THE MAFIA KING'S LITTLE PET

Chapter 6

He hadn’t said that name in a long time. Esme. His mind raced as memories flickered like a disjointed film reel, a time when things were simpler before his rise to power had cost him everything, including the one woman who had ever mattered to him. He hadn’t thought of Esmeralda in years. But now, seeing her here, in this state, lying helpless in the rain...

Santiago’s expression remained unreadable, but a storm brewed behind his dark eyes. He knelt beside her, as he inspected the scene. Her wrist was bruised, blood dripping from the raw cuts, and her grip on the folder in her arms was tight, even in unconsciousness.

“What the hell happened to her?” Santiago muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper as he gently shook her shoulder. “Esme?”

Esmeralda didn’t stir. The rain continued to pour down, the sound of it nearly drowning out the distant thunder. Santiago’s mind raced. Why was she here? Who had hurt her? And why did she still have that damned folder clenched so tightly in her grasp?

“Get her inside,” Santiago ordered, his voice regaining its edge. He wasn’t the type to let emotion cloud his judgment, even if this was the woman who had once been a part of his life. There was too much at stake for sentimentality now. He had enemies on every side, and this felt like a message.

The driver nodded, carefully lifting Esmeralda into his arms while Santiago kept the umbrella over them both. As they made their way up the stone steps of the estate, Santiago’s mind was working overtime, piecing together possibilities. Why now? Why had she shown up like this? And more importantly, who had done this to her?

Inside the grand entrance hall, the staff scrambled to attention as the door swung open. The housekeeper rushed forward, taking Esmeralda from the driver and guiding her toward the large, cushioned couch in the sitting room. Santiago followed closely, his eyes never leaving Esmeralda’s still form as they laid her down.

“Call the doctor,” Santiago ordered the housekeeper, who immediately nodded and rushed off to make the call.

Santiago paced, his mind filled with questions. He looked down at the folder she was still clutching, his eyes narrowing. Whatever was in there, it was important enough for her to hold on to, even in this state.

Carefully, Santiago knelt beside her once again, prying the folder from her fingers. Her grip loosened just enough for him to pull it free, and he stood up, opening it cautiously. Inside were documents, contracts, signatures, and names. Santiago’s eyes widened as he flipped through the pages, recognizing several key figures in his world.

“What the hell is this…?” he muttered under his breath. These were legal documents, fake contracts, and fraudulent agreements, all tied to someone familiar.

Diego Morales.

A low growl escaped Santiago’s throat as he pieced together what little information he had. Diego had clearly been using Esmeralda for something, and whatever this was, it was big enough to get her hurt. His grip tightened on the folder as he glanced back at Esmeralda’s unconscious form, his jaw clenching.

Esme… what the hell have you gotten yourself into?

_ _ _

When Diego arrived back home in the middle of the night, he stormed into his lavish mansion, eyes darting frantically as he noticed a smear of blood on the door handle. His heart didn’t race from fear or concern for Esmeralda, it pounded with fury and paranoia that something must have gone wrong.

The maid hurried to meet him at the entrance, her face pale with unease. "Sir... Madam ran out of the house with some files. She was bleeding, sir, and—"

Diego didn’t let her finish. His eyes widened, not in concern for Esmeralda's welfare but at the mention of the files. Those files. He shoved past the maid and sprinted toward his bedroom, where he had hidden years of dirty dealings. His empire wasn’t built on loyalty, honor, or even money, it was built on secrets. And those files contained every secret that could unravel everything he had worked for.

Bursting into the room, Diego was greeted by chaos. Clothes were tossed everywhere, drawers upended, and the cabinet where he had stashed the most important documents was torn open. The lock was shattered, and the metal door bent at an odd angle. He fell to his knees and reached inside, frantically running his hands over the empty shelves.

“Gone…” he whispered, disbelief coursing through him.

Rage surged next. “f**k!” Diego roared, slamming the cabinet door shut, denting it further. He cursed under his breath, the panic seeping into his bloodstream. His mind raced with scenarios, Esmeralda had fled, she had the documents, and she knew exactly what they meant. His dirty deals, the people he had crossed, the rivals he had lied to, all of it was out there now, in her hands.

He pulled out his phone, hands shaking, and dialed a number he hadn’t called in years. His most dangerous ally, a man who thrived on chaos, Javier.

“Javier,” Diego barked the moment the line picked up. “Esmeralda’s gone. She has… the files. I need her found. Now!”

A pause. “The files?” Javier’s voice dripped with amusement. “Well, Diego, seems like you’ve got yourself a bit of a problem.”

“No games, Javier,” Diego snarled, pacing the ruined room. “I need her found before she gets to anyone. Those documents cannot—”

“You should’ve kept a better leash on your wife, Diego,” Javier interrupted, his tone darkening. “But don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. For a price.”

Diego gritted his teeth, knowing full well what that price would be. But he had no choice. If Esmeralda handed those files over to anyone, especially a rival, his empire would crumble. His reputation, his alliances, everything would be ruined. And Esmeralda… she wasn’t exactly in the right frame of mind when he had left her.

“Just find her,” Diego growled before ending the call. He stood still for a moment, breathing hard, his eyes sweeping over the mess of the room again as he ran his fingers through his hair.