BLOODY TIES

for my first day at work. Excitement bubbled within me, yet a hint of anxiety gnawed at the edges of my thoughts. Diego had

hrough the door of our hotel room, my hear

his expression more serious than thrilled. "We are leaving now

xcitement deflating as I took

they're on their way to

dro Empire's territory?"

, dragging our suitcase to the door.

lied, sinking onto the edge of

e battles. Yours might be the first," he warned, lo

d the danger l

ir territory, and you're a trait

?" I asked, grasp

plied, shaking his head as if t

hell did he find out?" My mind raced, desp

way, and I picked up. He asked me what the hell we were doing in Detr

ego? You know what this means for me!

or eight long hours. I was worried sick that the Alejandros would find out about you and have you killed. I tried calling you, only to realiz

d my dad? Why?" I pres

pping closer to me, his eyes pleading. "I th

and locked eyes with him, my heart pounding.

" he shook his head, his express

end us?" I asked angrily, de

l. He could take down the whole mafia syndicates in this town

for a second time without taking my revenge on them. Mark my words, ensure Mr. Valor doe

e. I'll be leaving for Chicago in about an hour. I booked my flight, and I'll take your phone with me so if it gets traced, it'll look like you are there. We ca

I followed him, anxiet

he replied, climbing into the cab that

ked, trying to mask t

tly, the finality in his tone

force him to leave with me. I hoped desperately that I wasn't making the wrong

at the clock and panicked. I was supposed to be at the office by nine, but it was already 9:1

ian-the infamous Adrian Valor, the Destroyer, the Enemy Killer, the youngest Mafia ruler who commanded respect and fear across the city. Clad in his ever-present black tuxedo, he exuded power and

" I managed, my heart poundi

n't let it happen again," he replied, his eyes moving away fro

der Lucy's direction, outlining policies and expectations, but my mind had drifted. Every time Adrian threw me a glance, it felt like hi

wn from his broad shoulders, tracing the contours of his torso, until they landed dangerously between his thighs. The outline of what lay beneath made my breath hitch.

, another applicant, spoke up, her voice dripping w

eyebrow as she glanced at the

replied, unabashedly shooting a sultry look at Adrian while adj

it, I needed to get out of here. My thoughts twisted uncomfortably as I watched Valeria comm

ned the necessary contracts. As we headed for the door

ted us, but he remained

glances. Finally, he looked up. "You," he said, his gaze fixed on one of

ally; the other two women who would be working as maids were elegantly atti

stay," she

ested, eyeing Adrian, wh

shaking her head as she left

r eyes boring into me with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. I stood there, f

nded, his tone leavin

e put his phone down and stood before me, towering. My heart

, the husky timbre of his voic

barrassment, and my pulse quickened, a fire igniting low i

s coursing through my body that I couldn't ignore. I felt exposed and impo

nfiltered desire hanging heavy in t

asing intensity in his eyes challenging me. Then he grabbed

olt that heightened my arousal and embarrassment alike, making me

e here for revenge," my inn

, and that might aid my revenge," I thought

depart for Alejandro's Empire by five, and I was determined to seize this moment-the opportunity to fulfil