2025-03-25 06:01:38Private Jet – En Route to Mexico City – 9:30 A.M.
The jet cut through the sky like a silent predator. Ethan sat across from Leo, his fingers drumming against the polished wood of the table. The weight of the mission pressed down on him like an iron vice.
Sofia Delgado.
Vasquez’s lover, lieutenant, and possible traitor.
It was a dangerous gamble, banking on her desire to see Vasquez dead. But Viktor had assured them that Sofia hated Vasquez more than anyone.
Ethan didn’t trust Viktor. Not for a second.
But right now, he didn’t have a choice.
Leo exhaled and leaned back in his seat. “So, what’s the play? We walk into this club and charm the most dangerous woman in Mexico into betraying her boss?”
Ethan shot him a look. “Something like that.”
Leo scoffed. “Great. Because that’s never gone wrong before.”
Viktor sat at the bar, swirling the last of his whiskey. “Sofia’s smart, careful. But she’s also desperate. Vasquez killed her brother last year—claimed he was a traitor. She’s been looking for a way out ever since.”
Ethan arched a brow. “And you just happened to have that information?”
Viktor smirked. “I make it my business to know people’s weaknesses.”
Leo muttered, “Creepy.”
Ethan ignored him and flipped through the dossier on Sofia again. A woman like that didn’t just wait for revenge—she planned it.
She’d be expecting someone to approach her eventually.
The question was—would she see Ethan as an ally, or just another dead man walking?
Mexico City ,at Diamante Club – 11:45 P.M.
The heartbeat of bass pulsed through the walls as Ethan and Leo stepped through the grand entrance of the Diamante Club.
The place reeked of power and money. Red velvet booths, chandeliers dripping with crystals, and a sea of cartel elites, corrupt politicians, and untouchable criminals.
Ethan adjusted his cufflinks. “Keep your eyes open.”
Leo smirked. “I always do.”
They moved through the crowd, heading toward the VIP lounge.
And then Ethan saw her.
Sofia Delgado.
She sat in a private booth, one arm draped lazily over the back of the seat, her green eyes scanning the room with the sharpness of a blade. She wore a black silk dress that clung to her figure, a slit running high up one thigh.
Ethan’s instincts went on high alert.
She wasn’t just waiting.
She was hunting.
Leo let out a low whistle. “She looks like she eats men for breakfast.”
Ethan didn’t answer. He moved.
As he approached, Sofia’s gaze flicked to him. A slow, knowing smile curled on her lips.
She had already noticed him. Already assessed him.
Ethan slid into the seat across from her. “Sofia Delgado.”
She arched a brow. “And you are?”
Ethan leaned forward slightly, his voice low. “The man who’s going to help you kill Marco Vasquez.”
Silence stretched between them.
Then—Sofia laughed.
It was a dark, sultry sound, laced with something dangerous. “Bold. I like that.”
Ethan didn’t flinch. “I don’t have time for games.”
Her smile didn’t fade. “Neither do I. So tell me, why would I trust you?”
Ethan placed the folder Viktor had given him onto the table and slid it toward her.
Sofia eyed it before picking it up. She flipped through the pages, her expression giving nothing away.
Then, she paused.
A single name on the page made her grip tighten.
Ethan caught the flicker of emotion in her eyes before she shut it down.
Sofia closed the folder and met his gaze. “Where did you get this?”
Ethan didn’t blink. “From someone who wants Vasquez dead as much as you do.”
Sofia leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. Her demeanor changed—less playful, more calculating.
“You do realize Vasquez will see you coming a mile away?” she said smoothly.
Ethan smirked. “That’s why I’m not planning to walk through the front door.”
Sofia studied him. Testing him.
Then, finally, she exhaled. “You’re serious about this.”
Ethan’s voice was steel. “I don’t take contracts I don’t intend to finish.”
A slow smile returned to her lips. “Good.”
She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. “Because I want him dead more than anything.”
Leo raised a brow. “That makes three of us.”
Sofia’s green eyes gleamed. “Then let’s make a deal.”
They moved to a private suite upstairs.
The room overlooked the club, a one-way glass window providing a perfect view of the chaos below.
Sofia poured herself a glass of aged tequila, taking a slow sip before speaking.
“Vasquez never stays in one place for too long. He operates out of three different compounds. But tomorrow night, he’ll be at his favorite—La Fortaleza.”
Leo frowned. “And security?”
Sofia smirked. “Tight. Armed guards, motion sensors, snipers on the rooftops. It’s built like a fortress.”
Ethan’s mind started piecing it together. “Then we make sure he doesn’t leave.”
Sofia set her glass down. “I can get you inside.”
Leo folded his arms. “Why would Vasquez let you bring in two strangers?”
Sofia’s lips curled. “Because I’ll tell him you’re businessmen from Monaco looking to launder money. He loves new revenue streams.”
Ethan nodded. “And once we’re inside?”
Sofia’s gaze darkened. “I’ll get you into his private quarters. After that, he’s all yours.”
Ethan leaned forward. “And the ledgers?”
Sofia’s eyes flickered with something unreadable. “They’re in his safe. I can get you the codes.”
Ethan studied her.
She was giving them everything. Too much, too easily.
He didn’t trust it.
Sofia tilted her head. “You don’t believe me.”
Ethan didn’t lie. “Not yet.”
A small, knowing smile played on her lips.
“Good.”
She leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Trust will get you killed.”
Ethan smirked. “So will trusting the wrong person.”
Sofia chuckled. “Then let’s just say we both have something to prove.”
She downed the rest of her tequila and stood.
“I’ll make the arrangements. Be ready by midnight tomorrow.”
Ethan stood as well. “We will be.”
Sofia met his gaze one last time, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.
Then, she was gone.
Leo let out a slow breath. “This is a bad idea.”
Ethan exhaled. “Probably.”
Leo frowned. “You really think we can trust her?”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
No.
But they had no other choice.
And tomorrow night, they’d find out if Sofia Delgado was their ally… or their executioner.
Previous Chapter
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Chapter 31 – The Echoes of Power
Ethan leaned against the cold concrete wall of their hideout, staring at the documents Clara had laid out before him. His thoughts were racing, but beneath the surface, there was an underlying sense of unease. The name that had appeared on the financial ledger had rattled him in ways he hadn’t expected. It was an old, familiar name, one that he thought was long gone from the criminal landscape.But there it was, unmistakably clear, staring back at him from the pages: Victor Valente. The name carried a weight that sank deep into his gut. Ethan had crossed paths with Victor years ago. Back then, Victor was the ghost in the underworld, a figure who operated from the shadows, pulling strings from behind the scenes. But when he had disappeared, the world seemed to exhale. No one had dared to speak his name for years, and for a reason—Victor was chaos personified. His name alone could send entire organizations into disarray.And now, his name was tied to everything that had been happening l
