Valentino clears his throat. He shows the camera he retrieved from the slaughterhouse, Catalina recognizes it as the one Hector was using when she was getting bet finger chopped off.
“I watched this tape, Lina.” He says, his voice getting emotional. “You remained loyal to my brother, even when you were terrified. You refused to go against us despite the threat of losing not only a finger but your life. We can never thank you enough.”
Catalina tears up more. Ivan brings her into a hug and Valentino conses to sit on the other side of her. He joins the hug and Catalina is squeezed between the two brothers who thank her repeatedly while peppering her face with kisses
“From now on, you will be the most important member of our family. “Valentino whispers to her.
“No one will touch you ever again” Ivan adds.
And this time, Catalina believes it without an ounce of doubt.
odoctors weren’t able to arattarhiony linger to my hand so I’ll leave the rest of
thur Bruno is no longer present in this world.
[rves forget 110s Burn || Marvarin and Hector air dead, the pats they caned can never be forgotten.
catat Valention are new to the most seederminals in Colonia. They have changed their names and bolt new identities to escape from the
tun anything, they hate started to lead a quiet and discrete lite
e police. But
They alta sally bout their father ‘Clausliem but only the part that ishonwn to the public. Their traftaking and drig driling bustle is still very much active, how more
by fart, the thing that happened between Manuels and Ivan made him gain a lot of respects fromollier cartels and gangs. It takes a lot of courage to attack the base extellow criminal, especially rendering that Mamarle was very influe fon Ivan was able to gain the sport of more men who would do anything to be
muiryude trvalouge farm with various bonnes that we thaer with Ivan men’s and the animals. We live in the main building
I spend my days freding the animals and taking rate of little Nien while his brothers work to keep us safe. I’m glad that we don’t get to witness any of their
hoone we live in. I can only see them through the windows sometimes or when I go to the barn but other then
that. Haven’t gotten close in am of them. Altea to past expernices with Hector and Ricardo, I know better than to trust one of these people again
valks iest in me, folding the basket of veggies with both hands. We just went into the farm to get the Ingredients for dinner. That’s one of the perks of living.
“he cartó, chen “I tell him when he impa little.” you want me to carry that for you?”
chucky Lami to have a strong man like you by my side.“”
(pizzle happily. 1 kone he loves it when I praise him for being strung. He will grow up to be a brave young manibut it saddens me to imagine him joining the
carte) when he could de so much bette.
ad Valentino. Why can’t we just stay far away from this violence?
We get inside the house through the hack door leading straight to the kitchen si Nico on the counter and together, we get the veggies out of their basket and indo (see him staring at niv massing finger with a sad look I haven’t explained to him exactly how this incident happened but I’m sure he guessed it’s due to
And speaking of a
Lami post in the must ofuking the salad when I hear his voice coming from the other end of the huthway. He’s not alone and 1 tind that quite surpensing consider thes to let anyone inside the house beside his brothers. I can hear the voices of multiple men and my curiosity wins over my reason
Franc) bet him stay alone in the kitchen no 1 take the little boy back to his bedroom I promise that I will be back soon enough and I close the door after myself. The
I riptor on the stairs, dullowing after him. Thankfully, I don’t run into anyone and the door is already half–closed so I can listen to what they’re saying. I peek inside the study and for men. Their bekarang sorentiell we they are but from my position, I have a clear view of Ivan
cusant, we lane come to summoder to you.” Que of the men says. “The death of Manuelo rendered us jobless and we haven’t been able to find. ther cartels despite what happened, it would be a great privilegrand an honor if you’d let us work for you”
My marhi Calla spent. These must be some of the pemaining people who used to work under Manels. Ivan watches them with bask–like eyes.
ip would i bother kinnging the people who worked for my enemyke my hour? What tells me that you won’t against me when the time is appropriate?”
The men stay allent in shame, unable to give a proper spine to Ivan’s question One of the
“we are just hoping for your intress, sir. We just to be extremely loyal to you and you alone if you save us from this misery…You are already the king of the studenecidan yoshuave nothing budur. Itaque darrs to betray you, they’d be punished by the others.”
Tratgerivan utting same nuantestably into his chair, swelling with pride.
“We also have all ut Manuelo’s remaining, wealth and we will give it to you if you agree to protect us. He lost projects. Big ones. His objective was to control the
fjerding business studentda Müter you.
dali ada. This will trally put the Whitlock
H
dwan’s ears spark with gered while n Till with tears. One tiny sob escapes from my melybe itself but suddenly, Fran looks up and sees me
Jumalakay as plantas del ejes mert and petalade in our bedroom
sagrees is tione murar’s offer, we will never be out of this world again. We will always live in danger and
murdered or len byotires who’d want to win the same position
A few minutes later, Thear Ivan slip inside the bedson. My back is facing him
ciły wipe iny nais away to hide them trumbim.
Even if this is not Har kind of life I want, Era’t be selfshagai aut parast Ivan frondsing what feelsright telom.
His slow steps resonate in the silent roum until he’s standing in front of me. Herp my head dos cand stare at histert until he puts a finger under my chin and
He sees the tears coating my Lace and
of the sadness in my eyes. Ivan kneels down so yes are on the same level. His thumb bushes against my cheek.
“Did you bear?” He ask
He asks in a whisper
Trnd, mote teams flowing out of me
“Do voolute it?”
“Yes Yes, I hate it. But you are free to accept their offer if you want to, Ivan understand that this i is all you know and that it’s hard to imagine a completely different life. No matter what you decide to do, just low that I will always stay by your side.”
Ivan smiles and I can’t help but join him too. He kisses me passionately, his hand playing with my hair as we slowly part. Our faces are still so close that I can perfectly every detail of his face.
I’m not doing anything that you hate, Lina.”
“I’m giving this shit up for you. No more dirty business.”
My beat beat’s increase and my eyes widen in shock. This is de
definitely not what I was expecting him to say.
“Do you remember my friend Saul? We went to his birthday party.”
“Y–yes?”
“I contacted him already. I’m leaving the business to him. Right now, I will agree to sign with Manuelo’s men but only so they don’t create another cartel on their own. We will keep the power with us and 1 lmow Saul will be able to deal with this fairly. We decided to stop the human trafficking, to begin with ”
I can’t believe what I’m bearing. I start crying again but this time, it’s teas of joy.
“Do you really mean it, mi amor?We won’t do this again?”
Ivan shakes his head and kisses the side of my face:
Never again, Catalina It’s over. I want you and my brothers to be safe,”
“But But how are we going to live?”
“I’ve saved enough money for us to go on for years without working. But I’ll be keeping this farm so we can start a honest business this time and live a simple lite. What do you think, doll?”
“I think this is the most beautiful day of my life.”
Ivan laughs. He stands on his feet and carries me with him, twirling me around in his strong arms. I join in the laughter and I can confidently say that I’ve never been more in love with this man than right now.
nus sate.
Our mouths naturally find each other again and his tongue slip in mine. I deepen our kiss, hoping to prove to him how much I love him for choosing to keep us “I love you so much.” I whisper as:
as soon as our lips part.
“You can never love me more than love you, Lina…”
I think I am in heaven.
