IsadoraViktor had asked to meet for a discussion.Walking into the carter's main meeting room, Ivan and Viktor were seated, while Rafael leaned against the far wall, arms crossed."We've been waiting for you. I heard about what happened last night, I hope you're okay," Viktor addressed me, a look of worry on his face."I'm alright Viktor, thank you." I said as I fell into an opposite seat at the head of the table."I've been thinking. This isn't something we need to fold our arms and just keep watch. We have to act fast." He stated, taking turns to look at the faces of the rest of us in the room."Whoever got in last night won't stop. They were testing the security- next time, they won't just be watching."Ivan cut in coldly, "No they won't. Next time, they'll be dead."After thinking for a moment, I turned to Viktor."So what are you saying Viktor? What do we do?""We set a trap." He stated, as he slid a folder towards me.I opened it, it contained details- security loopholes, blin
Isadora The following morning, we met at the main strategy room to discuss the plans for tonight.I sat at the center of the table, my hands clasped. Viktor and Rafael stood on opposite sides, explaining the plan.Ivan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, uninterested in the conversation; his expression still visibly displeased."We control the narrative. We let the spy think they're slipping in unnoticed, when in reality we dictate every step they make- guiding the right our hands." Viktor stated.Rafael continued, his fingers running along the blueprint of the estate on the table. "We leave one entrance 'unguarded', or make it seem like that- the west wing. They'll think it's a weak spot.""And when they take the bait?" I asked, nodding."We surround them, block off all exits, and get them alive. No one pulls a gun unless absolutely necessary. We want them alive." Viktor added."And if it goes wrong?" Ivan interjected coldly."Can you stop being negative? Don't jinx it." I said,
IsadoraMy head throbbed violently. I had realized panic was useless, so I forced my breathing to steady.Some other men walked in."She's awake," the scarred man said as he turned towards them."Good. The boss will want to see her."The doors opened widely and the sound of heavy boots approached, as the distinct sound of a gun being dragged against an iron made my heart pound.A rough hand gripped my chin, forcing my face up. The light from the door cut through the darkness, making my eye squint."Well, well, well," a hoarse voice drawled. "The new queen finally opens her eyes. You were out for quite some time."I blinked rapidly, my vision adjusting to the dimly lit room.A man was crouched in front of me, grinning like a wide animal. He had a rough face, yellow-stained teeth and a wicked look in his eyes."Who are you?" I asked, my throat dry.The man chuckled. "Funny I should be asking you the same thing." He stood up, towering over me."You don't belong in this world, princess.
IsadoraI sat in the corner of the dimly lit room, the cold cement pressed against my skin.My knees were drawn to my chest, with my wrists and arms still sore from the ropes they had been bound with.The door creaked open. I didn't flinch, now already expecting the worse.Javi strolled in, slow, deliberate steps, his hands in his pockets as always. One of the guards, who they called Rico, walked in with him, leaning against the door .Javi approached me, his eyes running over me."You know, I've broken men twice your size in minutes." He stated, his voice slow and purposeful.I stared at him, a blank expression on my face.He smirked, "You're holding up really well, but I just have to ask. What exactly are you holding up for?""Surely, you don't think Ivan and your cartel members are planning a rescue mission. We've been watching them, no movement. Not even a whisper.""All you have to do is just give me the details of your supplier and arrange a meeting with them. How long do you th
Isadora"What took you so long?" I asked, my voice hoarse, weak and barely above a whisper. The silence in the room making it loud.I sat in the lounge of the safe house, my arms wrapped around myself as I tried to keep it together. I had finally been rescued, finally away from the nightmare, but my body still trembled and my face was pale.Viktor, standing a few feet away, exhaled sharply. "Isa-""What took you so long?" I repeated, my voice raised and angry, as my eyes moved from Viktor to Rafael to the others in the room. "Why did it take you so long to find me?"A long silence followed as I tried to keep it together.Rafael looked down uncomfortably, his hands running down his face. "The plan... it didn't go as expected."A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "You think I don't know that?"Viktor stepped forward, his expression hardening. "Isa, we were moving as fast we could. We were taken by surprise. We didn't expect them to get to you as fast as they did. We had eyes everywhere, bu
Isadora"Why did you come so late for me?"Ivan had walked into my room, and after being silent for a while, I finally spoke, my eyes everywhere but on his face. My voice trembled as I sat on the edge of my bed, my arms wrapped around myself like a shield.Ivan, standing a few feet away, exhaled sharply. "Isadora-""You were late, Ivan," I repeated, my voice louder and cracking this time. "Do you understand how that made me feel?"He clenched his jaw. "I do."I laughed bitterly. "No, I don't think you do."I didn't look at him yet, I was afraid that if I did, I'd see nothing. No sign of remorse or regret. No guilt."I counted every second, every minute, hoping you'd come. I kept telling myself, 'Ivan is coming. He wouldn't leave me here.' But with each second that passed and you didn't come, it was hard to keep believing it." My nails dug into my arms.Ivan's entire body stiffened. But he didn't move or speak."Javi was right," I whispered as I finally looked at his face. "You didn't
Isadora I woke up the following morning, deep in thought. A part of me was furious, and the other exhausted.'If I wasn't weak, if they didn't think of me as weak and inexperienced, I wouldn't have been abducted', were the thoughts running through my head.The memory of the nights I spent there still haunted me- the dark, stuffy room, the muffled voices of guards, the look in Javi's eyes, the feeling of helplessness that ate at my insides. I hated it all. And most of all, I hated myself for letting it happen.I was tired of waiting around to be saved, I needed to get stronger and I needed to do it fast, and that was solely all I intended to focus on these next few days.After getting dressed, I made my way to Rafael's office. The heavy wooden doors creaked open as I stepped inside, the air thick with cigar smoke. He sat behind his desk, exhaling a slow puff of smoke as he watched me approached."You're up early," he noted, his voice low."I don't have anymore time to waste," I replie
Isadora“Again.”Rafael’s voice was sharp, cutting through the stillness of the training room.I gritted my teeth and lifted the gun again, my arms burning from exhaustion. I aimed at the target across the room, steadying my breath.Rafael stood beside me, arms crossed, watching me closely. "Your stance is still weak."I adjusted my feet, gripping the gun tighter. "Like this?"He exhaled. "Better."I focused, exhaled and fired. The bullet missed the center of the target by an inch. I sighed with frustration."Not good enough," Rafael muttered. I growled under my breath, squared my shoulders and fired again.Bullseye.Rafael exhaled, stepping closer. “Better. But you’re still hesitating.”I turned to face him, my eyes dark with determination. “I’m not hesitating.”Rafael cocked his head. “Aren’t you?”I tightened my grip on the gun. “No I'm not."“Then shoot me.”My breath hitched. “What?”“You heard me.” Rafael took a step closer, standing right in front of me. “You say you’re not he
Isadora"How long until he wakes up?" I asked for what felt like the hundredth time.It had been almost thirty-six hours since the incident. The room was silent except for the steady beep of the heart monitor. Ivan lay still on the hospital bed in the estate's medical wing, his chest rising and falling in a rhythm that felt too slow for my liking. The bullet was out, the bleeding had stopped and the doctor said he had pulled through the worst of it- but he still hadn't woken up.Dr Garcia, the carter's doctor, sighed as he checked Ivan's vitals again."His body went through serious trauma, Señora. He lost a lot of blood. He needs rest. That's how healing works."I swallowed hard, hating that answer. "So what you're saying is, you don't know.He gave me a flat look, but didn't argue. "He's stable, and that's a good sign. Give it time."Time. Of course.I exhaled sharply as Doctor Garcia walked out, leaving me alone with the unconscious man infront of me. I sat beside his bed, taking hi
IsadoraI sat outside Ivan’s room, my hands clasped tightly together, my leg bouncing uncontrollably. The surgery was over, but he hadn’t woken up yet. The doctor said he was stable, but stable wasn’t enough. I needed him conscious, making some sarcastic comment, smirking like he always did. Not lying there, pale and unmoving.The weight of everything pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. He took a bullet meant for me. Ivan. Of all people. The thought made my chest tighten painfully.Viktor sat beside me, silent for a while. Then, finally, he exhaled. “You should rest.”I scoffed, shaking my head. “I'm fine,” I muttered, my eyes fixed on an imaginary point.“You’re not and you're no good to anyone like this,” he said, his voice calm but firm.I turned to face him, my eyes narrowing. “You want me to just lie down and relax while he’s in there fighting for his life?”“No, I want you to stop punishing yourself for something you couldn’t control,” he countered, holding my gaze."
Isadora"Ivan! Ivan!" I called out frantically, watching the life fade out of his face.Before I could do anything else, Viktor yanked me up, dragging me forcefully towards the exit where our cars were parked."No," I cried out, almost like a plea. "We can't leave him here Viktor!""We're not leaving him here Isadora. So pull yourself together before you get us all killed!" he shouted, as he kept on dragging me.I watched as Rafael carried Ivan over his shoulders, while the other men covered us, the sound of gunshots blasting heavily still."Move! Move! Move!" Viktor shouted to the driver as we entered the van. The driver, who already had the engine running, zoomed off speedily as soon as the doors shut."Ivan," I said as I rushed to his side, blood gushing out from the hole in his abdomen. I was shaking all over as I watched Rafael try to stop the flow of blood."He needs a doctor, as soon as possible." Rafael stated with a look to Viktor."I'm on it," he replied, bringing out his ph
Isadora The warehouse was quiet. Too quiet, except for the rhythmic tapping of my fingers against the table.I sat across from Cesar in the center of the room. He was a tall man, well over six feet, with a commanding presence that demanded attention. His hair was jet black, slicked back neatly. His eyes were a piercing shade of green, sharp and calculating, with a subtle scar that ran along his right eyebrow.The air between us was thick with tension, the kind that settled in the bones and refused to leave. Cesar leaned back in his chair, his expensive suit crisp and unruffled despite the situation. His gaze flickered across the room, taking in every detail. He was measuring, calculating. But so was I.Ivan stood to my right, arms crossed, his expression hard. Rafael and Dominic, one of our men, were positioned strategically, watching Cesar’s men for any sign of deception. Viktor, however, wasn’t watching Cesar’s men. He was watching Cesar. As agreed, we had each brought a few truste
Isadora“Come in,” I called.A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. It was the night before the meeting with Cesar. I stood by the window in my office, staring at the dim glow of the city skyline in the distance. The weight of tomorrow’s meeting pressed heavily on my chest.Rafael stepped inside, closing the door behind him with a soft click. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his shoulders told me he was carrying just as much as I was.“You’re still up,” he said, his voice even. “Not surprising, but still.”I offered a tired smirk. “Could say the same for you.”He walked over to the small bar in the corner, pouring himself a drink. “Sleep doesn’t come easy when you’re preparing for war.” He lifted the glass. “Want one?”I hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Why not?”Rafael poured me a glass and handed it over before settling onto the worn leather couch across from me. I took a sip before speaking.“Are you worried?” I asked, cutting through the silence.He exhaled
Isadora"Let's talk," Ivan said when it was just us left in the meeting room.I sat down, placing my hands on the table."He must've overslept?" He questioned, his tone laced with sarcasm."What?" I asked, knowing exactly what he meant."Don't what me, Isadora. You know what I'm asking.""I was just saying, that's the only reason why he would miss a meeting," I maintained."And you would know that because?" he glared at me, his eyes shooting guns. I adjusted turning to face him."We had a talk last night, Ivan. I couldn't sleep and he couldn't either." My voice was steady, refusing to be intimidated by his tone."What did you both talk about that late at night?"I paused, taking a moment to put my words together. "I don't think I owe you any explanation or details of my talk with Viktor. It was a personal conversation between us."I knew exactly what I was doing, and I was having a little too much fun playing with him. It was just sex to him, so I intended to keep it at that.He scof
Isadora You’re early,” I noted, folding my arms.The next morning, we met in the meeting room to finalise the details of the meet. I had barely been able to get any sleep after the conversation with Viktor, so I was up early.Diego arrived earlier than expected. His usual air of casual arrogance was still there, but beneath it, I saw something sharper. Something more urgent.Rafael, who had been flipping through some notes, looked up immediately, his brows lifting slightly. Ivan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, watching Diego with the same wary curiosity he always did.Diego smirked. “Figured you wouldn’t want to wait.”I gestured for him to sit. “What did you find?”He let out a breath, rubbing his jaw before speaking. “Cesar’s been unusual, talking to people he normally wouldn’t. People outside his usual circle. Some of them are neutral, some are enemies, but the fact that he’s reaching out? That’s not like him.”Rafael frowned. “ What does that mean? He’s trying to form new
Isadora"Can't sleep?"Viktor's voice cut through the night air, calm yet probing.I turned away from the balcony railing I was standing beside, exhaling as I slowly met his gaze. The moonlight cast a light glow over his face, making the shadows beneath his eyes look deeper."Are you checking up on me?" I asked lightly, a faint smile across my face.He smirked but didn't deny it. "I was heading to the bar. Saw the light on and came to check it out," he said as he stepped onto the balcony, standing beside me.I nodded towards the half-empty glass of champagne beside me. "Already beat you to it."For a while we didn't speak. The only sound was the distant echoes of traffic and the rustling of leaves in the cold breeze. It was peaceful- creating a false illusion as against the war we were in."I don't like it," Viktor finally said.I tilted my head slightly, looking at him. "You don't like what?""This meeting. The whole thing with Cesar. It smells like a setup, no matter how we try to t
Isadora"What?"I asked, taken aback and redirecting my focus and energy to his words.His gaze lingered on Ivan for a second, before he dragged it back to me, adjusting his tone and posture."Cesar sent a message, boss." I took note of how he addressed me, already aware that a personal conversation with him was waiting for me ahead."What did he say?" Ivan cut in, a skeptical look on his face."Let's go to the meeting room, Rafael is waiting. We should all hear it together." Viktor added impatiently.Clearly, whatever Cesar had sent wasn't small. I breezed past them, my thoughts running crazy as I imagined what Cesar could possibly have said in his message.Rafael was already seated, one hand tapping against the table, his face unreadable. But the tension in his shoulders told me everything."Been waiting," he grumbled, his eyes flicking between Ivan and me before landing on Viktor. "Did you tell them?"Viktor nodded. "Just the basics. Haven't given them the details yet."I pulled ou