Page 26 of Depraved

We’d fucked in a coat closet that night. It was the first time, and after that we couldn’t stop.

"There were so many times, Layla. The weapons shipment to Colombia last year—I was meant to tip off the local authorities, but I 'accidentally' gave them the wrong time. The glass lab in Juarez we were supposed to check in on, I corrupted the data before sending it back to headquarters?—”

“Enough!” I snapped, my chest heaving with every breath, like I suddenly couldn’t get enough air. What he was saying was insane. “Fuck you so much, Gage. Just—fuck you!”

I didn’t want to cry. Iwouldn’tcry.

"I'm going to make this right," he said desperately. "I'll prove to you that what we had was fucking real. That it stillisreal."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "You can’t undo the lies, Gage. It doesn’t work like that. You’re a narc and I’m a boss. The two don’t mesh. It’s not written in the fucking stars for us. The fact that I let you get away once already shows I have too many weaknesses."

He growled and something crashed over the line, as if he’d thrown something at a wall. "No more lies. I'm done with all of it—the agency, the undercover work, all of it. I've already handed in my resignation."

My eyes flew open in shock. "You what?"

"You heard me. I'm out. For good. And I'm coming back to you, Lala. Even if you have to put a bullet hole in my heart, at least bury me somewhere close to wherever you are."

An hour later,I stood in Raul's empty bedroom, my face a mask of cold detachment. The sheets had been stripped, the medical equipment removed. Only the lingering scent of antiseptic and death remained.

I watched silently as two men carefully wrapped Raul's body in a crisp white sheet. Their movements were reverent, almost tender, as they lifted him onto a stretcher. Vinny supervised, his usually impassive face etched with grief.

"Take him to Dr. Reyes," I instructed. "Tell her to prepare him for a viewing in one week."

Vinny nodded, his eyes meeting mine briefly. I saw a flicker of uncertainty there, quickly masked. Good. Let them wonder. Let them fear what comes next.

"Is it done?” I asked him.

Vinny didn’t reply with words, only a curt nod.

As Raul's body was carried away, I turned to the ornate mirror hanging on the wall. My reflection stared back at me. The ruby ring glinted on my finger, a brand new reminder of the power I now wielded. I straightened my shoulders. My black dress was tight, and my heels were sky high. My lips were blood red and my eyes were lifeless.

I turned away from the mirror, heels clicking sharply against the floor as I strode out of Raul's room. The hallways of the villaseemed longer, emptier now. Shadows clung to every corner, as if the very walls mourned their master's passing.

My fingers traced the walls as I descended the grand staircase, the same path I'd walked countless times before. But now, each step felt weighted with new purpose, new responsibility.

I made my way through the winding corridors of the lower level, the air growing cooler and damper with each step. The muffled sounds of the villa above faded away, replaced by an oppressive silence broken only by the staccato rhythm of my heels.

I reached the white room, Tomasso holding the door open for me, for once without saying a damn word. The stark fluorescent lighting assaulted my eyes as I entered, a deliberate design choice to disorient and unsettle. The room lived up to its name—clinical white walls, white tile floor, white ceiling. No windows, no decoration. Only the dark red stains on the floor drain hinted at the room's true purpose.

In the center of the room, Carlos sat strapped to a metal chair, his once-pristine suit torn and bloodied. His head lolled to the side, greasy hair falling across his bruised face. The sight of him, broken and pathetic, sent a thrill of savage satisfaction through me.

Alex, Sarge, and River stood in a loose semi-circle around Carlos, their faces grim masks of controlled violence. Each of them was shirtless and barefoot, making for an easier cleanup and disposal if this got too messy. It was an effort to avert my eyes from the tattoos and muscles.

Alex's eyes blazed as he glared at his father. Sarge's massive arms were crossed over his chest, biceps bulging, scars left from two bullet wounds were healed over on his chest. And River—River moved to prowl the perimeter of the room like a caged beast, his single eye never leaving Carlos's slumped form.

Carlos stirred as I approached, his eyes slowly focusing on me. I saw the moment recognition dawned, followed quickly by confusion and then naked fear. His gaze darted frantically around the room, taking in the grim faces of my companions before settling back on me.

I stopped directly in front of him, close enough that he had to crane his neck to look up at me. I said nothing, letting the silence stretch taut between us like a rubber band ready to snap.

Carlos licked his cracked lips, his voice a hoarse whisper when he finally spoke. "Where's Raul?"

I remained silent, my face impassive as I stared down at him. Slowly, deliberately, I raised my hand, watching as his eyes locked onto the ornate ring glinting on my finger. The blood-red ruby caught the harsh fluorescent light, seeming to glow with an inner fire.

The change in Carlos was instantaneous and visceral. His face flushed an ugly, mottled red, the veins in his neck bulging as rage contorted his features. He thrashed against his restraints, spittle flying from his lips as he snarled.

"That ring belongs to me!" he roared, his voice cracking with fury and desperation. "I am Raul's blood! His true heir! You fucking bitch, you have no right?—"

I didn't let him finish. My hand lashed out with lightning speed, the heavy ruby ring connecting with Carlos's cheek in a sickening crunch. The impact split his skin open, blood immediately welling up and trickling down his face. The metallic scent filled the air, mingling with the antiseptic smell of the white room.

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