sol's

that you're playing

ing, as he cornered me in the alley behind the club. His p

," I snapped, tryi

know what you're doing? You think Rafael's your sav

eaving. "And what are you, huh?

u are, dancing in his club, playing his game. Te

t. Instead, I turned on my heel and stormed

isol. Just like t

el's voice was a whip, sharp and biting

is towering presence filled

, stepping closer. "You a

y do you care, Rafael? I'm just

brewing behind them. "You t

el's hands were on me, pulling me close, and before I could

rom my lungs. My hands fisted in his shirt, torn

was ragged, his eyes burning into mine.

hell just

aste of Rafael's kiss still lingered on my

was something about him something that pulled

Or was I just another

focus. This wasn't about my feelings. T

ng to blur, and I didn't

from

me like a pun

el's men said, his voice

s etched into my memory, a scar that would never fade. He

embling. If Rafael had ties to D

s voice was low, almost vulnerable, a

d by the question. "I kno

his empire from nothing. Blood, sweat, and more blood

in the memories. "I've done things, Marisol.

est tightening. "Why ar

onto mine. "This world isn't black and white. It's shades of g

muffled through the walls. My heart pounded as I slipped

and this was my ch

s weren't. My fingers trembled as I flipped through them,

I recognized. My father's name was there, scraw

I whispered, the papers

e. I turned, my heart racing, to find Rafae

re," he said, his vo

t," the scarred man said, hi

s of the club, his pre

my voice steady despite th

. "I know who killed your family. I know why. But i

cing. Could I trust him? Or

ed, the more tangl

gined. Every file, every conversation, every

art of this world.

ice like steel. "You've been ask

even as my heart pounded in my c

ng closer. "That this isn't a game? Th

t I refused to back down. "I

k, almost amused. "M

ded with time, but there w

Together, smiling

t train. My father hadn't just

pered, the weight of th

tood silently behind me,

my voice trembling.

d with something I couldn't quit

elf. My father's betrayal had set everything in motion.

me? And could I ever esca

lation, the danger grew. And as I stood there, caught

only the