38. Matias

38

MATIAS

I pace back and forth, my mind racing as Thiago briefs the men on the situation with Kali's abduction. Rage courses through my veins at the thought of that traitorous snake Suarez laying a finger on her.

"We need to find her, and fast," I growl, slamming my fist onto the table. "If he's harmed even a hair on her head, I'll tear him apart with my bare hands."

The men shift uneasily. Thiago gives me a warning look, silently urging me to control my emotions.

"Jose," he says, turning to one of our most trusted lieutenants stateside. "You know Suarez better than anyone. Where would he take a hostage like Kali?"

Jose strokes his chin. "Knowing Suarez, he'd want to keep her somewhere isolated, away from prying eyes. Somewhere he could... handle her without interruption."

A chill runs down my spine at his implication, and I feel my hands curling into fists. The mere thought of that piece of shit touching Kali is enough to make my vision go red.

"Think, man," Thiago presses. "Any locations come to mind? Safe houses, abandoned buildings, anything?"

Jose's eyes light up. "There's an old warehouse on the outskirts of town. Suarez used to use it for interrogations back in the day. It has solid concrete walls and no windows, perfect for keeping things quiet."

Of course, that slimy bastard would take her somewhere like that.

"That's it," I growl, already reaching for my gun. "Gear up, men. We'll pay Suarez a little visit and get my girl back."

The men spring into action, loading up on weapons and ammunition. Thiago catches my arm, his expression grave.

"We'll get her back," he says. "But you need to keep your head straight, little brother, you hear me? Don't let your anger cloud your judgment."

I meet his gaze, my jaw clenched. "I'm in control and do whatever it takes to bring Kali home safe. Suarez won't know what hit him."

With that, I strap on a bulletproof vest, the weight of it comforting. This is what I was born for—the thrill of the hunt, the rush of battle. As I load my machine gun, checking the ammunition with a practiced hand, my thoughts drift to Kali.

That motherfucker, Suarez, has made the biggest mistake of his miserable life by taking her. He's awoken a rage in me that won't be sated until I've painted the walls with his blood.

A low growl escapes my throat at the thought of his filthy hands on her. She's mine—my little rabbit, my reason for living. Anyone who tries to take her from me will suffer a fate worse than death.

"Matias." Thiago's gruff voice cuts through my dark reverie. "It's time to move out."

I nod, grabbing my gun and following him to the waiting van. The others are already piling in, a grim determination etched onto their faces.

The van rumbles to life, and we peel out onto the empty streets, the warehouse our destination. My fingers tap out a restless rhythm on the butt of my rifle as I go over every possible scenario in my mind. Suarez is a dead man walking—that much is certain. But how many of his lackeys will I need to cut through to get to him? How much of their blood will I need to spill before I can sink my teeth into that traitorous bastard's throat?

The van hits a pothole, jarring me from my thoughts. Thiago shoots me a sidelong glance, sensing the tension radiating off me in waves.

"Easy, little brother," he mutters under his breath. "Don't lose yourself before we get there."

I grunt in response, forcing my grip to loosen on the gun. He's right—I need to keep my wits about me if I'm going to get Kali back in one piece. Suarez won't know what hit him, but I can't let my rage blind me, not when her life is at stake.

Squaring my shoulders, I take a slow, steady breath. Kali's face swims before my eyes—her smile, her laugh, how she looks at me when we're fucking. She's my world, my everything.

Gripping my gun tighter, I let a feral grin spread across my face as the warehouse looms into view.

Showtime.

We all jump out of the van, and the men follow my lead. I kick down the warehouse door, machine gun blazing. Suarez's men scatter like cockroaches, taking cover behind crates and machinery. Too little, too late.

"Come out, you cowards!" I roar, squeezing the trigger in a hail of bullets. "Where is she?"

One of them tries to make a break for the exit, but Thiago cuts him down with a well-placed shot to the leg. The man crumples, screaming in agony.

"Search everywhere," Thiago barks at the men. "Leave no corner unchecked!"

I advance deeper into the warehouse, stepping over bodies and shell casings. My heart races in my ears, fueled by a blind, primal rage.

Where's my little rabbit?

The gunfire dies down, leaving only the echoes of pained groans in its wake. One by one, my men confirm the same thing—Kali isn't here. There's only Suarez's hired muscle.

A red haze clouds my vision as the realization hits me. He's taken her somewhere else. I grip my gun so tightly my knuckles turn white, fighting the urge to put a bullet in every last one of these miserable bastards' skulls .

"Boss," Jose calls out, dragging one of Suarez's men before me. "Maybe this one can tell us something. He seems to be in charge."

The man crouches at my feet, his face a mask of terror. I yank him up by his collar, getting right in his face.

"Where is she?" I snarl, spittle flying. "Where is Suarez keeping the girl?"

He shakes his head frantically, his eyes wide with fear. "I don't know, I swear! Suarez didn't tell us anything!"

Growling, I slam him back against the concrete floor. He gasps for air as I plant my boot on his throat, slowly applying pressure.

"You're going to tell me where they took her," I hiss, my voice laced with venom. "Right now, before I remove pieces of you with my knife."

The man chokes, clawing at my boot. I lean in closer, baring my teeth like a rabid animal.

"Maybe I'll start with those fingers of yours," I murmur, reaching for my knife. "Or would you prefer I go straight for the family jewels? Because I can promise you, I'll be cutting them off if you don't speak."

Tears stream down the man's face as I press the blade against his fingertip. Jose and the others watch in silence, knowing better than to intervene when the wolf is this close to tasting blood.

"P-please..." the man gasps. "I don't know anything. I swear on my mother's grave!"

I pause briefly, searching his face for any hint of deception. Then, with a flick of my wrist, I slice off the tip of his finger.

The scream that tears from his throat is like music to my ears. I grab a fistful of his hair, pulling his head back to expose his throat.

"That was just an appetizer, you piece of filth," I snarl. "Start talking, or the next one comes off at the knuckle."

The man babbles incoherently, his words lost in a torrent of anguished cries. A cruel smile twists my lips as I hold the blade up to the light, examining the crimson droplets that stain the metal.

"Have it your way, then."

I grip the trembling man's hair tighter, his anguished cries like sweet music to my ears. The fear in his eyes only fuels the raging fire inside me. This pathetic fool knows where Suarez is keeping my Kali, and I'll bleed him dry until he talks.

"Last chance," I growl, the blade of my knife hovering over his next finger. "Where is she?"

He shakes his head frantically, blubbering through his tears. "I don't know, I swear! Suarez didn't tell us anything about no girl!"

A feral snarl rips from my throat as I raise the blade, ready to take the next piece of this sniveling coward. Before I can strike, Thiago's hand clamps down on my shoulder.

"Enough," he commands, his voice low but firm. "He's telling the truth. Wasting time on this trash won't get us closer to finding Kali. "

I meet his steely gaze, my chest heaving with unbridled rage. Part of me knows he's right, but the wolf inside me craves more blood and suffering from those who've dared to lay a hand on what's mine.

With a frustrated growl, I release the whimpering man and shove him aside, wiping his blood off my jeans. He crumples to the floor, cradling his hand as he weeps pathetically.

"Then we find another way," I snarl, raking my hands through my hair. "I'll burn this whole city to the ground if that's what it takes to smoke Suarez out."

Thiago's jaw tightens, but he gives a solemn nod. "We'll get her back, Matias. Have faith."

Faith is for weak men. I haven't had faith in a long time. All I can rely on is myself.

Shoving past him, I stalk out of the warehouse, my men parting like the Red Sea before me. The cold night air does little to calm the storm raging within. My beautiful Kali, my reason for living, is alone, afraid, maybe even hurt. The thought makes my blood boil hotter than the fires of hell itself.

I pull out my phone, quickly dialing a number as I pace back and forth like a caged animal. It rings twice before a gruff voice answers.

"Yeah, boss?"

"Miguel, I need you to put some feelers out on the street," I growl, getting straight to business. "That motherfucker, Suarez, has Kali, and I want every rat in this city sniffing him out. You hear me?"

"You got it, boss. Any leads so far?"

I grit my teeth, my free hand clenching into a white-knuckled fist. "That warehouse was a dead end. Suarez isn't as sloppy as I'd hoped."

There's silence for a moment. Even through the phone, I can sense Miguel's trepidation.

"We'll find her," he says at last, his voice subdued. "Let me make some calls."

"You do that," I snap, ending the call with a vicious stab of my finger.

Stalking to the van, I lean against the cool metal and tilt my head back, staring at the inky black sky. Kali, my beautiful, fierce little rabbit. Wherever you are, I'll find you. The devil himself couldn't keep me from you.