Chapter 3

• Chapter 3
• Salvatore
• Her dark caramel skin caught my attention first.
• Or perhaps it was the doe lids framing her beautiful pair of coffee brown orbs— I didn't like coffee—yet those eyes called out to me.
• She reminded me of my late mom with the soft aura emanating from her and her gorgeous facial features.
• The dark tresses that sat as an afro on her head that made me aware of her ethereal presence?
• Her innocent expression, the way her face glowed with excitement as the driver helped her load her stuff into the trunk made me halt my chase against the KBU.
• Stupid, right? I know. But what were the odds that I'd ever see her again?
• I'd trailed them from the moment I saw her at the airport. It's crazy how I was on a hunt along that route so getting the driver out of the picture wasn't a problem. Even if he reported me, nothing would be done.
• I threatened to kill her if she disobeyed me. If she went against my orders and she did all of that. She didn't know who I was or she wouldn't have dared.
• As the leader of the Capo of the Tijuana Banda, the largest Mexican Mafia family, killing was a part of my daily routine. It was expected of me. But it didn't help that he'd managed to keep himself anonymous over the years.
• The hunt against the leader of the KBU was going fine until we realized that he wasn't even in any of the convoy we'd been chasing. He'd killed my parents. I was out for his blood.
• Some of my men had lost their lives in the shootout even though we took out some of his men. My body wasn't left unharmed, but today's mission was already becoming fruitless until I saw her.
• My left arm was bleeding profusely. It was still a miracle how I drove all the way from the airport to her school without slipping out of consciousness.
• Yet, when I needed her help to get me into her room and treat my wound, she turned me down and even set me up. I didn't want anyone else but her to touch me, that's why her disobedience stung.
• She'd see me again... and when she did, she'd plead for mercy. I might not give it.
• It would be soon, I thought as I collapsed on the dark brown sofa, unwrapping the scarf I'd stolen from one of her bags from my arm.
• A harsh grunt exited my throat as more blood flowed down my body. Though the scarf was soaked with my blood, the gentle vanilla scent of her perfume still lingering strongly around me.
• It was so palpable, I could touch it. I could feel her around me just by her scent.
• My moment of reprieve came to an end when Javiar skirted through the empty yard into the garage where I sat with a lit cigarette between my fingers, a trail of smoke spreading over my face as I puffed out air.
• "If it isn't the most distracted Capo of the Banda leaving his foes for a girl. Have you finally returned to your senses?" His voice was filled with spite.
• I couldn't blame him though. I'd left an important hunt that left me wounded for a girl I barely knew.
• "You shouldn't speak to me like that." My words echoed in a low growl while I stretched my body slowly across the sofa, the scorching ache reminding me of my stupidity.
• "I shouldn't?" He scoffed. His eyes skimmed across every cranny of the garage as though he was expecting to find someone. "You lost her too?"
• "Careful, Javiar."
• His head tipped downward in a mocking bow. "I'm sorry, your majesty. However, I still wonder how confident you'll be when you get to explain to our men, including the families of the ones we lost, that the reason we didn't get the Capo of the KBU was because you became so fascinated by a girl who dumped your horny ass."
• I swung all the way up but I was rewarded with a wave of dizziness. My feet swayed as I stumbled backward, gripping the arm rest for support.
• "She didn't dump me, okay? I left because she'd reported me to the hostel's security and I'm sure they have alerted the cops as well. I had to leave,"
• A deep chuckle rumbled in his belly. "Either way, she dumped your ass, Salvatore Hunter Vargas. Now, what's the plan?" His voice was huddled in a snarl.
• I was riding on thin ice. My nerves were frayed and ready to explode. The only reason I hadn't passed a bullet through his brain was because he was my brother and the fact that my arm was trembling terribly.
• "There's no plan...yet," A painful grunt resonated in my throat as I shook my head and took another drag. "Get me Santiago. My arm, it hurts,"
• His eyes lowered to the injured part, something akin to concern flashing in the angry orbs. "Fuck, Salvatore! How long have you been bleeding?"
• I gulped, forcing the bile that rose to my throat down. "Long enough to make me incapacitated. I'm going to pass out soon,"
• "Fuck!" He cussed again, slapping his phone against his ear.
• I watched him order Santiago, the gang's private doctor, over to the garage with heavy lids and a blurry vision. After he ended the call, he stooped low beside me, peeling his jacket off and tying it again around the bleeding.
• I'd returned to the garage as soon as the security started searching for me because it was the nearest place from Dola's dorm that I could hide. However, it lacked basic necessities like a room or even a first aid kit.
• Only Javiar and I came here to strategize whenever we were going on an operation. To the rest of the gang, this place didn't exist.
• "I have her scarf," I brought it over and pressed it on my nose.
• Javiar raised a brow, his face creased with a frown. "Don't tell me you've fallen in love with a stranger,"
• "I haven't. I have no heart, remember? Still, I want her and I'm going to make her mine as soon as I wake up," I slurred.
• "And if she doesn't want you?"
• I smirked. "She disobeyed me. She betrayed me. I'm supposed to kill her but I find myself wanting to do something different to her so she's going to pay by being mine. It's not an option,"
• "You're crazy," He fired.
• "For her, yes." My eyes were beginning to close, Javiar, the cigarette and the worn-out tires lying aimlessly around the large garage began to appear in twos. "Another thing... There's a card and a key in my pocket. It's from one of the KBU men that I shot. It will lead you to their club. You know what to do."
• A resigned sigh heaved from his chest. "I do, but what about your girl?"
• As consciousness slipped from me, I murmured. "I'll take care of it soon.”