Twisted Obsession

45 - Vendetta

Lorenzo Vincelli

Gabriel strides forward, gripping the man by the collar and yanking off the balaclava in one fluid motion. Beneath it, a tanned face is revealed-Spanish features sharp and angular, dark eyes that blaze with defiance even in the face of danger. His jaw is dusted with stubble, a faint scar slicing through his left brow, giving him a rugged, weathered look.

The man glares up at me, chest heaving from exertion or rage-or both. Gabriel shoves him forward, forcing him to stumble and fall to his knees. His lip curls in disgust as he spits at Gabriel's boots.

"Boss, this is him," Gabriel announces, stepping back, though his body remains coiled like a spring, ready to act.

The man's voice drips venom, rough and biting. "Touch me again, and I'll carve your fucking heart out with a spoon." He threatens Gabriel.

I take a step closer, my polished leather shoes clicking against the cold concrete floor. My gaze locks onto his, unflinching, cold as a winter storm. "Carlos Expósito," I say, letting the name roll off my tongue with deliberate precision.

Carlos tilts his head, his defiance unwavering despite the odds. ""Yeah?" He snarls. "The fuck do you want?" His insolence grates, but I don't let it show. I crouch slightly, just enough to bring my face level with his, the air between us taut with unspoken threat.

"Comm in Federico and Luciana. Tell them you've been shot. And make it clear-I won't let you go until Federico hands over the diamond."

Carlos's lips twist into a mocking smirk. "The diamond? Really? All this for some shiny rock? You think Federico gives a damn about your little ransom demands?"His tone is menacing, laced with dark humor, but his bravado only fuels my resolve.

Before I can respond, Gabriel's fist cracks against Carlos's jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground.Carlos spits out blood, dragging his hand across his mouth. Despite the crimson staining his teeth, his grin returns, feral and unrepentant. "You punch like a fucking pussy."

I straighten, brushing nonexistent dust off my sleeve. My voice cuts through the room, cold and razor-sharp. ""No, but he gives a damn about you from what I've observed." I say. "Even if he doesn't give a damn about you, Carlos. You're nothing but leverage-a tool. Federico will bring the diamond."

Carlos's grin wavers, but he leans forward, his dark eyes gleaming with malice. "And if he doesn't? What then? You gonna kill me? Go ahead. Let's see if you've got the balls."

I let silence fill the space between us, my expression unchanging. Then I take a deliberate step closer, looming over him, my shadow casting him in darkness. "Death is too simple," I say, my tone almost conversational. "I don't kill tools. I break them. And I'm very, very good at it."

For the first time, something flickers in Carlos's gaze-something like doubt. Gabriel steps forward again, his fists clenched, but I raise a hand to stop him.

"Let him make the call," I ordered, my voice calm, almost bored. "And remind him what happens if Federico doesn't comply."

Carlos swallows hard, his bravado faltering as the gravity of the situation settles over him. He glances at the comms device offered by Gabriel, hesitating tightening his features. Whatever sarcastic retort he might've had dies on his lips, replaced by the stark realization that he is, for now, completely at my mercy.

Gabriel's knuckles connected with Carlos's ribs again, the dull thud reverberating in the cold, sterile room. I stood a few feet away, arms crossed, watching as the Spanish thug crumbled under the weight of his own arrogance.

Carlos was tanned, his skin golden like sun-kissed bronze, with dark eyes that burned with defiance despite the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His wiry frame didn't make him look weak, though. No, Carlos Expósito had the air of a man who had survived worse things than this-a cockroach in human form, resilient and annoyingly difficult to squash.