Game Of Cards

The bloodied Queen of Hearts card sat on my desk like a taunt, a silent declaration of war from an enemy who had yet to reveal their face. It wasn't Emilio. I knew that much. His demise had left a vacuum, and the ambitious players were already vying to fill it. But whoever had sent this message wasn't just vying for control—they were making it personal.

"Whoever sent this wants me rattled," I said, sliding the card across the desk to Rico, who had been pacing since we'd received it.

Rico picked it up, frowning as his fingers traced the edges. "It's working. This isn't just about you, Adriana. This is about sending a message to everyone watching."

"The only message they're sending is that they're too much of a coward to come at me directly," I replied, though the weight of his words settled uneasily in my chest.

The card was just the latest in a series of calculated moves designed to destabilize us. Over the past few weeks, small operations had been hit, shipments intercepted, and whispers had begun circulating about a new player in town. We'd written it off as the usual chaos that followed a major power shift, but now it was clear this was something else.

"Lucia's working her contacts for information," Rico said, breaking into my thoughts. "She thinks there might be a connection to Emilio's old allies, but so far, no one's talking."

"They will," I said firmly, my gaze hardening. "Everyone has a price. Or a breaking point."

Rico smirked faintly. "That's the Adriana I know. You've got this, boss. We'll find them."

The conviction in his voice was reassuring, but I knew better than to underestimate the enemy. Whoever they were, they were patient and deliberate. And they had chosen their moment well.

The First Clue

By nightfall, Lucia had returned with a lead. "There's a name circulating in the Northside district," she said, dropping a folder on the desk. "El Rey."

"El Rey?" I repeated, frowning. "The King?"

Lucia nodded. "Whoever they are, they're building a network. Recruiting Emilio's old crew, offering protection in exchange for loyalty. The name came up in a few different places, but no one knows who they are or what they look like."

"That's a lot of effort to stay anonymous," Rico said. "Sounds like someone who knows what they're doing."

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. If El Rey was recruiting Emilio's men, that meant they were operating from a position of strength—or at least enough resources to appear strong. And the fact that we hadn't caught wind of them sooner meant they were smart. Careful.

"Let's see how careful they really are," I said. "If they're moving in the Northside district, that's where we'll start."

A Dangerous Game

The gambling den was a cesspool of smoke and desperation, tucked away in a forgotten corner of the Northside. It wasn't the kind of place I frequented, but tonight, it was exactly where I needed to be.

I entered with Rico and a few of my men, keeping my head low and my movements casual. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and alcohol, the din of conversation barely masking the sound of shuffling cards and spinning roulette wheels.

We moved toward the back of the room, where a cluster of men sat hunched over a card game. Among them was a familiar face—one of Emilio's former lieutenants.

"Looks like we found our mark," Rico muttered, his hand brushing the holster at his side.

"Not yet," I said, stopping him with a glance. "Let him talk first."

We took a seat at a nearby table, keeping the lieutenant in our peripheral vision. It didn't take long for the whispers to reach us.

"…said El Rey's got big plans…"

"…gonna hit the Vasquez family where it hurts…"

"…heard he's got someone on the inside…"

My jaw tightened. So, it was true.

I stood abruptly, drawing the attention of the lieutenant. His eyes widened as he recognized me, his face draining of color.

"Fancy seeing you here," I said, my voice low and cold.

"I-I don't know anything," he stammered, pushing back from the table.

"Funny," I said, stepping closer. "Because I wasn't asking."

Unmasking the Enemy

The interrogation was quick and brutal. The lieutenant wasn't high-ranking enough to know much, but he confirmed what we already suspected: El Rey was building an army, and they weren't just targeting the Vasquez family—they were targeting me.

"He's got people everywhere," the man gasped, his face bruised and bloodied. "People you wouldn't even think to suspect. He's been planning this for months."

"Who is he?" I demanded, my patience wearing thin.

"I don't know!" the lieutenant cried. "No one does! He never shows his face. Just sends orders through intermediaries. Please, I've told you everything I know!"

I stepped back, my hands clenched into fists. His words only confirmed what I already feared: we were fighting an enemy who knew us better than we knew them.

"Take care of him," I said to Rico, my voice cold. "And make sure the message is clear—anyone who works with El Rey answers to me."

As Rico dragged the man away, I turned to Lucia. "We're dealing with a ghost. Someone who's spent months studying us, planning every move. If we don't figure out who they are and stop them, everything we've built will come crashing down."

Lucia nodded, her expression grim. "We'll find them, Adriana. We always do."

I hoped she was right.