Chapter 8:The Betrayal Unfolds

"You have been seeing Lucia Vargas," she added, her voice dangerously quiet. 

Michael grinned, swirled the whiskey in his glass. You seem to be describing a crime. 

Sofia's jaw grew tighter. " It is." 

Rafael stayed close to the door across the room with crossed arms. Though not expected here, he was here. Tucked between the two forces, I watched the tension coile tighter with every breath. 

Michael carefully laid down his glass. "I have been really patient, Sofia. I was by your side when others started to mistrust you. But under your leadership? He laughed heartily. "Its failing." 

Sofia fluffed her nose. "You think you can run this family better than me?" 

Michael stepped forward slowly. "I am confident I can. And Lucia likewise. 

She stared at a flutter of something dangerous. "You believe identifying yourself with her makes you powerful?" 

"It clarifies me." 

Silence is. The type that made even Rafael hold his breath, that which sucked oxygen. 

Then Michael leaned in and spoke softly. "Sofia, you have far too many adversaries. Not all of them are fightable. 

Sofia studied him; her face was incomprehensible. Then she murmured, gently, "You were my brother." 

Michael went without blinking. And right now I am your executioner. 

Raphael sensed the change before it occurred. Sofia surged, her hand leaping to the knife at her waist, but Michael was faster. Taking her wrist, he twisted it just enough to cause her to trip. His breath burned right up against her ear. 

You ought to have moved aside. 

Then he let her go, equally quickly. 

Sofia straightened, fire raging under her surface. Michael, I'm going to bury you. 

Michael turned to smile. "We will see who goes first.." 

Hands clutching the edge of her desk, Sofia walked the length of her office. Eerie shadows on her face come from the city lights outside the window. 

From the door, Rafael replied, "He's planning something big." 

She pivoted sharply. Sure, he is. He has always been waiting for his turning point. 

Rafael went inside, his pulse thumping. "thenwe have to stop him before he moves." 

Sofia burst out in a loud laugh. Furthermore what? Play nicely. Negotiate? " She gave her head a shake. "No," We shut him off. We call this to an end. 

Rafael gave a frown. "Sofia," 

She looked at him; something raw under her surface. You do not understand it, then? I die when I hesitate. 

Rafael tightened his jaw. Not survival is what this is. This is reprisals. 

Sofia moved forward, her perfume smelling somewhat heavier. Something darker. "Wouldn't you want retribution should someone try to take your life?" 

He omitted responding. 

She released a breath and ran a hand through her hair. "Michael won't stop till I'm not around. Not happening is that. 

Julian arrived in the room carrying a phone. "We identified something." 

Sofia's eyes darkened. "What?," asked? 

Julian set the gadget on the desk. The screen showed coded communications, bank activities, and, 

Rafael's belly twisted. 

Julian added, "He's not only working with Lucia." He is also working with other families. 

Sofia let out a slow breath. "He is assembling an army." 

Rafael spoke in a gloomy voice. "then the battle simply got bigger." 

Standing beside him in black, Sofia was imposing. Her soldiers moved in quiet about her, weapons loaded, anxiety pulsing through the area. 

"This is it," Julian said softly. "Michael's internal." 

Sofia let out a yawn. Let's go. 

The doors crack open. Chaos came next. 

Gunfire burst from the metal rafters. Heart thumping, Rafael ducked behind a container. He saw Sofia eliminate the traitors without thought, like a shadow, exact and deadly. 

Still, 

Someone rushed at him. 

Rafael hardly had time to respond before he was thrown to the ground, an assailant weighing him against. His breath came sharp out of his lungs. 

Michael's guys. 

One fist linked with his ribs. Rafael turned his body, clinched his teeth, and felt instincts kick in. He rebelled, excitement drowning out the suffering. 

He stretched for the gun somehow. 

One shot went out. 

The guy slumped. 

Rafael's pulse thunders. He had never taken life before. 

A scream sliced over the hubbub. He turned around. 

Sofia. 

Michael stood her at gunpoint across the room. 

Rafael stood next her, his jaw set in deadly determination and his clothes soot-covered. He had been there when the attack started, had seen personally how Michael's soldiers hit with accuracy, breaking supply lines. This was a power execution, not only a warning. 

"You lost a lot tonight," Rafael said quietly. 

Sofia pivoted, her eye focused sharply. Not the war, but I lost a battle. 

Rafael watched her, his brain caught in paradoxes. Though he had been pulled into this world against his choice, he was not sure he could leave right now. 

Glancing over the blazing ruins, Michael replied, "Michael knew exactly where to hit." "You believe someone inside fed him intelligence?" 

Her voice grew grim. I know, but I don't think. 

Rafael's stomach twisted at the realization like a disease. This was more than simply treachery. It was something more profoundly ingrained. Michael had wanted to eradicate her, not only her power. 

Julian snarling from behind them, his hands locked at his sides, "We retaliate." 

Sofia let out a slow breath. None. Not quite yet. 

Julian gave a frown. You cannot be grave. We seem weak and let him go with this. 

She spun sharply. We are not going to look feeble. We will ensure he does not get back up the next time we hit. 

Julian nodded but stopped first. The soldiers did as she said without hesitation, but Rafael sensed uncertainty weighing in their eyes. Certain of them had begun to doubt her authority already. 

Rafael waved his arms. "So, what's the strategy?" 

Sofia drew her lips tightly together. "We learn also with whom he is working." 

His mouth closed tightly. And if someone close to you is involved? 

He craved her silence the only response. 

Rafael's phone pulsed in his pocket as she turned back toward the wreckage. He drew it out, scowling at the unidentified number flashing across the screen. 

One point of emphasis is One line. 

"It is more than you would believe. Do not trust her. 

Quietly standing next her was Rafael. Over the last three days, everything had changed. 

"You trust me, do not you?" Her voice soft, she questioned. 

He looked at her in search of an explanation. "I want to.." 

She laughed a little bit, huffed. That is not the same thing. 

Rafael let out a breath while holding the railing. "Trust someone who keeps secrets difficult." 

She inclined her head. "I do not hide secrets. I guard people against the truth. 

He looked at her, something unspoken between them. 

Tension emanating from every stride, Julian rushed into the room before either of them could say more. "We came upon something." 

Turning, Sofia had a rigid posture. "What?" 

Julian hesitated then turned to give her a folder. 

She opened it Flip. She gasped. 

Images; documentation. Michael is connected to more than just Lucia Vargas via a network of transactions.