Chapter 3 - The Fortress
The drive to the Delgado estate was a blur of flashing city lights and heavy silence.
Elena sat in the back of the armored SUV, holding Isabella tightly on her lap.
The little girl had fallen asleep, her tiny fingers still tangled in Elena's work apron.
Mateo sat across from them, staring out the window with a storm brewing in his eyes.
He was already texting his lawyers, his private investigators, and his security teams.
They pulled up to a massive wrought-iron gate that opened into a sprawling, heavily guarded mansion.
Elena felt a wave of intimidation wash over her.
She was just a waitress drowning in debt, and now she was inside the fortress of Mexico's most powerful man.
Mateo led them inside, ordering the household staff to prepare the grand guest suite.
"You will sleep here tonight, both of you," Mateo told Elena as they entered a room larger than her entire apartment.
"The estate is locked down."
"You are completely safe here."
Elena placed Isabella gently on the massive king-sized bed, covering her with a silk blanket.
She turned to Mateo, her maternal instincts completely overriding her fear of him.
"What happens tomorrow?" she asked defensively.
"Are you going to try and take her from me with your expensive lawyers?"
Mateo leaned against the doorframe, running a tired hand over his face.
"I love that little girl with everything I have," he admitted softly.
"But I am not a monster, Elena."
"Valeria stole her from you, and she will pay for it."
"Tomorrow, we go to war against everyone who did this to us."
May you like
Elena looked at him, realizing they were bound together by this incredible tragedy.
She nodded slowly, a spark of fierce determination lighting up her eyes.
