As I stand in this godforsaken alley, my patience wears thin, like a frayed rope on the edge of snapping. Juan's late again, playing his damn games as usual. Dealing with scum like him comes with the territory, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. My muscles tense up, ready for whatever comes next.

Finally, Juan's sorry excuse for a van rolls into view, and I bite back a curse at the sight of him. That slimy bastard always rubs me the wrong way, but his connections are too damn useful to ignore. Besides, we needed the extra guns.

"About damn time, Juan," I growl, my voice dripping with disdain as he steps out of the van.

Nico "Raven" DeLuca emerges from the shadows, his presence as imposing as ever. His brown eyes lock onto mine, a silent understanding passing between us. He's got my back, always has, always will. Clad in black from head to toe, he's like a damn shadow, blending into the darkness without a sound.

Max "Shadow" Blackwood lurks nearby, his brooding gaze fixed on Juan with a hint of contempt. He's itching for action, I can tell. Dressed in leather like some kind of wannabe badass, he adds an extra layer of intimidation to our little gathering. Max, my right-hand man, the one I trust with my life. He's got a loyalty that runs deeper than blood, and I know he'd die for me without a second thought.

Juan's smirk is like a slap in the face, but I swallow my pride. "Relax, Dominic, you know I always deliver the goods."

I grunt in response, cutting through the bullshit. Pleasantries with scum like him are a waste of breath.

But when Juan swings open the back of his van, my blood runs cold. There she is, the most beautiful creature I'd ever seen, bound and gagged like some helpless prey. Fury boils up inside me, threatening to consume everything in its path.

"What the hell is this, Juan?" I snarl, barely containing my rage.

Juan's grin widens, a sickening glint in his eyes. "Just a little self bonus, Dominic. She's for me." He runs his hand over her thigh, and I see red. That's it. I've had enough of this shit.

My fists clench at my sides, my mind racing. Juan isn't just a human trafficker; he's a sick fuck who gets off on this shit. He plans to keep her for himself, like some kind of sick trophy. Well, not on my watch.

Locking eyes with Juan, I send a silent warning his way. This deal just got a whole lot more complicated, and Juan's gonna regret crossing me like this.

"How much?" I hiss, my gaze flickering between Juan, Nico, and Max. We're like a pack of wolves, circling our prey, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Juan chuckles, his eyes glinting with amusement as he leans casually against the van. "Easy there, Dominic," he says, his voice oozing with false charm. "You know the price for this kind of merchandise ain't cheap. But for you, my friend, I'll make a special deal." He flashes a greedy grin, clearly enjoying the power he holds in this situation. "Let's talk numbers, shall we?" I narrow my eyes at Juan, a simmering rage bubbling beneath the surface. "Don't play games with me, Juan," I growl, my voice low and dangerous. "You know damn well what I'm willing to pay. Don't push your luck."

Juan's smirk falters slightly, a hint of unease flashing across his face before he quickly masks it with a cocky grin. "Alright, alright, no need to get all worked up," he says, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "We can work something out, Dominic. Just gotta make sure we're both happy with the deal, you know?"

I resist the urge to knock that smug look off his face. Instead, I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. I can't let him see how much this situation is getting to me. Not yet, anyway.

"Fine," I say through gritted teeth, my tone dripping with disdain. "But let's make it quick. I've got better things to do than haggle with scum like you." I shoot a glance at Nico and Max, silently signaling them to keep their cool. They're itching for action, I can tell, but now's not the time. We've got a deal to close, and then we can deal with Juan however we see fit.

Nico's steely gaze never wavers, his presence a silent reassurance at my side. Max's jaw clenches tight, his fists balled up in barely contained fury. I know they've got my back, just like I've got theirs.

Turning back to Juan, I narrow my eyes, my voice laced with a warning. "You know the deal, Juan. Deliver the goods, and we'll make it worth your while. But cross me again, and you'll regret it."

Juan's smirk fades, replaced by a look of begrudging respect. "You drive a hard bargain, Dominic," he mutters, his tone begrudgingly acknowledging my authority. "But you know I always come through in the end."

I give him a curt nod, a silent dismissal. "Good. Now let's get this over with." With that, I turn on my heel, my gang falling into step behind me as we head towards Juan's van to finalize the deal. With a nod from Juan, his lackeys step forward, untying the girl and hauling her out of the van. She stumbles, her eyes wide with fear, but I step forward, catching her before she falls.

"Easy there," I murmur, my voice a low rumble of reassurance. "You're safe now."

She looks up at me, her eyes locking onto mine with a mixture of relief and uncertainty. I can see the questions swirling in her mind, but now's not the time for explanations. Right now, we need to get her out of here before Juan changes his mind.

Nico and Max flank us, their presence a silent shield as we make our way out of the alley. I can feel the tension in the air, the anticipation of what's to come, but I push it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

As we reach the mouth of the alley, I glance back one last time, locking eyes with Juan. There's a silent understanding between us, a recognition of the lines that have been drawn. He may have crossed me today, but this isn't over. Not by a long shot.

As we exit the alley, I motion for the girl to join me on my Ducati. With a reassuring nod, she tentatively climbs onto the back, wrapping her arms around my waist as I rev the engine to life. The roar of the bike echoes through the narrow streets, drowning out any lingering doubts or fears.

Max and Nico fall into formation behind us, their own bikes rumbling in tandem as we make our way back to our hideout. The wind whips past us, carrying with it the scent of gasoline and freedom as we cut through the night.

I steal a glance at the girl behind me, her grip tight but her expression one of quiet determination. She's been through hell, but she's still holding on, still fighting to survive. And I'll be damned if I let anyone take that away from her.

As we reach the outskirts of the city, the imposing silhouette of our hideout comes into view. It's a welcome sight, a beacon of safety in a sea of chaos. I guide the Ducati through the maze of alleyways until we reach the entrance, where Max and Nico stand guard, ready to defend our turf.

We dismount, and I lead the girl inside, a sense of protectiveness washing over me. She may be a stranger, but she's under our protection now, and I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.

"Welcome home," I say, my voice softer than usual as I usher her into the safety of our hideout. "You're with family now."