Chapter 14

Alejandro's perspective Like a black shroud, the night encircled me. The silence pressed in as I sat by myself in my room's dim light. On the walls, shadows shifted and twisted like specters from my past and possibly my future as well. The cold blue light from my phone illuminated my face, but the messages weren't chilly; they were grave. Something was being planned by my father's men. Something capable of destroying everything with fire. In an attempt to fully comprehend the messages, I read them several times over. El Diablo's cartel was being challenged by the Mendoza family. In opposition to Valverde. against us. In opposition to Camila. My chest began to feel heavy. I was having trouble breathing. How could I have overlooked this? What prevented me from seeing the signs? I ought to have alerted her earlier. I ought to have done more to keep her safe. I balled my fist up on the table's edge. I tasted blood in my mouth as my nails dug into the wood. My family was like this. My blood