Chapter 48

As soon as I saw his name, a flood of memories rushed back, almost as if they had been waiting to be unleashed. I had been just a child when that kidnapping happened, thrown into chaos with a group of other frightened children, each of us clinging to whatever hope we could muster. Garcia had been one of them. But he was different. I could still remember the way he whispered to me, his eyes sharp and filled with determination. "I'll get us out of here. Just follow me." Garcia had been quick-witted, smart in ways that left even the adults in awe. I watched as he set his plan into motion. And against all odds, he got us out. He was the reason I was free from those kidnappers. We became friends, and the bond between us grew with time. Over the years, our lives took different turns, but our connection never wavered. Garcia went on to inherit his Godfather's empire, rising to power within the mafia world and becoming the king of the underworld. But he was still my best friend. The buzz of my