Rain lashed the windows of Aunt Clara's apartment, a fierce torrent that sent icy drafts curling through the room, coiling around the knot in my chest. The air hung thick with the smoky flicker of lavender candles, their wax pooling in slow drips, mingling with the sharp bite of tea spilled across the floor. I stood by the fireplace, its faint crackle drowned by the storm, the bloody "Run" note a crumpled burden in my pocket, its metallic edge grazing my skin. Salvador had slipped away hours ago, his leather jacket a fleeting silhouette, his gray eyes a storm I couldn't chart. Whatever linked us remained a riddle, prickling my nerves with uncertainty.
Sofia sat tensely on the couch, her fingers twisting nervously, while Aunt Clara lingered near the kitchen, her hands unsteady as she balanced a tray of cups, murmuring soft pleas. The door flew open with a heavy thud, the frame shuddering, and Diego entered, his suit untouched by the rain, his gray-streaked hair shedding droplets onto the hardwood. His sharp gaze pierced the dimness, fixing on me with a weight that stole my breath.
He strode forward, his shoes echoing like a judge's gavel. "Isabella," he rumbled, his voice a deep growl that stirred the silence, "I want you to stop what you think you are doing!" His presence swelled, a shadow thickening the room, his cologne a crisp hint of cedar and authority.
I straightened, my hands clenching into fists, nails biting my palms. "Stop? What was all that about? My voice trembled but hardened, my eyes probing his composed facade for a flaw. " The blood note what does it mean?"
His mouth set into a rigid line, his fingers flexing at his sides. "It had been resolved. You need to relax". He waved a hand, a curt gesture, but his glance flicked to the window, a muscle in his jaw tightening.
"Resolved?" I stepped closer, the rug's rough texture scraping my boots, my pulse a raging tide in my ears. "Someone's after me, my life is in danger! My frame quivered with fear and anger, but I stood firm. "And all you are telling me is to relax. I sho..shouldn't have come,"I said.
A sharp intake broke the tension, Sofia's hands rising to her face, while Aunt Clara's tray slipped, cups shattering with a brittle crash, their earthy aroma wafting up. Diego's eyes narrowed, and he stretched his hand r as if to hug me. I moved away.
"Stay away from Salvador," he snapped, his tone edged with command, his cufflinks glinting as he adjusted them with a tense flick. " I don't want to see you with him". The words hit like a blow, a chill snaking down my spine, but I set my jaw, resolute.
Before I could respond, the door creaked, and Salvador stepped in, his leather jacket glistening with rain, a jagged scar across his jaw catching the candlelight. His gray eyes, flecked with gold, met mine with a roguish grin.
"Evening, boss," he said, his voice a gravelly drawl, nodding respectfully to Diego before turning to me. "Trouble brewing, ocean girl?" Diego's expression tightened, but Salvador's stance remained deferential, his authority tempered by loyalty.
He faced me, his presence a steady heat. "Hope hope you are good?" he asked, his tone warm yet firm. I tried to answer but the words couldn't come out. I nodded and gave a smile.
The silence in the room felt awkward. Diego cleared his throat. "I...
A faint rustle drew our attention outside and Salvador's gaze locked on the windowsill, where a damp envelope rested, a black jacket print fading into the wood.
Diego nodded toward it, and Salvador reached for it, his fingers pausing, eyes widening, before handing it over to him. My heart pounded I collected the script: "You can't hide no more." The ink ran with rain, the paper soggy in my shaking hands.
I crumpled it, my heart raising and Diego's voice boomed, "You don't need to worry" His tone cracked. I met his stare with defiance. Salvador's hand grazed mine, steadying me, as I turned to the cluttered shelf, its dust brushing my nostrils.
Aunt Clara's gaze darted away, her silence heavy, and I sifted through. Beneath worn linens, their musty odor rising, a journal lies . As I took it and flapped the pages, they fluttered free. Mom's hand writhed in distress.
My breath caught, my fingers trembling as I clutched it. The room tilted, candle flames dancing wildly, and Diego lunged, his hand stretching for the journal, the floor groaning under his step.
Salvador's arm barred his path, his sleeve hissing like a coiled snake. "Easy, boss," he said, his voice a low rumble, and the shadows seemed to tighten.
The tension hung heavy, the air thick with unspoken threats and unresolved conflicts. I stood frozen, the journal clutched in my hand, as the two men locked eyes, their faces inches apart. The outcome hung in the balance, and I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.