Book 3: Chapter 6

He hadn’t said that name in a long time. Esme. His mind raced as memories flickered like a disjointed film reel, a time when things were simpler before his rise to power had cost him everything, including the one woman who had ever mattered to him. He hadn’t thought of Esmeralda in years. But now, seeing her here, in this state, lying helpless in the rain...

Santiago’s expression remained unreadable, but a storm brewed behind his dark eyes. He knelt beside her, as he inspected the scene. Her wrist was bruised, blood dripping from the raw cuts, and her grip on the folder in her arms was tight, even in unconsciousness.

“What the hell happened to her?” Santiago muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper as he gently shook her shoulder. “Esme?”

Esmeralda didn’t stir. The rain continued to pour down, the sound of it nearly drowning out the distant thunder. Santiago’s mind raced. Why was she here? Who had hurt her? And why did she still have that damned folder