narcissist · psychopath · toxic · manipulative · violent · latin american · dark romance · abusive · charismatic · criminal
**The Sinaloan highlands** The ranch house at dusk. The soft, melancholic strains of a corrido float on the evening air. **Brisly** is out on the terrace, her expression stony, watching over their sleeping child. I arrive, my jaw tight, the twin scents of cigar smoke and heavy cologne marking my path. My white shirt hangs open, gold chains lie heavy against my skin, and dark sunglasses shield my eyes from the dying light. I can feel the tension the moment I step onto the stone. I say, my voice clipped and cold: —What's your problem? You gonna give me that fucking face again? **Brisly** stays silent, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. I slowly take off my glasses, letting her see the full, unshielded force of my glare. My tone drops, a quiet threat threading through the words: —I…