Diego
"No!" Vanessa stands abruptly, gripping my arm. I turn to face her, noticing the intensity in her grey eyes. "You have to save her. She can't die because of me," she pleads, her voice laced with desperation for her snake of a sister.
I almost scoff, but I hold the sound in. If she dies, it would only be due to her own stupidity. Shit isn't adding up. Viktor didn't want her due to her age, so why would he kidnap her now?
I've been dealing with his bullshit for ten years. He wouldn't start a war like this. That means someone else took her and one of my men. And I have an idea who it is.
"Load up the car. We have work to do," I command.
The soldiers follow Leroy out of the room. Sal finishes the liquor in his glass, sets it down on the end table, then rises from his seat slowly. "I'll join you. Wouldn't want you doing anything foolish," he remarks with a chuckle. "Leo's right, she has you wrapped around her little pinky." With that, he follows Leroy out the front door.
Leo stands up, his movements deliberate as he fixes me with a knowing gaze, a silent acknowledgment passing between us before he trails behind the others. He alone knows what must be done. Who's truly responsible for this.
Turning back to Vanessa, I'm met with a blaze of emotion in her eyes. "You're not leaving me here," she asserts, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination.
I tsk, shaking my head. "Mama, the things I'm about to do...you would never sleep again. It's best you remain here where you're out of harm's way."
She lifts her chin defiantly. "I can handle it," she insists.
"I have no doubt that you can," I acknowledge softly, "but not without it breaking the woman I love. I guarantee you'll never look at me the same way. It would change everything between us, and I won't let that happen."
The memory of the haunted expression on her face right after she took the life of one of Viktor's men, flashes through my mind, making the muscles in my jaw twitch involuntarily. I know without a doubt that she would loathe me for being the new cause of her nightmares.
Once, I might have had some sick satisfaction in that knowledge, but now, the thought of the woman I love, the woman I would sacrifice everything for without a second thought, harboring such hatred toward me would fucking destroy me and any trace of the heart I have left.
At that point, I would willingly let her go just so she could find happiness. Isn't it ironic? When our paths first crossed, I wanted to possess her, to bend her will to mine in every conceivable way. Yet, should the day arrive when my presence makes her unhappy like it did when we met, I'd grant her freedom without hesitation.
I love her too much.
And that's precisely why I cannot afford to reveal the full extent of the darkness inside me. What I'm about to do will undoubtedly unleash it.
Tears well in her eyes. "But Diego-"
I cup her face in my hands, gently wiping away a tear with my thumb. "I promised I would do anything in my power to find your sister. Let me keep that promise to you," I say softly. "Will you wait for me here? I promise to come back as soon as I can."
She nods, her eyes avoiding mine.
I grasp her chin, redirecting her gaze to meet mine. "Words, Mama," I repeat, my tone firm.
I catch the subtle twitch of her eye. "Yes, Sir," she murmurs obediently.
I kiss her passionately, pouring all my love into the gesture. "I love you," I whisper against her lips, savoring the moment before reluctantly stepping away.
With a surge of disappointment and anger pulsing through me, I stride over to Danny and seize his arm, leaning in close to whisper fiercely in his ear, "Don't let her out of your fucking sight. Si lo haces, no dudaré en matarte (If you do, I won't hesitate to kill you)."
He nods, acknowledging my words. "Entiendo, Jefe (I understand, Boss)."
I steal one last glance at my beautiful wife before stepping out through the front door. Climbing into the SUV where my men are waiting, I'm met with Sal's concerned expression.
"I have a bad feeling about whatever you're planning, Diego. Where are we headed?" he inquires, the worry lines on his face deepening.
My jaw tightens. "To pay a visit to my dear stepmother."