A Dangerous love

CHAPTER 3: Blackmail

"Ma Yesenia, what is the one rule Fernando has always imposed on us about you?"

I looked at him, confused. Where was he going with this? Pulling my arm free from his grip, I questioned him with my eyes. He let out a laugh before meeting my gaze again, a challenging spark lighting up his dark irises.

"What are you rambling about now? Hurry up—I have better things to do than spend my day with you."

Suddenly, he stepped closer, and my hand instinctively rested on the gun strapped to my belt.

"I know you and Miguel slept together last night," he said, a smug smile tugging at his lips.

"Stop making things up. You're completely delusional."

He knew that if Fernando found out, Miguel’s life would be at risk. My uncle had spent my entire life controlling me, ensuring I couldn’t love anyone. For him, love was a weakness, and he couldn’t afford for me to be weak—not when he needed me to serve him. And I needed him to help me find my family.

I stared at Will. This bastard would surely run to Fernando to exact his revenge for the years I’d spent refusing his advances. But I wouldn’t let him. If I had to kill him, I would.

"I won’t say a word, mi Yesenia," he said.

I narrowed my eyes, waiting for his next move. I would do anything to protect Miguel.

"If you give yourself to me for one night."

NEVER. I would never surrender myself to him. If he dared talk, I’d end his life.

"You disgust me. Do whatever you want. I will never sleep with you. Have some dignity—you repulse me."

I stepped out of the car, ignoring him. I’d find a way with Miguel. Together, we’d solve this.

Walking toward the plaza where seven of our sellers were stationed, I noticed something strange. Their positions had changed. Scanning each of them, I also realized the products they were selling weren’t ours. Will followed behind me, raising an eyebrow. He had noticed too. As much as I despised him, I had to admit he was sharp. It’s why Fernando made him his right-hand man.

"Why did they change spots? And what the hell is this garbage they’re selling?" he muttered aloud.

Fernando despised traitors, and we were staring at seven of them. Will stepped forward, gun in hand, and without hesitation, he fired at one of the sellers, hitting him square in the leg.

I stood back, watching the scene unfold. This mission was Will’s responsibility, and I wasn’t going to dirty my hands again for them. My thoughts were consumed by Miguel. What were we going to do? Had anyone seen us last night? We should have been more careful.

Fernando had already separated us once before. God only knows what he would do this time. A thousand questions swirled in my mind, but there was only one thing I wanted in that moment: to see Miguel again and feel his arms around me.

Will grabs the man he has wounded and interrogates him about what happened and why there had been so many changes. The injured man finally explains that another man had come to propose selling his product on our market in exchange for a larger share of the profits.

After these explanations, Will turns toward me. He looks at me.

"What do you want now?" I reply.

"Kill him," he tells me.

The already injured man, upon hearing Will's request, begins to scream and beg us to spare him.

"No, you're not my uncle. I don't have to follow your orders."

"You'll regret this, Yesenia," he says, and with those last words, he finishes the man off.

He orders the other six men to investigate this mysterious supplier. And finally we end up leaving

On the way back, I notice Will glancing at his phone multiple times, as if he's waiting for a call. That wicked smile never leaves his face. He’s hiding something from me.

I don't bother questioning him. Upon arriving at the villa, I quickly get my answer.

Entering the hall, which is usually full, it’s now completely empty.

I turn around. Will is following me, watching me with a smile on his lips, and in an instant, I understand what's happening.

I rush toward the basement, where the traitors' torture room is.

And there I see him, sitting on the floor, his face covered in blood. Miguel is chained to two iron chains. One of Fernando's henchmen is hitting him with a metal bar. He is unrecognizable. My heart twists, and I start screaming at the sight of this horrific scene. Will, that bastard, was going to pay for this.

I draw my weapon and point it at the man delivering the blows. They all look at me. They've all come down to watch as if this is some sort of theater show.

"If you don’t step back from him immediately, a bullet will lodge itself between your eyes. And you know I'm not joking," I shout. Hatred pulses through my veins.

But despite my threats, he keeps hitting Miguel. I pull the trigger, and he finally collapses. Dead.

"mea Yesenia, non tam vehemens te doceo (My Yesenia, I didn't teach you to be so violent.)"

I turn around and find myself face to face with Fernando.

"Release him now."

"Or what? what are you going to do, so he dared to sleep with you."

"IT'S NOT TRUE, NOTHING HAPPENED."

I feel humiliated, sullied, having to speak of this in front of all the men of this damned villa, but I couldn't let Miguel be tortured because of my pride.

Fernando starts laughing. A devilish laugh. I’m afraid for Miguel, but I am so angry at the world. What had I done to deserve all of this? Why didn't I have a normal life like any other girl my age? WHY!

"I was assured that you two spent the evening together," he says to me.

He repulses me. He describes everything in detail in front of the other perverts who serve as his henchmen.

"It's false, I didn’t spend the night with Miguel. He was teaching me how to use computers. You always told me how important it was for me to learn," I explain.

I'm lying. I have been using computers since I was twelve years old. And with a computer, I can do absolutely everything. But I needed an excuse.

He looks at me, and in his gaze, I understand what he’s going to ask. I realize the new humiliation he intends to subject me to. I understand that for Miguel, I’ll have to put aside my dignity and pride. He disgusts me.