Tomas

Almost 24 hours had passed before Juelz was able to clear that Indie hadn't called anyone. She had the opportunity; if the roles were reversed, I would have taken it. But she didn't. Why? Why risk the chances she had with me?

I went downstairs and found her looking defeated and broken—much more so than the first time. I cut the zip ties from her wrists, and she immediately held them, wincing in pain. "Are you hurt?" I asked.

"Just leave me alone," she said, her voice filled with exhaustion and bitterness.

"You can come back up. I know you didn't call anyone," I said, trying to soften my tone.

"No. Just leave me here," she insisted.

I stood up, then bent down and threw her over my shoulders as she kicked and struggled. I placed her down for a moment. "Lucas is up, and if he hears you scream, you'll scare him. I'm taking you upstairs," I said firmly. The little reasoning she had left seemed to accept my words. She allowed me to pick her up and take her back to her room.

I had her entire list of needs and wants laid out over her bed. She looked at everything, then back at me with a look of determined hatred.

"Dinner will be ready in an hour," I said. I should have apologized, but I had never actually apologized to a woman in my entire life. The words felt foreign and heavy on my tongue. Instead, I left her there, hoping the gesture of fulfilling her requests would speak louder than any words I could muster.

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the image of her broken expression. This wasn't just about power or control anymore. There was something about her that was getting under my skin, making me question my actions and their consequences. And for the first time, I wondered if there might be another way—one that didn't involve breaking her spirit.

Indie

The next few days, I found myself understanding the need to be mute more and more. I had nothing to say anymore. The man I had some weird feelings for could snap on me in a moment's notice. It wasn't his fault that I had feelings for him. It was my own. He never promised me a thing, yet I thought the moment we shared was real.

Ms. Sanz attempted to make conversation with me, but all I could do was nod and give small smiles. I saw Tomas notice, and he looked apologetic, but the words never passed his lips. As Ms. Sanz and I cleared the dishes and washed them together, she began talking to me, but I couldn't hear her at first.

"You know, Tomas has never looked at a girl the way he looks at you," she said, breaking me out of my trance.

"He has a messed up way of showing it," I replied, tears beginning to fall as if Tomas and I had been together for years and he had betrayed me. She embraced me in a hug.

"I don't know what happened, but he didn't mean it," she said, holding me close.

"I blame myself. Tomas wouldn't know love if it came with instructions," I said, beginning to laugh through my tears. "No one is asking for love, but I thought we had a moment."

"Nonsense. Only a girl in love with a man would cry tears like that," she continued, washing the dishes while my mind raced.

Love wasn't in my vocabulary. Guys were boring... well, every guy except Tomas. I went to bed with a million things on my mind, the weight of the past days pressing heavily on me.

Lying there, I couldn't help but replay the moments we had shared—the confusion, the anger, the strange connection. I realized that despite everything, part of me was drawn to him. But I couldn't let myself be fooled. This world, his world, was dangerous, and I had to remember why I was here. Survival and justice had to come before any misplaced feelings. With that resolve, I finally drifted into a fitful sleep, determined to find a way out of this mess.

The next evening, after a nap, I woke up to find Tomas standing in my room. We made eye contact for a moment without speaking.

"Get dressed. Company is coming over," he announced, leaving so much unspoken as he walked out.

I got up and dressed in a cute orange sundress Ms. Sanz had brought me. I straightened my hair so it was no longer curly and applied a little makeup. I placed two bracelets on each hand to cover the scars on my arms. As I heard the doorbell ring, I went downstairs to see who the company could be.

As I emerged from the stairs, I heard a familiar voice. "Administrator Hayes?" I looked confused as she talked with Tomas as if they were great friends.

"Ahh, Ms. Kincaid. I see you didn't follow a direct order. You look well taken care of. Your suspension has been extended for another four months," she said, looking almost annoyed with me.

"Wait, what? You knew where I was the entire time?" I asked as Tomas left us alone.

"I ordered you to stand down. I told you there would be consequences if you didn't follow my orders, but judging by your expensive dress, you're enjoying your captivity," she said, walking towards the door.

"Wait, no. You can't be serious," I stood in her way.

"Be happy I was able to get him to try to flip you instead of kill you. Do whatever he says, and you make it out alive. I did. Although my accommodations were nothing like yours," she said, making more suggestions before leaving.

Fuming, I went to Tomas' office as he was on the phone. I took it from his hand and hung up.

"Do you realize who that was?" he asked.

"Who, the President? You did the same thing to her as you did to me?" I demanded, and he didn't answer. "Did you kiss her too?" I asked.

"No," he answered, an upset look on his face.

"You come in here because you're jealous of what could have happened with your boss. Why do you care so much?" he smirked as I turned to the door.

"That's right, walk away. Tell yourself you hate me and all that bullshit when we both know what you really want. All you have to do is tell me," he said.

I walked out and slammed the door, my emotions a tumultuous mix of anger, confusion, and something I didn't want to name. How could I feel this way about someone who had turned my life upside down? I needed to find clarity, to remember why I was here, and to get back to my mission. But Tomas had a way of clouding everything, making it all more complicated than it should be.

Tomas

What am I doing? Lying here, I want to go to her so badly, but she hates me so much. I'm an idiot. I turn over and see her standing in the bathroom doorway. I sit up in my bed and hold out my hand. She hesitates before walking over and taking it. I move to the middle of the bed, and she lays on my chest. I smell her hair and fight everything in me that wants more. I want her to make the moves so she won't be angry at me again.

"What are we doing?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I don't know," I replied, biting my lip at all the things I wanted to say and do. I see her wrists, marked by the zip ties, and gently rub them. "I'm sorry. I never wanted to hurt you," I admitted before I could stop myself.

"Why?" she asked, her eyes searching mine.

"Because I care about you," I said, the words almost painful to admit.

She kissed me passionately, and I pulled her on top of me. The passion between us was almost unbearable, a raw, electric connection. In that moment, we both were proving to each other what we truly meant. I was genuinely happy, feeling an emotion I hadn't allowed myself to feel in a long time.

The climax of our encounter was wrapped in the intense emotions coursing through us. She was mine, and I knew I would always be hers, but she could never know it. This moment, this feeling, was something I had to protect, even if it meant keeping my true feelings hidden.

As we lay there, catching our breath, I held her close, not wanting the moment to end. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a sense of peace and contentment. But I knew this fragile connection was built on shaky ground, and the world outside our bubble would soon come crashing back in.

The next morning, I woke up and saw Indie lying beside me in a deep sleep. I quietly got out of bed and went downstairs, finding my mother making breakfast.

"Good morning," I said, giving her a kiss on the cheek and grabbing a glass of juice. She and Lucas giggled at each other.

"What?" I asked, noticing their amusement.

"Nothing," my mother replied, trying to hide her smile.

"No, it's something," I insisted.

"We went to wake Indie up this morning, but she wasn't in her room," my mother revealed, and Lucas began laughing.

"What are you laughing about?" I tickled him.

"Tomas has a girlfriend," he signed, laughing harder.

Just as I was about to tackle him with more tickles, Indie walked in, wearing my joggers and shirt. Though I had brought her own clothes, she seemed to prefer mine.

"Good morning," she said, starting to eat some fruit. They laughed again, but she ignored their giggles and focused on her breakfast.

As Lucas and my mother set the table, I walked over to Indie. She gave me a smile I had been waiting to see since the first time I saw her. I kissed her and lifted her onto the counter.

"Stop before Lucas sees," she said.

"He won't say anything," I joked, playfully pushing her and kissing her again.

Juelz walked in, and I broke our kiss. "We have a problem," he said. Indie's expression turned disappointed, knowing what my world involved. I walked to my office with Juelz.

"You two a thing now? Because Capo won't like you with a DEA agent," he asked.

"Not important. What's wrong?" I closed the door behind us.

"The Russians are crossing into our territory. We got two bodies on the Northside and seven on the East," he reported.

"Why am I just hearing about this?" I asked, irritation rising.

"I called you last night, but you didn't answer. I guess I see why," he joked.

"You and I have been friends forever. Don't piss me off today," I said, processing the news.

"Sorry, boss. I'll wait for you in the car," he said.

I went to my room and started getting dressed. Indie walked in and stood in the doorway.

"Don't start," I said, anticipating her words.

"Don't go," she said, stepping into the room.

"I can't do this right now, Indie. I know we need to work out what happened last night, but I have things to do," I said, entering the four-digit code into my safe. I picked a gun and tucked it into my waistband. "I'll see you when I get back." I kissed her and walked out, leaving her standing there, looking worried.

The warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. I walked in with Juelz at my side, my mind focused on the confrontation ahead. The Underboss, Viktor, was already there, leaning against a stack of crates, his men scattered around, creating an atmosphere of tension.

"Viktor," I said, my voice cold and steady.

"Tomas," he replied, pushing off the crates to stand upright. "I hear you have some complaints."

"Complaints?" I echoed, stepping closer. "More like grievances. Two bodies on the Northside, seven on the East. Your men are crossing into my territory."

Viktor smirked, shrugging nonchalantly. "Territories change. Maybe you should adapt."

I felt my blood boil, but I kept my composure. "You're playing a dangerous game, Viktor. Capo Rucci doesn't like insubordination."

"Capo Rucci is old news. New alliances are forming," Viktor said, his tone mocking. "Maybe you should find new friends."

The room grew silent, the tension palpable. I stepped closer until I was inches from Viktor. "I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to send a message."

Before Viktor could react, I swung my fist, landing a solid punch to his jaw. He stumbled back, and his men moved forward, but Juelz drew his gun, keeping them at bay. I didn't stop. I grabbed Viktor by the collar and slammed him against the crates, landing blow after blow until his face was a bloody mess.

"You think you can disrespect me?" I growled, my knuckles bruising with each punch. "Disrespect Capo Rucci?"

Viktor's eyes were wide with fear, blood pouring from his nose and mouth. "Please," he gasped, barely able to speak.

I threw him to the ground and drew my gun, pointing it at his head. "This is what happens to those who cross us." Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger, silencing him forever.

The room was silent, Viktor's men too afraid to move. I looked around, my voice deadly calm. "Let this be a message to your Boss. We don't tolerate betrayal."

Juelz and I walked out, leaving the carnage behind. As we exited the warehouse, I looked down at my hands, my knuckles bloody and throbbing. It didn't matter. This was the price of power, and I was more than willing to pay it.

We got into the car, and I felt a strange sense of satisfaction. The message was clear, and the power was mine. But as we drove back, the image of Indie's worried face flashed in my mind. I pushed it away, focusing on the road ahead. There was no room for weakness in this life. Not now, not ever.