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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IT'SBEENA few days since I met up with Pandora in Mexico. We walk side by side, our footsteps echoing down the dimly lit hallways of the Morroto base. The air is thick with tension, a silent anticipation hanging over us. As we approach the heavy double doors of the meeting room, my heart pounds in my chest.
We step inside, and the room is starkly lit, the fluorescent lights casting sharp shadows. Luis, with his ever-present air of authority, sits at the head of the long, polished table. Elijah lounges casually, his eyes narrowing as he assesses us. Charlie, stoic and silent, gives a curt nod. And then there's Nico, whose gaze lingers on me, filled with unreadable emotions.
"Ah, you're here," Luis says, his voice smooth and commanding. "We have a situation that requires your expertise."
"And what might that be?" I question, folding my arms as Pandora stands next to me.
"For the past few days, we've had Gianna locked up and have offered her a position on this team several times," Luis explains, leaning back in his chair with a smug expression. "However, she has consistently denied our offer."
He pauses, his eyes narrowing as he searches for the right word. "So, we want you to... persuade her." His smile turns cruel as he finishes, the weight of his words settling heavily in the room.
Elijah's eyes gleam with a mix of anticipation and amusement, while Charlie's expression remains unreadable. Nico's gaze flickers to me, a shadow of unease crossing his features. Pandora shifts beside me, her stance braced and resolute.
Luis opens the folder in front of us, revealing detailed files and photographs of Gianna. "We believe she could be a valuable pawn in our game. All she needs is a little convincing," he says smoothly. His gaze turns colder as he continues, "However, if she refuses once more, we will have no further use for her. Treason has its consequences."
I nod firmly, unafraid. The weight of the task is heavy, but my resolve is unwavering. Tilting my chin up, I declare, "So be it. I'll carry the deed out myself."
Luis raises a hand, cutting me off with a commanding gesture. His eyes glint with a cold, calculating edge. "Not so fast," he says, his voice laced with authority. "While your enthusiasm is noted, this task requires more precision than mere resolve."
Luis motions toward Pandora, who stands beside me with an unreadable expression, her stance as steady as ever. "I want Pandora to claim this task as her own," he announces, his voice carrying a sharp, cruel edge. "Consider it a trial to prove herself."
His smile widens, dark and menacing, as he turns his gaze to her. The room's atmosphere thickens with tension. Elijah, his eyes glinting with amusement, shifts slightly in his chair, while Charlie's face remains impassive, his eyes cold and calculating. Nico's gaze lingers on me, a shadow of unease flickering across his features.
