Francisco stood behind the sofa, watching Hazel as she lounged comfortably, legs stretched out to claim the entire space. Her silent message was clear—she wasn’t giving him any room, and she wasn’t going to make this easy.He took a slow, steadying breath. Hazel’s defiance was like a game to her, a dance of control and challenge, and while it was often silly, it sometimes gnawed at his patience.Without a word, he stepped around the sofa, his presence looming close, yet she didn’t so much as glance his way. Instead, her attention remained fixed on the TV, as if he were merely part of the scenery.With a firm but gentle grip, Francisco took hold of her legs, the unexpected touch finally drawing her gaze up to him. He didn’t hesitate, lowering himself onto the sofa and placing her legs across his lap, his fingers grazing over her skin, smooth and warm beneath his touch.Hazel took a deep breath, keeping it measured, as if not wanting to reveal any reaction. They sat in silence, the soft
Francisco and Hazel were close, their breaths mingling in the quiet room. Hazel traced her fingers along his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin. She moved with confidence, leaning in to press her lips to his earlobe and then sliding her hands down to his abs, pushing his shirt aside. Francisco let her take the lead.Settling onto his lap, Hazel wrapped her arms around his neck, her lips pressing softly along his jaw and then his neck. She took her time, her fingers exploring his chest, tracing lines along his muscles as though savoring every detail. Francisco watched her, feeling his heart race as she kissed him, giving him a playful bite on his lower lip. She was in control, and he was okay with it.Francisco closed his eyes, exhaling a low sigh as she brushed her hand over his chest, her fingers teasing against his skin. He threaded his fingers through her hair, guiding her closer, a silent invitation for her to continue.She moved slowly, her kisses trailing down his chest as sh
Francisco seemed to hesitate, just for a moment, before his face softened, and an almost imperceptible shift took place in his demeanor. He touched her cheek with his nose, slowly, gently.Then, he moved closer, pressing his lips against her skin in a slow, almost tender gesture.The moment was brief. As quickly as it began, Francisco released his grip, pulling away from her body. He stood there, staring down at her, his chest still rising and falling with quick breaths.Hazel took a steadying breath, shifting her gaze away from Francisco as she wrestled with the storm inside her. His words, his actions—everything about him sickened her, and she knew she could never forgive him. He had taken everything from her, shattering the life she once had. Now, she was nothing more than a prisoner in his world, bound by his relentless will.He wanted her to bear his child, to lock her in this prison forever. That, she vowed, would never happen. She would find a way, at any cost, to make sure she
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.
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
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
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,
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,
“Will you be able to handle everything?” Francisco asked, his voice low as he and Max walked through the quiet garden under the night sky.“Do I have any other option?” Max replied, glancing at him.They both fell silent for a moment, only the sound of their footsteps on the gravel breaking the stillness.“So, you’ve really decided to go through with this?” Max asked, sensing something heavy on Francisco’s mind.“Yes,” Francisco replied, exhaling a puff of smoke into the cool air.“I have to do whatever it takes to protect her... and the child.”Max looked at him with concern.“Francisco, I don’t know… is it really worth it? All of this?”Francisco took a deep breath, then threw the cigarette to the ground, crushing it beneath his shoe.“Max,” he said firmly, “for me, she is everything.""And soon, she’ll give me the best gift I could ever have.”Max looked around the still garden, the silence pressing in.“I’ll pray for you,” he muttered, then let out a soft laugh.“Pray? When we’re
James took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and muttered, “Yeah, everything I do irritates you, but when it comes to Francisco—everything he does is just perfect, right?”Lilith narrowed her eyes, her patience clearly thinning.“James, just shut up.”He smirked, not bothering to hide the satisfaction in her irritation. “Fine, I’ll stop. But let’s not forget—you lost him too.”Lilith’s expression darkened. Her jaw clenched, and for a moment, it looked like she might speak, but she chose silence. Her cold stare said enough.Dimitri let out an audible sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Alright, enough. Let’s stay on topic.”Andrew leaned forward, glancing around the table. “We all know this won’t be easy. Francisco may be reckless, but he’s done a lot—things that kept the balance. We need to decide—do we support this internal power shift, or not?”Dimitri raised a brow and turned to Michele, Kai’s son. “Speaking of balance, Michele... I heard about the recent attack on Francisco.”Mic
The next morning, when Hazel woke up, something felt different. She looked around the room, her brows knitting together in confusion. The walls, once cast in shadows and a cold ambiance, now glowed with soft, natural light. The curtains were lighter, fresh flowers adorned the corners, and the overall atmosphere felt warm—inviting.No longer did the room feel like a prison.Hazel propped herself up on one elbow. “What is this…?”Just then, Lily entered with a bright smile and a large bouquet of fresh flowers in her arms. “Good morning, ma’am.”Hazel blinked in surprise. “Good morning… but what’s going on?”“Sir instructed us to redecorate the room,” Lily replied, arranging the flowers in a vase by the window. “He said it should feel brighter for you.”Hazel raised an eyebrow. “Why?”Lily smiled softly. “Because the doctor said it would help improve your mood.”Hazel pressed her lips into a thin line and said nothing. She simply stood and made her way to the washroom. After freshen
Enemies surrounded Francisco from all sides. He had built his empire on blood, and now the ghosts of his past were closing in.On him.On her.On their unborn child.Hazel studied him for a moment longer before shifting her gaze back to the book in her lap.Francisco’s voice cut through the silence."I didn’t mean to shock you."Hazel didn’t look up. Her tone was flat."It’s nothing new for me."Francisco clasped his palms together, his fingers pressing against each other in thought. He wanted to keep talking to her, to break through the walls she had built around herself, but Hazel was determined to end the conversation before it even began.He blinked slowly, exhaling through his nose.As he watched her, something stirred inside him—an overwhelming craving. He wanted to pull her into his arms, to hold her close, to feel the warmth of her body against his.He had heard that pregnant women experienced mood swings, that they craved more affection even as they pushed people away.Was th
“So the deal is more important to you than your child?” Arthur asked, his voice gentle yet firm.Hazel fell silent.Her heart pounded faster, but she forced herself to ignore it.Then, Arthur spoke again.“Will you really be able to live without your child, ma’am?”Hazel’s fingers tightened around the book she was holding. She had only been thinking about her freedom, about escaping the monster who had taken everything from her. But she hadn’t once stopped considering the child.Would she really leave her baby with him?Would the child grow up to be like Francisco—a ruthless mafia king?A deep frown creased Hazel’s forehead.No. She didn’t want to think about that. That wasn’t her concern.She was only supposed to care about herself.That was the plan.That was the deal.That was it.Taking a deep breath, she spoke, her voice steady but cold.“Arthur.”Arthur’s eyes remained on her, waiting.“Do you know your boss is monitoring me?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “Every second.
Francisco and Hazel arrived at the mansion after the dangerous chaos. The ride had been silent, but the weight of what had happened lingered between them like an unspoken storm.Hazel’s face was gloomy, her expression distant. She wasn’t naive—she knew this was only the beginning.There would be more.More blood. More danger.More reasons to fear for the life growing inside her.Her hand instinctively rested on her belly.At first, she didn’t care much about the child. The idea of carrying Francisco’s baby had been unbearable. But now, an unfamiliar feeling twisted inside her—something more than just obligation. A strange, indefinable bond.Francisco, watching her closely, noticed the way her fingers pressed lightly against her stomach. He didn’t say anything, but he understood.She was shaken.She hadn’t expected an attack so soon.He clenched his jaw. From now on, he had to be more careful.Whatever he had been before—ruthless, reckless, untouchable—it didn’t matter anymore. Now, he
Francisco glanced at his bodyguard, his tone sharp and commanding.“Take her from here. I’ll handle this.”The bodyguard hesitated, his grip tightening on his weapon.“Boss, it’s too risky. How can I leave you alone?”Francisco’s gaze snapped at him, cold and unwavering.“Do you need me to shoot you right now?”That was enough.The bodyguard stiffened, lowering his head in obedience.“Understood.”He turned toward Hazel.“Ma’am.”But Hazel wasn’t moving.Her eyes were locked on Francisco as he fired at the advancing enemies, drawing their attention toward himself.Each shot echoed with deadly precision, but Hazel saw it clearly—he was outnumbered, and he was bleeding.Still, he didn’t hesitate.Didn’t falter.The bodyguard reached for her arm, his grip firm, almost forceful.“We need to move.”Hazel barely registered his words. She was staring at Francisco, unwilling to leave.As they shifted to retreat, a sudden bullet shattered the glass near them with a sharp crack.Hazel ducked in
Max’s phone rang as he worked through a stack of files. Without thinking, he glanced at the screen.Diana.He hesitated, a flicker of agitation crossing his face. For a moment, he considered ignoring it.But he couldn’t.With a sigh, he answered."Yes?"There was silence at the other end. Then, after a brief pause, Diana’s voice came through, quieter than usual."Francisco came here.""I know," Max replied flatly, his tone robotic.Diana took a deep breath, trying to steady herself."Max… I’m not feeling good about this. Francisco… he’s messing everything up. I don’t know what to do."Max slowly set the file down, his jaw tightening. He knew exactly what she meant.But he also knew there was no turning Francisco back now.A faint, bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.Sarcastic.Resigned.Francisco loved Hazel so much. So much that, if anyone stood in his way, Francisco wouldn’t hesitate to ruin everything.And the dangerous part? People wanted that kind of devotion."Diana,"
"Hazel."Francisco gently guided her to sit beside him, closer than before. He didn’t wait for her response."Our baby will play like them, right?" His voice was soft, almost hopeful.Hazel remained silent.Then, suddenly, she felt a touch on her belly.She froze.Francisco's large palm traced over her stomach, slow and deliberate. Her heartbeat quickened."I wonder how much he or she has developed inside you," he murmured. His words echoed in her mind, stirring something deep within her.When Hazel first learned she was pregnant, her immediate thought was to end it. She didn’t want to carry the child of a man who had turned her life into a nightmare. A mafia king—a ruthless, heartless man.And yet… she couldn’t.Francisco was right. Their child would play one day.She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, and slowly raised her eyes.The moment she did, she met his gaze.Francisco was leaning in closer, watching her intently.A wave of discomfort washed over her. She didn’t wan