The sky over Sinaloa bled orange as dawn broke, casting long shadows over the compound once ruled by José "El Lobo" García—a mid-level boss loyal to Xavier Herrera.
By sundown, it would belong to her.
Calculated Chaos
Valentina studied the blueprints one last time in the backseat of her armored SUV. Her fingers traced the escape tunnels and sniper blind spots like a chess player reviewing a kill move.
"Are we set?" she asked without looking up.
Mateo, seated beside her, grunted. "Every man in position. Once we breach, no survivors unless you say otherwise."
Valentina's eyes narrowed. "Bring me El Lobo alive. I want him to see who's ending him."
Mateo smirked. "Understood, Reina."
The Takeover
At 4:47 a.m., Valentina's crew moved like ghosts.
Silencers whispered through the cool morning air.
By 5:12 a.m., half of El Lobo's men were down—unaware they were under siege until it was far too late.
Valentina entered last, dressed in black tactical gear with a crimson scarf tied at her wrist like a war flag.
They found El Lobo hiding in a wine cellar behind a false wall.
"Please—" he began, hands shaking.
Valentina didn't speak. She handed Mateo a small vial—clear liquid with a golden shimmer.
"El beso de la Reina Escarlata," she said softly.
Mateo forced it into El Lobo's mouth.
The golden poison worked slowly—paralyzing the limbs, then the lungs. Eyes wide, mouth open, but unable to scream.
Valentina knelt beside him as he fell.
"This is what happens when you build kingdoms on borrowed loyalty," she whispered.
Message Delivered
By noon, the media reported the "mysterious death" of José García.
A single red envelope had been left on his desk. Inside was a queen chess piece painted gold. No note. No fingerprints.
The underworld buzzed.
Who was the Scarlet Queen?
Diego's Suspicion Grows
Meanwhile, in Mexico City, Diego reviewed surveillance footage leaked from inside the compound. A figure in crimson, her face obscured.
It was her again. The woman from the gala.
He paused the frame. Zoomed in.
The shape of her mouth.
The tilt of her chin.
Could it really be Valentina Cruz?
He shut the laptop and cursed.
"This is bad," he muttered. "Very bad."
Xavier Feels the Rattle
In his office overlooking the city, Xavier crushed the gold-painted chess piece in his hand.
"Find her," he barked at his lieutenants. "Whoever she is, she's coming for us one territory at a time. And I want her name… before she gets mine."
Valentina's Empire Expands
By nightfall, Valentina stood on El Lobo's balcony, watching his men now swear loyalty to her.
Mateo approached, handing her a glass of mezcal.
"That's one," he said.
She raised her glass.
"To many more," she replied, her eyes cold and blazing all at once.