Images surged through Yellows' mind like lightning bolts as he recalled the deafening gunshots and the sickening crunch of metal as the vehicle he was driving flipped a couple of times and careened off the road, crashing into a post. In the haze of disorientation, Gallows emerged as a shield, protecting him as he was dragged from the wreckage.
Dazed and battered, Yellows had no intentions of playing the hero for Olivia who was bound in the backseat. She was the 'package' Alejandro wanted him to move to another area. The betrayal she had orchestrated against Jasmine was a bitter pill to swallow, and when Matteo's henchmen seized her, Yellows offered no resistance. He watched with cold detachment as they whisked Olivia away, her fate sealed by her own treachery.
The unexpected collision with Matteo's forces was a major cause for concern. They had never crossed paths before, had respected each other from afar. Why now? And why Olivia?
He didn't have much time to think about it as Gallows ushered him into another vehicle. The air crackled with tension as they sped away from the wreckage, and the sirens. Before Yellows could make sense of the situation, he was struck over the head, and a sinister darkness swallowed him whole.
As Yellows' eyes fluttered open, irony gripped him as he found himself bound to a chair in the very room he had interrogated and brutalized countless men and women.
The echoes of his own ruthless actions resonated through the cold walls, a haunting reminder that the wheel of fate had come full circle, placing him in the vulnerable position he had once revelled in inflicting upon others.
When he looked across the room, his eyes locked onto Alejandro's, which was contorted with anger. Alejandro quickly closed the gap, his fists connecting with Yellows' already battered frame.
"You thought you could take her from me? Kitten is mine! You had no right!" Each word was punctuated by a brutal blow.
Yellows struggled against the restraints, his head snapping to the side as a fist slammed into his jaw. He spat blood, coughing, but his glare remained defiant.
"You..." another blow cut him off, forcing a grunt from his throat. He gasped and snarled, "You never deserved her!"
A punch to the ribs stole his breath, but he pushed through the pain.
"I...loved her from...the moment I saw her," he rasped, spitting more blood. His vision blurred, but he kept his voice steady. "And you...stole her...from me!"
Yellows glanced to the corner where Gallows observed the brutal scene, his expression revealing nothing.
Alejandro's lips curled into a snarl, his eyes burning with fury. "You think I married Kitten out of love?" He let out a dark, mocking laugh. "I married her to own her. To break her. She's my bitch, my property, mine to use, ruin, and toss aside however the fuck I want!"
Alejandro stepped back, his chest heaving, as he glared down at Yellows.
"You betrayed me...for a bitch." His voice dripped with venom. "Twenty-five fucking years of loyalty, gone."
He drove his fist into Yellows' face again, the sickening crunch of bone echoing through the room. Blood splattered, and Alejandro grabbed Yellows by the jaw, forcing him to look up, then spat in his face.
"And once something is mine…it stays mine. Always."
He pulled out his gun, flicking off the safety with a deadly click.
Yellows didn't flinch. He knew Gallows would put a bullet in Alejandro first. It would make things harder for them to escape, but not impossible.
Just then, the door burst open.
"Boss!" Dante rushed in, breathless. "Three more of our container yards just went up!"
"Fuck!" Alejandro bellowed, rage contorting his face. He turned sharply to Gallows.
"Guard this piece of shit with your life. I'll kill him when I return."
Without another glance, Alejandro stormed out with Dante, slamming the door behind him.
Gallows pushed off from against the wall, his eyes narrowing with concern as he approached Yellows who winced in pain.
"Boss, how are you holding up?"
Yellows managed a strained nod. "I'll survive," he grunted. "How did he know about Kitten and me?"
"Olivia informed him while she was here."
Yellows inhaled deeply as he felt anger surge through his veins. He couldn't mull over spilt milk, they needed to speed things up.
"Is everything in place to set off the rest of his Los Angeles properties?"
Yellows knew it was a long shot, but he didn't care. He was going to burn Alejandro's entire Los Angeles empire to the ground in twenty-four hours. That meant he had twelve to get Jasmine and Kitten out of the country, and make damn sure Alejandro never touched them again.
Gallows nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, it's all set. But there's something you need to know." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, "Jasmine is missing. A group of men wiped out our men at the safe house. They appeared to be some kind of military. We have no intel on who they are or who they're working for."
A growl of frustration escaped Yellows' lips, his eyes flashing with anger. "Damn it! We can't afford any more complications. Find her, Gallows, and find her fast. We need to make sure Kitten and Jazzy are safe before we proceed."
Gallows nodded. "I'll get on it right away. But, Boss, you look like hell. Maybe we should delay the plan until you're in better shape."
Yellows, gritting his teeth against the pain, shook his head. "No. We've come too far to back down now. Just find Jazzy and keep me posted. I need to know they're safe. With Matteo and this new gang in the mix, we need to get this done and quickly!"
As Gallows disappeared through the door to carry out his orders, Yellows let his head fall back against the chair, eyes fluttering shut. Blood dripped from his split lip, each breath dragging pain through his ribs.
The door eased open. Yellows, barely conscious, strained to focus on the newcomer.
Bruno.
"Boss, you look like you've been through a meat grinder."
Yellows managed a weak smirk, his words slurred, "It's been a long day, Bruno. A long fucking day." With that, his world tilted into a peaceful darkness.
But, the peace was short-lived.
Searing agony exploded across Yellows' left cheek, jolting him awake as a raw, guttural scream tore from his throat.
The stench of burning flesh thickened the air, choking him. His vision swam with pain as he writhed against the restraints.
Alejandro towered over him, a branding iron in one hand, his lips curling into a twisted smile as he pulled the glowing metal away.
Yellows panted, his body trembling from shock, sweat dripping down his face. His voice came out ragged. "You can't break me, Alejandro."
"Oh, I don't want to break you, Yellows," Alejandro murmured, his voice laced with cruel amusement. "I want you to live every second of your betrayal."
He paused, "I thought about it...and death would be mercy, and you don't deserve mercy."
Alejandro leaned in closer, his expression hardening. "And when we find Kitten…she'll pay in ways you can't even imagine."
Alejandro's eyes flared with anger. "Marriage is for better or worse, in sickness and in health, till death do you part. That's the only way she's leaving me…in death!"
Yellows struggled against his restraints, the ropes digging into his skin as he tried to break free. Alejandro laughed, a cruel sound that sent shivers down Yellows' spine.
"Don't worry, Yellows. You'll get to see Kitten one last time before we eventually send you to the lake like all the others."
Just then, Hunn entered the room, his broad grin spread across his face. "We know where McKenzie is," he announced.
Yellows looked at Hunn in disbelief.
Alejandro's face lit up with a sinister grin. "I'm coming for you, wifey. I hope you're ready."
Alejandro looked over Yellows' head. "Bruno, Dante, stay with him."
"Yes, Boss."
With that, Alejandro left. Yellows sagged in the chair struggling to shove back the darkness that threatened to overtake him.