Chapter 80: Chapter 11

UNKNOWN

They’re oblivious to the fact that I’ve been observing them for years. I’ve been watching their every move, every step they take, while I quietly build my empire in the shadows. They have no idea that I survived the attack, that I changed my name to stay hidden until the right moment.

When I was shot, my guards whisked me out of the house and into hiding. I’ve always had people watching my back, but I’ve played the part of the naive one.

I learned long ago not to trust family, as they always find a way to betray you. They will pay for everything they’ve taken from me and my family! They’ve ruined my life and taken everyone I care about!

I will bring them down with the empire I’ve built and reclaim the empire that was rightfully ours to begin with! I watch and wait patiently as they prepare to leave the condo complex. They have no idea how many of my men I’ve positioned to execute my plan!

I send a text to my men giving them the green light and in an instant, they’ve hit their car. I quickly drive up, my men jump in my car, and I drive off. One down.

Moments later, I receive a text that targets two and three have been taken down in the same unfortunate accident. A two-for-one deal. It makes things easier for me.

Now we wait for target number four to leave their business building. They should have never messed with my family because now I’m on a mission! To bring them down and end them for good!

Now we just wait!

EVA

When we’re hit, I’m barely conscious. My head is throbbing and I’m struggling to gather enough energy to figure out what’s happening! I see Caden, unconscious with blood coming from his head, slumped over the steering wheel.

I fumble to grab my phone, scrolling through my contacts to call Nate, but there’s no answer. I manage to call Jessie who picks up, barely coherent, saying they were also hit and are bleeding badly. I hang up and call Jace.

“Hey Mom, what’s up!”

“Jace, listen to me and listen carefully! Someone is out to get us! Your father and I have been hit in an accident. Nate and Jessie too. They’ve all been hit by cars. I know you’re at the building, do not leave! They’re probably looking for you! Go to the basement!

“No Mom, I’m on my way!”

“Jace, damn it, listen to me! Go to the basement! Do not leave that fucking building!”

“But Mom!”

“Jace! I swear on everything, please do not leave that building! We are fine, just stay safe! The moment they leave, they’ll be waiting to take you out. I’m begging you, go and keep everyone safe. I’ll call once I figure out what’s going on.”

“Okay, Mom! I’m going down with Cami and everyone right now!”

I struggle to type out a text and hit send, sending it to everyone!

Eva

There has been an attack against the family. Guard everyone!’

I hold the phone, trying to rouse Caden to respond to me. I’m not having any luck when my door is flung open and I scream. I can make out someone standing there asking if we’re okay?

They say the ambulance is almost here. I look over, tears falling, asking anyone about Caden. I hear the door open on Caden’s side and someone says that he still has a pulse.

I start crying, praying we make it through this. Who would do this? What enemies do we even have left? I just sit there and before long, I can hear the sirens and the paramedics have arrived.

Niko and Tony come running up. They talk to me, comforting me, as I’m slowly taken out of the car and loaded into an ambulance. I keep asking about Caden, begging one of them to stay with him so I can get updates.

Who the fuck hit us? I don’t understand? I hear the sirens wailing as we head to the hospital. Nico is with me, getting updates and barking orders through the phone.

We never planned for what would happen if the family goes down. We never thought something like this would happen. We deal with all our enemies and try to keep the peace.

The only time we’re all together is at the mansion. Never outside of it at the same time because it would be too easy to do. I look over at Niko when he hangs up the phone and looks at me.

“Caden?”

“Still unconscious, Eva. Jace is handling business from the basement. Guards are guarding the building and a group is making rounds around the surrounding block.

“They found a car with a couple of people in it. They couldn’t explain why they were there and tried to take off but were quickly blocked. They were quickly disarmed and are currently in custody and being taken to the basement.”

“I gotta go! I need answers!”

“No, Eva, get checked out first! Jace can handle it!”

“Niko, please, I can’t lose anyone!”

“Eva, I know, love! We won’t! Not anyone else!”

I let the tears flow while I wait to get to the hospital. Niko just holds my hand, rubbing it, trying his best to keep me calm. The time seems to take forever but before I know it, we’ve arrived.

The doors fly open as I’m quickly unloaded and taken to a room. Medical personnel are running around me, trying to assess my injuries, when all I want is to get to Caden! The doctor comes in and says they want to keep me for observation.

“No! I am not staying to be watched! My guards can do that shit!”

I need to know about Caden and how he is! If I’m fine, I’m leaving because I need to handle business. He of course objects but I don’t give a shit!

Someone is out there trying to take down my family and I’m going to put a stop to it! I scream for him to discharge me now! He quickly gives me the paperwork so I can sign myself out!

I take Niko and slowly walk by Caden’s room where Tony is sitting. I open the door, telling him to stay because I have business to take care of. I walk down further and see Nate and Jessie, both unconscious.

I quickly walk out, getting in the car with Niko driving to the basement. When I arrive, I see armed guards everywhere. I take a deep breath while a few rush the SUV to help me get out.

I slowly exit the SUV, seeing some relief on everyone’s face that I’m up and walking. I make my way inside, heading downstairs to the basement. I will get to the bottom of this shit!

When I enter the basement, Jace, Cami, Mandy, and Jocelyn come running up, hugging me. I quickly give them a hug because I’m on a mission.

“I need your gun, Jace! I have to figure out who’s behind this shit!”

Jace pulls his gun from its holster and hands it to me. I stride into the holding room, my heart pounding in my chest. Two men are tied up in the room, and as they lift their heads to look at me, their faces turn pale.

~That’s right, you bastards. Bet you didn’t think I’d make it out alive.~ I think to myself, a grim smile playing on my lips. I march over to them, getting right in their faces and letting out a scream that echoes off the walls.

“Who are you working for?” I demand, my voice echoing in the room.

Their eyes dart to each other, then back to me. I step closer, pressing the cold barrel of the gun against the forehead of the first man.

“Who are you working for?” I repeat, my voice a deadly whisper.

Tears start to trickle down his face as I lean in, our noses almost touching.

“Tell me! Who are you working for?”

“Verona Morales,” he stammers out.

“Who the hell is that?” I ask, my voice rising in frustration.

“You backstabbing—” he starts, but I cut him off.

Before he can finish his sentence, I swing the gun toward the other man and pull the trigger. The sound of the gunshot echoes in the room, and the man in front of me flinches, his eyes wide with fear.

“You might know her by her old name, Veronica Ortiz,” he says, his voice trembling.

I step back, pulling up a chair and sitting down. ~You’ve got to be kidding me.~ I think, my mind reeling. I never thought I’d hear that name again.

“Wasn’t she killed by her son, Ricardo?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

“No, he shot her, but she survived. She escaped from the house,” he replies.

“Where is she now?”

“She has an estate. I can give you the address. I never wanted to be a part of this, but I didn’t have a choice,” he says, his voice filled with regret.

“Well, until I can verify everything and blow her brains out, you’re staying here,” I tell him, my voice cold.

I get the information I need and Niko and I quickly make our way up to the main floor. I start barking orders, calling for every guard we have. We’re going to hit an address and send scouts ahead to make sure she’s there.

This ends today. That bitch is going down for good. No one—let me repeat that for the slow ones in the back—no one messes with the Maxwells.

I turn around and see Jace standing there, surrounded by the other girls who look terrified. I take a deep breath, knowing what I have to do.

“Jace, whatever happens, stay in the basement. Do not—I repeat, do not—leave. Not until I tell you it’s safe,” I tell him, my voice firm.