Crimson Love (Crimes On Love)

Chapter 4: World's Collide

Tensions had been simmering for months, but lately, the pressure in Valentina's world had reached a boiling point. Valentina Romero had been running her crew for years—tight, loyal, and efficient. They controlled their section of the city, moving product with precision and keeping a low profile to avoid unnecessary heat from the authorities. Her crew was family to her. There was Marco, her right-hand man, quick to anger but fiercely loyal, and Lola aka Luz, their eyes and ears on the streets who had a sharp mind and a knack for staying one step ahead of the competition.

But recently, a new player had emerged on the streets. A rival gang led by Rafael Cruz, known for his brutal tactics and thirst for expansion, had been encroaching on Valentina's territory. Rafael wasn't just another street thug. He had connections—money, muscle, and a hunger for power that rivaled even Valentina's. He wanted more, and he wasn't afraid to go to war to get it.

The first sign of trouble came when one of  Valentina's supply runs was hijacked. Marco had been leading the operation, moving a shipment of product across town, when their convoy was ambushed. Rafael's men came out of nowhere, guns blazing, and by the time the dust settled, two of Valentina's crew members were dead, and the shipment was gone. It was a blatant move, one meant to send a message: *We're coming for you.*

Valentina was furious. The rules of the game had been broken, and Rafael had made it personal. But she wasn't the type to react recklessly. She gathered her crew at their hideout, an old warehouse on the outskirts of the city where they could meet without prying eyes.

"I want to know everything about this crew," Valentina said, her voice low but filled with tension. She sat at the head of the table, flanked by Marco and Lola. The rest of the crew gathered around, their expressions grim. "Rafael Cruz isn't making these moves without reason. What's his angle?"

"He's hungry," Marco replied, still nursing a wound from the ambush. His arm was wrapped in a makeshift bandage, and his knuckles were bruised from the fight. "He's not just after our territory—he's after the whole damn city."

Lola chimed in, always the strategist. "Rafael's crew is gaining ground fast. They're better funded than we thought. Word on the street is that they've got new suppliers, someone outside the usual networks. That's why they've been able to move in so aggressively."

Valentina narrowed her eyes, the gears turning in her head. "Who's backing them? No one around here would risk going against us unless they were guaranteed to win."

"That's the problem," Lola said, pulling out a map of the city and laying it on the table. "We don't know yet. But we need to find out. Fast."

Marco pounded his fist on the table, frustration seeping through his tough exterior. "We need to hit them back, Val. Show them what happens when they cross us."

Valentina paused, her eyes scanning the faces around her. She could feel the tension rising within her crew. They wanted blood. They wanted revenge. But something in her gut told her that Rafael was setting a trap. "No," she said firmly. "We're not making the first move. Not yet."

The room fell silent. Marco shot her a questioning look, but he knew better than to challenge her in front of the others. "What's the plan, then?"

"We need to gather more intel," Valentina said, her tone sharp. "We need to know who's backing Rafael and why they've chosen now to move against us. Marco, get the word out on the streets. Find out who's been meeting with Rafael. Luz, I want a list of every new player that's entered the city in the last six months. I don't care how small they seem—someone's helping him, and we're going to find out who."

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The Brewing Storm

The tension from Rafael's encroachment began to bleed into Valentina's personal life. She had kept her world separate from Diamond's for as long as possible, but the stress was starting to show. Their secret meetings, once full of laughter and passion, were now tainted with worry. Valentina had become more distant, her phone constantly buzzing with updates from her crew, and her mind always somewhere else.

One evening, after another one of their clandestine rendezvous, Diamond could see the strain etched into Valentina's face. They sat together on Valentina's worn-out couch, a stark contrast to the lavish life Diamond came from. Diamond traced her fingers along Valentina's arm, trying to soothe her.

"You're not really here with me," Diamond said softly, her voice laced with concern. "What's going on?"

Valentina sighed, leaning back against the couch, her eyes dark and tired. "It's work. I've got a problem I need to take care of."

"Is it dangerous?" Diamond's voice wavered, her fingers stopping their gentle movements.

Valentina hesitated, not wanting to drag Diamond into her world, but the truth was harder to hide than she expected. "It's nothing I can't handle," she said, dodging the question. But Diamond wasn't so easily fooled.

"You're lying to me," Diamond said quietly, her eyes locking onto Valentina's. "I know something's wrong. You can trust me."

Valentina looked at her, torn between keeping Diamond safe and being honest with her. She knew Diamond wouldn't understand the intricacies of her life, but at the same time, she didn't want to push her away. After a long pause, she finally spoke. "There's a rival crew, and they're making moves on my territory. It's getting...complicated."

Diamond's heart sank. She had always known, on some level, that Valentina's life was dangerous, but hearing it laid out like this made it real in a way it hadn't been before. "Are you going to be okay?"

"I will be," Valentina said, her voice steady but tired. "I've dealt with worse."

Diamond leaned in closer, resting her head on Valentina's shoulder. "Just...be careful, okay?"

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The First Strike

Valentina's cautious approach didn't last long. A week later, Rafael made another move, this time targeting one of Valentina's stash houses. He wasn't just testing the waters anymore—he was declaring war.

Marco was livid. "This has gone too far, Val. We can't just sit back and let him walk all over us. We need to hit them, hard."

Valentina clenched her jaw, the pressure building. She knew they couldn't keep playing defense. Rafael was pushing them, trying to force their hand, and soon enough, they'd have to fight back or lose everything they'd built. But there was still a part of her that wanted to avoid an all-out war—she didn't want to drag her crew into a bloodbath.

But with every passing day, Rafael grew bolder. His men were showing up in Valentina's territory, harassing her dealers, and spreading rumors that she was losing control. It was only a matter of time before someone in her own crew started questioning her leadership.

The tipping point came when one of her men, a young dealer named Javi, was found dead in an alleyway, a bullet to the back of his head. It was a message—clear and brutal.

That night, Valentina called her crew together. They were going to strike back, and this time, it wouldn't be subtle. They were done playing defense. Rafael wanted a war, and now, he was going to get one.

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