The garden sparkled under the afternoon sun. White roses and black lilies lined the aisle - a perfect blend of light and darkness, just like their love story.Victor stood at the altar, his heart beating faster than it had during any gunfight despite it being his second wedding. Jordan stood beside him as best man, fidgeting with his tie and muttering curses under his breath."Stop moving," Victor hissed. "You're making me nervous."Jordan smirked. "You? Nervous? The great Victor Reis?""Shut up."The music changed, and Miguel appeared at the end of the aisle. His little face serious with responsibility as he carried the rings on a black velvet pillow. The guests smiled as he walked carefully, concentrating on not dropping his precious cargo.Then everyone stood. And Victor forgot how to breathe.Selena appeared in a black dress that hugged her curves before flowing out like smoke around her feet. Not white - never white. White was for innocence they'd lost long ago. Black was honest.
Maria caught the bouquet with a look of pure horror on her face. Jordan howled with laughter from where he stood with the other men. "It's a sign, baby!" he called out, his voice carrying across the garden. "The universe is saying we're next!" Maria's cheeks flamed red. "Shut your mouth, Jordan!" Later, as the dancing continued, Jordan cornered Maria by the champagne fountain. His tie was loose, and his grin was wide. "So I've been thinking," he started. Maria groaned. "That's never good." "We could do Vegas. Quick and dirty." He waggled his eyebrows. "I want our first time to be epic." "Jordan!" Maria hissed, checking if anyone heard. "No? Okay, how about underwater? I know a guy with a submarine." Maria stared at him. "Are you drunk?" "On love, baby." Jordan laughed, then dodged the punch she threw at his arm. "Okay, okay. How about a ceremony on motorcycles? We say our vows while doing wheelies." "I will stab you," Maria said sweetly. "In your sleep." Jordan leaned close
One Year Later "The shipment arrives tomorrow," Selena announced, closing her laptop. The leadership meeting had gone smoothly - far smoother than when she'd first joined. Victor nodded from the head of the table. "Any concerns?" "None. Our new route is secure." Selena's efficiency had transformed their operation. Profits were up forty percent, and losses were down to almost nothing. After the meeting, they walked together through the warehouse. Workers nodded respectfully - not just to Victor now, but to Selena too. "Remember when half of them wanted you gone?" Victor asked quietly. Selena smiled. "Now they know better." It wasn't just their operation that had grown. Their reputation had spread. Three smaller cartels had sought protection under their banner. Two rivals had proposed alliances. That night at dinner, Jordan reported that the Fuentes cartel - once their biggest competition - wanted to meet. "They're scared," Jordan said with a grin. "Their boss actually said he'd
Victor Reis stood at the top of his empire, whiskey in hand, the neon cityscape stretching below his penthouse suite. The night was his—just like the streets, just like the power he had carved out with blood and fire. And just like Selena. The crystal glass cup felt cool against his palm as he surveyed his kingdom. Forty stories up, the city lights sparkled like jewels—jewels he had claimed one by one over the past decade. Behind the glass, he could see his reflection—the tailored suit, the hard-earned scars, the eyes that had seen too much. She moved behind him, her touch a slow caress over his shoulders. He could feel the heat of her body, the way she fit against him like she belonged there. The scent of her perfume—jasmine and something else- something new filled his senses, a new perfume perhaps? "You think you're untouchable, don't you?" Her voice was smooth, laced with something he couldn't place. He smirked, turning to face her as he grabbed her butt, squeezing slight
Boots crunched over broken glass. The gunfire suddenly stopped, leaving an eerie silence broken only by the moans of the dying. From the wreckage stepped someone whom victor never expected, someone he considered his brother in all but blood, the man who had fought beside him for fifteen years. Xavier. "Even the greatest empires fall, Victor," Xavier announced, stepping over the body of Victor's closest lieutenant. "Rome. Babylon. And now... you." Victor barely registered the betrayer's face as he stepped through the wreckage, gun in hand. His vision blurred, the pain clawing at his senses. But nothing—not the bullets, not the blood—felt as sharp as seeing Selena stand beside Xavier. "Even kings bleed, Reis," Xavier continued, nudging Victor's leg with his boot. Victor forced a chuckle, tasting iron. "Took you long enough." The pain of betrayal filled his face, twisting his features. "What's this about, Xavier? Money? Power? Or just jealousy finally eating you alive?" Xavi
Victor woke up in a secluded villa, his body battered and weak from the near-fatal betrayal he endured. The room was dimly lit, the soft hum of distant waves providing a stark contrast to the turmoil within him. As he attempted to sit up, a sharp pain coursed through his torso, reminding him of the bullet wounds that nearly claimed his life. "Fuck," he hissed, his hand instinctively going to his bandaged chest. Even breathing hurt. The door creaked open, revealing Jordan Valdez. The man's face showed a mixture of relief and concern as he approached the bed. "He fucking lives," Jordan remarked, pulling a chair beside Victor's bed. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, evidence of sleepless nights spent watching over his boss. Victor's throat felt like sandpaper. "Where are we?" "Italy." Jordan replied, as he picked a glass cup from a table. "How long?" Victor rasped as he struggled to sit up. "Three weeks," Jordan replied, pouring a glass of water. "The doctors weren't sure you
Days later, when Victor could finally leave his sickbed without grimacing in pain, he stepped outside onto the terrace of the secluded villa. The Italian breeze carried the scent of cypress and distant sea, so different from the urban landscape he once ruled. His wounds had begun to heal, but the betrayal that caused them still burned fresh in his mind. Jordan joined him, leaning against the stone balustrade. "Another day in paradise," he remarked sarcastically. "Though I'd prefer if paradise didn't know we were here." Victor's eyes scanned the rolling hills that surrounded their hideaway. "Tell me about the local players," he commanded, his voice still carrying the authority that had once made men tremble. Jordan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's a patchwork. The Conti family controls most of the northern region – violent bastards with old-school methods. The Barese crew runs the ports. And there are at least three smaller families fighting over the rest." He hesit
Victor's expression remained impassive, but something dangerous flickered in his eyes. "This isn't your business, Reis," the man continued, tightening his grip on the woman's arm until she winced. "Walk away while you still can." "It is now," Victor replied, his voice soft but carrying an unmistakable threat. The woman seized the momentary distraction, driving her knee hard into her captor's groin. He doubled over with a curse, but didn't release her. Another enforcer backhanded her across the face, splitting her lip further. "Enough," Victor said, the single word carrying more menace than a shouted threat. The leader laughed. "You've forgotten your place, American. This isn't your city anymore. Here, you're nothing but a ghost. A rumor." A ghost. Victor liked that. Victor's response was not in words but in action. He moved with a speed that belied his recent injuries, closing the distance in two strides. His first strike shattered the nearest man's wrist, the bones brea
One Year Later "The shipment arrives tomorrow," Selena announced, closing her laptop. The leadership meeting had gone smoothly - far smoother than when she'd first joined. Victor nodded from the head of the table. "Any concerns?" "None. Our new route is secure." Selena's efficiency had transformed their operation. Profits were up forty percent, and losses were down to almost nothing. After the meeting, they walked together through the warehouse. Workers nodded respectfully - not just to Victor now, but to Selena too. "Remember when half of them wanted you gone?" Victor asked quietly. Selena smiled. "Now they know better." It wasn't just their operation that had grown. Their reputation had spread. Three smaller cartels had sought protection under their banner. Two rivals had proposed alliances. That night at dinner, Jordan reported that the Fuentes cartel - once their biggest competition - wanted to meet. "They're scared," Jordan said with a grin. "Their boss actually said he'd
Maria caught the bouquet with a look of pure horror on her face. Jordan howled with laughter from where he stood with the other men. "It's a sign, baby!" he called out, his voice carrying across the garden. "The universe is saying we're next!" Maria's cheeks flamed red. "Shut your mouth, Jordan!" Later, as the dancing continued, Jordan cornered Maria by the champagne fountain. His tie was loose, and his grin was wide. "So I've been thinking," he started. Maria groaned. "That's never good." "We could do Vegas. Quick and dirty." He waggled his eyebrows. "I want our first time to be epic." "Jordan!" Maria hissed, checking if anyone heard. "No? Okay, how about underwater? I know a guy with a submarine." Maria stared at him. "Are you drunk?" "On love, baby." Jordan laughed, then dodged the punch she threw at his arm. "Okay, okay. How about a ceremony on motorcycles? We say our vows while doing wheelies." "I will stab you," Maria said sweetly. "In your sleep." Jordan leaned close
The garden sparkled under the afternoon sun. White roses and black lilies lined the aisle - a perfect blend of light and darkness, just like their love story.Victor stood at the altar, his heart beating faster than it had during any gunfight despite it being his second wedding. Jordan stood beside him as best man, fidgeting with his tie and muttering curses under his breath."Stop moving," Victor hissed. "You're making me nervous."Jordan smirked. "You? Nervous? The great Victor Reis?""Shut up."The music changed, and Miguel appeared at the end of the aisle. His little face serious with responsibility as he carried the rings on a black velvet pillow. The guests smiled as he walked carefully, concentrating on not dropping his precious cargo.Then everyone stood. And Victor forgot how to breathe.Selena appeared in a black dress that hugged her curves before flowing out like smoke around her feet. Not white - never white. White was for innocence they'd lost long ago. Black was honest.
The warehouse was cold and dimly lit. Victor stood at the head of the long table, Selena at his side. Around them sat the twelve lieutenants who controlled different aspects of the business, even when Xavier took over.All men. All watching Selena with expressions ranging from curiosity to open hostility."Gentlemen," Victor said, his voice carrying in the cavernous space. "I've called you here to introduce the newest member of our leadership." He placed his hand on the small of Selena's back. "My fiancée, Selena Vasquez."Murmurs rippled around the table. One man—Ramirez, one of the older lieutenants—scoffed audibly."With all due respect, boss," Ramirez said, his tone suggesting no respect at all, "what does she know about our business?"Victor's expression hardened, but before he could speak, Selena stepped forward."I was Xavier's prisoner for five years," she said calmly. "I know every connection he had. Every supplier. Every corrupt official on his payroll." Her eyes locked with
Miguel's eyes were wide as dinner plates when Victor told him the news."Mom's staying? Forever?" The boy could barely stay in his chair, bouncing with excitement.Victor's heart felt too big for his chest. "If that's okay with you.""Yes! Yes! Yes!" Miguel punched the air with each word, then froze suddenly. "Does this mean you and Mom are getting married?""It does." Victor ruffled his son's hair. "How do you feel about that?"Instead of answering, Miguel bolted from the room, returning moments later with a crumpled piece of paper. He smoothed it out carefully before handing it to Victor.It was a drawing, clearly made weeks ago. Three stick figures stood hand in hand in front of a house: a tall one labeled "Dad," a smaller one labeled "Me," and a medium one labeled "Mom.""I drew this before," Miguel said softly. "When I wished really hard."Victor swallowed the lump in his throat. "Looks like your wish came true, kiddo."That evening, they had dinner together—their first real fami
Three days after the bus station, Victor drove Selena up the winding road to the cliffs. Neither spoke much during the drive. The radio played softly between them, filling the silence with old songs they both remembered.Selena stared out the window, watching the city fall away beneath them. "I remember this road," she said quietly.Victor's hands tightened on the steering wheel. "I hoped you would."The overlook hadn't changed. The same weathered wooden bench still faced the ocean. The same wind still carried the scent of salt water. It was here, ten years ago, where they'd first admitted they loved each other.Victor parked the car and came around to open her door. The gesture felt both familiar and strange—a habit from their past life together.They walked to the bench, keeping a careful distance between them. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink."Miguel asked about you this morning," Victor said, breaking the silence. "Wanted to know if you liked the
Without thinking, he slammed his fist against the side of the bus, the sound echoing through the station."Selena Vasquez!" he shouted. "I know you can hear me!"Heads turned. People stared. Security guards started moving his way.Victor didn't care. "Five years, Selena! Five years I've been an idiot! Don't make me waste another day!"He saw her freeze halfway down the aisle of the bus."Sir," a security guard approached him, hand on his radio. "I'm going to need you to calm down."Victor ignored him, eyes locked on Selena through the window. "I know everything now! I know what you did for Miguel! What you did for me!"You spared me the pain of losing a son, even though it was at the expense of my life.Selena turned slowly, her face visible through the window. Their eyes met."I read the letters!" Victor continued, his voice cracking. "Every single one! I know you never stopped loving me, even after everything you did."More security guards were approaching. Passengers had stopped to
Victor hadn't slept in two days. Dark circles rimmed his eyes as he paced the floor of his command center."Tell me again," he demanded, voice rough from too much coffee and not enough rest.Gerald pointed to the map spread across the table. Red pins marked locations across the city."She's been moving carefully. One motel to the next." Gerald tapped the pins in sequence. "Never stays more than one night. Pays cash. Uses different names."Victor leaned closer, studying the pattern. "She's zigzagging.""Smart move," Gerald admitted. "Makes her harder to track.""But there's a pattern." Victor traced the route with his finger. "She's working her way toward the coast. Small steps, but always moving in the same general direction."Maria, who had been quiet until now, stepped forward. "She's planning to leave the country."Victor's jaw tightened. "She thinks she needs to run that far?""Not just that," Gerald said softly. "Think about it. Xavier had connections everywhere. She knows some o
Victor barely slept that night. By morning, his mind was made up. He would find Selena and bring her home, whatever it took."Gerald," Victor called, stepping into his office where his right-hand man was already working. "I need everything we have on Xavier and Selena. Every file, every report."Gerald raised an eyebrow but didn't question him. "Give me an hour."True to his word, Gerald returned with several boxes of files. "This is everything, boss."Victor dove into the papers like a man possessed. Hours passed as he pieced together the fragments of Selena's life with Xavier. What he found made him sick to his stomach.Medical records. So many medical records."Three broken ribs... facial contusions... fractured wrist," Victor read aloud, his voice growing hoarser with each injury. These weren't from one incident but spread across years. Each time with the same excuse—"Fell down stairs" or "Kitchen accident."And the dates. Victor noticed a pattern. The worst injuries came shortly