Playing Temptation Dangerously

Forbidden Ties [8]

I noticed Harper running into Chanel.
It was so obvious she did that on fucking purpose. What the hell is she up to?
It was never good when Harper turned her sights on a girl. Once she decided someone was a threat, she made sure to bring them down.
Chanel didn't stand a chance if Harper had it out for her.

The class ended soon after.
As I stood by the lockers I couldn't stop thinking about Harper's little "accident"
Was it just a coincidence, or had Harper planned it? She always had a way of making things look like an accident.

I was about to head out when I saw Chanel walking out of the restroom. Her gym bag was half-open, and I noticed her black shirt hanging out, stained with something dark. Blood.

It wasn't obvious to most, but I was trained to notice things like this.
The fabric was soaked in blood - how the hell did one push hurt her that badly?
It didn't make any sense.

I followed her quietly, keeping a distance. Something inside me twisted as I watched her walk down the hall, trying to act normal.
She was hiding something. I needed to figure out what.

Things between us changed ever since her.
He pushed me into training harder, like he was trying to toughen me up for something.
I ended up in the hospital multiple times because of him, but the pain was worth it.
It made me stronger, and in this world, strength was all that mattered.
You either kill or get killed.

Now that my father was stepping down, the family's future was in my hands.
My sweet mother tried to pretend everything was fine, and my sister, Adriana, lived in her own world. She was the only one he treated like a human being. His little princess.
I guess it was a relief she wasn't sucked into this life, but that also meant I had to protect her.
If anything happened to her, it would be on me.

But even with all the training, all the expectations, I still wished he'd been more of a father.
Instead, he was just the man who shaped me into this... this thing. A killing machine.
And maybe that's what I had to be to keep control of everything.

The Colombian mafia had been going unusually well -too well. Everyone in the underworld had noticed, and it wasn't sitting right with me.
Something was off.

That's why today, I'm meeting with their leader, Pedro Torres.
An old head in this game, Pedro had built his reputation on doing things the dirty way, no matter the cost.
He's the kind of a man who doesn't make a move unless he's got something twisted up his sleeve.

My father insisted I invite him to our big event next week. It wasn't just about showing face
-it was about keeping him close, keeping him under control.
When a snake like Pedro starts slithering around without making noise, you know he's planning something. And I wasn't about to let him out of my sight until I figured out exactly what that was.

As much as I hated the idea of having him in our presence, I knew it was necessary.
You don't survive in this business by trusting easily, and Pedro Torres was the last person anyone should trust.

But my father was right. Keeping him close meant knowing what he was up to. And with the power shifting in our family, I couldn't afford any surprises.

I'd make sure Pedro knew his place.
No matter how dirty he played.
This city was still under my rule, and I'd be damned if I let anyone think they could take it from me.

Tonight felt different - like something was about to change within me.
I crouched behind a tree in the dimly lit forest parking lot. I'd gotten a tip about a secret meeting with Torres, and I was here to collect information and what was really going on.

The parking lot was hella abandoned.
Only the sound of the swaying leaves and the distant sound of the city.
I had carefully positioned myself close enough to hear but hidden enough to stay out of sight.
My heartbeat quickened as I waited.

Headlights suddenly pierced the darkness.
A sleek car rolled in and parked with a low rumble. Five men stepped out and formed a tight circle around the car.
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, did Torres think he was some kind of big shot or something?

A second car arrived, and Torres stepped out first, arms crossed and giving off an air of arrogance. Moments later, three more men got out of the second car, their serious faces, so fearless.

What. the. fuck.

My pulse raced as I spotted a familiar face - Shane.
What was he doing with Torres?
Their conversation was a mix of false laughter and forced smiles, a clear attempt to mask something. My mind spun with questions.
Was Shane behind Torres's sudden success?
Did he know about that night?
Could it be a part of some twisted revenge?

Anger bubbled up inside me, and tears of frustration blurred my vision.
I clenched my fists, trying to stay focused.
Shane was inviting Torres to their big event next week - the Shirley Gala, the most important gathering of the year.
It was supposed to bring everyone together and keep the peace, but I had my doubts about Torres agreeing to that.

Just as I decided to leave, my foot crunched down on a dry branch.
The snap echoed through the quiet night, and instantly, the men's heads turned.
I saw them pulling out their guns, their movements quickly changed towards me.
Panic surged through me, and I rushed, dodging through the trees with my heart racing and pumping.

I need to lay down and stop playing with my life, seriously.