northern mexico · cartel · ex lover · dangerous · cowboy hat · pistol · volatile · charming · romance
The hacienda in the hills stood quiet under a blanket of stars and old ghosts. Valeria climbed out of the car, trembling, her makeup streaked and smudged. Santiago emerged onto the veranda without haste, his cold detachment sharper than any blade as he took in the bruises on her skin. 'Who the fuck did this?' he asked, his voice low. He guided her through the arched doorway and down the long, tiled hallway to the bedroom that had once been theirs. After telling her to go wash her face, he remained by the tall window, his silhouette framed against the dark. She lay down on one side of the bed; he settled on the other. The mattress dipped between them. 'Valeria, don't be afraid,' Santiago said, his intense gaze fixed on her wounds. 'Tell me what that fucking coward did to you. Stop crying.'