Antonio paced back and forth in his apartment, his hands raking through his hair. His mind was spinning. The way Ruby had acted when he saw her at Camila’s place… she had avoided his questions. It wasn’t hard to tell she was hiding something. And now he couldn’t let it go. He grabbed his phone and started making calls. One after the other, he reached out to his contacts—people connected to Hector Morales. People who always had the latest updates on what was happening in Panama’s underworld. But nothing prepared him for what he learned. Ruby had stabbed Hector. And then she had run. Antonio stopped pacing and stood frozen in place. “Damn it,” he muttered. He couldn’t believe it. Ruby had tried to kill Hector Morales. And somehow, she was still breathing. His thoughts immediately turned to Camila. “She’s in danger,” he told himself. If Hector’s men found Ruby, and Camila was with her, it could mean trouble. Big trouble. Antonio clenched his fists. “I can’t let an
Almost an hour later, Camila texted Antonio to let him know she had arrived at the hotel. He quickly replied with the room number. She made her way to the elevator and went up to meet him, her mind half-focused on Ruby and the other half wondering what Antonio was so eager to say. What neither of them knew was that Antonio’s earlier phone call had already set off a dangerous chain of events. Word had spread fast—faster than Antonio had expected. A group of Hector’s enemies, who had been keeping their distance after their last failed attempt on his life, were suddenly on the move again. This time, they weren’t going after Hector directly. They had a new target. The woman Hector loved. “She’s all alone,” their leader said, a cruel smile pulling at his mouth. “Let’s see how broken Hector becomes when he loses her.” Inside the hotel room, Camila stepped in and glanced around. Her brow lifted, mildly impressed. “Wow,” she said, scanning the small but neatly decorated space. “No
Gunshots exploded through the house, shattering the windows. Glass rained down like sharp confetti, splintering across the floor. Furniture toppled over. Bullet holes ripped through the walls like paper. Ruby’s ears rang from the sound of it all. The underling grabbed her by the wrist and yanked her down behind a wall. “Stay low!” he barked. His voice was tight, controlled, but there was fear in his eyes. Ruby’s breathing was ragged. She fumbled for her phone with shaking hands and dialed Camila’s number. “Pick up… pick up,” she muttered under her breath. But there was nothing. No answer. Just the endless ring. “Who are you calling?” the underling snapped, peering around the corner with his weapon ready. “My friend,” Ruby replied. “Camila. She’s a cop. If she picks up, she’ll send backup.” But Camila wasn’t picking up. Ruby cursed under her breath and quickly typed out a text message: “Under attack. Send backup. Men with guns. Hurry.” The underling checked his magazi
Hector nodded slowly. He understood Hunter, even though it tore at him. But he wasn’t the type to sit still. Gritting his teeth, he began moving toward his gun, ignoring the sharp pain in his chest. Hunter grabbed his shoulder, trying to stop him. "Don’t be reckless," Hunter warned. But Hector shook his head. "You don't get it, do you?Ruby needs me. I can’t just sit here while she’s dying out there." "Alright, I’ll go." Carlos suddenly said. Hector blinked, surprised. Carlos gave him a crooked grin. "Get me their location. I’ll find them." Relief flooded Hector’s face. "Thank you," he said. He quickly called his underling, who was still on the run with Ruby. The underling answered on the first ring. "Boss." "I’m sending my brother to get you. Turn on your GPS so he can track you." Hector instructed. The underling didn’t hesitate. "It’s on. Coordinates are live." Hector exhaled. "Keep Ruby alive. Do whatever it takes." "I will," came the reply. As soon a
Hector paced the floor, his steps uneven, as though the weight in his chest was too much to bear. His mind raced with a hundred thoughts, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not settle his nerves. His temples pounded, his heart thudded painfully against his ribs, and still he continued walking, back and forth, like a man who had lost all sense of time. His brothers, Manuel and Hunter, exchanged worried glances as they watched him unravel, the strain evident in every tense line of his body. Manuel stood from where he had been sitting and crossed his arms, his brow furrowed as he stared at Hector. “You need to sit down,” he said firmly. “You’ve lost a lot of blood, and you’re not giving yourself time to heal.” Hunter spoke next, his tone less sharp but no less urgent. “Manuel’s right. You shouldn’t be up walking around like this. You’re restless, fine—but this isn’t helping you. You need to rest or you’re going to collapse.” But Hector only shook his head, his jaw clenched
Ruby picked up her gun, tightening her grip around it, her knuckles pale against the cold metal as she braced herself for the worst. She had already accepted there was no way out. But she would not go down without a fight. If they wanted to kill her, they would have to bleed for it first. Her chest heaved with each shallow breath, her eyes fixed on the shadows ahead, waiting for the first movement..... waiting for them to charge at her so she could shoot. She wasn’t sure she had the strength to kill, but she was going to fight anyway. The air was filled with silence, broken only by the muffled sound of approaching footsteps. Her heartbeat was a roar in her ears, her stomach twisted with fear. The men were getting closer. She could almost feel them closing in. She bit the inside of her cheek hard enough to taste blood as she held her breath and raised the gun higher, her finger tightening on the trigger. But before they could get to her, gunshots suddenly erupted, sharp and loud,
When Camila arrived at the scene with Antonio trailing behind her, her heart was pounding in her chest. She spotted a white car parked at the far end of the close, its engine humming softly as if preparing to leave. She froze for a moment, uncertain whether the person inside was an enemy or someone connected to Ruby. Panic gripped her as she called out Ruby’s name, her voice echoing sharply through the narrow street littered with bodies and stained with fresh blood. As if responding to her voice, the white car suddenly turned, its tires crunching over gravel and broken glass as it pulled away from the scene without haste. Camila watched it disappear around the corner, her instincts telling her that whoever had been in that car was dangerous. Still, she stood her ground in the middle of the wreckage, turning in slow circles, searching. Her chest ached as dread formed a tight knot inside it. Then, faintly, she heard her name. "Camila!" The voice was weak but unmistakable. Her gaze
Hector slowly opened his eyes, his vision still blurry from the pain. As the world around him began to come into focus, he noticed Carlos sitting beside him, his expression calm but attentive. Hector’s mind was racing, and the first thing he needed to know was whether Ruby was okay. Weakly, he reached out and placed a hand on Carlos’s arm. “How did it go?” Hector asked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Is she safe?” Carlos nodded, his face hardening slightly. “Yes. I got to her just in time. She's fine now. We got her away from the danger.” He paused, then added, “I sent your right-hand underling to the hospital because he was shot. He'll be treated, and he'll live.” Hector closed his eyes in relief, the tension leaving his shoulders. His mind had been a blur of panic for the past few hours, but hearing that Ruby was safe helped to soothe the storm inside him. “Thank you,” Hector whispered, tapping Carlos’s hand lightly in gratitude. His eyes shifted toward Hunter, who stood n
THREE MONTHS AGO Maya Suarez sat cross-legged on the carpet, helping her 12-year-old sister, Star, with her homework. Laughter bubbled between them as they joked over math problems in Star’s brightly colored room. For a brief moment, everything felt normal and safe. Then came a knock on the door. “Maya,” her stepmother’s shrill voice called. “Come out here. Now.” Maya stood up, exchanged a glance with Star, and stepped outside. Her heart sank the moment she saw him. Standing beside her stepmother was a man nearly twice her age—big-bellied, sweat-stained, and grinning beneath a thick mess of unkempt gray beard. His eyes were beady, too close together, and he looked her up and down with undisguised hunger. “What is this?” Maya asked flatly. “Cat?” Cat, her stepmother, beamed. “Maya, you remember I told you about the handsome man you’re going to marry? This is Angel. He came to see his bride. We’re going to start planning the wedding.” Maya recoiled. “What marriage? Liste
After Ruby accepted Hector’s proposal, he stood up, taking her with him, and crashed his lips against hers, pouring every ounce of love, pride, and joy into that kiss. Around them, the room erupted in claps and cheers. Carlos whistled, Hunter grinned and clapped with both hands, while even Manuel gave a crooked smile and joined in. And to Ruby’s surprise, Anya clapped the loudest. The moment Hector pulled back from the kiss, Anya squealed in delight and rushed toward Ruby. “I’m so excited! Welcome to the family!” she said, throwing her arms around Ruby. Ruby blinked, caught off guard. She’d seen Anya earlier, tucked slightly behind Hunter, but now seeing her up close, she was stunned by how young she looked. She smiled as she gently pulled back and glanced at the ring on Anya’s finger. “Wait… you’re married?” Ruby asked with a surprised laugh. “But you look so young!” Anya giggled. “I am! Nineteen years old and married to Hunter Steele.” She said it with pride, like a girl
Ruby couldn’t stop smiling as she held Hector’s hand, their fingers intertwined like they’d been molded that way from the start. The past one month had felt like a fairytale—a soothing balm to every scar life had left on her. She had never known peace could feel like this. Being with Hector was like waking up to sunlight after years of cold storms. He treated her like the most precious gem in the world, never raising his voice, never letting her lift a finger when he was around. He always knew exactly what she needed—even before she said it. He was soft with her in ways no one else had ever been. The man the world feared—the cold, ruthless mafia boss known for his brutality—became someone entirely different when he was with her. He was gentle, warm and patient. Even Camilla, who had once pointed a gun at Hector’s head, eventually had to admit that Hector brought out the best in Ruby—and perhaps, Ruby brought out the best in him too. Her father had adjusted well to the ne
Ruby clung to Hector’s chest, holding him tightly as sleep slowly overtook her. With her arms wrapped around him and his steady heartbeat beneath her ear, she drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. By the time she opened her eyes again, the morning sun had already begun streaming through the curtains. She blinked a few times and reached across the bed—only to find it empty. She sat up immediately, heart racing. “Hector?” she called out, glancing around the room. “Hector?” Her voice wavered. Was it all a dream? Her hand flew to her lips—the place he had kissed her the night before. The warmth of his touch, the passion, the softness of his voice... it had all felt so real. Her eyes welled up with tears. “No,” she whispered, “It felt too real to be a dream.” Just then, the bathroom door opened. Hector stepped out with a towel slung around his waist, his hair damp and messy from a shower, water glistening across his chest. His skin was golden under the light, his sharp jawline
When Camila arrived home, the last thing she expected to see was Antonio leaning casually against her front door, arms crossed and a soft smile playing on his lips. For a moment, her heart softened at the sight of him—tall, and familiar. She walked up to him with a smile of her own and pulled him into a warm, slow kiss. He leaned into it, surprised but pleased. When they parted, he raised an eyebrow. "Okay," he said. "What was that for? You’re unusually sweet today. Should I be worried?" Camila chuckled as she fished out her keys. “I don’t know,” she said. “Maybe I’m just catching some of Ruby’s happiness. It’s contagious, I guess.” Antonio followed her inside, closing the door behind them. “Hmm. Ruby… happy,” he repeated with a dry laugh. “That’s good. Really good. But sometimes I wonder if you two came out of the same womb, with how strongly you feel about her.” Camila snorted as she dropped her bag by the couch. “You wouldn’t understand,” she said, walking into the kitche
Seeing Camila standing there with a gun pointed straight at Hector, Ruby instinctively stepped in front of him. “What are you doing?” she asked, her voice sharp and protective. Without hesitation, she moved forward and snatched the gun from Camila, tossing it across the room. Camila’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I should be the one asking you that! Why is this monster in your room?” Hector smirked from behind Ruby. “Camila,” he said calmly, “you know, I never got the chance to say I admire your loyalty. It’s… impressive.” Camila glared at him, then turned to Ruby. “What the hell is going on here? Are you seriously sitting with a ghost?” Hector, unbothered, sat down and crossed his legs, silently watching the drama unfold. Ruby took a breath. “I’ll explain everything. Hector survived, Camila. He’s been alive… and he’s been protecting me. He’s not here to hurt me. He saved me.” “I still don’t get it.” “The bottom line is…” Ruby hesitated, then looked straight at Camila.
After the passion was spent, Hector pulled away and slowly reached for his clothes. The heat between them had cooled, leaving behind an echo of everything they’d shared—everything they’d lost and what still lingered in the air like a ghost. Without a word, he began to dress, his movements quiet, detached, as though what had just happened didn’t exist or had never meant anything. Ruby lay there for a moment, watching him. Her heart pounded against her chest—not from desire anymore, but fear. Fear that this would be the last time she'd see him. Fear that this was goodbye. She quickly got out of bed, wrapping the sheet around her as she rushed to him, throwing her arms around his torso from behind, pressing her face against his bare back. “Please, Hector,” she whispered, her voice already breaking. “Please… don’t go.” Hector froze. He didn’t move and said nothing. She clutched him tighter, her arms trembling. “Don’t walk away from me. Not like this.” He gently pried her hands
The house was quiet. The kind of silence that didn’t bring peace but stirred everything he was trying to bury. Hector stood by the window of his study, arms folded tightly across his chest, staring out into the vast backyard that once reminded him of freedom. Now, it only reminded him of Ruby. A knock came on the door. “Come in,” Hector said, his voice flat. The door creaked open, and one of his trusted men stepped inside. He looked hesitant, like he wasn’t sure if he should speak. “Well?” “She came, boss,” the underling said quietly. “Ruby.” Hector didn’t flinch, but inside, something shifted. “She said… she needs to see you. Just once. She said it’s important. That if she sees you one more time, she’ll never bother you again.” He turned away from the window and sat on the edge of his desk, one hand rubbing his jaw. “Did she say what it was about?” “No. Only that it was important. She seemed sincere. Sad.” Of course she did."I told her you were dead, just as yo
Hector gently pried Ruby’s trembling hands away from his body, even though every cell in him ached to do the opposite—to turn around, pull her into his arms, and hold her close like he used to. But he didn’t. His voice was clipped, and unreadable. “I need to get rid of these bodies,” he said flatly, without looking at her. The moment she heard his voice, Ruby gasped sharply. It was like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Her knees weakened, and her heart thumped wildly in her chest. It was him. It was really Hector. Alive. Breathing. Standing just inches from her. And yet… he wouldn’t even look at her. While her thoughts spun out of control—memories, regrets, guilt crashing all at once—Hector raised his phone to his ear and gave a cold order. “Come in. Bring two body bags with you.” Ruby remained frozen where she stood, staring at the blood pooling near her feet and the lifeless bodies of Eduardo and Selena. But none of it moved her. The shock that Hector was still al