THE VENDOR AND THE MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The city lights of Makati sprawled beneath them like a sea of stars, each one burning bright against the deep velvet of the night sky. Amara and Marco stood at the edge of the rooftop bar, their backs to the bustling crowd, their attention fixed on the man in front of them.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Marco’s voice was low, cautious. He shifted his weight, his hand still resting on the grip of his gun.

Amara didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she watched the figure at the bar—a man with slicked-back hair and an expensive suit, laughing with a group of well-dressed socialites. He was the last person she expected to find there, but she knew that if she was going to get closer to the heart of Rafa’s empire, she needed information. And this man—Xander Gutiérrez—was the key.

Xander was a well-known figure in the underworld, though he’d managed to stay just out of sight for years. He was a fixer, someone who could make things disappear, smooth over deals, or silence anyone who got too close to the truth. He was Rafa’s right-hand man, a shadow in the background, pulling strings while Rafa sat at the top. But now, Amara had him in her sights.

“He’ll know something. He has to,” Amara said, her voice unwavering as she narrowed her gaze. “If we want to find Isabella—and get to Rafa—we need to break the silence. Xander’s the only one who might know where she is.”

Marco glanced at her, his expression unreadable. He didn’t like this plan. It was risky. Xander was dangerous, and they were walking into the lion’s den. But Marco knew better than anyone that they didn’t have a choice. The stakes were too high.

“Alright,” Marco said, his tone firm. “But we need to be careful. Xander’s not someone you can trust.”

Amara didn’t need to be reminded. Trust was a luxury she could no longer afford. She had learned that the hard way, with every step she took closer to uncovering the truth. But sometimes, trust was a necessity.

They moved through the crowd, the rhythmic pulse of music and conversation filling the air. As they approached the bar, Amara’s heart rate picked up. She couldn’t afford to show weakness, to hesitate. She had to play her part, and that part was the one of a woman who had the power to take control.

Xander noticed them as they drew closer, his sharp eyes locking onto Amara’s with a knowing glint. He smiled, his lips curling into a smirk.

“Well, well,” Xander said smoothly, his voice deep and rich, like the velvet of the night. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Amara.”

Amara met his gaze head-on, refusing to flinch. “I didn’t expect to see you, either, Xander. But I need answers.”

Xander raised an eyebrow, amused by her directness. “Answers?” He took a sip of his drink, leaning back in his chair. “And what makes you think I have those?”

“You’re Rafa’s right-hand man. You know everything,” Amara replied, her voice steady, though her mind raced. “I need to know what happened to Isabella. I know she’s alive, and I know you know where she is.”

The smirk faded from Xander’s face, and his expression hardened. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “You don’t know what you’re asking for, Amara.”

“I know exactly what I’m asking for,” Amara said, her voice unwavering. “You either tell me where she is, or I will make sure everyone knows the truth about you. And trust me, Xander, I can make that happen.”

Marco shifted behind her, subtly positioning himself so that Xander could see the gun tucked into his waistband. The threat was unspoken but clear: Xander had a choice. He could talk, or they would force his hand.

Xander studied them for a long moment, his lips pursed. Then, he sighed, leaning back in his chair as if resigning himself to the inevitable.

“You think you have power over me?” Xander chuckled darkly. “You have no idea how deep this goes. Rafa is not just some crime boss. He controls everything. If you think you can bring him down, you’re wrong.”

Amara’s eyes narrowed. “You’re wrong if you think I’ll stop.”

“Isabella?” Xander asked, his voice low, his gaze flickering toward Marco. “She’s a liability now. She knows too much. She got herself involved in something bigger than she could handle. And Rafa—he doesn’t tolerate mistakes.”

Amara’s pulse quickened, but she forced herself to stay calm. This was the confirmation she needed. Isabella had been trying to break free, trying to expose Rafa’s empire, and now she was a target. But where was she?

“Where is she?” Amara demanded, her voice sharp. “Tell me, Xander.”

For the first time, Xander hesitated. His gaze flickered between Amara and Marco, and then, with a soft chuckle, he leaned forward.

“Rafa doesn’t keep his secrets in one place, Amara. There are layers, layers you’ll never reach,” he said, his tone dripping with cynicism. “But if you’re willing to play the game, I might have a way to get you closer.”

Amara leaned in, her focus intense. “What’s the game, Xander?”

Xander’s lips curled into a wicked grin. “You want to find Isabella? You’ll have to make a deal with the devil himself. And when you do, be ready to pay the price.”

Amara felt a chill run down her spine, but she refused to show it. She had already come too far to back out now.

“What kind of deal?” Marco asked, his voice suspicious but intrigued.

Xander stood up, smoothing down his suit. “Meet me tomorrow, at the docks. Midnight. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. But be warned: once you step into Rafa’s world, there’s no going back.”

Without waiting for a response, Xander turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd like a shadow.

Amara and Marco exchanged a glance, both of them knowing that they had just stepped into the heart of a storm they couldn’t escape. The docks. Midnight. The clock was ticking.