His Territory

5

"Get talking. I have errands to run today," I say, lowering myself onto the loveseat across from Gian.

"Errands?" he says, picking up a coaster from the coffee table, inspecting it before tossing it back carelessly, letting it clatter against the wood. "Where do you think you're going today?"

I raise an eyebrow. "What are you, my parole officer? I'm going to get groceries and pick up textbooks for law school."

"You're going to school here?" His scowl fades, replaced with curiosity.

"Yeah, UCLA," I say, crossing my legs and leaning back in the chair. I try to appear calm, even though being in the same room with him has my nerves on edge.

"Diosa, eres lista, eh?" he chuckles, flashing a grin that's all perfect white teeth—too perfect, too disarming.

I can't help but let out a small laugh in response. "I'd like to think so. We'll see once the semester starts."

"Cristian will be proud."

The smile immediately vanishes from my face at the mention of that name. "Who is this Cristian, and why should I care what he thinks?"

Gian clicks his jaw, and I notice the veins in his neck bulging as he tenses. "He's el jefe de Los Reyes Absolutos," he says, his eyes narrowing. "He's in charge."

My breath catches in my throat, and I suddenly feel like I've been plunged underwater. Numbness spreads through my body.

Los Reyes Absolutos.

The words echo in my mind, pulling me back, yanking me to memories I've tried to bury. My vision blurs, and I'm not in my living room anymore—I'm in New York, suffocating under a different kind of weight.

"Mi reina, ¿a dónde vas?" Adrián's voice was a deep, guttural growl, slurred and rotten with the stench of alcohol. He was definitely drunk.

"I'm done. I'm leaving," I said, shoving clothes into my backpack, tears burning my cheeks. I didn't care anymore if he saw me cry. I was beyond hiding the anger, the hurt.

"What's your fucking problem?" he snapped, grabbing my shoulder with enough force to make me drop the bag. He turned me to face him, his fingers biting into my skin as he lifted my chin, forcing my eyes up to meet his. His grip was cruel, like he enjoyed watching me squirm beneath his hold.

*"Who were you with tonight?" I asked, my voice trembling but defiant.

He let go of my chin, collapsing onto the edge of the bed with a groan, rubbing his temples. "I was with the boys, princesa. You know how it is."

I didn't answer, grabbing my jewelry off the nightstand with trembling hands.

"Since when do 'the boys' include two cheap putas and a bottle of Henny?" I spat, unable to stop the words from spilling out.

His expression darkened. "Have you lost your mind?"

I kept going. "I saw the videos. The pictures. You didn't even bother to hide it." The images flashed in my mind—the two girls draped over him in that filthy gang house, one on his lap, the other on her knees, and him loving every second of it.

"I. Saw. Everything."

I tried to push past him, but he followed me, trapping me against the front door. His hand shot out, and this time it wrapped around my throat.

I gasped, choking as his grip tightened, his face inches from mine. "I said, get back in the bedroom," he hissed, his lips brushing against mine as I struggled to breathe.

Desperation took over. I kneed him in the groin with all my strength. He groaned, his grip loosening just enough for me to slap him hard across the face.

He crumpled to the floor, clutching his ribs, and I didn't waste a second. I grabbed my shoes and bag and bolted for the door. His laughter followed me down the hallway, his voice dripping with malice.

"Leave now, but you'll be back, mi reina. We'll always find you."

"Lucia!" Gian's voice cuts through the haze, and I'm jolted back to the present. He's shaking me, his hands gripping my shoulders. I wince, shrinking away from his touch, retreating deeper into the loveseat.

He steps back, his face etched with concern. "Are you alright?" he asks, his voice softer now, careful. "You zoned out. You went pale—I thought you were having a heart attack."

"It felt like one," I whisper, rubbing my arms, trying to chase away the goosebumps.

Gian chuckles, though there's unease in his tone. "I mean, not everyone reacts well when you tell them about a gang, but you're really making a scene here."

I stare at him blankly. "I wish it was just an act." My voice cracks as I speak. "Adrián sent you, didn't he? Is this some twisted plan to bring me back?"

Gian's brow furrows in confusion. "Adrián? Who the hell is Adrián?"

My heart races. "He's with 84th Street. Jackson Heights, New York."

Gian's eyes widen for a second, before he throws his head back and laughs, his body shaking. "You're worried about a guy in New York coming all the way to Hyde Park? Bella, nobody comes here unless they have a death wish."

"He's looking for me," I murmur, clutching a pillow to my chest as if it'll shield me from the truth.

Gian's laughter fades, and his expression turns serious. "What did you do?" His voice is hard now, laced with suspicion.

I snap, my anger bubbling over. "I didn't do a damn thing, hijo de puta!" I growl, glaring at him with clenched teeth.

He stands, the tension between us growing thick. "He wants to hurt you?"

I bite my lip, the tears welling up despite my best efforts. "I hope that's all he wants," I whisper, lowering my head.

Gian stares at me for a moment, his jaw tight. Then, with a sigh, he places a hand on the back of his neck, stretching.

"Good thing you moved here," he mutters.

I look up, incredulous. "Why? So you can hand me over for a reward?"

The tears finally spill over, and Gian's expression softens. He crosses the room, sitting beside me on the loveseat. "No, mujera, never. You've got people who can protect you now," he says gently, wrapping an arm around my shoulder in a brief, comforting embrace. "Wipe your eyes. We need to go."

"Go where?" I ask, glancing down at my pajama pants and loose t-shirt, confusion spreading across my face.

"To see Cristian. And to get you groceries," he says with a smirk, gesturing at my outfit. "Maybe wear something a little less... that."

He heads to the door, pausing as he turns the knob. "Oh, and Lucia?" he says, his tone casual but firm.

"Yeah?"

"Wear black."

♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛♛

Diosa, eres lista- Goddess, you're smart?

el jefe de Los Reyes Absolutos- The boss of The Absolute Kings

El esta a cargo- He is in charge

Mi reina, a donde vas- My queen, where are you going?

mi reina- my queen

bella- beautiful

Bendito- Blessed (name of a rival gang)

hijo puta- motherfucker, son of a bitch