Chapter 2 Hidden In Shadows

Sanchez stepped out of the Escalade limousine and walked straight to where the boys were awaiting his arrival for his instructions. Tied to a chair and blindfolded was a man in his forties with blood stains all over his body, evident of the severe torture he has undergone.

"Has he spoken yet?" Sanchez asked, signaling for a cigar smoke. " He is still proving stubborn, Adrian spoke; he is the top henchman of Sanchez's echelon of hoodlums.

"Remove the blindfold," Sanchez ordered the boys. "You think you can double-cross me, you nitwit?" he asked, pointing his walking stick at the man sitting under their torture. "Are you ready to speak to save your life?" Sanchez asked, stooping low to give him a lower gaze.

The man spat at Sanchez's face; immediately, his boys began another round of beatings as he began coughing blood. While the boys were still at it, a call came through for Sanchez. "Have you seen the whole package"?,he asked the caller before ending the call.

"Adrian, you can dispose of him as dead; we have gotten the tons and money back. Meet me at the subway when you are done with this bin of trash." he ordered as he made his way out.

The subway was outside the city of Genoa, facing the river with an echo of cool breeze blowing across. Sanchez, standing facing the river while puffing the cigarette, looked on as the boys arranged the tons of cocaine in the bag and stashed the wads of dollar notes in briefcases. Sanchez turned around to see how the boys had rounded up their exercise; he headed into the car as they all, in their droves, drove out of the space.

The sun bathes the courtyard in a golden hue, as Alejandro's laughter rang through the open space as he kicked a worn leather ball, his small feet scuffling against the ground. His mother sat under the growing oak tree, watching him with great admiration. There is a soothing contrast from under the soothing leaves compared to her son's playful energy, with a glimpse of wistfulness glaring in her eyes..

A convoy of sleek, black cars rolled past the giant iron gates, with the tinted windows making the men inside hidden. The vehicles gradually came to a halt in front of the villa, with a deafening silence bearing an aura of authority.

Alejandro's attention was caught, with his small arms wrapping around the ball as he looked on at the thrilling scene unfolding before him. His mother instinctively rose to her feet,with a sharpened gaze. The air shifts with a thicken unspoken anticipation.

Sanchez emerged from the lead car as the door opened.

Decked in a dark, designed tailored suit, he with an audacious command of power and authority, how the world shifts at his mere presence.The courtyard hallowed his presence with glistering of his polished shoes by sunlight,he adjusts the cuffs of his shirt with tenacity. His face had an unreadable expression leaving a cold feeling with no room for warmth.

In a split second Alejandro sprang into action.

"Papá!" His voice brought ease to the atmosphere that was getting tensed up.

Sanchez with a slightly curved lip caught Alejandro mid-air, lifting him swiftly before settling him down, with a gentle but firm grip.

Alejandro's mother had stepped forward too,but couldn't name what had drawn her.. Her hands clutching her fabrics with clenched fist hoping to be acknowledged by her husband.

He didn't even give her a glance.

It was not the first time and it would not be the last.

She swallowed, the flicker of hurt meeting with a lump in her throat with an undertone of pain,mirroring her non-existence in the face of her husband.

Sanchez, walking along with his son's hand in his, finally spoke.

"I see you've been playing football, Chapo," he said, ruffling Alejandro's dark hair gently.

Alejandro giggled, clutching his father's fingers like he will never let it go.

Following closely is his mother whose presence has become unnoticed.

She exhaled softly with her gaze still lingering on the space she once stood before the arrival of her

husband whose presence had melted the joy blooming in her heart.

Young Dino just woke up and was crying in the room, the old nanny Mara went in to bring him out,he went into the open arms of the mother."I think he is hungry" she said looking at Mara "get him his food".Mara took Dino and heads to the pantry for his food.

Celia was watching her youngest son being led to be fed in the pantry, had a lump in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes.Sanchez was standing right behind her with murderous looks on as he watched Dino being led by Mara.

"You startled me," Celia said as she stylishy wiped her eyes."I didn't realize that," Sanchez said, lifting her face to have a proper look at her Celia felt a cold chill down her spine as a mere touch leaves a scary crawl on her skin.

"I'm awaiting the day you would tell me what I need to know" He snorted at her. "I don't know what you are talking about" she replied as she fought back her tears. "With time I promise, you will know" Sanchez replied with a wry smile and walked away.

Celia walked to her room wiping her tears, she brought out a box she hid in a secret drawer and saw the picture of a young man.She touched the frame before her,as her little cry turned into wailing.She heard the door of her room opening slowly,she hurriedly kept the picture in the box and hid it under her bed.

She saw Alejandro walk towards her "Mama why are you crying" he asked; she couldn't mutter any word she just drew him close for an embrace.Turning to look at her son,"promise me you will always take care of your brother Dino" she said looking at his eyes carefully as if she was searching for an answer.

Alejandro tilted his head, confused. Take care of Dino? His mother's voice trembled, her grip tightening around him.

"Promise me, mi amor," she whispered, desperation seeping into her tone.

"I-I promise," Alejandro said, though he didn't understand why her words felt so heavy.

Celia exhaled shakily, brushing his hair back. But before she could speak again-

A distant thud.

The sound came from the hallway.

She stiffened. Alejandro did, too.

Another thud. Closer this time.

Then-

A baby's cry.

Dino.

Celia spun toward the door. The nursery was down the hall, but something felt wrong.

The cry grew louder, more urgent.

Alejandro clutched her arm. "Mama?"

Celia took a slow step forward, heart pounding.

The nursery door creaked open.

A shadow moved inside.

Someone was in there.

She barely had time to react before-

The crying stopped.