DiegoSkillfully, four figures clad in tactical gear descend from the chopper's open door. Each one lands on the roof of the warehouse with practiced ease, their boots hitting the concrete with muted thuds. Damn. Obviously, Viktor is an ally worth having. Now that he isn't after my wife. Once Viktor is on the roof, a swarm of men emerge from the building with their guns drawn. I watch as Viktor draws his arm back, and hurls something towards them. The object hits the ground with a dull thud before erupting into a blinding explosion, engulfing the assailants in a searing wave of heat and light. Camila flinches into me, and as I hold her, I quickly check to make sure my damn eyebrows haven't been singed off. "Was that a damn grenade?" Danny asks in shock. "For fuck's safe, Viktor, no more grenades! I don't need my men blown up or risk the chance of Vanessa getting hurt!" I bark. Viktor snorts. "You begged for help, you don't get to dictate how I do it." Begged? He fuckin
Vanessa A sharp pang twists in my chest, squeezing the air from my lungs as I stand before my husband with Nathan's gun aimed at his head. He looks so worn out, so unlike the put-together man in a suit that I'm used to, like my absence has completely disrupted his life. But I won't be foolish enough to think that. Nathan showed me proof that Diego is perfectly fine without me. But why did he come? Did he regret his decision to let Nathan have me? I almost want to run into his arms and ask him to make it all better, but nothing will ever be the same between us. No matter what he says. I will never be the same. "Mama, it's me," Diego says softly, taking a cautious step forward. "Stay back!" My voice quivers, but I keep the gun steadily trained on him. He freezes instantly, scrutinizing me from head to toe. His gaze darkens as he observes every bruise and cut marring my skin. But what he doesn't see are the wounds on the inside, the ones that will never heal. After what I
VanessaOnly five days? It feels like I was locked in that basement for years. But that doesn't change the fact that in five days the person I was...the strong, confident queen at Diego's side...has vanished, never to be found again. The tears stinging my eyes finally fall, and with a shaky breath, I reveal the truth. "He raped me, Diego. So many fucking times. I'm ruined now, tainted. I understand if you'll never want to touch me again." Blue flames ignite in his eyes. "Is that what you really think, Mama? That I wouldn't want you anymore because that fucker touched you without your consent?" "The last time...I made him think I wanted it...and I..." My voice falters into a sob, choked by the guilt and shame that pierce through me like a knife. Diego's voice trembles with emotion as he pleads, "Please, let me help you." I shake my head violently, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to block out the sound of his pleading voice. After what Nathan did to me, I don't see a way I
Vanessa A shiver courses down my spine as a shadow crosses his face. "Fuck," he mutters before touching the inside of his ear. "Leo, I've got Vanessa. Have you found Sal?" The shadow deepens. "And?" After hearing Leo's response, Diego curses again, his features contorting with rage. "What happened?" I whisper, my pulse quickening with each passing second. Before he can answer, Danny shouts from the top of the stairs. "Jefe, we've wiped out everyone here. Brian said someone called the police, and they're on their way. We gotta leave, pronto." Diego turns to me, his eyes reflecting a mix of hurt and vulnerability. "Are you coming with me, Mama? Or do you want to make me hunt you down? A rush of warmth spreads through my chest. "I want to go home, Diego." His lips curve with a small smile. "Thank you," he whispers. With me still cradled in his arms, Diego carries me up the stairs, where a gather of familiar faces awaits us. Camila flashes me a wide grin, while Danny's us
Diego"How's Vanessa holding up, Diego?" Leo asks, leaning against the door of my office.My gaze drifts to the window, where my wife sits on her usual bench, her figure small against the expanse of the garden. She stares out at the pond that I had built for her after she lost her sister nearly a month ago. Danny stands nearby, silently watching over her. She spends most of her time out there now while I stand by, feeling utterly fucking helpless as I watch the woman that I love drown in her grief and trauma. I'm at a complete loss. She barely acknowledges my presence. She recoils from my touch, refusing even the most simple gestures of affection. The only time I'm allowed to hold her is when she's ensnared in the grip of her nightmares, crying and screaming for my brother to stop hurting her. At this point, I'd give up anything to erase her pain, and bring her back to me.With my heart sinking like a lead weight, I finally respond, "She's not getting any better, if that's what you'r
Diego "I'm not hungry," Vanessa repeats in a monotone tone. Frustration and hurt bubbles within me, but I swallow them down, taking a deep breath to force myself to remain calm. "Vanessa." I slowly reach out, extending my hand to her, but she flinches away as if my skin is coated in poison. The action fucking stings, but I'm used to her rejection. "Can I at least sit down?" I ask, my voice tight with the desperate plea. I hold my breath, waiting for her response, until she finally nods, her movements stiff and reluctant. I settle beside her, allowing my gaze to wander out onto the garden. I may have hired the gardeners, but this is all her creation. The array of flowers remind me so much of the happy, carefree side she showed me during our honeymoon. That time seems like a lifetime ago. I don't even miss sex as much as I miss her willingly submitting and trusting me. "Mama, I can't help you unless you talk to me," I say quietly, "Or fuck, if you won't talk to me, will you at lea
DiegoI stare at Vanessa like she has three goddamn heads as we stand facing each other. "I'm sorry...what did you just say to me?" I ask calmly, but with a dangerous edge to my voice.Vanessa doesn't flinch. With defiance blazing in her eyes, she meets my gaze head on. "I said I want a divorce, Diego. She repeats the words coldly as if they mean nothing to her. "I don't want to be here anymore. I don't want you anymore."I let out a bitter laugh. "Yeah, I think I may need to clean out my ears because what I'm hearing sounds like a load of bullshit."Her hand lands across my cheek with a sharp crack. It stings like a bitch, but my face doesn't move an inch. I grit my teeth and swallow down the surge of anger, knowing it's exactly what she wants. She looking for an excuse, any excuse, to walk away from me. To pack her shit and disappear to a place I won't be able to find her. But I'll never give her that satisfaction.I take a deep breath, and let it slowly. It's not just the slap that
Diego"Please, stop! It fucking hurts!"His cries escalate to desperate screams as I press the staple gun into the flesh of his hand once again. Each metallic thud is a reminder that I'm in control, that he's at my mercy. The sound echoes through the desolate building that, only moments ago, was filled with the tortured cries of young women being taken against their will.That was before we stormed in and killed every man but the giant piece of shit in charge. Now, their lifeless bodies are scattered across every inch of the room, blood pooling in wide arcs around them.I hear the muffled footsteps of my men as they carefully free the women who have been chained, gagged, and violated by these disgusting motherfuckers. At this point, my men are used to this grim routine. They work to get the women to safety, while I deal with the night's main attraction.Benjamin Smith, the so-called ringleader, hasn't spoken a word worth a damn to me yet. He's just sitting there, zip-tied to a chair,