Todos os capítulos de The frozen beast: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 10

An Unforgettable Plate NumberThe rain had finally stopped.But the damage remained.Meera stood in silence, staring at the muddy mess that had been her taco stand only minutes ago. Shredded lettuce clung to the wet pavement. Tomatoes floated in small puddles. The carefully prepared meat she had spent hours seasoning was ruined.Her shoulders slumped."There goes today's profit," she whispered.Grandma Rosa slowly picked up a fallen container and sighed."It's only food, sweetheart.""It wasn't just food."Meera's voice cracked."It was rent... groceries... your medicine."Without another word, she grabbed a broom and began sweeping the muddy water away.Rosa watched her quietly.For as long as she'd known Meera, the young woman had refused to let hardship defeat her. She cried only when no one was looking, then woke the next morning ready to fight again.A familiar customer approached."Oh no... what happened?""A careless driver," Meera replied."He didn't stop?"She shook her head.

The black sedan remained three car lengths behind.Meera tightened her grip on the grocery bag hanging from her arm."Grandma...""I see it," Rosa answered calmly, though the concern in her voice betrayed her.They turned left.So did the sedan.They crossed another street.The sedan followed.Meera stopped walking."So it's not my imagination."The vehicle slowed to a stop about twenty meters away.Its headlights remained on, making it impossible to see who was inside.For a long moment, neither side moved.Then the sedan accelerated, driving past them without rolling down a window or making a sound.Meera watched until its taillights disappeared around the corner."That was strange."Rosa placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder."Come. Let's get home."---Across town, Grant stood before a wall-sized digital map in the rented house.Several red markers glowed across San Diego's harbor district.Damien's voice came through the encrypted video call."We've confirmed Romano men arrive

The Romano estate sat on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.Luxury.Power.Blood.Victor Romano stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows with a crystal glass of whiskey in one hand.A knock echoed through his office."Come in."A man in a charcoal suit stepped inside and placed a thick file on the mahogany desk."You asked for everything on Meera Andrews."Victor picked up the folder.The first page held a photograph.Meera.Smiling.Laughing.Completely unaware she had become the subject of a mafia investigation.Victor flipped through the pages.Name: Meera Andrews.Age: Twenty-four.Occupation: Street food vendor.Known relatives: Rosa Martinez (adoptive grandmother).Biological parents: Unknown.He paused."Unknown?""Yes, Boss.""No birth records?""We searched hospitals, adoption agencies... nothing."Victor's eyes narrowed."A ghost.""Looks that way."He closed the file."Keep watching her.""Do you think she's connected to Gonas?"Victor smiled."I don't believe in coinc

The festival was in full swing.Children laughed as they ran between the booths. Live music drifted through the waterfront park, blending with the aroma of grilled meat, fresh pastries, and roasted coffee.At Booth Twenty-One, a line of customers stretched farther than Meera had ever imagined."I need four beef tacos!""Two chicken!""Can I have extra salsa?"Meera moved quickly, her hands working with practiced precision. Tortillas warmed on the grill while Rosa packaged completed orders."We're running out of steak," Rosa whispered."I'll prepare another batch."Just as Meera reached for the cooler, a familiar voice spoke from behind her."You've been busy."She turned.Grant.This time, he wasn't alone.Three foreign businessmen stood beside him, all dressed in expensive suits."Mr. Nakamura," Grant said, "these are the tacos I told you about."Meera blinked."You... told people about us?""I don't recommend things I don't believe in."Mr. Nakamura smiled politely."So you are Miss

Morning arrived quietly.For the first time in years, Meera Andrews woke up somewhere that didn't feel familiar.Sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, painting golden streaks across the polished wooden floor. Beyond the glass, the Pacific Ocean stretched endlessly beneath a cloudless sky.She sat up slowly.For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was.Then everything came rushing back.The festival.The gunshot.Grant.The strange men in black suits who obeyed his every command.She rubbed her temples."What kind of businessman needs that much security?"A soft knock sounded at the bedroom door."Miss Andrews?"It was Maria."I've prepared breakfast.""I'm coming."Meera freshened up before following the scent of coffee downstairs.The dining room looked more like something from a luxury hotel than a rented house.Fresh fruit.Pastries.Eggs.Pancakes.Everything was arranged perfectly.Grandma Rosa was already seated, smiling as Maria poured tea into delicate po