Victor I

Victor relished the look of shock and fear on Selena's face. She was right to be scared. He was back. But hearing his name on her lips again after all these years lit something inside him that he immediately pushed down. No. He was here for business, not feelings. He stared at her for a long moment, watching as she physically blanched from his gaze. There was terror in her face, but something about it felt off to him—like her fear wasn't directed at him but at something else.

"Why?" The single word dropped from his lips, barely audible above the thumping music. Despite the noise surrounding them in the club, he knew she heard him. He watched different emotions play across her face—guilt, sadness, fear, and something else he couldn't quite name.

Selena's lips parted, trembling slightly. "Victor, I—"

"Don't." His voice was sharp as a blade. "Don't you dare make excuses."

She shook her head, eyes desperate. "You don't understand. There are things you don't know—"

"What's there to understand about betrayal?" he snarled, leaning closer. "I trusted you with everything. My life. My empire. My heart."

His attention was suddenly pulled away by a voice cutting through the cacophony of the club—a voice he recognized all too well. He turned and saw him. Joshua. The bastard who had shot Martinez, one of Victor's most loyal bodyguards. Martinez had gotten married just five years ago. Victor recalled their last conversation with painful clarity.

"Boss, I hate to leave your side even for a day," Martinez had said, eyes earnest as always. "But Maria and I... we've waited for this honeymoon for months."

"Take the full month," Victor had replied, clapping him on the shoulder. "You deserve it."

"I'll stay one more week," Martinez had insisted. "Just until I can find someone I trust to guard you while I'm gone."

But that week had been his undoing. Xavier's and Selena's betrayal had cut Martinez's life short and left Victor half dead.

Victor's eyes narrowed as he watched Joshua in the VIP section, surrounded by three women in revealing dresses. They draped themselves over him, giggling and pressing against his body as he ordered more bottles of champagne.

"More drinks for my beautiful ladies!" Joshua shouted, his hands wandering freely over exposed skin.

One of the women, a blonde with glossy lips, straddled his lap. "Is it true what they say? That you're Xavier's favorite shooter?" she purred, running her fingers through his hair.

Joshua grinned, pride and arrogance radiating from him. "Let's just say when the boss needs something permanent, he calls me."

Another woman, this one in a dress that barely covered anything, leaned in to nibble his ear. "That's so hot," she whispered. "I love dangerous men."

The third girl pouted, feeling left out, and pressed herself against his side. "Pay attention to me too," she whined, trailing her fingers down his chest.

Joshua laughed, enjoying the attention. "Don't worry, baby. There's enough of me for all of you."

Victor's blood boiled at the sight. This man was celebrating, living it up, while Martinez's widow still mourned. He turned back to Selena, his eyes cold as ever.

"I'll be back for you," he said, voice low and dangerous. "I want you to suffer for what you put me through. Every day, every hour, every minute—I want you to feel the pain I felt."

Selena reached out, trying to grab his hand. "Victor, please, you have to listen—"

He jerked away as if her touch burned him. "Don't. Ever. Touch. Me. Again." Each word was filled with Victors dangerous résolution. "You're dead to me, Selena. The woman I loved died five years ago. All that's left is the shell I'm going to destroy."

Without another word, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Selena standing alone. Tears filled her eyes, threatening to spill over, but in the cheerful atmosphere of the club, with music blaring and people dancing, no one cared. No one spared her a glance. She was invisible in her pain.

She clutched her fists, digging her nails into her palms as determination surged through her. "I'll survive this," she whispered to herself. "I survived Xavier. But I have too much to lose now."

Meanwhile, Victor's attention had shifted entirely. Revenge for Martinez was first on his list. Joshua had no idea death was watching him from across the room, biding its time.