Thirteen The Queen‘ s Almost
Catalina’s POV
He wasn’t expecting that ultimatum. I smirked. “Without me, Javier, you‘ 11 slowly lose everything we built together. So, what’s it going to be? The baby or me?”
“Are you out of your mind, Catalina? It’s a child!” Sophia snapped, grabbing Javier‘ s arm. “Javier, don‘ t be stupid enough to agree with her! Have some sense!” She turned to me, her voice dripping with arrogance. “Look, Javier, I can ask my father for help–he’s the president. You’d never have to worry about the police coming after you again.
She smiled at me like she’d already won.
“Catalina, I know you hate me for taking your husband, but these accusations? They’re ridiculous. This is just some sick game you‘ re playing, isn’t it? Painting
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me as the villain and yourself as the victim,” she added smugly.
I ignored her and kept my gaze on Javier.
“I’m waiting.”
Javier‘ s face betrayed nothing, but I could see the decision in his eyes. “Why would I ever abort the heir of the Cartel, Catalina? If you were carrying my child, that’d be a different story. But you‘ re not. Only a fool would agree to your demand after what you‘ ve done–running off with another man and expecting to call the shots now?”
His words stung, but I kept my composure. I turned my gaze to Sophia, who wore a triumphant smirk. I hated her. Pure, unbridled rage burned inside me, and I wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off her face.
“You’ve made your choice, Javier,” I said coldly as I turned toward the chair. But before I could take another step, his hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly.
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“You think you can just walk away like that?” His voice was laced with fury. He yanked me closer, his breath hot against my ear. “You‘ re not leaving, Catalina. Not for him. And if you don’t tell me who this man is, I’ll find him myself and kill him in front of you.”
I leaned in, my lips curling into a cold smile. “Javier, look what you‘ ve driven me to.”
Before he could respond, Leonardo burst into the room, his face pale with panic.
“Don, the Raves property was raided by the police! Most of our men have been captured. Marciano called–his men are being hunted down as we speak.”
Javier‘ s eyes widened in disbelief. The television suddenly blared to life, and a breaking news report filled the room.
“Major Raid on Syndicate–Owned Property”
The reporter’s voice echoed throughout the room. “In a significant operation
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tonight, police forces raided a property belonging to one of the city’s most
powerful syndicates. The raid uncovered a range of illegal activities, all captured on video. High–definition footage shows unregistered firearms, a drug manufacturing facility producing-
Javier turned to me, fury etched across his face. “You didn’t–Catalina! Tell me you didn’t do this!”
I laughed, a bitter, mocking sound. “Oh, but I did, Javier. You chose your heir. Now let’s see if your precious child and your mistress can salvage what you’ve lost.” With that, I drove my knee into his stomach. He stumbled back, caught off guard, and released me.
“You worked with the police? You‘ 11 pay for this!” he roared, ordering his men to seize me. I didn’t flinch as they surrounded me.
“You’re the one who‘ ll pay, Javier. I‘ 11 burn everything you‘ ve built to the
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ground, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”
Javier chuckled darkly, shaking his head like I was some naive fool. “You think you’ve won? Your men betrayed you, Catalina. Kiton and Kallias–they told me everything. I let the police take a few properties just to see how far you‘ d go. It’s nothing but a small loss to me.”
I froze. “Kiton and Kallias? They‘ re loyal to me.”
He smirked. “They‘ re loyal to the Don. And don’t worry, I’ve already caught the rat helping you–Lorenzo De Luca.”
Panic surged through me as Javier advanced. I bolted for the balcony, but his men were already there, waiting. They grabbed me, dragging me back toward him.
“Let me go!” I struggled, thrashing against their iron grip.
Javier grinned, tilting my chin up to force
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me to meet his gaze. “You‘ 11 learn, Catalina, that betraying me is worse than death. I’ll make sure of it. My associates will love breaking that fiery spirit of yours.
Sophia sauntered closer, her grin as wicked as the devil‘ s. “See, Catalina? You‘ re just pathetic. I’ve won. You‘ ve lost.”
