Diego's POV
Indeed, various syndicates were attending the party, including some lesser-known ones. However, I knew I was the best among them; there was no arguing about it. “Where is Adriana?” I asked Luis as he approached me when I arrived. She is in the restroom,” Luis replied. I wasn't comfortable with her being alone at all. “Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on her at all times? I don't trust her at all, especially after what I just discovered.” It wasn't that she was a threat to me but I didn't want her to ruin my plans. “I will go check on her, but first let me tell you why I called you here,” Luis said, as if in a hurry. I agreed to let him continue. “Mr Delgado said that he has an offer that could benefit you greatly.” How did that concern me? As far as I knew, the Delgado syndicate was beneath me and under my control. “Don't you know that I don't take offers from syndicates of no stature? Tell him I'm not interested.” I told Luis. “Your father said you should meet with him, which is why I came to tell you,” Luis added. That man had been getting on my nerves these past few weeks. For all I knew, my father didn't bother or care about my dealings in the syndicate anymore since he retired long ago. “Tell Mr Delgado to meet me in the private room now,” I instructed Luis, heading off to the room. “Well, it's about time you showed up!” I said, turning to face the person who walked into the room. I had waited for thirty minutes with no one showing up. “So much for urgency,” I scoffed. As I turned to confront Mr. Delgado, I was surprised to see a stranger rather than Mr. Delgado, standing near the door. “Who the hell are you? And where is Mr De....” Before I could finish asking the question the man pointed a gun at my face. I smirked. Clearly, this fool didn't know who he was dealing with. “You killed my associate, you bastard!" the man shouted in anger. I didn't reason the killing part; after all, I was known for that. But calling me a bastard? He definitely crossed the line. “Bastard?” I repeated as I approached him. Just then, the door swung open and Adriana walked in. “What is she doing here?” I wondered. That was when I remembered the guy mentioning the word “associate.” Was this a trap? Adriana's POV As I entered the venue's hall, I noticed some men with scars on their bodies looking at me and a wave of insecurity washed over me. “Why did I have to come as well? Could Diego not come alone?” I thought as I continued walking. As Luis and I were walking towards the lounge, a scarred and scary middle-aged man signaled for Luis to come over. My heart skipped a beat when the man looked at me and smiled cunningly. “Mr Luis please, I want to use the restroom,” I said,trying to avoid the scarred man. “Alright miss. Just turn to your left, and you'll see the restroom,” he replied, gesturing the way. I quickly went in that direction, ignoring anyone I came across. The smell of alcohol in the lounge was much so I decided to remain in the restroom for a while. About thirty minutes later, I left the restroom and planned to stay in an empty room until it was time to go home. As I opened a door and walked in, I found Diego standing there, looking annoyed. I noticed a stranger at the other end of the room with a strange tattoo on his wrist pointing a gun at Diego. I was about to rush out of the room when I heard the gun being loaded and the man told me not to take another step. I froze in fear. I looked back at Diego, but he seemed rather calm in a situation like this. The man grabbed my arm and pulled me close, then held my neck and pointed the gun to my head. I began to panic, and I tried to scream but no sound came out. If you come close to me, your wife will die here and now,” the man threatened Diego. It seemed he had a personal vendetta against Diego because his eyes were revengeful. I glanced at Diego and a smile tugged at his lips. What was he thinking? Just then, Diego began to approach me as if ready to go confront the man's threat. As he continued to approach I heard a loud bang in the room, and I screamed in fear. At least the scream could finally escape my mouth. I heard another gunshot and closed my eyes. For three seconds, the room was filled with silence and when I opened my eyes, I saw Diego bleeding from his left shoulder. My breathing increased, and I managed to escape from the man's grasp. Just then, Luis rushed into the room. He struggled with the man holding the gun and that was when another shot went off. I gasped for breath as my heart began to ache. All I could manage to say was “Medicine.” “Medicine,m-y medici-ne” I stammered, still struggling to breathe. The man pushed Luis to the ground and quickly aimed the gun at me. Just as he pulled the trigger, a hand lifted the man's arm, causing the bullet to escape into the air. I glanced over and realized it was Diego. He quickly grabbed the gun from the man's hand and shot him directly in the chest. My eyes widened as the man collapsed to the ground, blood rushing out from his chest. My vision became blurry as shock set in. “He-help me,” I whispered before slumping down. I tried to open my eyes but could not, and all I could hear was a faint voice saying, “Get her to the car and come get rid of this body now." Then I lost consciousness.Adriana's POV Before Diego could react to the bullet the assistant fired, Juan swiftly shot the assistant on his neck. He collapsed to the ground, his eyes open and his body lifeless.The bullet that was fired grazed Luis' thigh and slight blood rushed from the wound.Diego approached us, his expression tensed. “Are you alright? Did the bullet enter deep? he asked, looking at us.“I'm in slight pain, but I'm fine,” I said, my voice barely audible.He glared at me, his expression indifferent. “I wasn't referring to you,” he said, his voice firm.I looked away, embarrassed. Of course, he didn't care about me, how could I forget about that.“I'm alright, Diego. But most of our men are dead,” Luis said, looking at the bodies on the floor.“How about Rodrigo? Where is he?” Diego asked, not seeing him anywhere.“He was shot in his stomach, so he went inside to remove the bullet,” he explained.“When you return, we'll hire more men,” Diego said, sighing.Luis looked at Diego, confusion etc
Diego's POV I sat in the living room, an assortment of weapons scattered across the floor. I picked them up one by one, examining each to ensure they were in person working order. Luis entered the room, his expression serious.“How can you be so calm, Diego? This is serious,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of panic. I continued my inspection of the guns, ignoring his question.“We need to leave,” he stated firmly. I paused, finally looking at him. “Leave for where?” I asked, my brows furrowing.“We can't stay here. The Caruso syndicate might attack us at home,” he explained, the tension evident in his voice.I turned back to the weapons, resuming my examination.“Come on Diego, you would be safer in the office. Besides, all our men are waiting, armed and ready for the fight,” he urged, desperate for us to leave immediately.I nodded, holstering my gun. “Alright. Let's go then,” I conceded.Luis nodded in agreement. “The car is ready,” he said. I instructed him to gather all t
Adriana's POV I sat in the back seat of the car, watching Luis load my luggage into the car's trunk. Confusion swirled within me; why was he doing that? He shut the trunk and slid into the driver's seat.“Are you ready to go, Mrs?” He asked, starting the engine.“Huh?” I mumbled, completely thrown. I didn't understand what he was saying. Where was I going?“Where am I going?” I asked, searching Luis' face for answers. He looked at me, his expression calm.“No one told you? Not even Diego?” He asked, surprise evident in his tone.I looked down. “It's not like we talk at all for him to tell me anything” I mumbled.“I apologize for not telling you about today,” he said, bowing his head. I looked at him, guilt pricking at me. It wasn't his fault and he didn't need to apologize. I wasn't comfortable with his show of respect; it made me uneasy.“No need to apologize. It's alright,” I said. “Diego said I should take you to go and see your father,” he said.I gasped, a smile immediately spr
Adriana's POV Mr Emilio collapsed on the floor, blood rushing out from his lifeless body. The chef gasped and looked away quickly.I remained motionless, shock filling my body. Diego really killed Mr Emilio, and he didn't flinch.He looked at me, no damn emotion in his eyes. My heart was beating fast and I stared at Emilio's body.“Avert your gaze from there. If you lose consciousness again, I won't be responsible for it,” he said, his tone stern and firm.I hurriedly averted my eyes; looking down at the bed. I was too shocked to say anything to him.“Chef, take her back to her room when her room has been cleaned,” Diego instructed. Before he left the room, I glanced at him once more and he glanced back with an indifferent expression. He left the room, shutting the door behind him.Diego's POV I left the room and went into my study. I wasn't shocked by what I did; it wasn't the first time I had killed a friend because of betrayal.I dialed Luis' number and waited for him to answer.
Mr Antonio's POV “Why haven't you been receiving my calls recently?” I asked when Luis was settled in the living room.“I've been occupied with business deals, sir,” he replied.“Alright. What's Diego up to?” I asked, getting to the point.“What do you mean, sir?” Luis asked, looking at me, seeking more explanation.“Why did he order his men to guard Javier's ward in the hospital?” I pressed, waiting impatiently for an answer.At that, he averted his eyes, staring at his legs. “What's wrong? Why are you acting that way?” I asked, noticing his sudden, unusual expression.“Umm… I was the one that gave the orders for his men to go there. It wasn't Diego,” he confessed.My tone changed instantly. “Why did you do that? I questioned, annoyance rising. “What was the point?” He looked at me and sat up on the sofa, realising my annoyance. “I just felt that Mr Cruz was still in danger; his kidnappers haven't been caught yet,” he explained plainly.I glared at him as he explained. He was the
Diego's POV I sped on the highway, honking at and overtaking every car in my front. When I reached home and went into the living room, the house was unusually quiet.Just then, I heard a faint voice screaming and I realised that it was coming from Adriana's room. I hurriedly went up the stairs, heading for the room.As I flung the door wide open, I was shocked to see Emilio fondling Adriana's breast. She lay on the bed, helpless and weak, while Emilio held her hands as he caressed the breast.“Adriana!” I called, shock etched on my face. Instantly, Emilio got up and looked at me.I hurried closer to Adriana, ignoring Emilio as he stood there.“Adriana,” I called again, raising her from the bed. As I held her up, blood rushed slowly from her nose and onto the bed sheets.“Mr Castillo,” she muttered, her voice faint. “Help me.”Tears rolled down her eyes even in her almost unconscious state and she sobbed softly.I quickly carried her in my arms and headed for the door. Before leaving