Rodriguez's House
Rodriguez burst into the house, a whirlwind of anger inside. He just found out about the ultimate betrayal-from Veronica, his wife. The news hit him like a punch in the gut. She had been leaking secrets to Blaze, his worst enemy, and now everything felt like it was falling apart.
"Veronica!" he yelled, his voice bouncing off the walls.
She showed up in the living room, her face pale, eyes wide with a mix of fear and fake innocence that only made him angrier.
"Honey, I-" she began, but he cut her off, his vision clouded by rage.
"Don't even start! How could you think I wouldn't find out?" Rodriguez spat!
Her voice trembled, but she tried to maintain an air of defiance, though her hands shook. "I don't know what you're talking about. It's all lies, Rodriguez. You have to believe me!"
Rodriguez's gaze darkened, and the weight of his anger settled like a storm on the horizon. He had seen the photos. He had sent his men to dig deeper, and they had returned with proof: Veronica had been meeting with Romano, the very man who threatened everything Rodriguez had built. The realization cut deeper than any wound he'd ever received.
"Lies? You want me to believe that?" His voice dropped to a low, venomous growl, each word laced with disgust.
"I know you met him. I saw the evidence. How could you do this to me?" His eyes narrowed as the betrayal seethed within him.
Veronica's breath caught in her throat, her voice trembling with panic. "I didn't! I swear! How did you find out?" Her heart raced as tears welled up, her composure slipping. She was trapped, her words unraveling with the weight of her fear.
Rodriguez's jaw clenched as frustration boiled over, too much to contain. He had no more time for her lies.
"I don't have time for your pathetic excuses!" His hand shot out, grabbing her by the chin with an iron grip, pulling her closer. Her breath hitched, and she could feel the heat of his anger against her skin.
"You filthy liar!" The slap echoed through the room with a sickening impact, the sound of his palm against her cheek reverberating like a death knell.
Veronica crumpled to the floor, her body convulsing in pain as she lay there, helpless. The once-crisp red of her bodycon dress was now a chaotic mess, damp and stained with tears. Her hair, which had always shone in the light like silk, now hung in tangled knots, a dark, matted web.
Her face, usually radiant with beauty, was now smeared with tears and the marks of his violence. The betrayal was not just in her actions—it was in the way Rodriguez had stripped away her dignity, leaving nothing but the wreckage of a woman broken by both love and betrayal.
Tears fell, each drop an echo of her shattered reality, as the room fell silent except for the sound of her ragged breaths.
Rodriguez tugged at her arm and dragged her up the stairs. Veronica couldn't keep up with him she stumbled on the ways, "What are you doing? Leave me!" Her protests didn't stop him; the pain of betrayal drove him on. He yanked open the bedroom door, the sound booming like a gunshot.
He shoved her onto the bed, the force making her fall. Grabbed a fistful of her hair, Veronica's face tilted her face showing painful moments she is suffering, "You should know what you've done!" Hearing this Veronica looked at Rodriguez with more fearful eyes, "N-no no, R-Rodriguez"
Rodriguez harden his grip of her hair making her hiss in pain, "You don't get to choose here!" He continued "The more you speak, the more I feel disgusted," spit! Rodriguez spitted on her face, sneering at her face.
Rodriguez let go of his grip on her hair, Veronica jerked back by the force Rodriguez used, Rodriguez blows away the Veronica's hair on his palm, and looked at her who was now sat on the bed curling up in a ball, maybe scared for her life even more.
"I'll show you the real game, Veronica Sanz!" And started undoing his belt that he wore on slack pant, curled up on his fist and moved towards Veronica who backed away slowly as she watched the scene going, sensing what was about to happen, "HELP!!!"
Veronica screamed for a help and she too know that nobody's gonna come to her rescue not now not never, but just for bit she had a hope someone might appear, "Where do you think you're going, darling?" He took her by her leg as she was about to get up from bed to runaway, "We've just started!" He smirked, gave a dirty look before beating her to a pulp.
Half an hour later
"You're not leaving this place again," he said, his voice cold. "Not until I get answers."
Veronica cried out, but Rodriguez didn't feel sorry for her. The woman he trusted and loved had betrayed him in the worst way possible. He slammed the door, locking her inside, and her sobs filled the silent room. Downstairs, he paced back and forth, holding his phone tightly. He had some crucial calls to make and alliances to solidify. The pain of betrayal was crushing, but he had to stay focused. In his world, emotions were a luxury he couldn't afford anymore.
Inside the Bedroom
Veronica sat on the edge of the bed, her heart pounding as the weight of her situation hit her.
The door slammed shut behind Rodriguez, trapping her in a dark, silent room. She buried her face on her thighs, tears streaming down her cheeks, soaking her dress that's now tore down.
How did things go so wrong so fast? "Why?" she whispered, the question bouncing around the empty room.
She couldn't understand how Rodriguez found out about her meetings with Romano. Did Blaze really betray her? No, she shook her head, trying to push the thought away. Blaze wouldn't do that.
They had a connection, right? She looked around the room, feeling desperate. Her phone was gone, leaving her totally cut off. Panic hit her as she thought about her few options. She needed to get in touch with someone, anyone, but it seemed impossible.
Veronica pressed her fingers to her lips, feeling the sting from the cut there, a mark of Rodriguez's anger. Her arms and legs were covered in new bruises, signs of him hitting her with his leather belt. The physical pain was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. She wished someone would come for her-someone like Romano.
He was her way out, her shot at freedom from her suffocating marriage. Tears streamed down her face, her sobs filling the small room. "Please, someone help me," she whispered, feeling completely lost. She had made mistakes, but did she really deserve this?
The love she once felt for Rodriguez had turned into a mix of fear and despair. What if she never got out? The thought made her shiver. She looked at the door, wishing it would open, hoping Rodriguez might change his mind.
But deep down, she knew he wouldn't. The betrayal had broken something inside him, and she was stuck with the results of her choices. All she could do was wait and hope.
Baldwin's Mansion
Blaze leaned back in his leather chair, the smooth, dark surface creaking under his weight as a slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. He'd just hung up the phone, Rodriguez's frantic, angry voice still echoing in his ears. The man was a volatile, unpredictable force, but Blaze had a rare talent for turning that kind of fury to his advantage. The thought of manipulating Rodriguez's rage for his own gain thrilled him.
"Boss!" Arthur's voice broke the tension, sharp and commanding. He strode in without hesitation, clipboard in hand, his expression as focused as ever. "Rodriguez's fired up. The guy's ready to tear Romano apart, no holds barred."
Blaze arched a brow, intrigued. "What exactly did he say?" He took a slow sip of his whiskey, swirling it in his glass with deliberate ease, watching the amber liquid catch the light.
Arthur's eyes glinted with the excitement of the information he carried. "Not much detail," he said. "But he's practically foaming at the mouth about it—he thinks he's protecting his turf, but he's blind to the fact he's playing right into our hands."
Blaze leaned in, his interest piqued. "So, you're telling me, he's going after Romano?" He let the question hang in the air, his voice as calm as ever, but the fire in his eyes told another story.
Arthur nodded, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "Exactly. And the best part? He's going in blind, thinking he's taking control of the game."
Blaze's smile deepened, a twisted thrill lighting up his chest.
"I love it. Let him tear into Romano. While he's distracted, we'll gather intel from both sides. He'll burn himself out while we move in under the radar." He reached for a file, the thick paper crinkling as he tossed it onto the desk with a sharp flick of his wrist. "We need more on Romano. The man thinks he's got control, but he's just a pawn in a game much bigger than he knows. Let's use this to our advantage."
Arthur, ever the efficient soldier, scribbled down notes. His brow furrowed with thought. "And what's the next step, Boss? Should we push Rodriguez further?"
Blaze chuckled darkly, a hint of anticipation creeping into his voice. "\Turn up the heat. Let him feel the pressure. I want him to believe he's losing control—frantic, cornered, desperate. The more he loses his mind, the easier it'll be to move when the time comes. Once he's fully invested in his vendetta, we strike. We'll leave both him and Romano reeling, off-balance and blind to what's coming."
The room seemed to hum with tension as Blaze's vision of the storm ahead took shape in his mind. He could almost feel the chaos he was about to unleash, the delicate dance of power that was about to unfold. "Make sure our people are ready. Watch Rodriguez like a hawk. The second he makes a mistake, we move in—no hesitation."
Arthur, impressed and eager, nodded crisply. "Understood, Boss. I'll get to work right away."
Blaze leaned back again, savoring the slow burn of the whiskey in his throat, his mind racing with possibilities. He wasn't in a hurry. Revenge, after all, was a dish best served cold. He envisioned Rodriguez charging into Romano's territory, a storm of anger and vengeance, utterly blind to the fact that the true puppet master was sitting right behind the scenes.
The thought made Blaze grin, a thrill of satisfaction curling in his gut. In the end, he knew who would come out on top. And he couldn't wait to see the wreckage that followed.
Hideout
Rodriguez strode into Blaze's hideout, the air thick with a tension that seemed to hang heavy around him. His steps were measured, his mind focused on one singular goal: to form an alliance with the most feared and calculating man in the underworld. But as he tried to move deeper into the lavish, dimly lit space, his progress was abruptly halted. Two men in black suits stood at attention, blocking his path.
"I have a meeting with your boss," Rodriguez said, his voice edged with impatience. His words were met with an unwavering silence. The guards didn't flinch, didn't budge an inch. They simply stood there, cold and unyielding, eyes hard as stone.
Rodriguez's irritation flared. What is this? A joke? He had personally arranged this meeting with Arthur, Blaze's right-hand man, and was assured entry to this private lair. After all, he understood Blaze's elusive nature; the man made it a point to keep his meetings exclusive. But this? This was another level of disrespect.
Fine, Rodriguez thought, steeling himself. He'd play the game, follow the rules. But being treated like some common street thug, constantly kept at arm's length, grated on him.
Fifteen minutes ticked by—fifteen minutes of futile attempts to reason with the stoic guards. Finally, Arthur appeared, cutting through the tension like a hot knife. He glanced at Rodriguez standing there, his brow slightly furrowed, but his presence alone seemed to ease the pressure.
"What's going on here?" Arthur asked, his voice calm but firm. Rodriguez let out a relieved sigh, the frustration momentarily dissipating.
"Goodness you're here!" Rodriguez exclaimed, his voice tinged with both relief and exasperation. He gestured to the two men blocking his path. "These guys won't let me in."
Arthur nodded curtly at the guards, his gaze unwavering. "It's fine," he said, turning back to Rodriguez. "Come with me."
After a quick security check, Rodriguez was finally granted access. As they walked through the maze of corridors, the weight of what was to come pressed down on him. He'd been through countless battles, but this one? This was personal. As he approached Blaze's imposing desk, the memories of betrayal—his wife, laughing with Romano—rose up like a fresh wound, stinging him all over again.
He steeled himself, his voice low but steady. "Blaze Baldwin," he began, using Blaze's full name, "I need your help to take out Romano. He's been a problem for too long, and now he's crossed the line. I need him gone."
Blaze didn't respond immediately, his cold eyes studying Rodriguez like a predator sizing up prey. His hands were folded, a posture of detached control. "You want him gone," Blaze said evenly, his voice like velvet, hiding a razor's edge. "But this isn't a simple job. Romano has a loyal crew, and he won't go down without a fight."
Rodriguez leaned forward, his hands clenched into fists, barely containing his rage. "I don't care what it takes," he growled, his voice thick with barely contained fury. "He's taken everything from me. My wife, my reputation, my sanity. I need him to pay. No more hesitation. I want him gone."
Blaze's lips twitched into a small, almost imperceptible smirk—one that spoke volumes of his amusement, his caution, and perhaps even a hint of admiration. "Revenge," he murmured, his voice taking on a darker tone, "is best when it's cold. I can help, but I won't do it for you. I don't owe you that much."
Rodriguez's heart sank. His frustration bubbled up, but he managed to keep it under control. So, he'll give me the tools, but I have to do the dirty work myself?
"You're telling me," Rodriguez's voice cracked slightly, "you'll give me the means to do it, but I'm on my own for the rest of it?"
Blaze's gaze was sharp as a blade. "Exactly," he said, each word deliberate and cold. "I'll show you how, what to do, and where to strike. But once you're in, it's all on you. This world has its own set of rules, and you'll need to learn them if you want to survive."
Rodriguez felt the weight of Blaze's words settle over him like a thick fog. He thought teaming up with Blaze would make things easier, but now it was clear: this wasn't just about taking down Romano. This was a test. A test of loyalty, cunning, and ruthlessness. Blaze wasn't offering a partnership—he was offering an opportunity to prove himself.
"What's the first move?" Rodriguez asked, his resolve hardening, the fire of vengeance burning hotter than ever inside him.
Blaze studied him carefully, his eyes like twin embers in the dark. "First, we need to learn everything about Romano. His habits, his weaknesses, every little detail. You need to know him better than he knows himself. Only then can we figure out how to destroy him."
Rodriguez nodded, his mind already working over the logistics. This was going to take time, patience, and precision. But I'll do whatever it takes.
Blaze leaned forward, his voice dropping into something colder, more calculating. "And if something goes wrong?" Rodriguez asked, his voice filled with a tinge of doubt, though he didn't want to show it.
Blaze's eyes hardened, his expression now devoid of humor. "In this world," he said, each word heavy with warning, "there are no do-overs. No second chances. You either win, or you're out. You better be ready to risk it all."
Rodriguez swallowed hard, the reality of what he was about to undertake crashing into him. Revenge was sweet, but it came with a cost. Failure could mean losing everything.
"I'm ready to do whatever it takes," he said, his voice steady now, his jaw clenched tight. The hunger for retribution burned through him, sharper and more visceral than ever before.
Blaze's gaze never wavered, and his lips curled into a faint, predatory smile. "Hm," he mused, leaning in closer. "Let's get started. But know this: Once you step into this world, there's no turning back."
Rodriguez met Blaze's gaze, feeling the weight of the decision he had just made. This was the beginning of something much darker, but he was committed. Romano would pay for what he had done. And with Blaze's help, Rodriguez would make sure he came out the victor.
"I'm in," Rodriguez said firmly, his voice a promise of the storm to come.
As Blaze began to outline the plan, Rodriguez felt his heart race with adrenaline. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the moment where he would stop being the victim and become the one who controlled his fate. Romano would fall, and Rodriguez would rise stronger, more powerful than ever before.
Author's Note :
Hey everyone<3
Writing this chapter, I felt nostalgia. I remember how I use to be a little to addicted to all those toxic Mafia stories when I was a teen, point to be noted where all the main leads were red falg just like my character in this story 'Rodriguez' maybe I should write one story of them lol.
Anyways, have a good day/night lovies <3<3