24. Matias

24

MATIAS

T his damn meeting is driving me crazy. Clenching my jaw, I glance down at my phone, checking the live feed from the cameras I have set up in the apartment. She's pacing back and forth, wringing her hands.

Thiago nudges me under the table, his eyes narrowing. "Brother, you need to pay attention. Suarez is getting impatient."

I sigh and force myself to look up, meeting the cold gaze of the man sitting across from us. "Sorry, I'm a little distracted."

Suarez leans forward, his thick brow furrowing. "There's no place for distractions in this line of work. You need to focus, or we'll lose everything we've built."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "You worry too much. We're not going to lose shit."

Beside me, Thiago shifts uncomfortably. "What Matias means is there's no need for concern. "

Suarez doesn't look convinced. "I'm worried about your brother's commitment." His gaze flicks to me. "I need to know that I can rely on you two."

I lean back in my chair. "Relax, Suarez. We've got this under control."

"Do you?" Suarez challenges. "Because from where I'm sitting, you're more interested in chasing tail than handling business."

The muscles in my jaw tighten, and I have to resist the urge to lash out. How does he even know about Kali? "Listen, you son of-"

Thiago cuts me off, placing a hand on my arm. "We're fully committed to this operation. You have our word."

Suarez studies us for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "See that you do. I don't need to remind you of what's at stake here."

My fingers clench into fists under the table, digging my nails into the palms of my hands. This is taking too long, and I need to get back to Kali.

The meeting drags on, and I can't be assed with this shit. Instead, I keep my attention on the live feed from my apartment. I can't shake the feeling that she needs me and is waiting for me to return.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, the meeting ends, and the others leave. I make my way out of the stuffy conference room with Thiago trailing behind me. The moment we're alone, he turns to me, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Where's Kali?" he asks. "Luna's been trying to get in touch with her, but she's not answering. What did you do?"

A twinge of annoyance hits me at his questioning. "She's safe," I growl. "I have her."

Thiago grabs my arm. "Matias, what the hell are you thinking? You can't kidnap her. This is going to cause problems with Luna and Alice. If Taren finds out?—"

I jerk my arm away, glaring at him. "I don't care about Taren. Kali is mine, and I'll do whatever I need to keep her by my side."

"But don't you see?" Thiago pleads, his voice laced with worry. "Your obsession with her is spiraling out of control. It's going to ruin everything."

Thiago's words hang heavy in the air between us. I can feel the annoyance bubbling inside me. I draw a deep breath, trying to reign in my temper. "Brother, you know I can't just let her go. She's special, different from the others. I need her."

He shakes his head. "Matias, this has gone too far. Locking her up without her phone? That's not right, and you know it. Let her return home."

I clench my jaw, the muscles in my neck tightening. "I can't do that."

Thiago places a hand on my shoulder. "Listen, little brother, we're in a new country now, a new city. We need to be careful and stay under the radar. Your erratic behavior will only draw attention to us, and that's the last thing we need right now."

He's right, of course. We can't afford to draw any unnecessary attention, not with Suarez and the rest of his goons breathing down our necks, but the thought of letting Kali go from my apartment it's almost too much to bear.

With a heavy sigh, I nod. "Alright, fine. I'll let her out and give her back her phone, but she's still staying with me."

Thiago's shoulders slump. "Okay, little brother. I guess that'll get Luna off my back. Just be careful, alright? We can't afford any more mistakes."

I nod, already turning to head toward my car. "Don't worry, Thiago. I've got this under control."

Walking, I can feel the familiar thrill of the hunt coursing through my veins. Kali will be free to leave, but she'll never truly be free of me.