The Forbidden Love in the Underworld

ere focused, deliberate as she started the second attack wave moving. Mi

distance, Sofia Alvarez was turning into someone else totally, someone merciless,

consciousness. One of Sofia's most reliable lieutenants, Julian arrived angrily with a gri

he same. "Get the backup set up."

Rafael wanted to speak up to ask whether there was another wa

e strain in the room grew, Rafael's heart hammered. Sofia had made clear: the Al

gunshots accompanied by engine sound. Michael had found his mark. He was in route for them. Usually the so

eone who has lived a lifetime under cover. Rafael trailed, his body stiff as the weight of hi

with explosions, then the piercing crack of gunfire. I

her. And then an explosion, the force of which knocked him flat. The world around him seemed

g of guys surrounded him. Their weapons directed a

t across the smoke. "

"Did you really think you could walk into our world a

for sure: Sofia was out there, battling for her life

ired, his voice strained, but h

"I want Sofia to realize nobody

y now. This was about shattering Sofia's spirit and breaking her do

ld he was unable to undo. He realized he was not ready for this and coul

this time what I have been organizing? It goes beyond simply assuming leadership o

t Michael. If you believe you

"We'll see about it. What will sh

glanced to Michael, who was standin

e a sneer. "You aren't dead yet. But this

raying from him. You believe this will break me? Tho

no idea what to reply. His feelings, anxiety, treachery, a weird need to guard her, twiste

d said, "I won't let you die," he

gn this kind before. His typically professional and orderly world seemed far away.

cut over the stillness, yet Rafael could s

miliar surge of nerves. His voice low, he said

was no warmth behind it. "Let's make sure t

ghold, save Rafael, and leave no space for reprisals. Bu

ready ready to go. Julian's voice piercin

Full power. Get ou

quickly, the dark cloth flowing like a shadow. "We move,

eel served as simply a reminder of how far he had travelled into this planet, not any solace.

esonated across the building a

rworld was always hiding in the shadows, felt in the crunch of gravel underfoot, the creak of met

Sofia slid easily into the driver's seat, the flickering headlights casting sha

Sofia said nothing; her eyes were forward, but he could see the fire blazing under he

more, then. A deep voice, twis

arting point. You have

e usual cold run down his spine. H

could break me. She pounded her fist on the d

erse. Every strike of the bullet sounded off the metal, the automobile trembled. Rafael

king at him, Sofia yelled. "

im cried to flee and hide, he was unable to leave her. Not tod

he door flew open, and they both leaped in

rear streets of the city. Sofia flowed with the shadow, her body fluid every gesture deliberate. R

d them, locking it with the haste of someo

more than Michael's soldiers did. Stuck in the heart of the battlef

he had always been the one in charge, the one with dignity. Now

"We can't trust

table. Now, every name, every face, every line on the page meant s

edness, but her will unwavering. We are on

arted to bloom. Trust was something even he wasn't sure he could

picked it after her eyes closed. Her face w

her breath, "It's