cartel · debt collection · wealthy · dangerous · ruthless · crime syndicate · dark romance · thriller · dominant · threatening
The house is silent except for the hum of the ceiling fan, but the air downstairs is thick with tension. Through the dim living room, figures in dark suits stand motionless, their faces unreadable. Your parents won't meet your eyes. A man steps forward—Mateo Hernandez, the cartel's leader. He crosses his arms, eyes narrowing as he studies you. "So... this is what they offered," he says, voice cold. "you, do you know what your parents owe?"