Astrid's POV I stood in the middle of the already cleared area for our battle with everyone no longer focusing on their training but Serena and I who were standing opposite each other. Luca stood off to the side, arms crossed with his cold expression unreadable. His mood swings were scary no matter what anyone tells me. “I need to see what you can do, Astrid. Just don't force yourself too much,” he said, his voice low and authoritative, much more than he uses when speaking to Vincent and Nino whom I've seen around the penthouse. Maybe it's because of the place we were in. “Serena, don't hold back.”She cracked her knuckles, her grin getting wide as she put her red hair up in a messy ponytail. “Don't worry, boss. I never planned on going easy on her in the first place.”Serena stepped forward, her stance showing she was so much experienced in this and trying to intimidate me but I've seen so much more intimidate me when hacking into systems. She was confident and maybe too confident
Luca's POV I stood to the side as I watched June stand across from Astrid with an excited expression. I don't expect Astrid to win this fight at all because firstly, she was already exhausted from fighting Serena, and secondly, June was just a level below Nino when it came to her power. She was at the top of the women and was just trying to toy with Astrid. I didn't step in when she challenged Astrid because in this world, endurance was needed and that was one of the things Astrid lacked. She needed to be able to last long in long lasting battles without guns. Astrid looked tired from where she stood, still recovering from her earlier fight with Serena but I knew she wasn't about to give you just yet. It was written all over her face. One thing I had to admit she had was guts. June cracked her knuckles, smirking. “Are you sure you're ready for this, new girl? I won't go easy on you at all.” Astrid didn't answer and just raised her fists. She was ready, or at least he thought she
Astrid's POV My eyes fluttered open slowly, and I found myself on an unfamiliar bed, the soft sheets rubbing against my skin. I ached all over, a reminder of the brutal battle I put myself to. Slowly, I sat up, looking around. The room was clean and simple, almost similar to my room in the penthouse but much bigger. My clothes were clean and fresh, not the one I remembered wearing before everything went dark. Where the hell am I? Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I stood up, feeling slight dizziness, but it passed. My bruises still hurt and I had bandages on my wrists and band-aid on my face. I touched my face and it hurt from the last hit I got from that woman. Tch, talk about ruthless. I was about to step out of the room when I heard voices– low, muffled voices. I opened the door cautiously and walked into the hallway. The voices grew more and more as I walked towards the living area. There stood Luca, seated with his back to me, speaking to Vincent and Nico. Their con
Astrid's POV The morning air was refreshing as I leaned against Luca's car, waiting for him to finish giving last minute orders to Vincent and Nico. I've never been one for early mornings, but we had to move early so it wasn't like I had any choice in deciding when to leave. We were meeting with La Oscuridad today and I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. Why does it always have to be me they were all after. I mean, training a new hacker to take my place wouldn't cost them as much time and effort trying to get a hold of me would cost them. Well, training one wasn't the same as someone who has been hacking since I could read perfectly. The first thing father made me learn was what I was interested in and computers seemed interesting and I fell in love with hacking. Although he used it for his own goods back then, I still got to hack to the point of perfection, even though I still make some mistakes one of a thousand times. I wasn't interested in being pulled into the dark si
Astrid's POV For a starter, I thought Halo Oscuro would be an old man who had a lot of age over head head but looking around the table, the leaders seated there all seemed to be in their thirties and forties. The oldest would be Halo who would most probably be in his mid or late forties. “Oohh, so that's her.” One of the females seated in Halo's right said to me with an excited look. “I'm sure she looks pretty beneath that mask. Why don't you give her to me, Santoro? I'll pay you big–” “Forget it, Juniper.” He said, sitting at the other head of the table without batting an eyelid. He gestured towards the empty seat on his right and I sat dokw comfortably, placing my legs on the seat like I usually did whenever I was hacking. “You bring Luca Santoro in at first, Halo and now you bring a hacker into this and to sit at the sane table as we all do? What are you thinking, Halo?” A tanned man with blonde hair grumbled, folding his arms across his chest as he threw me dirty glances. “I'
Astrid's POV I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. It's been a while since I've seen myself dressed like this and I had to say it wasn't exactly what I would call my style at all. Dressed in a black, satin dress that hugged my body tight, I looked fitting for one of these big club hostesses. My hair was pulled back in waves, make up perfectly done and heels that clicked against the floor as I moved in them were set. It wasn't my usual style but if it was for a mission, I was ready to go out of my comfort zone. I knew there were those who didn't want me with La Oscuridad and it wasn't like I wanted to join either but the fact that Luca had given the go ahead to be involved, I don't care what the rest of them said. Golden Gates was one of the most expensive clubs in the entire country and it was on the outskirts of Luca's territory. It was one of those corporations no one claimed ownership over either because it is owned by a powerfully organization and I could o
Astrid's POV Mateo led me through the back of the club up to a private suite. The room was lavish, filled with expensive paintings and decors. There was a bar filled to the brim with every drink imaginable. As soon as the door behind me closed, I knew I couldn't escape this for a long time. I had to get this done and over with quickly. I was snatched into his arms swiftly, his face buried in my neck as he started to place soft kisses on my neck. “Wait a minute,” I said, pushing him backward slightly. “You've been with other girls and I think it's much better if you take a shower and then we'll go ahead.” “Ooh, I never expected you to be a jealous type.” He teased, his hands grabbing my breasts from over my clothes. He then walked past me, heading towards the bathroom. “Make yourself comfortable.” He said, walking into the bathroom. I sat on one of the sofas, pulling out my phone from the waist strap I had a few things placed in. I tapped a few things and the entire outline of t
Astrid's POV The guard remained unfazed and his unflinching gaze rested on me while his grip on me intensified. I tried to hide the grimace expression that was making its way to my features as the guard continued to sink his fingers into my flesh. "I told you....he says he does not need me anymore." I let out, still trying to break free from his grasp. "I'll have to go confirm from the boss first and you're coming with me!" He said and started to pull me toward Mateo's room. I knew there would be no room for escape for me if he got to find out that I laced Mateo's drink with a substance—I began to rack my brain to think of a distraction, I couldn't take this man from in a fight even if I wanted to—it wouldn't take him a second before he overpowered me and pinned me to the floor. "Hey, can you at least stop holding onto me so tightly, it's not like I'm going to try to run or something...." That was exactly what I had intended—at the slightest release of his fingers, I would yank m
Luca’s POVIn the end, I learnt that what was meant to be will always be. Here’s me, happy with my kids and my sweetheart Astrid. If someone had told me a few years back that I’ll find a girl who had the code to my heart, I would have laughed at them and called them foolish. I just? Cos I was a hard nut to crack. I was just all about my business, conquering cities and being the boss, bloody fights etc. I had no eyes for love. But Astrid isn’t just a hacker of systems, she had the ability to even hack into hearts. She did so to mine.I stared at her, as she walked round the house trying to put one or two things in place and I couldn’t help but feel blessed. “Dang! I had it all!” I said to myself smiling sheepishly. I had my baby girl and the kids… I felt like I had the entire world under my feet. Like I could trample on anyone and everything just for my family.“What’s running through your mind? You’ve been lost in thought for a while, I noticed” she said softly with a smile.“Mum…
Luca's POVI raised my hand and slowed in my movement. "Let her go, Ace. That's not an option.A sharp, bitter laugh pierced the cold night. "Do you think I care what you do, do you think I care?”Astrid winced but said nothing. Her teeth clenched and I saw her fist clench. She was angry, but she was also scared. I couldn't blame her."You've lost, Ace," I said calmly. "Your people are gone. El Sombra's job is done for. Let Astrid go, and maybe, just maybe you can get out of here alive."Ace scoffed. "Don't insult me, Santoro. Do you think I'm afraid of you? You're the one who should beg for mercy. You have no choice."What do you think, Ace?" I asked, ignoring his sarcasm."Money? Power? You name the price, I'll make it happen.He grinned, his eyes glinted with malice. "What do I want? It's simple. I want you to leave, Luca."I frowned, my mind filled with thoughts. "What did you say?"Ace hugged Astrid tightly and leaned toward her."Kill yourself," he said in a low voice. "If you d
Luca's POVAs I stepped out of the car with Halo beside me and the rest of my men behind me. My boots crunched onto the gravel path, past the blazing warehouse along the dark road.The air smelled strongly of diesel, and in a confused, oppressive way. I felt the weight of this decision on my shoulders, but I was too far gone to turn back.This meeting was not about reconciliation. It was about drawing a line. The door opened, and a dark figure emerged. One of the eldest members of the El Sombra group. That sharp, wild smile like a knife made my blood irate.Behind him, I saw Astrid. She stood motionless, close to Ace, with an unspeakable expression on her face."Luca Santoro, you've been here a long time." One of the El Sombra members stepped forward."I'm here. Let's get started," I said."That's a brave move, Luca," Ace said, his voice filled with the arrogance I hated."You made it to the gates of El Sombra with weapons. Or should I say you're just ... scared?I didn't answer, jus
Astrid's POVThe moonlight shone, exposing the gloomy night. I prepared to leave, I knew this would be my only chance to get away from Ace and his watchful guards.He trusted me less with every passing day, and I had to make my move before he decided to tighten his grip completely.I hung the small bag over my shoulder, tucking the paper with Luca's address into the inner pocket of my jacket. The laptop I’d used to track him was safely hidden, wiped clean of any traceable activity.I exhaled quietly as I opened the window of my room. The estate's security lights shone towards the grounds below in slow, predictable arcs.I had studied the patterns of the securities countless times, preparing for this exact day.As the lights went out steadily, I came out, clinging to the ledge as I lowered myself beneath the first floor balcony. My feet barely made any sound as they touched the tiled grounds in the balcony. I pressed against a wall, my heart pounding in haste.I waited.Some guards wer
Astrid's POVThe silence in the car on our way to Ace's house was just choking. He didn't say a word, but I knew a storm was brewing inside him. He was upset, obviously and I knew it, from the way his jaws kept clenching and unclenching every few seconds.I should be the one getting upset, not him. Not after what he did at the meeting.The minute we entered inside, I was done holding in the anger that was brewing within me."You had no right to interrupt me at that meeting," I said, wheeling back to him.Ace raised an eyebrow at me in pretended innocence. "Interrupt you? You had nothing to contribute, Astrid. You've been off your game for weeks."I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "The question they asked was directed to me and you didn't even give me a chance to answer."He leaned against the wall, an air of nonchalance, though his gaze was keen. "Alright then. What would you have said?"I froze. So fast my lie formed in my mind, I couldn't even stop it."I'd have said no," I said fi
Astrid's POVThe room felt like the walls were closing on me, it was suffocating. Ace and the El Sombra members were deep in their scheming, voices melding together into a hum of plans I couldn't force myself to care about.I sat at the edge of the long table, my mind elsewhere as they debated how to handle Luca's inevitable encounter with El Sombra."Astrid," one of them called, breaking through my haze. "You got any input?"I blinked, my eyes rising to meet the inquiring glances of the group. I used to love these moments; my sharp mind was always one step ahead of everybody else. But now? I couldn't muster the will even to play this game."No," I said briefly, coldly. "I have nothing to add.Ace's gaze lingered on me, an edge of suspicion alive in his eyes. I gave him a well-practiced look of indifference, refusing to let him see through the fissures forming in my resolve."Excuse me," I said, suddenly standing. "I need to use the restroom."Ace didn't respond, but I felt his gaze b
Luca's POVHelena sat across from Halo and me in a dim lit room, her arms crossed tightly, a flicker of something unreadable in her eyes.The atmosphere felt almost suffocating, a thick tension that wrapped around us like a heavy cloak. Nico and Vincent leaned against the wall in the corner of the dim room, his gaze fixed on her as if trying to decode the puzzle she presented.It was a standoff, and it wasn't lost on me that I had placed myself right in the middle of it."Start talking," I said, leaning forward in my chair, elbows resting on my knees. My voice was calm, though deep down I felt a storm brewing. I needed answers, and I wasn't in any mood for games.Helena squared her shoulders, and for a second, I saw something fragile behind the iron mask. Her face was impassive, but I saw her hands flinch just a little a tell, maybe."Ace killed my father," she said, her voice even and bitter. "My father was working for one of the El Sombra members, he was a low-level enforcer.” She p
Luca's POVWe were getting closer to my secret estate where my mother and sisters are hidden. My arm throbbed faintly, a reminder of how close I’d been to losing everything. As Nico drove with a characteristic focus, Halo perched in the back seat fidgety, his hand grazing the handle of his pistol, constantly.“We’re getting pretty close,” Nico finally spoke, breaking the silence.I nodded and looked out the window. I had not seen my family in weeks, had left them in Vincent’s care for weeks. The prospect of what I was going into sent a tight pain through my chest.The hidden estate was the same as I left it when we arrived surrounded by tall gates and cloaked in mystery. Nico had parked the car and I got out, boots crunching on the gravel. Halo was already patrolling the perimeter, his watchful shadow always near.The front door opened before I could knock, and there she was-my mother. Her eyes welled up then, and tears flowed down her face as she came to me."Luca," she whispered, h
Astrid's POVAs I entered the car, my heart kept pounding and I couldn't help but fidget. Maybe I shouldn't have told the driver to stop, it was my chance to escape from all this. And it could be the last chance I get to have.The silence between Ace and I was deafening and I knew if any of us began to talk, there would be an explosion of emotions, especially from my end.Ace began, “I see you've been busy, Astrid.” he said, his tone low and suspicious. He glared but I preferred to look elsewhere, at nothing in particular, rather than stare into those stern brown eyes.“I had some issues with proceeding with the mission last night.”I simply said because narrating everything that happened between Luca and I last night was something I couldn't do.It wouldn't only make me feel more guilty than I am already but it was surely not going to get Ace to be on my good side. Whatever he wanted to do to me, he could. I wasn't scared of him.“I know that, my men informed me about how you left the