Chapter 29 - A Debt Settled
As the sicarios dragged Ricardo out into the rainy night, throwing him into the back of an armored SUV, Alejandro Vargas turned his attention to Daniel and Valeria.
The cartel boss looked at the young couple, then at Aunt Elena, who was calmly sitting on the sofa despite the dead mercenaries on the floor.
"You delivered the truth, señora," Vargas said to Valeria, offering a slight, respectful nod. "My family honors its debts. Ricardo Valdés will never trouble you, your husband, or your daughter ever again. The custody petition will be withdrawn by morning."
"Thank you," Valeria breathed, her entire body shaking as the adrenaline finally began to crash.
"Do not thank me," Vargas replied coldly, holstering his weapon. "We are not friends. You simply provided me with a target. Ensure our paths do not cross again, Daniel. The Valdés name is poison, and I suggest you bury it deeply."
With that, Vargas turned and walked out of the house. The heavy SUVs roared to life, kicking up gravel as they sped away into the darkness, taking the last major threat to their family with them.
Daniel locked the shattered front door as best as he could and immediately ran to Valeria, pulling her into a desperate, crushing hug.
"You did it," Daniel whispered, burying his face in her hair. "You saved us."
"We saved us," Valeria corrected him, kissing his bruised cheek. She quickly rushed to the nursery, finding Sofia still sleeping soundly, completely oblivious to the war that had just been fought and won in her living room.
May you like
Aunt Elena stood up, brushing off her dress. "Well," she sighed, looking at the mess. "I suppose we will need to hire a contractor to fix that door. And perhaps a new rug."
Valeria laughed—a genuine, broken sound of absolute relief. The monsters were finally, permanently gone.
