Chapter 24 - The Ghost of the Past
The tension in the criminal underworld broke wide open exactly one week later. Alejandro was reviewing the transition of three dummy corporations into legitimate real estate holdings when his head of security, a stern, heavily scarred man named Vargas, burst into the study without knocking.
"Boss, we have a code red situation at the downtown warehouse," Vargas barked, his hand resting instinctively on his holstered weapon. "A hit squad from the Culiacán faction just raided the facility. They executed four of our guards and set the entire building on fire. They left a message painted on the wall."
Alejandro stood up, his blood turning entirely to ice. "What was the message?"
"It said, 'The King is dead. Long live the Scorpion,'" Vargas reported grimly.
El Escorpión. The Scorpion. It was the street name of a ruthless, rising cartel lieutenant who had been quietly absorbing the fragmented pieces of Héctor’s old network. The attack wasn't just a business dispute over stolen territory; it was a loud, violent, public declaration of war against Alejandro Ríos.
"Double the perimeter detail at the mansion," Alejandro ordered instantly, his mind shifting back into the tactical, lethal gear of a cartel boss. "Nobody gets in or out without my personal authorization. Put snipers on the roof. Move the children and Valeria into the reinforced safe room in the basement."
"Alejandro?"
He turned around. Valeria was standing in the open doorway of the study, holding a stack of Mateo’s picture books. She had heard everything. Her face was pale, but her eyes were remarkably steady.
"It's happening again, isn't it?" she asked quietly.
"I won't let them touch you," Alejandro swore, crossing the room and taking her gently by the shoulders. "I am sending you, Leo, and Mateo to the underground bunker right now. I have to go downtown and handle this before El Escorpión brings the war to our front gates."
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"You said you were going legitimate," Valeria pleaded, her voice cracking slightly. "If you go down there and start shooting, you are just feeding the cycle. You promised Mateo he would never see a gun again."
"I have to protect my family," Alejandro stated firmly. "And sometimes, the only way to stop a monster is to be the bigger monster."
