As the heavy door to the living room closed behind Olivia and Jon, Carlos stood for a moment, staring at the empty space they left behind. His thoughts churned, the weight of the plan pressing on his shoulders. Everything they’d talked about had led to this— no more waiting, no more failed missions. They were going after Edgar, and there was no turning back.Carlos paced the room, his mind racing with possibilities. Every step felt like a countdown, every thought a reminder of how much they stood to lose. He couldn't afford to make a mistake. Not with Jon, Olivia, or himself.Determined, Carlos walked toward the kitchen. He needed something to clear his head. The tension between them had built up so thick he could almost taste it. A glass of water might help, even if just for a moment. As he poured the water and stared at it, he couldn't help but replay Jon’s words in his head.Jon had been right: This wasn’t just a simple mission. Edgar wasn’t someone they could easily bring down. He

Carlos took a deep breath and glanced at the envelope in his hand before slowly extending it toward Deon. But just as Deon’s fingers grazed the envelope, Carlos pulled it back slightly. "Actually, Deon, how about this?" Carlos’s voice was calm but tense. "You get paid after the job’s done. That way, we know you’ll deliver as promised."For a second, the warehouse felt even more silent than before, as if the very air had paused in anticipation. Deon’s eyes slowly narrowed, his smirk fading into a look of cold disbelief. His fingers, which had been poised to grab the envelope, curled into a fist at his side."Are you serious right now?" Deon’s voice dropped low, a dangerous undertone rippling through it. He took a step forward, towering over Carlos.Carlos swallowed hard, feeling the shift in the atmosphere. Olivia and Jon exchanged uneasy glances, both sensing the storm brewing. Jon’s hand twitched slightly at his side, as if he was debating whether to reach for something – anything –

Carlos’s hand shook as the cold metal of the gun pressed against Edgar’s forehead. His finger hovered over the trigger, but there was no rush, no panic. This was his moment. He'd been waiting for this confrontation for what felt like an eternity. Sweat trickled down his temple as his heartbeat thrummed loudly in his ears. The adrenaline coursing through his veins kept him on edge. His lips curled into a cold smile as he looked Edgar dead in the eye.“If you’ve got any last words, Edgar, now’s the time to say them.”The room was so tense you could hear the distant hum of machinery, the faint creak of old metal, and the harsh breathing of everyone present. Edgar’s remaining men stood motionless, guns still holstered but completely useless. Toby held them at gunpoint, both pistols unwavering in his hands as he stood a few feet away. His eyes flicked between the remaining guards and Edgar, waiting for the first sign of trouble. Toby’s fingers were tense on the triggers, but he wouldn’t fi

'A FEW YEARS LATER'Carlos stirred in bed, feeling the warmth of the early morning sun filter through the curtains of their cozy bedroom. He blinked his eyes open, the soft amber light painting the room with a serene glow. Beside him, Olivia’s bare skin glistened in the light, the delicate rise and fall of her chest in sync with her soft breaths. He couldn’t help but smile. Five years had passed since the chaos that had nearly torn their lives apart, and now, in the quiet of their home in Riverdale, things felt almost perfect.He rolled over, brushing a strand of hair from her face, his fingers trailing gently down her cheek. Olivia stirred, her eyes fluttering open. Her lips curled into a sleepy smile as she stretched, her body pressing against his.“Mmm, morning,” she whispered, her voice still heavy with sleep.Carlos leaned down, kissing her softly, his hand sliding down her waist, pulling her closer. “Morning,” he murmured against her lips, the feel of her skin against his igniti

Carlos leaned back in his office chair, exhaling a deep breath as the quiet hum of the computer died down. The day had been long— too long, in fact— but now it was finally over. He rubbed his temples, still feeling the dull ache from the confrontation that morning. Cedric’s fists had done a number on him, but he had managed to get through the day without raising too much suspicion. The pile of work on his desk was neatly organized, and with a satisfying click, he shut his monitor off. The office was eerily quiet at this hour. Most of his colleagues had left, and the familiar silence that followed after a busy workday descended upon the floor. Carlos stood up, stretched his stiff muscles, and moved toward the door. He needed to inform Jenna, his assistant, about his upcoming vacation— his first in months. A trip to his parents’ place in Mississippi seemed like the perfect escape. He could already feel the tension starting to ease just at the thought of leaving everything behind for a