s life been treating you all these years?"Francisco pressed his lips together briefly, raising his brows in acknowledgment before answering curtly. "It’s going well."Dimitri nodded, his smile remaining as he leaned forward slightly, folding his arms.“I see,” he said, his voice casual, though the room seemed to tighten around his words.“Yeah, normally it would be good. After all, you’ve been... killi
They soon reached a secluded area where several high-ranking clan members were gathered around a grand table, each one deep in conversation. James, Lilith, and Ron—son of the Wolf Clan boss—sat among them, each turning their attention as Francisco and Hazel approached. The atmosphere here was different; there was a tension woven into the room’s decor and the careful way everyone held themselves. Conversations halted momentarily, eyes shifting toward them with mixed expressions.Francisco’s gaze swept over the group, searching. He noted familiar faces, but one key figure was missing.Dimitri!The room fell silent as Francisco and Hazel stepped into the circle. The clan members’ conversations came to an abrupt halt, their gazes shifting toward the pair.Francisco eased into a seat on the plush couch, pulling Hazel down beside him. His expression was calm, but Hazel could feel the undercurrent of tension in his movements.Lilith, seated nearby, took a sharp breath, her face hardening. He
Without a word, Hazel opened the car door and slid inside, leaving the two men standing in a charged silence. Francisco took a slow step closer to Arthur, his gaze flicking to the car window where Hazel sat, her eyes cast elsewhere. Then he turned back to Arthur, his tone low and deliberate.“Arthur,” he said quietly, “I trust you’ll remember your boundaries.”The statement was calm, almost conversational, but laced with an unmistakable edge.Arthur swallowed, feeling the weight of Francisco’s gaze.“Boss, I…” He stammered, struggling to explain, though he knew words wouldn’t change what Francisco had seen.Francisco’s gaze sharpened.“I saw everything, Arthur. Now consider, what if it happens again next time, then?”His tone was laced with an unspoken warning, leaving no room for misinterpretation.Arthur’s throat went dry, and he forced himself to respond.“I… understand, sir. And if there’s any punishment…”He hesitated, glancing up briefly before returning his eyes to the ground.