Chapter 6: The Devil's Bargain

Chapter 6: The Devil’s Bargain

The cartel compound loomed ahead, a fortress of steel and stone, its high walls lined with armed men whose cold, unforgiving eyes tracked their every move.

Evangeline sat rigid in the SUV, her fingers digging into the seat as the vehicle rolled through the iron gates. The tension in the air was suffocating, thick with the scent of gunpowder and danger.

Beside her, Luca was unbothered.

He exuded control, his posture relaxed, his smirk faintly amused—like he had walked into a thousand situations just like this and never once questioned the outcome.

She envied that arrogance.

Because unlike him, she had everything to lose.

Her father’s life.

Her freedom.

Whatever was left of her soul.

The car came to a slow stop in front of the main building, and the moment the doors unlocked, a group of men surrounded them.

Evangeline’s pulse thundered.

Luca didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.

Instead, he turned to her, his voice smooth, unshaken.

“Let me do the talking.”

Before she could argue, the door was yanked open.

A towering man with sun-darkened skin and sharp eyes gestured for them to step out.

Evangeline hesitated.

Luca didn’t.

He exited the car in one effortless movement, adjusting the cuffs of his jet-black suit as if they were walking into a boardroom meeting, not a cartel stronghold.

With a deep breath, Evangeline followed.

The moment her feet hit the ground, a voice called out from the entrance.

“Luca Devereaux.”

Her blood turned to ice.

The man standing at the top of the steps was Salvador Reyes—the cartel leader.

He was older than she remembered, his hair streaked with gray, but his eyes were still the same. Cold. Calculating. Deadly.

“Salvador,” Luca greeted smoothly, flashing that infuriating smirk. “I’d say it’s good to see you, but I’d be lying.”

The men surrounding them tensed.

Salvador’s mouth curved into something resembling a smile. “Still as bold as ever.” His gaze shifted to Evangeline, raking over her with interest. “And you… It’s been years, niña.”

Her stomach clenched. “Where’s my father?”

Salvador’s eyes gleamed. “Come inside. Let’s talk.”

Luca placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her forward. The touch was brief but firm—a reminder.

He was in control.

And that terrified her more than the cartel itself.

The Offer

The inside of the compound was grand, a stark contrast to the ruthlessness of the men who guarded it. Dark mahogany furniture, walls lined with gold-trimmed paintings, and the faint scent of cigar smoke and blood filled the space.

Evangeline forced herself to stay calm.

Salvador sat at the head of a long wooden table, his men positioned along the walls like statues—silent but ready.

Luca slid into the chair across from him, completely at ease.

Evangeline remained standing.

Salvador’s gaze flicked to her. “You should sit.”

“I’ll stand,” she replied, her voice steady.

A slow, dark chuckle escaped his lips. “Still fiery. I always liked that about you.”

Luca’s fingers tapped against the armrest. “Let’s cut the bullshit, Salvador. You have something that belongs to her.”

Salvador exhaled a cloud of cigar smoke, his lips curling. “I have something that belongs to you, as well.”

Evangeline’s breath caught.

Luca’s smirk didn’t waver, but there was a shift—a flicker of something dangerous in his gaze.

“I doubt that,” he said smoothly.

Salvador leaned back, his expression knowing. “You always were a possessive man, Luca.” He took another slow drag of his cigar. “But the question is… Are you possessive enough?”

The room coiled with tension.

Luca’s eyes darkened. “Say what you really mean, Salvador.”

The cartel leader smirked.

Then, he dropped the bomb.

“I’ll return Vincent Torres,” he said, glancing at Evangeline. “But only if she stays.”

The world stopped.

Evangeline’s breath hitched. “What?”

Salvador gestured to the men lining the walls. “My organization could use a woman with her fire. Someone with her intelligence. Someone who understands both the upper world and the underworld.”

She felt sick.

This wasn’t a deal.

This was ownership.

Luca exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the table. Calm. Collected. Deadly.

Then, he chuckled.

The sound was low, dangerous.

And then, faster than anyone could react—

Luca pulled out his gun and shot the man closest to Salvador.

The room erupted.

Evangeline gasped as bodies moved, guns raised, men shouting in Spanish—but Luca didn’t flinch.

He turned back to Salvador, completely unfazed by the blood now pooling on the marble floor.

“You made the wrong offer,” Luca said, voice lethal.

Salvador’s gaze flickered—not with fear, but with something close to amusement.

“You always were unpredictable,” he mused.

Luca leaned forward, his smirk gone. Cold. Unforgiving. Absolute.

“She’s mine,” he said, his voice quiet but deadly. “And if you touch her, if you so much as breathe in her direction again, I’ll burn your empire to the ground.”

Salvador exhaled, tapping ash from his cigar.

Then, he laughed.

A deep, throaty sound that sent a chill down Evangeline’s spine.

“You still surprise me, Devereaux,” he murmured. Then, with a nod to one of his men, he added, “Bring the old man out.”

Evangeline’s chest tightened.

Her father.

The moment Salvador’s men dragged him into the room, her stomach dropped.

He was alive, but barely—his face bruised, his wrists bound, his breathing ragged.

Tears burned her eyes, but she refused to cry. Refused to let Salvador see her break.

Vincent Torres lifted his head weakly.

When his gaze landed on her, his lips parted. “Evangeline…”

She nearly collapsed.

“Take him,” Salvador said, flicking his wrist. “But know this, Luca…” His voice darkened. “I don’t forget insults.”

Luca stood, pulling Evangeline to her feet. “Neither do I.”

Then, with Vincent barely able to stand, they walked out of the cartel’s den—alive.

But this war was far from over.

And now, Luca had just made himself their biggest target.