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𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°At around six Breanna coordinates John's extraction with Sophia alone in her office. “John is still en route,” Sophia said, removing the phone from her ear.“Don't you think his arrival is taking too long?" Breanna asked, looking at the wall clock hanging on her office wall.Sophia senses a shift in her instinct but she dismisses it as nerves. “Sombra Azul is so remote that getting a Bus is hard”"Oh— then we do not engage until he enters the pre-ceremony chamber.” Breanna expressed.“Yes— Ma'am” Sophia replied and went back to rehearsing the conversation lines with John.Breanna had composed and given them to her because her cases were yet to be returned to her since she completed her suspension. 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐳𝐮𝐥 — 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞A sacred, once-a-year Sombra Azul's native ceremony aimed at ushering in a new season.Little bonfires burned in disciplined rows before each hut—low, steady flames fed with resin and bone-dry wood. Impatient
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°° Antonio cracked a blow against his jaw with the kind of force meant to silence, not warn.The room turned hollow. No one breathed.Grinch staggered a step, and his reflex muscles relieved its grip on Antonio's lapel.“You were never appointed to lecture or question me,” Antonio said quietly. “Remember your place.”The latter wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth, exhaled hard through his teeth. “De todas las razones para perder el filo… escoges a una mujer. {Of all the reasons to lose your edge… you choose a woman}”A slow, wrenching guilt washed over Antonio but it was already late. Grinch exhaled through his teeth as though he’d been counting the seconds, “Sombra Azul Sundance Eve is tomorrow. John is coming back.”“And you waited this long to say it?” Antonio demanded.Grinch didn’t react. “Breanna’s people already caught scent and She’ll tear through your walls with his information” Without waiting to be dismissed, he turned and
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°Nevena’s fingers tightened on her purse, his voice didn’t break the silence — it cut through it,She cast him a glance… then looked away without answering.Antonio's let the silence stretch, studying her countenance.“I don’t wish to coerce you into a decision,” he continued at last, tone deceptively composed. “Just that my countrymen are… considerably hospitable, moreover Junior needs you.”“What about you?” she shot back, quicker, sharper than she intended.The question ignited a shift in the air or maybe his countenance.But before she could read his expression—“We’re here,” he said abruptly, pulling the wheel into a neat, calculated stop.The car hadn’t even settled before a chauffeur approached. They alighted and Antonio tossed him the keys without looking.He turned to Nevena and extended his arm, she slid her hand into it automatically.His other hand lifted her gown as he guided her inside — so she wouldn’t trip, a silent, possessive courtesy.
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°“What is this?”Breanna's agitated voice cut through her office.Sophia flinched, retreating a step away from her presence. “Ma’am — I'm —”Breanna flung the folder and a rain of scattered A4 sheets fluttered to the floorSophia could only watch her two-weeks’ effort crumble at her feet.“What came over you, Sophia? I leave for two weeks and everything goes haywire.”“I did my best,” the aide breathed, voice taut. “I’m sorry if I didn’t meet your expectations.”“Expectations?” Breanna tried to laugh, but it came out brittle. She bit down on her lip instead, eyes wide.“Any information on John Minnelli?”“Yes,” Sophia replied, voice strained but steady. “Tomorrow’s the eve of the Sombra Azul Sundance Ritual. He never misses it.”“That’s more of a relief” Breanna exhaled and reclined elegantly. “Tell dispatch to prepare a welcoming convoy. Things are about to get interesting.”“Yes, Ma’am.”Without lingering, she turned and exited.—--When Nevena scrunche
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°°“I brought medication, food — and something you’ll complain about.”Nevena blinked. “Which is?”He loosened his tie as though he couldn’t stand it anymore.“Rest. All day.”“You must be kidd—”“Say thank you and receive princess treatment,” he cut her off, voice like granite.“Thank you…” she murmured.“Good girl.” His tone was maddeningly pleased.Without dwelling much on it, he rose, untucking the meal container.“I’ll feed you. Then you take meds.”She reached for the spoon, but he intercepted it.“I said I’ll feed you.”Her eyes misted again, throat tight.“You don’t have to do this.”Antonio didn’t listen.He blew the steam off a spoonful and brought it to her lips.She obeyed.After she was done eating, he unstrapped the IV and scooped her up. “Time for a bath.”She wriggled, slightly embarrassed. “I can manage.”“What’s still there to hide?”Her face burned instantly.“What— why would you say that?”“I already saw everything uncensored,” Antonio
𝐌𝐚𝐟𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬°°° Antonio let out a slow exhale —“Sure, buddy. Sit and watch her, I will be right back.”Junior sat on the edge of the bed, facing her, elbows on his knees, fingers pressed against his lips — watching every breath she took.Inside the kitchen, he preheated the leftover from the morning and served him.Junior ate and Antonio rocked him back to sleep.The oblivious boy lolled against his abs and used it as a pillow while he stayed vigil until dawn. In the early morning when the fever finally broke, he exhaled for the first time and eased Junior on the bed.A few minutes before seven, Nevena woke with a sharp gasp, her lashes fluttering as though tearing out of a nightmare.“Oh my God—” she tried to sit up, sweeping the bedding back in panic.But the second she lifted herself, a firm hand pressed gently but immovably to her shoulder.“Stop,” his voice was low but firm.She blinked at him — he was sitting right beside her, on the chair, hair messed, shirtles







