Chapter 1

It was a cold morning in July. Reina could feel the crisp scent of the wind as she prayed quietly in that solemn church. She was lighting a candle, whispering prayers. Her wedding with Gabriel was near, and after everything that happened between them, she couldn’t shake off the guilt that weighed heavily on her heart.

“Forgive me, Father,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

She had called on almost every saint she could remember, asking for forgiveness. Once, she had vowed to live a pure and devoted life before God. But now, she felt unworthy, stained.

She had given herself to a man she had not yet married in the presence of the altar. Their union had started not with a vow, but in a bed that offered no mercy.

She lowered her head and made the sign of the cross.

“Please forgive me…” she whispered again before stepping out of the church. She pulled her veil over her face. As she exited, Gabriel’s men immediately surrounded her—one held an umbrella over her, while the others secured the path ahead. All of them were dressed in black suits, moving like guards on a mission.

Once outside, she headed straight to a black luxury car. One of the guards opened the door and gently assisted her in.

As soon as she sat down, the driver turned and asked in a formal tone, “Where should we go, my queen?”

“Let’s go home,” she said, glancing out the window. The sky was turning gloomy, and the air was damp with the afternoon chill. She decided to head back to her newly purchased mansion in the Philippines. After going back and forth between California and Bogotá, Colombia to oversee TRIAD, she was finally here to prepare for the upcoming wedding.

“Where is Gabriel?” she asked quietly.

“He’s in a meeting, my queen. Would you like me to call the Guardian?” That’s what Gabriel’s men called him—“The Guardian.” It was a title given to him out of both respect and fear.

Reina shook her head. “No… I might interrupt him.”

“The Guardian always has time for you,” the driver added sincerely.

But Reina stayed silent. She leaned back against the seat, letting out a sigh as she turned her gaze outside.

Raindrops had started to fall gently. As the vehicle moved, the window beside her fogged up from the cold. She lifted her finger and drew a tiny smiley face on the glass.

She gave a faint, bitter smile. Her life now was far from normal. Ever since she took the crown of TRIAD—the underground empire—her world had changed completely. She now held influence over the global network of dark trade and silent power.

Mafias, billionaires, assassins, crime lords, hackers, and syndicates—all relied on her judgment. She was the link that kept peace among dangerous forces. Reina had become the heart of order in a lawless world.

She closed her eyes, trying to drown out the noise. This was what she often did when she needed to think.

But in that stillness, she saw Gabriel’s face. His grip around her, the sound of his voice, the dominance in his eyes. In that memory, he had taken control of her body—and she had begged him not to stop.

She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but even with Gabriel’s rough ways, there was something strangely comforting in the way he loved her… intense and overwhelming.

“My queen, we’re here,” her driver said, gently pulling her back to the present.

As the car parked, one of the guards was already waiting with an umbrella. With calm precision, he opened the door. He showed no emotion, simply waiting for her to step out, his gestures exact and practiced.

“Thank you,” she said politely. The man bowed slightly, then escorted her to the entrance of the mansion. He bowed again before stepping away.

Reina walked slowly into the home she had purchased through powerful connections. Money didn’t run her life anymore—it was her name that opened doors.

Reina Vee Collins. Daughter of billionaire Vancelord Almighty Axell, descendant of Spanish royalty, and of Santo Glorydale Collins—the feared saint of the Lambada Cartel in Bogotá.

Inside her room, Reina began preparing herself. As Gabriel’s future wife, she had to look flawless. She wore the diamond necklace he gave her, along with the ring that marked his claim over her.

She changed into a delicate silk dress she had purchased from France. She chose not to wear undergarments—following Gabriel’s strict rule inside the house.

This way, he said, there would be nothing between them whenever he wanted to feel her.

She sprayed perfume, dusted on powder, and painted her lips. Then she stood before the mirror to see if she looked perfect for him.

She did.

The mansion was enormous—a minimalist masterpiece in black and white, built with the help of trusted business partners in real estate. The walls were mostly made of glass, giving the house a bright and airy feel. Plants filled the inside and out, softening the cold elegance.

As she descended the stairs, Gabriel entered. He wore a sharp business suit and gray-tinted glasses. Every detail of his appearance was flawless—his face, his hair, his commanding aura. When he removed his glasses, his piercing blue eyes were revealed.

“Did I make you wait, my queen?” he asked in his deep, baritone voice, walking slowly toward her on the staircase.

When he reached her, he kissed her lips without hesitation.

“Mmm… I was going mad not tasting your lips. You’re addictive,” he whispered into her ear.

Even without touching her, Reina felt heat rise within her. Gabriel’s presence had that power over her—melting her defenses like a candle flame.

“Did you miss me?” she asked, barely above a whisper.

“Every second, darling,” he murmured, pressing a kiss against her neck.

Reina held onto the railing. If she didn’t, she might collapse from the warmth of his breath on her skin.

“Is my meal ready?” he asked, his hand sliding slowly along her thigh, up toward her hips. When he found her wearing nothing underneath, he smiled with satisfaction.

“Good girl,” he whispered.

He lifted her into his arms with surprising ease.

“Shall we dance?” he asked softly, already carrying her to their room—where another kind of silence awaited them.