Chapter 9: Surprise, Rivera princess.
Dylan stormed into the Martinez mansion, his anger palpable. The guards bowed their heads in respect, but Dylan smiled and waved them off. "Stand up, guys. Get back to work."
Despite his calm tone, Dylan's fury simmered beneath the surface. He burst into his father's office, ready to confront him.
Tristan Martinez, Dylan's father, was caught off guard, lips locked with a mysterious man. Dylan didn't flinch, accustomed to his father's relationships. One thing was that, Tristan Martinez doesn't fall for anyone. They're all always his flings.
Tristan hastily dismissed the man, composing himself. "Dylan, what brings you here?"
Dylan sat rigidly, his eyes locked on his father. "You know why I'm here."
Tristan raised an eyebrow. "You look like an offended hen. What's wrong?"
Dylan's voice was firm. "I don't want any part of the Martinez empire, Dad. I've told you before. I don't want to be involved in drug deals or dangerous cartels."
Tristan's expression turned cold, his eyes narrowing. "What happened?"
Dylan's anger boiled over. "Those men my friend and I fought off? They were after us because of your deals. I don't want to be a target because of your business."
Tristan leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "You're my son, Dylan. You'll inherit the empire one day."
Dylan shook his head. "I don't want it. I want a normal life, free from violence and danger."
Tristan's gaze intensified, his voice low and menacing. "You don't understand the world we live in, Dylan. You'll learn to adapt."
Dylan felt a shiver run down his spine, his father's words laced with an underlying threat. He knew Tristan's ruthless side, and it scared him.
"I won't be part of it, Dad," Dylan repeated, standing firm.
Tristan's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained icy. "We'll discuss this later, Dylan. For now, leave."
Dylan nodded, relieved to escape the tension. As he left the office, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his father's world would eventually consume him.
Dylan had barely stepped out of Tristan's office when his father's voice called him back.
"Dylan!"
Dylan's heart sank. What now? He returned to the office, his tone slightly less polite. "Yes, Dad?"
Tristan waved off his misbehavior. "Who was the girl with you during the attack?"
Dylan's nerves fluttered. He took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Frudi Jackson? She's my junior in school...and my friend."
Tristan's eyes sparkled with interest. He stood up, walked over to Dylan, and smiled sinisterly. "Tell me more about Frudi."
Dylan's instincts screamed warning. "Dad, please don't scare her off like you always do. She's just a friend."
Tristan's grin widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I promise I won't...for now. But let me make one thing clear: if she's a Rivera or knows anything about the Rivera mafia, she's off-limits."
Dylan's mind racing, he agreed, knowing Frudi didn't bear the Rivera mafia tattoo. She claimed to be an agent, but he suspected she was kidding. Maybe she was a former athlete, explaining her combat skills.
Tristan dismissed him again, but Dylan's curiosity lingered. "Dad, why do you hate the Riveras so much?"
Tristan's smile faded, replaced by a hint of darkness. "That's a story for another time, Dylan. Not today."
Dylan sensed the depth of his father's emotions, but Tristan's walls were impenetrable.
"Okay, Dad," Dylan said, turning to leave.
Tristan's voice stopped him. "Dylan?"
"Yes?"
"Remember, Frudi's safety depends on her connections. Keep that in mind. I wouldn't scare her off but I can't control the attacks that might come her way. It's the business, kiddo"
Dylan nodded, his heart heavy with foreboding. What secrets lay between his father and the Riveras? And what did it mean for Frudi's safety?
Dylan didn't know a lot of things, but one thing he knew was that he shouldn't mess with the Riveras. He's heard of Francisco Rivera and he seemed scarier than his on father.
Dylan's mind raced as he drove home, Tristan's words echoing in his thoughts.He shook his head, focusing on the road.
Just then, Elias's call pierced the silence.
"Hey, Dylan! Roll call's soon," Elias warned.
Dylan accelerated, weaving through traffic.
He screeched into the parking lot, grabbed his backpack, and sprinted to class.
Breathless, Dylan slipped into his seat seconds before attendance.
After class, Elias caught up with him.
"Hey, man, let's grab lunch," Elias said.
As they walked to the cafeteria, Elias spotted something.
"Look, Dylan," Elias whispered, nodding toward a table in the cafeteria.
Daniel, Alex, and Frudi sat huddled, their faces stuffed with food.
Elias dragged Dylan over.
"Come on, let's go," Elias urged.
Dylan resisted. "Elias, I don't know..."
"Déjà vu," Dylan muttered under his breath.
The last time he approached Frudi, she'd dismissed him as a stranger.
Elias pulled him closer.
As they reached the table, Frudi looked up.
"Dylan," she said, her voice neutral.
A formal greeting, no malice or sarcasm.
Dylan's concern grew. Something was off.
Usually, Frudi would lash out or ignore him.
But today, her expression was... normal.
"Hi," Dylan replied, cautious.
Daniel and Alex exchanged uneasy glances.
Elias, oblivious, plopped down beside Alex.
"Hey, guys! What's going on?"
Daniel hesitated. "Just discussing... friends stuff."
Frudi's gaze met Dylan's, then quickly shifted away.
Dylan sensed a hidden tension.
He decided not to pry, not here, not now.
As they sat, Elias dominated the conversation.
Dylan observed Frudi, searching for clues.
Her reserved demeanor worried him. Was something bothering her? Was she hiding something? Dylan's mind whirled with questions.
He'd have to ask her later, privately. For now, he played along, masking his concern.
Frudi pushed her chair back, signaling the end of her meal. "I'll be leaving now," she announced, her eyes locking onto Alex.
"Alex, come with me," Frudi called, her voice firm but laced with a hint of urgency.
Alex nodded, his expression a mixture of curiosity and compliance. He stood, his gaze flicking to Daniel before following Frudi.
Daniel's eyes narrowed, suspicion etched on his face. "What's going on?" he muttered, his voice low.
He started to rise from his seat, intent on trailing after Frudi and Alex. But Dylan's hand shot out, grasping his arm.
"Hey, Daniel, hold up," Dylan said, his tone calm but authoritative.
Daniel turned, his eyes questioning. "What?"
Dylan's gaze darted around the courtyard, ensuring they weren't overheard. "We need to go. Dad wants to see us."
Daniel's expression shifted from concern to obligation. "Right, the meeting."
Elias, engrossed in his lunch, remained oblivious to the undercurrents.
"Later, dude," Dylan called, his voice casual.
Daniel and Dylan left the table, heading in the opposite direction of Frudi and Alex.
As they walked, Dylan's thoughts drifted back to Frudi's unusual behavior. Her guarded demeanor, the sudden departure with Alex... Something was brewing.
Daniel's voice broke the silence. "What do you think Frudi's up to?"
Dylan's eyes met Daniel's. "No idea, but we can't be late."
Their father's summons took precedence over Frudi's mysterious actions.
But Dylan couldn't shake off the feeling that Frudi's move was connected to the impending meeting.
The uncertainty gnawed at him, fueling his growing unease.
Frudi and Alex navigated through the crowded streets, their destination a rundown warehouse on the outskirts of town.
"Today's mission should be a breeze," Alex said, attempting to lighten the mood.
Frudi's expression remained somber, her eyes fixed on the path ahead.
Alex noticed her unusual demeanor. "Hey, what's wrong? You're always pumped for these ops."
Frudi sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "Dad's been breathing down my neck since the attack."
Alex's expression turned serious. "Cisco's just worried, Frudi. He wants you safe."
"I know," Frudi replied, frustration lacing her voice. "But it's suffocating. He's making Alex your permanent shadow."
Alex chuckled. "Hey, I'm not complaining. I get to spend more time with you."
Frudi rolled her eyes, a hint of a smile on her lips.
Alex continued, "Those thieves deserve a taste of our family's power. We'll show them what happens when you cross the Riveras."
Frudi's gaze locked onto Alex's, a spark of determination igniting.
"You're right," she said, her voice firming. "Let's get this done."
As they approached the warehouse, Frudi's focus shifted to the task at hand.
Alex fell into step beside her, his eyes scanning their surroundings.
"I've got your back, Frudi," he whispered.
Frudi nodded, a silent understanding passing between them.
Together, they entered the warehouse, ready to take down the thieves and reclaim what was stolen.
But Frudi's unease lingered, a nagging feeling that this mission was more complicated than it seemed.
Frudi and Alex crept through the abandoned warehouse, their masks concealing their identities. Frudi's eyes scanned the dimly lit space, her gaze locking onto the stolen goods.
"Looks like we've got about thirty tangos," Alex whispered, his voice muffled by his mask.
Frudi nodded, her hand instinctively reaching for her gun. "Time to get to work."
As they moved deeper into the warehouse, the sound of laughter and raucous chatter grew louder. Frudi's smile twisted.
"Sounds like they're having a party," Alex quipped.
"Time to crash it," Frudi replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
They burst into the main room, guns drawn. Frudi took point, her movements fluid and precise.
"Hands up, boys!" Frudi shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.
The thieves froze, stunned.
Alex chuckled. "You guys should've stuck to stealing candy from babies."
Frudi dispatched two thugs with swift kicks. "You're not even worth the ammo."
The room erupted into chaos as the thieves scrambled to respond.
Frudi danced through the crowd, her gun firing precise shots. Alex provided cover, taking down anyone who got too close.
"Frudi, we've got a runner!" Alex yelled.
Frudi sprinted after the fleeing thief, her footsteps light.
"You're not escaping me!" Frudi shouted.
She tackled the thief, pinning him to the ground.
Just as Frudi stood, victorious, a shot rang out.
"Frudi, down!" Alex screamed.
Frudi dropped, bullets whizzing above her head.
A new player had entered the game.
"Who's this?" Frudi muttered, her eyes scanning the rooftop.
A figure emerged from the shadows, rifle trained on Frudi.
"Surprise, Rivera princess," the figure sneered.
Frudi's eyes narrowed. "You're about to find out what it means to cross me."
The figure pulled the trigger.