Page 171 of Morally Corrupt

Ortega leads us to the elevator, pressing 3.

"I won't forget what you did to Martinez," Ortega addresses me. "I can't do anything now because the boss won't allow it. But best believe it's not forgotten."

I turn my head and don't reply. What's one more enemy in the scheme of all things?

Once the elevator rings that we've arrived at the specified floor, we follow Ortega towards the end of the hallway and inside a double door room.

As soon as we get inside, my eyes search for Bianca, and I find her sitting on a chair in the middle of the room, just like the camera feed had shown us. Her eyes widen when she sees me.

Disregarding everyone and everything around me, I dash to her side and untie her hands.

"Adrian," she whispers her tone slightly off.

"Did they hurt you? Are you okay?" I ask, looking her over to make sure she's unharmed.

"No… I'm fine. But Jimenez…" Her voice is calm, and she shakes her head. I immediately gather her in my arms and turn to where Marcel and Vlad are standing.

As I'm moving, someone claps.

"Wonderful. Just wonderful."

I turn my head slightly, and I see Jimenez approaching us, a cynical expression on his face.

"Put me down," Bianca says, but I am reluctant. "I'm fine." She pushes on my shoulder, trying to extricate herself from me. I relent and put her down. She seems fine on her feet, but I'm still not convinced…

Considering I went through the worst day of my life wondering what might have happened to her, I can't help but want to smother her to my chest. So, even though I put her down, I still sneak my arm around her waist, craving the contact.

Both Marcel and Vlad exchange words with Bianca to make sure she's okay.

"Look at you, lovebirds." Jimenez takes a seat on the chair Bianca had just vacated and looks at us, amused.

"We finally meet again,Andrew,"I add sarcastically.

His mouth goes up in a cruel smile.

"Ah, you always were my favorite, Adrian… Did you never wonder why?"

"Why, was it your guilty conscience?"

Jimenez frowns for a second before his mouth goes in an O. "I forgot you still believe that nonsense that I killed your parents." He sighs as if it's the most absurd thing.

"What are you talking about? Youdidkill them," I say, almost angry that he'd have the gall to deny it to my face.

"Really? Please tell me how I killed them." What?

"I heard them that night. They were talking about you and a list of people involved with you. My mother was afraid ofyou," I say in an accusatory manner. Jimenez looks serious one moment before bursting into laughter.

"The list. Of course." He shakes his head, still smiling. "Have you never wondered why your mother was so afraid of me?" He tips his head back, waiting for my answer.

"Because she had dirt on you," I reply.

"As if," he scoffs. "You think somedirtwas going to bringmedown? No, your mother was afraid for a different reason altogether. She knew that if I found her, I'd takeyou."

"Me? What do you mean?"

"And finally, we get to the meat of the issue. Let me tell you a short story. When I was a young man, I met a woman. She was unlike any other I'd ever known, and of course, things developed until we became inseparable. But she didn't know what I did for a living. Once she found out, she was scandalized that I was breaking the law, and she tried to escape me. It didn't go well for her. But she tried again. And again. Until one day, she succeeded. But you see, when she did manage to leave, she wasn't alone anymore."

"What are you saying?" I barely get the words out, as my brain absorbs the information.

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