BOOK 2
Trapped within the iron grip of the notorious Morroto family, Veronica Garcia's fate hangs precariously in the balance. Days bleed into nights in the suffocating darkness of her prison, where despair threatens to consume her spirit. Each pass...
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KAI, FELIX, AND I exit my private jet, the cool Russian air hitting us as we step onto the tarmac. The sky is overcast, a typical grey blanket that stretches endlessly. We quickly load into the sleek black car waiting for us, its engine purring softly. The interior is plush and warm, a stark contrast to the biting chill outside. As the driver pulls away, the familiar sights of Russia begin to unfold before us. The weight of our mission settles in, but for a brief moment, there's a sense of relief. I'm home.
Kai and Felix discuss the plan between themselves once more, their voices a low murmur in the background. Meanwhile, I peer out the car window, lost in thought. The familiar landscape of Russia rushes past, a blur of memories and emotions. I clutch the briefcase tightly, filled with the cash they demanded. But that's all they are getting from me. There's no way in hell I'm giving them Veronica.
After an hour or two, the familiar landscapes begin to make sense as we get closer to my home. The dense forest surrounding my estate comes into view, a sanctuary of green amidst the darkness of my life.
I always believed that if my existence was so shrouded in shadows, I might as well have some green to balance it out. The lush greenery fills the car window, providing a serene contrast to the tension inside the vehicle. Suddenly, the green is interrupted as ember sparks slowly fall from the sky, hinting at an unexpected disturbance.
The sky grows increasingly grey, a heavy fog permeating the air with an acrid smell. Ember sparks drop onto the ground and the car, their orange glow stark against the dim landscape. We drive closer and closer, the tension thickening with every mile, until the source of the disturbance becomes clear: flames are licking at the edges of the forest surrounding my home, casting a sinister glow against the encroaching twilight.
I step out of the car and stand in front of my house, Kai and Felix closely behind me. The smell of burning wood fills the air, mingling with the thick scent of ash. I clutch the briefcase tightly in one hand, my knuckles whitening from the force.
As I stare at my burning home, the once lush green scenery is now reduced to ash and withered remnants, the devastation a stark contrast to the vibrant life that once surrounded my sanctuary.
Behind me, Kai and Felix's panicked, muffled voices blend into the background noise. My anger has muted them, reducing their frantic words to mere whispers. The only thing on my mind right now is getting my hands on the Morrotos. The sight of my burning home fuels my rage, and I vow to make them pay for this destruction.
Suddenly, I feel a vibration from my pocket, cutting through the haze of my fury. I pull my phone out, the screen lighting up against the darkening sky. With a quick swipe, I unlock it and open the message. The glowing text stares back at me, each word heightening my resolve.
UNKNOWN: Nice briefcase you got there, but where is Diabla, Petrov?
My fingers clench around my phone as I re-read the message over and over again, the words searing into my mind. Each repetition fuels my rage further, solidifying my determination to confront the Morrotos and make them pay for what they've done.
