Rude?

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Vale drives her Mustang toward the imposing mansion, the engine’s growl matching her tumultuous thoughts. This place had become both a sanctuary and a prison; every visit meant another mission handed down from the man who had turned her life upside down.

As she approaches the gate, she rolls down her window, nodding at Louis, the guard on duty. He recognizes her instantly, swinging the gate open with a practiced ease.

Vale drives through, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and dread. The mansion looms ahead, vast and shadowy against the darkening sky, its grandeur reminiscent of a fortress built to intimidate.

After finding an empty space, she parks and steps out, the cool evening air brushing against her skin like a reminder of her reality. The guards at the entrance, their muscular forms intimidating, patrol the grounds like vigilant sentinels.

They nod in acknowledgment as she walks past, but she brushes past them, feeling a simmering resentment. Why should she show respect? Their boss had coerced her into this life, and compliance was her only means of protecting her loved ones.

Inside, she heads down a left hallway toward the elevator. Pressing the button for the third floor, she leans against the wall, her thoughts swirling like a storm.

The elevator dings, and she steps out, passing a series of closed doors that guard secrets she’s not sure she wants to know. Each door feels like a barrier, separating her from the life she once had and the darkness she’s been drawn into.

Arriving at room number nine, she hesitates, the familiar knot in her stomach tightening. Coughing lightly, she knocks.

“Come in!” he barks, his voice echoing through the hall like a warning.

“Geez,” she mutters, rolling her eyes before pushing the door open.

What she finds inside almost makes her regret entering. Their so-called boss, a notorious figure in the criminal underworld, is zipping up his pants after a rendezvous with another woman. The scene is off-putting, and she struggles to keep her irritation at bay, feeling like an intruder in a private moment.

“Get out!” he commands the woman beside him, his tone sharp and dismissive. She hurriedly exits, casting a nervous glance back at Keith, as if fearful of his wrath.

Vale’s annoyance rises like a tide, but she maintains her composure, meeting his gaze with an emotionless expression as the door closes behind the woman.

“Nice to see you, Valentina,” he smirks, his blue eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and something darker, something that sends a shiver down her spine.

He stands before her, tall and imposing, his black undercut hair framing a face that is both striking and dangerous. His body is a sculpted masterpiece—broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline, and muscles that ripple beneath his fitted shirt. I

t’s a shame he’s a cold-blooded killer, she thinks, grappling with the inappropriate attraction that churns in her stomach.

Why did he have to be so infuriatingly attractive? At 25, he exudes a confidence that both fascinates and frightens her. Vale has to remind herself not to make any wrong moves around him, a lesson learned the hard way.

The memory of their last encounter lingers in her mind—how she had dared to challenge him, only to find herself pushed back into submission.

“Valentina Rodriguez!” he snaps, pulling her from her thoughts.

Startled, she stutters, “I—I’m sorry. W-what is it?”

“Your mission has been taken care of by Kelly. You’re free tonight.”

“Who the hell is Kelly?” she asks, her anger flaring at the dismissive way he speaks.

“None of your business. Now, leave.”

His nonchalance stings like a slap to the face. She clenches her fists, rage boiling within her. “We had a deal! You promised I’d be the only one for this job!”

“Don’t question me! I’m the leader; I can do as I please!”

His voice resonates with authority, and the air thickens with his dangerous aura. Most would cower in the face of his intensity, but not her—not anymore.

Vale stands her ground, glaring at him, feeling the heat of her frustration radiating between them. She has seen glimpses of a different side to him—moments that make her hesitate between fear and something akin to trust. But in this moment, all she feels is fury and a nagging sense of betrayal.

With a furious huff, she turns and storms out, slamming the door behind her. She casts one last glance over her shoulder, eyes ablaze with hatred, before descending the stairs. As she passes four familiar figures entering, they look at her with concern.

“Hey! What’s wrong?” one of them calls out, his voice tinged with worry.

“Ask him!” she snaps, pointing back at the door, her frustration spilling over. Her heart races, not just from anger but from the remnants of an attraction she desperately wants to deny.

Their expressions shift to worry, but she brushes past them, feeling betrayed and angry. Did they know about this new recruit?

“Liars,” she mutters, storming out into the night, her thoughts racing. The cold air bites at her skin, but it doesn’t match the coldness settling in her chest.

As she strides away from the mansion, Vale can’t shake the image of Keith’s handsome, arrogant face from her mind. He was always so effortlessly confident, drawing her in even as he pushed her away.

Deep down, she knows there’s an attraction simmering beneath their contentious interactions, a magnetic pull that leaves her both exhilarated and frustrated.

As she walks, memories flood her mind: the moments they’ve shared, the tension between them that crackles like electricity in the air. He’s infuriating, but she’s drawn to him in a way she can’t explain.

And now, seeing him with another woman, the very thought of him sharing that intimacy with someone else ignites a fire of jealousy in her.

She continues down the street, her mind swirling with thoughts of betrayal and anger, but there’s also a flicker of sadness. Did he ever truly see her, or was she just a tool to him?

The thought gnaws at her insides, mixing with the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She wants to scream, to let the world know that she won’t be anyone’s pawn.

With each step, she feels the weight of the betrayal pulling her down, like quicksand threatening to swallow her whole. Her heart races as she remembers the way he commanded respect, the way he used his power to manipulate.

Yet, beneath that facade, she can’t help but wonder if there’s more to him—more than the dangerous gang leader he presents to the world.

As she nears her car, she can hear the rain starting to patter softly against the pavement, each drop echoing her tumultuous thoughts. She grips the steering wheel tightly, ready to confront whatever emotions await her inside.

Vale knows she can’t allow herself to break down; she must stay strong, not just for herself but for the family she’s trying to protect.

But the question lingers: How long can she keep fighting against the emotions that threaten to consume her?

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