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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
___
I CLEAR MY throat and dial Miguel's phone number, preparing myself for the act. As the phone rings, I start sniffing and let the tears flow convincingly. When Miguel picks up, I can hear the concern in his voice.
"Veronica? What's up? We have not long split up. I've met up with Roman and Felix, and Felix is in bits," he says, his tone urgent and worried.
As my sniffing continues, Miguel's worried voice comes through the phone again. "V? Please tell me you are okay," he pleads, the anxiety in his tone unmistakable.
I let the tears seep into my voice, making sure to sound as distraught as possible. "I-I went back to the house because Nico called me for an emergency," I begin, my words choked with emotion. "A-and..." I pause, letting out a convincingly desperate sob that echoes through the phone. "They took her, Miguel. They got Gia," I continue, my voice trembling as if barely holding back a breakdown. Each word is laden with fear and sorrow, designed to make Miguel feel the urgency and desperation of the situation.
"Veronica, calm down. I will be there right now. I won't be long. We will be at the house as soon as possible, and I'll talk to Nico—" his concerned voice starts, but I quickly cut him off.
"N-Nico left," I sob, my voice trembling as I let out fake stutters, fully aware he went to deliver her to Luis. "He went looking for Gia," I continue, each word laced with a carefully crafted mix of desperation and fear. I let my breath hitch, as if I'm barely holding it together, painting a vivid picture of someone on the verge of breaking down. "Miguel, you have to hurry," I plead, adding urgency to my tone.
"I'm on my way, V. Hang in there," Miguel says urgently. His voice is filled with determination, and I can almost picture him rushing to gather Roman and Felix, ready to face whatever comes next.
I smirk as I hang up the phone, the tears quickly fading from my eyes. Wiping away the remnants of my fake tears, I dial Elijah's number, preparing for the next step in our plan.
Elijah answers with a grunt. "What," he says curtly, sounding preoccupied.
"What are you up to, Princess?" I laugh condescendingly.
"Don't you dare, Veronica. I'm trying to get info out of your friend," he grunts out, irritation clear in his voice.
"Relax, sunshine," I retort, my voice laced with sarcasm. "I just wanted to update you. Miguel and what's left of the team know Gianna has been taken, and they are looking for you guys." My tone is casual yet loaded with the implication of imminent danger for Elijah and Charlie.
I hear a distinct groan of pain in the background, echoing with a familiarity that sends a shiver down my spine. It sounds eerily like Kai's voice. For a moment, a wave of empathy washes over me, and I instinctively wince at the noise, my heart momentarily betraying the hardened facade I maintain.
