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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AS LUIS STEPS out of the car, his hand tightly gripping the portrait, I follow suit, spotting my own car already parked nearby. He starts toward the entrance of the Morroto estate, but I can't let him walk away without knowing. I step forward, stopping him in his tracks.
"What are you going to do with that now?" I ask, my voice tinged with suspicion.
Luis turns to face me fully, a smile stretching across his face. "For now, I'll place it safely in my vault," he says, his tone casual but with an undercurrent of malice. "When the time is right, I'll use it for my own personal gain." He lets out a low, sinister laugh, the sound sending a chill down my spine.
I watch him, the weight of his words sinking in. This portrait is more than just a valuable piece of art; it's a weapon, one he's eager to wield.
I cross my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. "And what exactly is your 'personal gain,' Luis? You think you can just use people's pasts against them like that?" My voice is sharp, challenging him to reveal more of his twisted plans.
"I did with you, didn't I?" he laughs maliciously. "Look at whose side you're really on now."
I grit my teeth, clenching my jaw as memories of being thrust into that simulation flash before my eyes.
Luis notices my tension and smirks. "You can't deny that it made you stronger, Veronica. You've come a long way since then."
I roll my eyes, letting out a frustrated groan as I walk toward my car. Just as I reach it, Luis calls out, his voice curious, "Where are you going?"
I turn to face him while opening my car door. "I'm going back to the base," I say, my voice firm. I shoot him a sharp glare, my eyes narrowing.
"Be back by tomorrow," he says with a wicked grin, "I'll be holding a special seat for you at the execution." His words drip with dark amusement, the sinister smile never leaving his face.
I brush off his comment and slip into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a reluctant roar. I click my seatbelt into place, the strap tightening across my chest. With a final glance at the estate, I shift into drive and pull away, the tires crunching on the gravel as I leave the oppressive atmosphere behind.
- - - - - - ✄
I pull into the driveway and park the car, the engine sputtering to a halt. I step out, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over me. With a heavy sigh, I lean forward and rest my forehead on the steering wheel, the weight of the day pressing down on me.
