Burn Loot

Chapter 9

Wealth and power radiated in every corner of Sanchez’s grand hall, but to Elena, it felt like a gilded prison.Alejandro hosts another extravagant party, a well calculated display of his control over her fate. Her father,Capello,lingered near the bar,  silent reminder of his betrayal looms as he avoids her gaze.

Alejandro was already behind  Elena who tried to disappear into the crowd. “Enjoying the  night?”His voice, smooth yet laced with menace, sent a chill through her. 

She turned away, but his grip tightened around her wrist. “Don’t walk away from me.”

“I don’t belong to you.” She yanked free, her pulse pounding.

His eyes darkened. “You will. Accept it, or I’ll make you.”

Before she could react, she spotted Dino.

Dino’s Silent Fury

Dino stood at the edge of the room, his presence commanding even in the shadows. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with quiet rage as he locked onto Alejandro.

Alejandro hesitated, loosening his grip. Even he feared Dino.

Dino’s voice was calm but sharp. “The lady said no.”

Alejandro scoffed but stepped back, his smirk fading.

Before tension could escalate, Sanchez entered. The room fell silent. His gaze swept over them before settling on Dino. “Causing trouble?”

Dino remained still. “Just looking out for the family.”

Sanchez chuckled darkly. “How noble.” His hand clapped Alejandro’s back. “My son can handle himself.”

Turning to Dino, he murmured, “Strength without power is useless. Challenge Alejandro again, and the consequences will be beyond you.”

Dino’s jaw clenched, but he held his silence.

As Sanchez walked away, Alejandro lingered, grinning. Then he followed.

Elena exhaled shakily.

Dino turned to her. “Are you okay?”

She nodded, though her hands trembled.

“Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

A Moment of Peace—Shattered

Dino led Elena to a secluded balcony overlooking the courtyard.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

He leaned against the railing. “You don’t have to thank me.”

She studied him. “You keep standing up to him.”

“I always will.”

A long silence stretched between them before she asked, “Then why do you stay?”

Dino’s grip tightened on the railing. “Because I won’t leave you to face this alone.”

Elena’s breath hitched, but before she could respond—

Gunfire ripped through the night.

Dino moved instantly, shielding her. Below, masked men spilled from a black SUV, rifles raised.

“Get inside,” he ordered.

A bullet shattered a nearby window.

“Dino—”

“Now!” He pulled her inside as alarms blared.

Sanchez’s guards scrambled, but Dino didn’t wait for orders. He grabbed a fallen guard’s gun and took position at the entrance.

Alejandro stormed into the hall. “What the hell is happening?”

Dino ignored him. The intruders were already inside. Rivals? Assassins? It didn’t matter.

He fired. One man dropped.

The second spun, shooting wildly.

Dino ducked, his movements precise. He fired again. Another collapsed.

Sanchez’s men finally retaliated, forcing the attackers back.

Alejandro was nowhere to be seen.

Dino reloaded, scanning for Elena. She was crouched behind cover, gripping a pistol from a fallen guard. Good. She wasn’t defenseless.

A commanding voice barked from outside. “¡Vámonos! Fall back!”

The attackers dragged their wounded, retreating into the SUV.

Silence fell. Then, sirens.

Sanchez stormed in, fury in his eyes.

“Who were they?” Alejandro demanded.

No one answered.

Sanchez’s gaze flicked to Dino, suspicion evident.

Dino met his stare, unflinching.

This wasn’t random. Someone was sending a message.

And Sanchez wasn’t sure if it was meant for him—or Dino.

Earlier That Night

Neon lights pulses the city as Elena sprinted through darkened streets, breath ragged. A relentless Alejandro was behind her .

She is running barefoot, ignoring the sting of asphalt.She tore of heels as it slowed her down.

She ducked into an alley, pressing against the cold brick wall. Had she lost him?

Then—footsteps.

“Elena…” Alejandro’s voice was taunting. “You don’t think you can actually get away, do you?”

Heart pounding, she looked up. A rusted fire escape.

She climbed, arms burning.

Alejandro turned the corner, eyes scanning. Then—he looked up.

“Elena,” he called, his smile sharpening.

She scrambled faster.

A gunshot rang out. The bullet struck inches from her hand.

Alejandro lowered his gun, smirking. “That was a warning, princesa.”

Elena ignored him. She reached the rooftop, legs trembling, but stopped short.

The gap to the next building was too wide.

Trapped.

The rooftop door burst open. One of Alejandro’s men stepped out, gun raised.

Elena braced herself. She would fight.

Then—a flash of movement.

The thug grunted, staggering forward. A hand clamped over his mouth before dragging him into the shadows.

Dino.

Elena’s breath caught.

He emerged, dark eyes locking onto hers.

“Elena,” his voice tight. “Come with me.”

She didn’t hesitate.

Dino took her hand, leading her toward another fire escape. They climbed down swiftly, vanishing into the night.

Back on the rooftop, Alejandro stood at the edge, watching them disappear.

He licked his bloodied lip, eyes gleaming.

“She thinks she’s safe with him,” he murmured.

A slow, wicked smile spread across his face.

“Let’s show her just how wrong she is.