Hazel’s eyes fluttered open, and she found Francisco lying beside her, his arms wrapped around her hands. She lay still for a moment, lost in thoughts about the previous night. Her mind replayed the unusual tenderness and the troubling bloodstains on his shirt.What happened to him last night? Hazel wondered, her concern mingling with confusion. He behaved so strangely.She shifted her thoughts to her own pressing issue: her parents. How can I find out about them? The realization that she needed information but had no clear way to get it weighed heavily on her.Francisco’s grip on her hand tightened as she began to move. Hazel took a deep breath and carefully untangled herself from his embrace. As she eased her feet onto the floor, she tried to be as quiet as possible, but just as she was about to stand up, Francisco stirred and spoke.“Why do you always leave me like a thief?” he asked, his voice laced with a chuckle.Startled, Hazel turned back to him, her expression a mix of confus
Hazel did as Lily instructed, walking slowly to her room, a growing sense of unease gnawing at her. The silence of the house felt stifling, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was being hidden from her. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a car horn outside, signaling Francisco’s return. She hesitated for a moment before stepping out of the room, hoping to get some answers.As she descended the stairs, Hazel saw Max waiting at the bottom. He looked up and said, “Ms. Hazel, come to the library.”Hazel followed Max, her footsteps echoing through the empty halls. When she entered the library, she spotted Francisco flipping through the pages of a book. He looked up with a faint smile as they approached.“Sorry for the delay,” Francisco said, closing the book and setting it aside.“I had to handle some urgent work.”Hazel’s relief was tempered by lingering concern.“Are we staying here?” she asked, trying to sound casual.“Yes, but I thought it would be best to brin
Francisco’s eyes narrowed as he observed Hazel’s fury and desperation.He moved closer, grabbing her arms firmly as she struggled to break free.“Kill?” Francisco’s tone was icy. “How could you say that?”Hazel’s eyes, filled with tears and defiance, refused to meet his. Her mind was racing, trying to reconcile the brutal reality before her with the love she had once tried to convince herself she felt.“I did not kill them, honey,” Francisco said, forcing Hazel to look up at him. His grip was unyielding, and his expression was one of cruel amusement. He seemed to relish her distress.Hazel, however, was not in the mood for his games. She wrenched herself away from his grasp, her voice breaking into a shout. “Ah...!”Francisco’s smile faded as Hazel’s anger reached a boiling point. “Shut the fuck up,” she snapped, her voice hoarse and filled with rage. “Just tell me where they are! What have you done to them?”Her words cut through the dimly lit room with a raw intensity. Francisco’s e
Francisco clutched Hazel tightly as her body went limp, her sudden collapse shocking him more than he let on. Her fragile frame fit perfectly into his arms, her face pale, lips slightly parted as if caught between a breath. His heart raced, but he forced himself to breathe deeply, to stay calm. He lowered his head, his lips brushing against her forehead, a gesture of tenderness that contradicted the dark turmoil within him."Why don’t you understand, Hazel?" His voice was low, almost a whisper, as he held her close. The warmth of her skin against his made his chest tighten."I told you not to betray me, honey."He stared down at her, unconscious and vulnerable, and something inside him wavered. He hadn't anticipated that her deception would cut this deep.His hand trembled slightly as he brushed a strand of hair from her face."But you pretended with me," he continued, his voice breaking ever so slightly. "I didn’t even think it was all your acting, Hazel. It seemed so real."His gaze
"I spent the whole day torturing that bastard. My mind was consumed with rage, with betrayal."Francisco’s hand reached out, brushing against Hazel’s arm, but she didn’t react."And then I thought… what better way to show him than to love you in front of his eyes? To show him how much you enjoy our intimate moments together."Hazel's lips trembled, the reality of what Francisco had done crashing over her. Rafael had seen everything, and the thought made her feel exposed, vulnerable in a way she had never felt before. How could she ever face him again?"But…" Francisco hesitated, his voice faltering for the first time."But, I couldn’t. I didn’t want anyone to see my angel’s beautiful body, to hear your moans. Those are only for me." His words were possessive, a twisted form of affection. "That bastard only saw us kiss. Nothing more."Hazel took a deep breath, her mind reeling. The room felt like it was closing in on her, the weight of Francisco’s actions pressing down on her chest. Sh
Hazel’s eyes darted to a glass window on the side of the room. Through it, she could see the room where Francisco, and she were intimated, the memory of that night flooding back with sickening clarity. She pressed her lips together, trying to keep herself from breaking down. Her voice trembled as she called out, “Rafael…”A low groan escaped Rafael's lips as he lifted his head slowly, the movement pained and sluggish. His face was a mess of bruises, one eye swollen shut and darkened. But it was his hands that drew Hazel’s attention — one of his fingers had been cruelly severed, leaving a gruesome reminder of Francisco’s brutality. Hazel's breath caught in her throat, and she felt her stomach twist as their eyes met. The storm inside her raged, tearing her apart with guilt, fear, and a deep, aching sorrow. She hadn’t imagined it would ever come to this, not to Rafael, not like this. She quickly lowered her gaze, unable to bear the sight of him, unable to stop the tears that were wellin
Hazel felt Francisco’s grip tighten, the tension in the air growing thicker by the second. She knew how dangerous his rage could be. If she didn’t do this right, Rafael’s life would be in even greater danger. Francisco wouldn’t hesitate to kill him.“It’s the truth,” she forced herself to say, her voice cold and distant, even as it tore her apart inside.“No,” Rafael cried, shaking his head as tears streamed down his bruised face. “Don’t think about me, Hazel. I know you love me. You’re doing this to save me, I know it.”Francisco’s mouth opened, ready to spew something cruel, but Hazel quickly cut him off. “Rafael!” she said sharply, drawing both their attention back to her.“I love him, only him,” she continued, her voice steady despite the agony in her chest. “We had some good memories, you and I. But now, Francisco is everything to me. Please… try to understand. I don’t want to go with you guys.”Each word was like a knife in her heart, but she had to make Rafael believe it. It w
Hazel's voice trembled as she asked, "Can we go, Francisco?"Francisco's hand tightened around her waist, his fingers lingering possessively. He looked down at her, his expression unreadable. "You can go," he said, his tone calm but with an underlying threat. "Wait in the car. I’ll join you in two minutes."Hazel felt a wave of dread wash over her, but she forced herself to nod. Her face tightened as she fought to maintain her composure. Before leaving the chamber, she glanced back at Rafael, her heart breaking all over again. Francisco had given her the chance to say a proper goodbye, to hug Rafael one last time, but she knew she couldn’t. If she touched him, even for a moment, she feared she would lose all her resolve.“Goodbye, Rafael,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. Then, without looking back, she turned and quickly left the chamber.As she walked toward the car, Hazel’s pace quickened, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. The moment she slid into the car, she brok
Hazel, her mind clouded and her body trembling, suddenly clasped Francisco’s collar and pulled him down into a kiss. Her movements were fevered, desperate, and without hesitation. Francisco stiffened at first, his hands instinctively going to her arms as if to push her away.“Hazel,” he murmured against her lips, trying to steady her. But she didn’t stop, her kisses becoming more insistent.For a moment, Francisco battled with himself. He knew she wasn’t in her right mind—her behavior erratic and fueled by whatever drugs that fucking Kai had forced upon her. She was vulnerable, and he should protect her, not exploit the situation.But then his heart whispered louder than his mind. This was his chance—a chance to have what he’d long desired but could never ask for. He wanted Hazel, all of her. A family with her. A future where she wouldn’t leave him, bound not just by love but by something unbreakable.He hesitated only for a heartbeat more before he gave in. His hands slid to her wais
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