The air in the penthouse suite smelled of jasmine, fear, and anticipation.
Valentina stood at the balcony, overlooking the Los Cabos skyline, her red silk robe fluttering in the breeze. Behind her, Jorge Méndez—the same man who once oversaw torture houses for Xavier—sat on the velvet couch, legs crossed, sweating like a sinner in church.
He didn't know it yet, but tonight would change everything.
The Set-Up
Jorge had power. Territory. Secrets. And a growing sense of dissatisfaction with Xavier Herrera's leadership.
He also had a weakness: women who were smarter than him, and didn't act like it.
Valentina was a master at pretending.
"So," she said, voice soft as silk, "what's it like being second in command to a man who'd feed you to the dogs if your loyalty wavered?"
Jorge chuckled nervously. "Xavier and I have... history."
"History burns," she replied, turning toward him. "I offer legacy."
The Proposal
She laid the offer bare: protection from DEA exposure, an untraceable financial route through Dubai, and shared control of a port Xavier used for shipments.
But there was a condition—subtle, but sharp.
"Cut ties with Xavier. Back me. And you won't just survive this power shift—you'll thrive."
Jorge narrowed his eyes. "And what makes you so confident you'll win?"
Valentina leaned in, brushing a single finger down his jawline. "Because I've already started."
Golden Threads
As Jorge sipped from the glass she handed him, a bitter aftertaste lingered—he chalked it up to the bourbon.
He didn't know she'd coated the rim with a microdose of her signature golden poison—not enough to kill, just enough to make him question his strength. His body. His control.
By morning, he'd associate every breath of weakness with defying her.
Psychological warfare. Just like Xavier used.
But she was better.
Meanwhile:
Lucia Ortega stared at the latest intel report.Valentina was recruiting Xavier's inner circle with terrifying precision.
"She's flipping the house brick by brick," she whispered to Sofia Herrera.
Sofia looked up from her tablet. "So… when do we burn it down?"
Across Town:
Diego Fuentes held his phone to his ear.
"Boss, I think I've got a lead. The Reina Escarlata might be operating under a new shell company—CrimsonSun Imports."
"You sure?"
He looked at the file. Fake identities. Silent partners. And Valentina's face.
"No. But I'm close."
He ended the call—and deleted the file.
Back at the Penthouse:
Jorge staggered to his feet, swaying slightly.
Valentina caught him, gently placing a kiss on his cheek. "Get some rest. We'll talk more tomorrow."
As he stumbled out, she turned to Mateo.
"He'll wake up paranoid, disoriented, and afraid of crossing me."
Mateo smiled. "You didn't even need a bullet."
"No," she said. "Just a kiss of gold."