Chapter 15

Diego

I knew I was about to do something stupid, something that could very well get me killed, but I didn't care. At the moment, I was only thinking about Rowan and Aurora. I didn't want to think about anything else.

Vincent had to pay for what he did, and I was the one who was going to make him pay. The more I thought about that, the more I realized it was my only option. He was the root of every problem I had. If I got rid of him, I would be able to get back with Rowan.

I took out my phone, my fingers hesitating over the screen as I debated whether I was making the right choice. But then, the image of Rowan's charming smile filled my mind, and I knew I had no other option.

It was either that or never returning to Rowan, and I couldn't imagine my life without seeing Aurora for the first time. Just to see her smile, I was able to do anything.

I had to protect him, no matter the cost. With a steady breath, I dialed Marcus' number, my heart pounding in my chest. The thought this was a mistake kept pounding in my head.

"Diego?" Marcus' voice crackled through the line, confusion evident in his tone. He didn't think I would ever call. I couldn't blame him. I also never thought I would call him again.

I closed my eyes, steeling myself for what I was about to say. There was a lot to be said and I didn't like any of it.

We hadn't spoken in months, not since the day I disappeared with Rowan. Why would I do that, anyway? He had betrayed me. He hated me.

That day played over and over in my mind like a broken record. The day I chose to betray Vincent, the day I chose Rowan over my loyalty to the Nightshade Wolves.

They had helped me a lot, sure, but I had found my forever mate. I was always going to choose him over them, of course. It just made sense to me. If my decision had been different, I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

"Marcus," I began, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. "We need to talk. There's been a huge misunderstanding, and I need to clear things up." I hated myself for saying that, but what else could I do? Nothing. There was nothing. And I could almost hear the surprise in his silence. "I know it's been months since I left without a trace, but I need you to hear me out. I regret turning my back on Vincent, and I want to make amends."

It was a lie, of course. I didn't regret a single moment spent keeping Rowan safe, but Marcus didn't need to know that. After all, if he knew, my whole plan would fail. It was as simple as that.

"Diego, I—" Marcus paused, his uncertainty clear. I must have said it pretty convincingly, considering the way he was behaving. "I don't know if that's a good idea. The boss has been furious since you left. He's been taking it out on all of us. I'm not sure he'll be willing to listen, no matter what you have to say."

I clenched my jaw, the weight of my decision settling on my shoulders. I knew that this might not work out the way I wanted it, but as far as I knew, I didn't have another choice.

"I understand the risk, Marcus. But I have to try. Just tell me where and when, and I'll be there. Whatever happens, I'll deal with it."

There was a long moment of hesitation before Marcus finally spoke. I couldn't help but wonder if, behind the scenes, he was already informing Vincent about the call. It would be just like him to do something like that.

"Alright, Diego. If that's what you want. There's an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town. Vincent's been using it as his base of operations lately. Come alone, and we'll talk. I'm going to give you the address."

I ended the call, my hands shaking slightly as the reality of what I was about to do sank in. I was walking straight into the lion's den, and I might not make it out alive. But it was a risk I was willing to take for Rowan. I would do anything for him.

As I drove to the warehouse, my mind raced with thoughts. I knew that place. I had never been there, but had seen it from a distance. It had a lot of space and not enough cover. If things went south there, I might not make it.

Pulling up to the warehouse, I took a steadying breath, my eyes narrowing as I surveyed the building. This might be the last place I visited. I could only think about Rowan and Aurora. I was doing this for them.

The locale was secluded, surrounded by overgrown bushes and broken-down buildings. The perfect place for Vincent to hide and conduct his activities. He was always careful when picking his hideouts.

Stepping out of my car, I kept my hands loose at my sides, ready for any threat that might emerge. It was almost like it could jump out of the shadows at any moment.

The warehouse loomed before me, silent and foreboding. With a final breath, I pushed open the creaking door and stepped inside. There was no one outside and it wasn't surprising. They monitored the outside from the inside. They already knew I was coming.

The interior was dimly lit, the only light coming from a few bare bulbs hanging from the ceiling. The place was like that because they didn't want to draw unwanted attention.

Marcus stood in the center of the room, his arms crossed over his chest, a combination of wariness and curiosity on his face. He was wondering what exactly happened.

"Diego," he said, his voice neutral. "I have to admit, I'm surprised to see you here. I thought you'd be long gone, enjoying your new life with your little omega." There was a hint of accusation in his tone, and I knew this wouldn't be easy.

As much as he didn't want to admit it, my betrayal hurt. I was one of the most prominent figures in the cartel. Not a lot of people left it and lived to tell about it.

I kept my expression neutral, my eyes never leaving his. I was aware of everything happening in my surroundings. Nothing could take me by surprise.

"I'm here to set things right, Marcus. I know I turned my back on the cartel, but I'm willing to face the consequences, whatever they may be."

Marcus' gaze narrowed, and he took a step forward, his hands balling into fists. It seemed that, after everything, he didn't fully believe me. Smart, but not ideal.

"Consequences? You think that's all you deserve after what you did? You betrayed Vincent and made a fool of us all. You don't get to just walk back in here and expect everything to be forgiven."

I held my ground, keeping myself calm. Being nervous wouldn't help me. It never did.

"I know I don't deserve forgiveness, Marcus. But I'm here to make things right with Vincent. Take me to him, and I'll face whatever punishment he deems fit. You don't have any say in how this goes."

Marcus' eyes flickered with something akin to respect, but his stance remained hostile. He had always been a difficult person to deal with and now wasn't going to be any different

"You really think Vincent will let you walk away after what you did? He's been more unstable than ever, and your betrayal only added fuel to the fire. He won't show you mercy. I guarantee you that."

I smirked, a cold determination settling over me. Maybe I was going crazy, thinking that this was all going to work out in my favor.

"I'm not asking for mercy, Marcus. I'm here to offer him a chance for revenge. Take me to him, and we'll settle this once and for all. I'm sure he will understand." I took a deep breath. "Plus, I know he knows I'm here."

Marcus' eyes narrowed further, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse. He could shoot me here and there wouldn't be much repercussion. If anything, it would be just inconvenient. They would have to bury me somewhere.

Slowly, he nodded, a resigned expression on his face. "Very well, Diego. Follow me."

He used to call me 'boss' as well, but not anymore. Not ever since I betrayed the Nightshade Wolves.

Marcus led me deeper into the warehouse, past rooms filled with armed guards and illicit goods. Vincent had certainly expanded his operations during my absence.

He was becoming the most prominent member of the underworld around here and it was mostly because of his own accomplishments. The man was someone to be feared.

Finally, we reached a large metal door, guarded by two men with guns. They eyed me warily but stepped aside at Marcus' nod. No matter what, they had to do what he wanted.

Marcus knocked on the door, and a deep voice bellowed for us to enter. I remembered it. I didn't think it was possible for me to ever forget what it sounded like.

I stepped into the room, my eyes immediately landing on Vincent, who sat behind a large desk, a smirk playing on his lips.

Nice setup, I thought. He had taken his time preparing his work environment. He was always particular about a lot of things.

He looked the same as I remembered — his dark hair slicked back, his eyes cold and calculating. It was almost as if I had never left.

"Diego," he drawled, his eyes glittering with malicious glee. "I never thought I'd see you again. I assumed you'd be too afraid to show your face after what you did. I thought you were smarter."

I kept my gaze steady, showing strength. If he sniffed weakness, I knew he would pounce on me.

"I'm here to face the consequences of my actions, Vincent. I know I betrayed your trust, and I'm willing to accept whatever punishment you deem fit."

Vincent's eyes narrowed, and he leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. He was thinking, but I knew he wasn't thinking much. There wasn't much to think about. If he wanted to punish me, he could do so right now.

"Oh, you will be punished, Diego. Make no mistake about that. But first, I want to hear why you did it. Why did you turn your back on me and the cartel? Did that omega really cast his spell on you?"

I took a steadying breath, knowing this was the moment I had been building up to. Although, I didn't really come here with a good plan. Should I just pull out my gun and kill him? But then, his men would kill me and Aurora would never see me.

"I did it for Rowan, Vincent. I knew you wouldn't let him go, and I couldn't bear the thought of him suffering because of his debt. I had to protect him. Plus, I know he's my fated mate."

Vincent's eyes flashed with anger, and he slammed his hand on the desk, making me feel ready for anything. "You chose that omega over your loyalty to me? Over your position in the cartel? You truly are a fool, Diego. I really thought you were smart."

I held my tongue, knowing that engaging further would only make things worse. I couldn't make another mistake. It could be fatal.

Vincent pushed back his chair and stood, his eyes glittering dangerously. He was finally ready to do what he wanted.

"Well, since you're here, perhaps we can have a little fun. I've been itching for a fight, and you seem like the perfect opponent. Just want to make sure I'm not rusty."

My heart sank as I realized what he was suggesting. A one-on-one fight, no weapons, just our hands and our wits. Vincent was a skilled fighter, and I knew I stood little chance against him. But I had come this far, and I had to see it through.

"Very well, boss," I said, my voice steady. I was tense. "Let's settle this once and for all. If that's how you want to do it, then I'm not arguing."

Vincent smirked, and he gestured to the center of the room. He was confident, knowing he could win the fight.

"No weapons, no outside interference. Just you and me, Diego. May the best man win. I've always wanted to do this with you."

I nodded, rolling up my sleeves as I stepped into the designated space. Vincent did the same, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. We circled each other warily, each looking for an opening, a weakness to exploit. And yet, from my point of view, there wasn't any.

Contrasting with me, from where he was looking, he could probably see a lot of weaknesses in me.

Vincent struck first, his fist flying toward my face. I dodged, barely, and countered with a blow to his stomach. I was surprised I managed to get a hit. He then grunted, but quickly recovered, landing a punch to my jaw that sent me reeling.

We danced around each other, each landing blows, but neither gained a clear advantage. Vincent was a skilled opponent, his moves calculated and precise. But I fought with a desperation he couldn't match, driven by my need to protect Rowan.

He had always trained, so his advantage wasn't unexpected.

As the fight wore on, I could feel my strength waning. Vincent was toying with me, biding his time until he landed the final blow. I knew I was no match for him, but I refused to give up.

He was enjoying the moment, relishing it. After what I put him through, he wanted to make sure I was going to suffer.

Just as I was about to concede, a familiar figure burst through the door, his eyes wild with determination. Rowan. My heart leaped at the sight of him, but I was confused as to why he was there. Hadn't I made it clear that he should stay away?

Not to mention, how did he know about me being here? I hadn't told anyone about coming to this place. As far as I knew, he shouldn't know anything. Still, the fact he was here meant he still cared about me.

Rowan's eyes then landed on me, and his face softened for a brief moment before he turned to Vincent, his expression hardening.

He was braver than I thought. I never thought he was capable of doing what he was.

"It's over, Vincent. The police are on their way. You're surrounded."

I felt a surge of confusion and betrayal. The police? I had told Rowan this was a mistake, that we couldn't involve them. But he had gone behind my back, putting himself in danger and potentially ruining my plan.

Not to mention, even if we managed to get rid of Vincent for good, we would have to deal with the police later, and that was more complicated than a fistfight with him.

Vincent's face twisted with rage, and he lunged for Rowan, his hands closing around his throat. We barely had enough time to react.

"You sniveling little rat! You dare do this to me? I should have killed you when I had the chance!"

I launched myself at Vincent, prying his hands from Rowan's neck and pushing him away. I was surprised I could react that fast.

"You touch him, and you'll regret it!" I growled, my protective instincts kicking in.

Vincent laughed, a cold, bitter sound. "You really are a fool, Diego. You think you can protect him? You couldn't even protect yourself!"

I stood protectively in front of Rowan, my fists clenched, ready to defend him with my life if necessary. I was going to do whatever I needed to.

But before Vincent could make another move, the warehouse was flooded with uniformed officers, their guns drawn and aimed at Vincent and his men. They were just waiting for the right moment to come in. I already knew they were outside.

"Vincent Carter, you're under arrest for assault, kidnapping, and a multitude of other charges," a stern-faced officer declared. Given his smile, I could tell he was enjoying this. He must have been waiting this entire time to apprehend Vincent. "You and your men are surrounded. Put your hands up, and don't make this difficult. You don't want to do that."

Vincent's eyes blazed with fury, but he slowly raised his hands, a sneer on his face. "This isn't over, Diego. You may have won this battle, but the war is far from over. I'll be seeing you soon."

I smiled, relishing the moment. It was something that didn't happen often. Shame.

The officers moved in, handcuffing Vincent and his men, while others ushered Rowan and me to the side. I turned to Rowan, my eyes searching his face.

Now came the worst part and I had no idea what we were going to do. It wasn't going to be easy. We could both end up in prison as well.

"Why are you here, Rowan? I told you to stay away for your own safety. Are you nuts?"

Rowan's eyes filled with remorse, and he lowered his gaze. He hadn't had a choice, but he stood by his decision.

"I know, Diego, and I'm sorry. I couldn't just sit by and let you face this alone. I knew Vincent would try to kill you, and I had to do something. So, I went to the police and told them everything. I really didn't have another choice."

I felt a rush of emotions — anger, fear, and relief — all warring within me. "You shouldn't have taken that risk, Rowan. You could've been hurt or worse. Vincent's men would have had no qualms about harming you. I had everything under control."

It was a lie, but what else was I going to say? There wasn't much.

Rowan nodded, his eyes downcast. "I know, and I'm sorry. I just — I couldn't let you face this alone. I had to do something to make sure he wasn't going to kill you."

I sighed, my anger melting away as I realized the depth of Rowan's love and devotion. Despite everything, he was willing to risk so much for me. I couldn't have asked for a better mate.

"I forgive you, Rowan. But promise me you'll never put yourself in harm's way like that again. I can take care of myself, and I'll always do my best to protect you."

Rowan nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. He wanted to hold me, but it wasn't possible. The police weren't patient.

"I promise, Diego. I trust you to keep us safe."

As the police escorted us out of the warehouse, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. Vincent was finally behind bars, and Rowan and I were safe, for now. But I knew Vincent's words rang true — the threat he posed was far from over. The cartel would not forget or forgive my betrayal.

As we were ushered into separate police cruisers, Rowan reached for my hand, his eyes coated with worry. "I love you, Diego. No matter what happens, remember that."

I squeezed his hand, my heart heavy with the knowledge of what lay ahead. "I love you too, Rowan. We'll get through this somehow. I know we will."

The cruiser doors closed, and as the vehicles pulled away, I watched Rowan's worried face until it was out of sight. I had no idea when we would see each other again. I only knew it would happen.

I was going to make sure it did.