The Vault's Secrets

The moment Gabe stepped into the dimly lit club, he felt the atmosphere shift. The Vault was like no other place in the city—more than just a nightclub. It was a world of its own, where the boundaries between right and wrong were blurred, and the powerful and the dangerous mingled freely under the guise of wealth and status. Gabe was no stranger to this world, but tonight, something about it felt different. He wasn't just here to play the game. He was here to find answers.

He approached the bar where Ria Mendoza sat, her sharp eyes locking with his the moment he entered. She didn't flinch, didn't show the slightest sign of surprise, as if she had been expecting him. It was unnerving in a way that only people like her could be. People who lived in the shadows and made deals in whispers.

As Gabe made his way toward her, he couldn't help but notice how effortlessly she commanded the room. Despite the loud music and the flashing lights, she remained a focal point—her presence undeniable, like a magnet that drew everything toward her. Her beauty wasn't the kind that demanded attention; it was subtle, dangerous even. She wore a black leather jacket over a simple red dress, and her eyes, cold and calculating, followed his every step.

"Ria Mendoza?" Gabe asked as he reached the bar, his voice low and measured.

She tilted her head slightly, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "I'm flattered you remembered my name. Though I'm sure you've heard it whispered in more places than just this club."

Gabe didn't respond immediately. He took the seat next to her, his back straight, eyes scanning the room. There was no doubt in his mind that this was the right place to find what he was looking for. But the question was—why had Ria been connected to Rafael Morales?

"Word travels fast, doesn't it?" Gabe said, keeping his voice even. "I'm not here for the usual small talk, Ria. I need to know where I can find Rafael Morales."

Ria's lips curved into a slow smile. She didn't answer right away, instead gesturing for the bartender to bring her another drink—a glass of whiskey, neat. As the bartender left, she finally turned her attention back to Gabe, her gaze unwavering.

"Rafael?" she repeated, as if savoring the name. "You think I know where he is?"

"I don't think. I know," Gabe replied, his tone steady, but the impatience in his words was hard to miss. "You've been in the same circles. You know how things work in this city. I need answers, and I don't have time for games."

Ria leaned back in her seat, crossing her arms over her chest. Her eyes never left his, sizing him up, reading him in a way that made Gabe feel like he was the one being examined. "You're direct, I'll give you that. But you're also wrong if you think I know exactly where Morales is. No one does. The man has a knack for disappearing when he's needed the most."

Gabe clenched his jaw, fighting the frustration building inside him. "And that's all you have to say about him? He's disappeared, and that's the end of it?"

"Not quite," Ria said, her voice dropping to a low murmur as she leaned closer, almost conspiratorially. "I do know something, though. But it's not what you think. Morales isn't just some low-level guy who hides when it's convenient. He's a lot deeper in the game than you might realize. He's not just running from the law; he's running from someone—or something—much more dangerous."

Gabe's eyes narrowed. This was the first real lead he had gotten, but it didn't feel like a solid answer. It felt like she was leading him in a different direction, one he wasn't sure he wanted to follow.

"Explain," he said, his voice low and firm.

Ria's gaze softened, though only slightly, as if she was deciding how much to reveal. "You're playing a dangerous game, Gabe. Rafael Morales was more than just a man on the run. He was connected to things much bigger than the Ortega family. Things you wouldn't want to get involved in. And now? Now he's disappeared, but not by choice. I think someone—or something—made sure of that."

"Who?" Gabe asked sharply, his voice rising despite his best efforts to remain calm. "Who would make someone like Morales disappear?"

Ria paused, her eyes flicking toward the back of the club, where a few men were engaged in quiet conversation. She lowered her voice even further, barely above a whisper. "There are people in this city who don't care about the Ortega family, or any other family for that matter. They're outside the rules, Gabe. You're not going to find them through the usual channels."

Gabe's mind raced, piecing together the information. Ria was telling him something important, but the vague nature of her words only made him more certain that there was something much bigger going on behind the scenes. "And you know this how?"

Ria took a long sip from her glass, her eyes never leaving his. "Let's just say I've had my fair share of dealings with people who don't follow the law—or the Ortega family's orders. Morales was too involved with them. They don't take kindly to anyone who betrays them. And once you're on their radar..." She trailed off, her eyes darkening.

Gabe felt a chill run down his spine. He had heard whispers about the underworld's more dangerous factions, but he had never dared to get too close. There were rumors of people who operated outside the law, outside even the reach of the most powerful families. If Morales had gotten tangled up with them... well, it made sense why he had disappeared.

"Do you know who they are?" Gabe pressed, his voice barely above a whisper now.

Ria set her glass down on the bar and turned fully toward him, her eyes locking with his. "I might know a few names. But I won't give them to you just yet. Not until you prove to me you can handle the truth. You see, Gabe, the truth about Morales isn't something you can just run with. It will pull you in, deeper than you ever thought possible. And once you're in, there's no getting out."

Gabe's instincts screamed at him to back off. This was starting to feel like a trap. But something inside him—something driven by a need to protect Celeste, to understand why she had come to him—kept him rooted to his seat.

"I'm not scared of the truth," Gabe said, his voice hardening.

Ria studied him for a long moment, as if weighing his words. "We'll see. For now, I suggest you be careful. Rafael Morales may be gone, but his problems aren't. And if you're not careful, they'll become your problems too."

Gabe stood up, his mind a whirlwind of questions. But there was one thing he knew for sure: he couldn't leave without getting more. "You're going to help me, Ria. Whether you like it or not."

Ria's lips curled into a knowing smile, but there was no warmth in it. "We'll see, Gabe. We'll see."

To Be Continued...