The night air was thick with tension, the kind that clung to the skin and settled deep in the bones. Gabe sat in the back of the sleek black car as it sped through the narrow streets of the city, his mind racing with the new developments from the past few days. He had learned more about Leonid Varga than he cared to know. The man was a ghost—untouchable, elusive. He had his fingers in every pot, his influence stretching across the city like an invisible web. Gabe had always known the underworld was full of secrets, but Varga was something else entirely. A puppet master who controlled everything, from the politicians to the criminals, without ever revealing his true face.
Gabe's phone buzzed in his pocket, the sound sharp against the quiet hum of the car's engine. He pulled it out and saw a message from Marco:
"We've got a lead. Varga's meeting tonight. A private gathering. I'll send you the location."
Gabe's pulse quickened. This was the break he needed. If he could find out what Varga was planning, he might be able to stop whatever was coming. But he couldn't do it alone. He needed someone who could help him navigate the shadows—someone who knew how to operate in this dangerous game. Someone like Ria Mendoza.
He stared at the screen of his phone, his finger hovering over the keys. He wasn't sure if calling her was the right move. She had made it clear she didn't trust him, and yet, there was no denying that her knowledge of the underworld was invaluable. If he was going to take down Varga—or at least figure out what he was up to—he needed all the help he could get.
Gabe's thumb hit the call button before he could second-guess himself. The phone rang twice before Ria picked up, her voice smooth and steady, as if she were sitting in a quiet room and not amidst the chaos of the city.
"I was wondering when you'd call," she said, her tone laced with amusement.
"I need your help," Gabe said, not bothering with pleasantries. "I've got a lead on Varga's next move. I need someone who knows the game better than I do. Someone who can help me get inside without getting caught."
There was a brief silence on the other end, and then Ria's voice came through, sharper this time. "And why would I help you, Gabe? You've got the Ortega family's backing. You're more than capable of handling this on your own."
"I'm not asking for your help out of kindness," Gabe replied, his voice cold. "I'm asking because we both know that the stakes are higher than just you or me. If Varga is moving in on Morales's disappearance, it's only a matter of time before he sets his sights on something—or someone—bigger."
Another pause. Then, Ria's response was almost too calm. "I know exactly what Varga is capable of. But why should I get involved? You want me to help you stop him? What's in it for me?"
Gabe clenched his jaw. He knew Ria wasn't the type to be swayed by sentimental reasons. She had her own agenda, and she wasn't going to do anything unless it benefited her. But in this moment, Gabe didn't have the luxury of time to play games. He needed her—and he needed her now.
"I'll make sure you get your share," he said, his voice hard and commanding. "I'll help you take down whoever is standing in your way, and I'll make sure you get what's owed to you."
There was a long pause, and for a moment, Gabe thought she might hang up. But then, her voice came through, low and measured. "Fine. But remember, Gabe, I'm not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. You better make good on your promises."
Gabe hung up the phone, his mind already calculating the next steps. He glanced out the window, watching the city blur past as the car sped toward its destination. He knew that working with Ria was a risk. She was unpredictable, and in a world like theirs, that kind of unpredictability could either be an asset or a liability. But there was no other choice. If they were going to stop Varga, they would need to be one step ahead, and Ria might just be the key to that.
Celeste's head throbbed as she stared at the message on her phone, the words lingering in her mind long after they had appeared. "Stay away from the investigation. It's too dangerous." She had read it over and over, her fingers trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity. Gabe had warned her to stay out of it, but the more she thought about it, the more she realized she couldn't ignore what was happening. Not anymore.
Her father had kept her in the dark about the family's dealings for as long as she could remember, but Celeste was no fool. She knew enough to understand that the Ortega family was more than just a conglomerate. It was a mafia empire, built on power, money, and blood. And now, someone was trying to tear it all down.
She had tried to push her fears aside, to focus on her studies, but it was impossible. Every conversation, every glance from her father's men, made her feel like a pawn in a game she didn't understand. And now, Gabe was involved. She couldn't just sit back and wait for him to fix everything. She needed to understand what was happening, to see the truth for herself.
Celeste stood up from the desk and walked over to the window, gazing out at the sprawling estate. The city below was alive, a constant hum of activity. She had spent so many years sheltered within these walls, but now, it felt suffocating. She didn't belong here anymore—not in this gilded cage.
Her phone buzzed again, pulling her from her thoughts. This time, it was a call. She hesitated before answering, knowing who it was. Gabe. She had expected him to call, but not this soon. Her heart raced as she pressed the phone to her ear.
"Celeste," Gabe's voice came through, calm but urgent. "I need you to meet me. There's something you need to know."
Her breath caught in her throat. "What's going on? What do you need from me?"
"I can't explain everything right now. Just meet me at the old warehouse by the docks in an hour," Gabe said. "Trust me, it's important."
Celeste's mind raced. The old warehouse was one of the Ortega family's abandoned properties, a place no one ventured near. It was as far from the public eye as possible, and that made it the perfect location for secret meetings. She didn't like the sound of it. She didn't like the secrecy, the danger that seemed to hang in the air whenever Gabe was involved.
But despite the nagging fear in her chest, she knew she couldn't back down. She had to see this through. She had to understand what Gabe was getting himself into—and what it meant for her.
"I'll be there," she said, her voice steady even though her heart was pounding in her chest. "But Gabe, you better not put me in danger. I'm trusting you."
"I won't," Gabe assured her, though his voice held a note of finality. "Just be there."
The call ended, and Celeste stood frozen for a moment, the weight of the decision pressing down on her. She had no idea what she was walking into, but one thing was clear: she wasn't going to sit on the sidelines anymore. Whatever game Gabe was playing, she was now a part of it.
To Be Continued...