Diego I stand before the empty shipment container, my imposing figure casting shadows against the cold metal walls of it. The moon, obscured by wisps of clouds, bathes the container park in an eerie glow. The air is thick with unspoken trepidation, and a poisonous aura of simmering rage seeps from my every pore, saturating our surroundings with the acrid scent of my fury. First, alcohol from a trusted vender goes missing without a trace and now this. It's clear that someone is fucking with me, and I can only think of one person who would be stupid enough to do so. And we just delivered a head to his doorstep a few days ago. "Fucking, Viktor!" I snarl loud enough for him to hear. He won't be here physically, but there are likely listening devices and cameras all around. Leo rubs his jaw, tracing circles with his fingers, as he paces with deliberate and measured steps. "Hmm, I wonder what he's most pissed about. You snatching up that girl before he could get to her, or putting
Vanessa The soft glow of early morning filters into the room, revealing the silhouette of Danny perched in the corner, a faint sheen of dim light catching on the glass cradled in his hands. I'm pretty sure it's tequila. In this world, I guess mornings don't begin with the comforting aroma of coffee but with the biting edge of alcohol to numb all the violence and death going on. "Where's Diego?" Heavy with the weight of worry, the question slips from my lips, anchoring my tone. I didn't see him at all yesterday, he didn't even sleep in our bed. Despite his absence, Trixie showed up for another Brazilian wax, which seemed more painful than the first time. Last night, I immersed myself in reading, waiting for him until I passed out from exhaustion. Strangely, I felt...lonely. It's an unsettling feeling, considering I've spent the majority of my life content with only my sister. "There's an important event you need to attend today. Wear something casual, you will be prepped there,"
VanessaI glance around, noting that Luis, Leroy, and Danny are still in the vicinity. My mind buzzes with questions about what's happening and why we require this level of protection today. My curiosity deepens as I watch them carry cases of weapons out the door. It would be so easy if I had a phone to contact Diego. My only line of communication is through his men, and it annoys the hell out of me! As soon as he returns, I've decided that I'm going to demand he provides phones for both me and my sister. Even if they're just burners. I'm exhausted from being spoon-fed tiny morsels of information when there's undoubtedly a much bigger, scarier picture lurking in the shadows. It's time that he stops treating me like a child. "Jefe said we need to go. Now." Danny's voice reverberates through the house, prompting all the men to converge near the door, ready to guide us to the waiting car. Alicia and I trail behind them, but Danny halts me abruptly. "Put this over your heads," he
Vanessa I cautiously peer out from the room I've been confined to, observing two of Diego's men standing watch near the hallway exit. In the distance, from the other end of the corridor, the muffled sounds of people shuffling in the sanctuary reach my ears. Goddamn, how many guests did he invite? And for how long has he planned to coerce me into marriage? There's a profound sense of betrayal overwhelming me. I knew he was a monster, but I had no idea he was this coldhearted. I guess the six-month contract wasn't ridiculous enough. His temporary ownership didn't provide enough power for his massive fucking ego. He really is a sick, fucking psychopath that gets off on the misery of others. The moment we stepped into the building, Alicia and I were forcefully separated. As Leroy and Luis dragged her away, she unleashed a torrent of profanities, fighting desperately to get free. I can only imagine the challenge they faced in trying to calm her down, if that's even possible. In the
VanessaSwallowing the bile rising up my throat, I manage to say, "I need a private room. Preferably one where I could step out for some fresh air." "Turn left as you exit, take a right at the end of the hallway, and then another left. The door at the end of that hallway leads to the chorus room. There are two exits on either side of the room that will take you to the garden." His eyes bore into mine, holding a chilling intensity. "You may find it impossible to escape a man like him, my child. He revels in darkness, and it may envelop you too. If you allow me, I can guide you to God, where you may atone for the sins he has forced you to partake in. God is the only one who can save you now." Says the supposedly devout man I just caught getting a blowjob from a prostitute. For fuck's sakes, his dick is still hard and throbbing as he continues to stare at me while the woman sits on her knees, patiently awaiting his next instruction. "Uh, no thanks," I mutter, edging backward towa
Vanessa "You're lying," I hiss, disbelief seeping in my voice as I struggle to contain the shock. No matter how much debt Dad was in, he wouldn't have done that to his own daughter. Not after losing my mom. And what about Alicia? Why wasn't she included? "I'm not. It turns out you weren't confined in that house for your protection, it was so he could keep his precious collateral untainted." He strokes his chin thoughtfully. "Although, Viktor doesn't seem to mind if I've fucked you or not. So, he'll most likely pass you amongst his men and let them rape you until you run out of use." I shake my head in disbelief. No, this can't be true, or that means my entire life has been a lie. He's probably saying anything just to get me to agree to fulfill his fucked-up fantasy. Although, I'm still confused as to why he's interested in marrying someone like me. "That's why we are getting married today," he concludes. "It's the only way to protect you now. After that, I won't force anythi
Vanessa As I turn to slap Diego, a chilling realization sweeps through me, freezing the blood in my veins. It's not him. My breath catches in my throat, and the grip of fear tightens, suffocating me. The mental snapshots I took of the men surrounding me on my way into the chapel flood my mind, none of them resembling this man before me. This must be one of Viktor's men. "Let me go!" I demand, trying to rip my arm from his vise-like grip. In a swift, brutal movement, he yanks me back against the hard wall of his chest, his fingers coiling around my neck like a serpent tightening its grip. I immediately feel his erection against my ass. "I love it when pretty girls put up a fight," he hisses, his hot breath against my ear. "I can't wait to take this dress off and shove my cock inside you." A sob claws its way up my throat, and I plead in a hushed tone, "Please...please don't hurt me." The words tremble on my lips, each syllable weighed down by the fear pulsing through my vein
Vanessa "I think you're mistaken. Didn't Viktor already give you a taste of our strength? Or do you need another reminder?" There's that dark chuckle again that will forever play in my mind like a haunted music box. "By the way, how's that shoulder holding up? Seems like you lost a lot of blood." My eyes widen. He got hurt? Is that why I didn't see him at all yesterday? There's no way he's recovered that fast, that means he came to this battle vulnerable, with a huge crack in his indestructible armor. And it's all my fault. Both of us are going to die right here, and there's nothing I can do but watch. The realization rips my heart to shreds, causing more tears to streak down my cheeks. I wish I could apologize to him, and tell him that I now realize how grateful I should have been for his offer. For his protection. For his sacrifice. Maybe, through these tear-filled eyes, he can grasp the unspoken words. My hope dies when I notice the impassive mask on his face remains firm
Vanessa This was a mistake. I thought I could do this, but how could I have been so wrong? "Eyes on me, mama," Diego growls, his voice low and commanding, yet laced with tenderness. "You're here with me. No one else. It's just us. Focus on the way I feel inside of you." I want to believe him, but my voice trembles as I whisper "I-I can't-" My eyes clamp shut, as if doing so could block out fear crashing over me in relentless waves, threatening to pull me under. What was I thinking? Of course, I can't do this. I shouldn't have even tried. Now, I'm disappointing both my husband and myself. Diego's voice slices through my thoughts like a knife. "You can do anything you put your mind to, mi amor. Focus on me. Ride me and take your pleasure. I know you can do it." His words are an anchor, pulling me from the abyss. I take a deep breath, my hands bracing against his chest as I start to move again, each roll of my hips a defiance against the darkness trying to reclaim me.
Vanessa After washing the remnants of Celeste's blood from my skin, Diego lifts me into his arms and carries me to bed. He gently lays down beside me, his warmth seeping into my body as I rest against his bare chest. "We don't have to talk about what happened tonight," Diego's voice is a low murmur as his fingers trace soothing patterns along my spine. "But how are you feeling?" I take a moment, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath me. "Good. How are you feeling?" I tilt my head to meet his gaze, seeking reassurance. The gravity of what I've just done hangs between us—killing his stepmother and revealing that I thought I was pregnant with his brother's baby. I didn't mean for it to come out like that, but Celeste needed to know just how much she had lost before I took her life. It felt so fucking good. Better than I anticipated, to end her life with my own hands, to see the light leave her eyes as I stole it away. The power and retribution was exhilaratin
Diego Vanessa turns to me, hurt and betrayal clouding her eyes. "Diego, you knew about this?" Shit."Yes," I reply without hesitation. I've known since Alicia was first abducted, but I didn't want her to harbor ill feelings toward her sister. Not while she's still mourning her. "See? As the collar around your neck implies, you are nothing but a pet to him. A piece of ass like your mother."Vanessa's head snaps back to her, and in an instant, she holds the blade to Celeste's throat. "I'd shut your fucking mouth if I were you," she hisses. I can tell it's exactly what Celeste wants. If Vanessa gets angry enough to just slit her throat, she won't have to endure torture anymore. Vanessa must see through it too. She lowers the knife, shaking her head. "I won't let you go out the easy way. It isn't fair to everyone you've hurt," she says quietly. "Vete a la mierda (fuck you)," Celeste spits.As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Vanessa drives the knife into her bound hand. Celes
Diego "Are you sure about this, Mama?" I ask, zipping up the back of her leather jumpsuit, my fingers lingering longer than necessary. She looks so fucking sexy in this. The smooth, black material hugs her curves, and knowing she's about to kill my stepmother makes it nearly impossible to fight a hard-on. Her grey eyes gaze back at me through the mirror. "You already said I could," she points out, her voice steady and unwavering. "I know, just wanted to make sure." When she turns around, I study her face for any flicker of uncertainty. Instead, I find only determination. I should feel fucking ecstatic that she's going to kill my biggest traitor and the bitch that made my childhood hell, but worry gnaws at me. I fear this might bring Vanessa more nightmares, or worse, trap her in her own head again. But I also have so much faith in her. Danny couldn't protect her while he was dying. I got the report from my men: twelve men were taken out, most of them by her alone. My feisty mama.
Vanessa"Your mamá called looking for you. What do you want me to tell her?" Diego interrupts, pulling me into his lap in the chair beside Camila's sleeping form. His mom? I've never heard Danny mention her before. I wasn't even aware he had family, since they haven't visited him. Danny's response catches me off guard. "Don't tell her shit. She'll have a heart attack.""Wait, you're not going to tell your mom you technically died and you're in the hospital?" I ask incredulously. "Nah, she actually might come try to kill Jefe, and I doubt she wants to mess with you. I realize you're kinda loco, Nessa.""Me?" I point to myself. "Yes, or did you forget that you took down what had to be like ten men by yourself?""Oh, I guess that's true," I muse. "But that was only out of desperation. I don't think I could do something like that if our lives didn't depend on it.""I believe you could," Diego purrs in my ear. I shudder at the compliment, making him laugh. "Why would she come after hi
VanessaDressed in all black, Diego and I stand side by side, silently watching the expensive coffin lower into the freshly dug grave. The sight is somber, but the weight of the occasion presses harder on my chest than the physical cold of the day. Diego had assured me that I wasn't required to attend this funeral, just like the four others. It's only been a week since Danny's entire team was murdered, and I feel compelled to pay my respects to each of them. These men sacrificed their lives to protect me. The least I can do is say goodbye to them.I've never spoken to Julio personally, but the sight of his wife and two little children crying over his grave breaks my heart. The raw grief on their faces is a reminder that I'm still alive while a husband and father is gone forever. He's another name added to the long list of those I feel responsible for letting down. After offering my condolences to Julio's family, Diego and I make our way to the hospital. In the town car, Diego sits b
Vanessa "Camila! Danny!" I scream, my voice barely audible over the chaos. Danny's the first to reach me, pulling me to my feet. His face was pale, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. "Are you okay?" he demands, his hands gripping my shoulders. "My head hurts, but I'm okay I think," I reply, trembling from the shock. We both turn to see Camila stumbling to her feet, looking dazed but otherwise unharmed. Danny rushes to her side, helping her up and checking her for injuries. "Are you okay, Camila?" he asks, his tone urgent. "Yeah, what the fuck just happened?" she shouts, her voice shaking with fear. "We need to get you both back to the SUV, now," Danny commands, his tone brooking no argument. As we step towards the vehicle, gunfire erupts, and Danny grunts, clutching his bleeding shoulder. "Fuck, come on," he hisses through gritted teeth. He grabs both of us by our arms and guides us behind another jet. Grabbing his gun from the holster, he orders us to st
Vanessa "I want you home now," my husband's voice crackles through the speaker, filled with anger and concern. "I told you, I'm safe. Besides, it's pouring buckets outside. I don't feel safe flying home in this storm," I insist, trying to keep my voice calm despite the nerves knotting in my stomach. It feels like we spoke the bad storm into existence last night. After leaving the doctor's house, we barely made it back to the hotel before the downpour, lightning, and thunder hit. Even Camila's fashion show was canceled and postponed to next weekend. Diego's frustration seeps through the phone. "I refuse to lose you again, Mama. The second this storm lets up, Danny will have you on a jet back here." "You know what, I'm going to come get you and my sister right now," he grits out, his voice lowering to a dangerous growl. "Diego, stop. You know Danny wouldn't allow anything to happen to us. You trust him, right?" I try to reassure him, though I know he won't calm down unt
Vanessa "Where's Diego?" I grit out, rage boiling in my veins. "I want to speak with him." "Busy at the moment, but he said he'll call once we're back on the jet." Which means he's likely torturing her. "Well, like Camila said, it's nearly midnight. We can leave tomorrow," I argue, defiance lacing in my tone. Danny fixes me with a pointed look. "Do you really want to argue with him about that?" I have to. Time is slipping away. I'm more afraid of continuing this pregnancy than I am of Celeste and whatever sinister plans she's concocted. I tap my right arm where the microchip is embedded. "I have a tracking device in my arm and more security than the goddamn president. I'll be fine. Just tell him we'll leave tomorrow, and you'll be sure to keep us extra safe." He scowls, clearly torn. "I'm not promising him that." "I know you heard what I said, that I have something important to take care of here tomorrow. Can you please come up with an excuse to buy me more time?"