de the east wing Isabel stood near the floor to ceiling glass doors leading out to a small balcony. She turned the iron latch. Locked. She walked to the secondary door con

earlier that morning, but the mental paralysis was far worse. Where was Santiago? Her brother had missed three consecutive family dinners an unspoken crime in their household. His phone went straight to voicemail his apartment in the La Laureles district had been tossed when she checked it tw

d pulling back

s dead or bleeding. Should I call in the secondary response team from the city? Esteban asked, thumbing the safety on his sidearm. No, Matteo replied, reaching into a locked weapon rack behind him and pulling out a custom silenced rifle. If we call in reinforcements the city authorities will track the comms signal. We handle this quietly. We leave no survivors to report back to Cali. Above in the east wing Isabel heard the sudden chaotic commotion escalating outside. Shouted commands in harsh Spanish echoed across the courtyard followed by the deep terrifying roar of high powered engines. Driven by a desperate mix of fear and curiosity she hurried back to the glass balcony doors. She looked down at the courtyard below. A fleet of black armored SUVs was tearing out of the subterranean garage kicking up gravel as they accelerated toward the main gates. But it was the figure walking across the central stone patio on foot th

silenced weapon

s. Matteo lowered the rifle. He didn't inspect the body He didn't check his own breathing He merely gestured with two fingers to his enforcers who dragged the corpse into the shadow of the trees as

crecy it all pointed to one terrifying reality. But seeing it with her own eyes broke whatever naiv

a single flicker of emotion in his eyes. Suddenly, the

around her chest her knuckles turning white as

uit immaculate but his eyes were dark with the lingering adrenaline of the kill. He took one look at her pale face her wide terrified eyes locked on him and h

ing violently as tears of pure horror welled

etween them until he was standing directly over her. He reached out his hand hovering near her face hesitated for a second, and then gently wiped a stray tear from her cheek with the back of his thumb. His touch was shockingly warm a stark terrifying contrast to the violence she had just witnessed. In here, Matteo whispered his dark eyes burning into hers with an intensity that made her breath catch you are untouched. No one hurts you while you are under my roof Not the gangs not the feds no one. Why? Isabel gasped trapped beneath his gaze unable to look away despite the fear screaming inside her head. Why do you care what happens to me? Matteo stared down at her his thumb lingering against her cheek. He thought of Santiago's bloody body left in an alley six months ago He thought of the sins catching up to him rain beating down on a dark mountain road and the twist of fate that had delivered this girl into his hands. Because,Matteo said, his voice barely audible over the hum of the air conditioner, yo

who she