Chapter 4 Burying the Facts

The morning sun filtered through the towering windows of Jose Colorado's estate, casting long shadows across the pristine marble floor. He sat in his private study, a cigar smoldering between his fingers as he listened to his guards' report.

"Nothing reaches the press," he said, his voice steady but carrying the weight of an unspoken threat. "Send a few of our men to the FBI headquarters. Make sure the superior understands that last night was a celebration,nothing more. If they know what's good for them, they'll make it disappear."

The guards nodded and swiftly exited, their polished shoes clicking against the floor as they left to fulfill their orders.

Jose leaned back in his chair, exhaling a slow stream of smoke. His empire had thrived on secrecy, and one messy event wouldn't change that.

A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.

Jenna stepped inside, her expression unreadable. "Miguel is in his room," she said, folding her arms. "Resting."

Jose scoffed, not bothering to look at her. "I don't care."

"You should," Jenna said, her voice laced with warning.

Jose finally turned his gaze to her, his dark eyes cold. "Keep your son in check, Jenna. I won't warn you again. If he becomes a problem, you'll regret it."

Jenna took a slow step forward, unshaken by his threat. "Try anything with Miguel, and I promise you,you'll be the one regretting it."

Jose chuckled, amused by her defiance. "You think you can protect him from me?"

Jenna's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "I know I can."

Jenna stood in front of Jose's desk, her arms crossed as she met his cold, calculating stare. The tension in the room was thick, neither willing to back down.

"Keep your son in check, Jenna," Jose said, his voice steady but laced with warning. "Or you'll have yourself to blame."

Jenna smirked, stepping closer. "Are you threatening me, Jose?"

His expression remained unreadable. "It's not a threat. It's a fact."

She chuckled darkly. "You seem to forget who I am. I was born into this world. I know how it works." Her gaze hardened. "Once a Mafia, always a Mafia."

Jose's jaw tightened. He knew Jenna wasn't just speaking to intimidate him-she meant every word.

"You may have built an empire, Jose, but don't make the mistake of thinking you can control me or my son," she continued. "You touch Miguel, and I will remind you exactly who you married."

Jose leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "Are you finished?"

Jenna tilted her head. "For now."

"Then get out of my office."

She held his gaze for a moment longer, then smirked. "Gladly."

As she turned to leave, Jose exhaled slowly, gripping the edge of his desk. Jenna was dangerous. And if she was willing to push back, it meant trouble was brewing.

Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving Jose alone with his thoughts.

---

The sterile white walls of the hospital room felt suffocating, but Letty refused to leave Giselle's side. She sat beside the bed, watching the slow rise and fall of her friend's chest. The sound of the machines beeping was steady, almost reassuring.

Mrs. Thompson had taken care of everything,the medical bills, the best doctors,but none of it erased the terror of last night.

A groggy murmur broke through the silence.

"Letty...?"

Letty jolted upright. "Giselle!"

Giselle's eyes fluttered open, a weak smile tugging at her lips despite the pain in her expression.

Letty grabbed her hand. "You scared the hell out of me."

Giselle let out a raspy chuckle. "You should see yourself right now."

Despite herself, Letty laughed. Then, her eyes softened. "Mrs. Thompson handled everything. You're going to be okay."

Before Giselle could respond, the door swung open, and a doctor stepped inside. He skimmed through the chart before looking at them.

"Ms. Giselle, you're lucky. The bullet didn't hit any major organs. You'll be discharged in a few days, but you need to rest."

Letty let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.

Giselle nodded weakly. "Thanks, Doc."

As the doctor left, Giselle squeezed Letty's hand. "What happened after I got shot?"

Letty's throat tightened. "Miguel was shot too. His guards took him away before I could see what happened next."

Giselle frowned. "Something isn't right, Letty. That attack wasn't random."

Letty nodded slowly. "I know. And I think Miguel knows something, too."

---

Across town, at the FBI headquarters, Agent Ryan leaned against the hood of his car, watching as a line of men in black suits exited the building.

"Jose's men," Captain Emma muttered beside him.

Ryan arched a brow. "You sound sure."

Emma let out a dry laugh. "Takes a professional to recognize another. You're not the only one digging, Ryan."

Ryan smirked, folding his arms. "Guess I should be flattered."

Emma's expression darkened. "There were multiple gunshots at that party. They're trying to bury it."

Ryan's smirk faded. "Of course they are. This is just another day for them."

Before Emma could respond, their superior, Meredith Marcia, walked towards them, her expression unreadable.

"Ryan," she said curtly. "A word."

Ryan exchanged a glance with Emma before following Meredith inside.

The office was bright, the atmosphere heavy with unspoken tension. Meredith sat behind her desk, folding her hands.

"You need to stop searching for what's not lost," she said smoothly.

Ryan frowned. "I don't follow."

Meredith's smile was tight. "Drop the Sanchez case. Walk away before you get yourself killed."

Ryan's pulse quickened. "Is that a warning?"

She leaned back. "It's a fact."

Ryan glanced at the two guards standing near the door,guards who weren't usually inside the office. They weren't just there for show.

Swallowing his frustration, he nodded. "Understood."

Meredith's expression eased. "Good."

With that, she stood and walked out, leaving Ryan alone with the weight of what had just happened.

He wasn't stupid.

Jose Colorado had just bought silence from the FBI.

And if he wasn't careful, his name would be the next one buried.