The room was silent.Not the kind of silence that came with peace. No, this was the kind of silence that made men hold their breath, that made them hesitate before stepping closer.The kind of silence that came before bloodshed.Victor sat at his desk, phone still clutched in his hand, his knuckles white from the force of his grip. The video had ended, but the image of Miguel—his son—bound to that chair, his tear-streaked face, his trembling voice asking for his mother—was burned into Victor’s mind.His jaw clenched so hard it felt like his teeth might crack.Then, without warning—CRASH.The whiskey bottle that had been sitting untouched on his desk exploded against the far wall, shards of glass scattering across the floor, amber liquid dripping down like blood.Maria flinched from where she stood near the door, but she didn’t move. She had seen Victor angry before. Furious, even.But this?This was something else.Gerald was the only one who dared to step forward. "Victor—""Get eve
Maria hadn’t stopped moving since they received the intel.The warehouse buzzed with tension, a storm of controlled chaos. Men checked weapons, strapped on bulletproof vests, and loaded magazines with sharp, practiced motions. The scent of gun oil and sweat thickened the air. Conversations were low, clipped, the occasional snap of a safety being turned off cutting through the hum of voices.But Maria barely noticed.She moved through it all like a machine, eyes scanning over blueprints, fingers tapping against the rough paper as she traced potential escape routes. Her mind ran through every worst-case scenario, every possible outcome, calculating and recalculating. She had to be ready for anything.Because if she stopped—if she let herself think for even a second—she might break.And she couldn’t afford that.Across the room, she felt the weight of Gerald’s stare. He had been watching her for the last hour, waiting. Studying. She could feel the concern radiating off him, but she ignor
The office was a disaster.Shattered glass crunched under Gerald’s boots as he stepped inside. The once-pristine liquor cabinet was in ruins, the scent of spilled whiskey thick in the air. Chairs were overturned, papers scattered across the floor. A broken lamp lay in the corner, its bulb flickering weakly.But the real storm wasn’t in the destruction.It stood by the window, silent and still, staring down at the city below.Victor.His back was rigid, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. He had barely spoken since receiving the video of Miguel. The room had taken the brunt of his rage, but Gerald knew that wasn’t enough.Not for Victor.Not when his son was out there.Gerald shut the door behind him, the soft click breaking the heavy silence.“Say something,” he said, keeping his voice steady.Victor didn’t turn. His reflection in the glass was unreadable, the city lights casting sharp angles across his face.“We leave in an hour,” he said finally, his tone as cold as st
The night was alive with war. Gunfire cracked through the air, each shot was like a drumbeat in the chaos. The sharp scent of burning metal, gunpowder, and blood filled the wind, thick and suffocating. Smoke curled into the sky, rising from the compound’s walls like a warning of what was coming. Victor stood at the front, his cold eyes locked on Xavier’s fortress. There was no hesitation or fear in his eyes. Only one thing mattered—ending this war. His grip on his rifle tightened. This wasn’t just about revenge anymore. His son. Jordan. If he was still alive… Victor was getting him out. And Selena. His jaw clenched at the thought. If she was alive, he’d find her. But she wasn’t his priority. Not now. He forced the thought away, but it lingered, heavy in his chest. His men stood behind him, ready and tense trained killers, all waiting for his command. “Move in,” Victor ordered, his voice calm and controlled. His army surged forward, silent but deadly, their boots crunching agains
The air was thick with smoke and death. It clung to Maria’s skin, filled her lungs and made her eyes burn. Gunfire and screams cut through the night, sharp and endless. The world around them was nothing but flames, bullets, and blood. She and Gerald moved fast, dodging bodies, weaving through the wreckage of war. Their boots crunched over broken glass, twisted metal, and fallen men, foes and friends alike. Every step was a risk. Another explosion rocked the ground, sending up a spray of dirt and debris. Maria ducked instinctively, her heart hammering in her chest. Gerald’s voice cut through the chaos, steady despite the madness. “Snipers on the south ridge. Two on the upper balcony. Machine gun nest near the east tunnel.” Maria nodded, gripping her rifle tighter. “Got it.” She moved forward, low and quick, her breathing sharp but controlled. This was no time for fear. Then—Boom. A deafening explosion ripped through the alleyway. Maria barely had time to react before the force
Xavier sat in his surveillance room, the dim glow of the monitors casting long shadows across his face. The air was thick with the scent of whiskey and gunpowder, the distant sound of explosions rumbling through the walls. Outside, war raged—gunfire, screaming, bodies hitting the ground. But inside, Xavier was calm.He swirled the whiskey in his glass, watching the amber liquid catch the flickering light from the screens. He had expected this ever since he found out ghost was Victor. Victor’s wrath was inevitable. The man was relentless, a force of nature driven by vengeance. But Xavier wasn’t a fool. He had spent years at his side and learned a few things. And now, fate had delivered him an opportunity, one Victor wouldn’t see coming.His fingers tapped idly against the desk as he scanned the monitors. His gaze settled on one feed in particular. A small, dimly lit room.Jordan sat bound to a chair, his face bloodied, a fresh cut on his cheek leaking a thin line of red. His chest ros
Maria pressed her back against a burning wall, her breaths sharp and uneven. The explosion had knocked her off balance, the shockwave still rattling in her chest. Smoke stung her eyes, and the heat pressed against her skin, but she had no time to recover. Beside her, Gerald gritted his teeth, his face pale. Blood seeped through his sleeve, staining his grip on the gun, but his fingers didn’t waver. “They’re coming,” he coughed, spitting blood onto the dirt. Maria stole a glance around the corner. Shadows moved through the thick smoke, Xavier’s men, waiting for the right moment to strike. Her stomach tightened. “They’re setting up for an ambush,” she muttered. “We need to move.” Gerald gave a short nod, wincing. “You go first. I’ll cover.” She hesitated for half a second. He was hurt, but staying put meant death. Maria inhaled sharply. “On three.” He raised his gun, steady despite his injury. “One.” Maria adjusted her grip, muscles tensing. “Two.” The moment “three” left her
A while ago.....The compound was silent, but Thomas felt the weight of a thousand unseen eyes. He moved through the darkened halls, his footsteps light and his breaths steady. Outside, the cool night air carried the distant hum of guards on patrol, their voices low, unaware of the traitor in their midst. His fingers moved over the keyboard in the security room, lines of code flashing on the screen. He disabled key sniper nests, small changes in the system that would create crucial blind spots. Just enough to make a difference—but not enough to raise suspicion. A few seconds here, a flicker in the power grid there. A soft buzz filled his ear. The radio. He pressed it closer. “Sector three clear,” a guard reported. Thomas adjusted his stance, his voice calm. “Copy that. Keep eyes on the perimeter.” His own misdirections had already sent the guards away from where Victor’s men would soon make their move. The breach was coming, and he was paving the way. Then, an explosio
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