“There’s a shipment at the port that didn’t arrive clean,” one man said, flipping through papers. “We intercepted two containers. Someone inside tipped them off.”
“A traitor?” another voice asked, amused rather than alarmed.
“He confessed after pressure,” came the reply. “We removed his tongue as a warning to the others.”
There was no gasp.
No discomfort.
Only acknowledgment. Like he had reported a delayed delivery.
My stomach tightened so sharply I had to press my hands into my lap to ground myself.
The voices kept moving.
“A politician in Valencia needs persuasion,” someone added casually. “We have photographs. His mistress, his children. He’ll comply once he understands the cost of refusal.”
Another man chuckled. “There’s also the warehouse in Cádiz. We burned it last night. Two guards didn’t make it out in time.”
My pulse stayed steady only because I forced it to.
Because Rafael was still beside me.
At last, Rafael spoke again.
“The meeting is concluded, gentlemen. We will reconvene legally in three months. Unofficial matters will be handled as they arise.”
There was movement then—chairs scraping softly against the floor, papers gathered, briefcases closed. Footsteps began to retreat in controlled rhythm.
One by one, they left.
I did not move.
I stayed seated until the last echo of their presence disappeared behind the heavy door, until the room felt artificially quiet again.
Only then did I rise.
Before I could orient myself, Rafael’s hand settled at my waist.
Firm. Certain. Possessive in a way that wasn’t hurried or uncertain—it was habitual, like he had done it a thousand times and expected no resistance from the world or from me.
He guided me forward slightly.
I stopped.
Not forcefully. Just... firmly.
“I’ve always known there’s more to you than just being the richest man in the city. Are you the boss of the Spanish mafia?”
My voice was low, but it carried a sharpness I hadn’t intended to hide.
A pause.
Then, almost faintly amused—“After everything that’s been said in this room, you’re still asking me that?”
His hand didn’t leave my waist.
The words landed like impact.
