40. Matias

40

MATIAS

T wo days. Two fucking days since those bastards took Kali. I slam my fist against the wall, relishing the pain that shoots through my knuckles.

"Matias, you need to calm down," Thiago says, his voice steady. "We'll find her."

I whirl on him, snarling. "Calm down? They have her, Thiago. Who knows what they're doing to her?"

My brother's face remains impassive. "Losing control won't help us find her faster."

I ignore him, grabbing my jacket. "I'm going out. There's gotta be someone who knows something."

Thiago sighs but doesn't try to stop me. Smart move.

I get into my car and hit the streets, my rage fueling every step. I interrogate anyone with even the slightest connection to Suarez. Some I threaten, others I beat. I don't care. I'll destroy this entire damn city if that's what it takes to get Kali back.

Hours pass in a blur of violence and frustration. No one knows anything useful; if they do, they're too scared to talk.

My phone buzzes. It's Miguel.

"Tell me you have something," I growl.

"I found him," Miguel says. "Suarez. I've got an address."

My heart pounds as he reels off the location.

My body thrums with adrenaline. I return to the apartment, covered in blood—some mine, most not. Thiago eyes me warily as he sits on the couch, his arm wrapped protectively around Luna. For a moment, I feel a pang of envy. At least he knows his woman is safe.

"Any news?" Thiago asks, not mentioning the state of me.

Luna, on the other hand, pales.

I nod, running a hand through my hair. "Miguel came through. We've got an address."

Luna gasps, her eyes widening. "You found Kali? Oh, thank God!" She starts to cry, burying her face in Thiago's chest.

I turn away, unable to watch their tender moment. My fists clench at my sides as I think of Kali, alone and afraid. What have those bastards done to her?

"When do we move?" Thiago asks, his voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes.

"Now," I growl. "Every second we waste is another second they have her."

Luna looks up, her face tear-stained but determined. "Bring her back, Matias. Please."

I meet her gaze, seeing the same fear and desperation reflected in her eyes. "I will," I promise. "And I'll make them pay for taking her."

Thiago nods, giving Luna a quick kiss before standing. "Let's go."

As we gear up, I can't shake the image of Kali's frightened face from my mind. I've never felt this way about anyone before. The need to protect her, to keep her safe, is overwhelming. It scares me, but I push the fear aside. There's no room for weakness now.

"We'll get her back, little brother," Thiago clasps my shoulder.

My jaw clenches. "And then I'll tear Suarez apart with my bare hands."

I turn to Thiago. "Brother, you might want to leave after we've secured Kali. Take her home. What I've got planned for Suarez... it's not for the faint of heart."

Thiago meets my gaze, unflinching. "We're brothers, Matias. I can handle whatever sick, fucked up thing you do to the guy."

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by his resolve. "You sure about that? It won't be pretty."

He nods, his jaw set. "I'm sure. We're in this together."

I clap him on the shoulder, feeling a surge of appreciation for my older brother. "Alright then. Let's go get my girl back."

We load up the car silently, the weight of what's to come hanging heavy between us. As I slide behind the wheel, I can't help but glance at Thiago. He's always been the level-headed one, the voice of reason. But now, seeing the cold determination in his eyes, I realize he's just as invested in this as I am.

"You know," I say as we pull out onto the street, "We'll need to recruit after this. Anyone loyal to Suarez is dead. It won't be easy."

Thiago nods. "We'll deal with it. Once we've put this piece of shit down, people won't dare cross us again."

I grip the steering wheel tighter, my knuckles turning white. "Exactly. And by the time I'm done with Suarez, he'll beg for death if he can still speak. And all his men will witness it."

My white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel tightens, and I weave through traffic at breakneck speed. The address burns into my mind, driving me forward with a singular focus: Kali. I have to get to her.

"Matias, slow down!" Thiago shouts as I narrowly avoid clipping another car.

I ignore him, pushing the accelerator harder. Every second counts.

Finally, we reach the neighborhood. I screech to a halt a block away from our target.

"We go on foot from here," I growl, already out of the car before Thiago can respond.

We move silently, our weapons at the ready. As we approach the safe house, I feel my heart pounding. Kali's in there. I know it.

I signal to Thiago, and we take positions on either side of the front door. With a nod, I kick it in.

Two men inside reach for their guns. They're too slow .

I fire twice, dropping them both before they can even aim. Their bodies hit the floor with dull thuds.

"Clear!" I call out, stepping over the corpses.

I scan the room, looking for Kali. Nothing. But she's here. I can feel it.

I kick open the basement door, the wood splintering under the force. The stairs creak beneath my boots as I descend into the darkness, my heart pounding in my ears.

And then I see her.

My little rabbit, strapped to a chair. Her face is bruised and bloodied, her clothes torn. Standing over her, a knife in his hand is Suarez.

The world goes red.

I don't remember crossing the room. One moment, I'm on the stairs; the next, I have Suarez by the throat, slamming him against the wall.

"You fucking piece of shit," I snarl, my fingers tightening around his neck. "What have you done to her?"

Suarez chokes, his eyes bulging. "M-Matias," he gasps. "I can explain-"

I slam him against the wall again, harder this time. Something cracks. I don't care.

"Explain? You think you can fucking explain this?" I roar, gesturing to Kali's battered form.

Suarez's face is turning purple, but I don't let up. The rage consumes me like a fire in my veins.

"You made a grave fucking mistake," I hiss, leaning in close. "You never should have touched her. "

Suarez's eyes widen in fear. Good. He should be afraid.

I drop him, letting him crumble to the floor. He gasps for air, coughing and sputtering. Turning to Kali, my chest aches at the sight of her. I approach slowly, not wanting to frighten her further.

"Kali," I whisper, reaching out to touch her face. "I'm here. I've got you."

She flinches at my touch, a whimper escaping her split lips. Fury surges through me anew.

I whirl on Suarez, who's struggling to his feet. "You're a dead man," I growl, stalking toward him.

He backs away, hands held up in a futile gesture of surrender. "Matias, please-"

I don't let him finish. My fist connects with his face, the satisfying crunch of bone beneath my knuckles. He staggers back, blood pouring from his nose.

But I'm not done. Not even close.

I rain blows upon him, each one fueled by the sight of Kali's battered face. He tries to fight back but is no match for my rage.

By the time I'm finished, he's a bloody, broken mess on the floor. I stand over him, chest heaving, my knuckles raw and bleeding. He's not dead, and I'm not finished with him. He'll pay when I slice his body into pieces slowly until he finally bleeds out and dies.

"Matias." Kali's weak and frightened voice cuts through the haze of my anger. I turn to her, the fury draining from me in an instant .

"I'm here, baby," I murmur, moving to her side. "You're safe now. I've got you."

I wrap my arm around Kali's waist, supporting her weight as I help her to her feet. She's unsteady, her legs shaking from the ordeal she's endured.

"Thiago," I call out, my voice rough with emotion. "Get Suarez out of here. Chain him up at the compound. I'll deal with him later."

My brother nods, his expression grim as he hauls Suarez's unconscious form up the stairs. I know he'll make sure the bastard is secure until I'm ready to make him pay for what he's done.

I turn my attention back to Kali, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Let's get you home," I murmur, guiding her towards the stairs.

She leans heavily against me as we make our way out of the basement, each step a struggle. I can feel her trembling, the adrenaline of her rescue fading into shock and exhaustion.

I settle her into the passenger seat of my car, buckling her in with care. She looks so small, so fragile. It's hard to reconcile this broken version of her with the fiery, defiant woman I've come to know.

The drive to her old apartment is silent, the weight of what's happened hanging heavy between us. I keep glancing over at her, reassuring myself that she's really here and safe.

I help her out of the car and up the stairs when we arrive. Luna is waiting at the door, her face etched with worry .

"Oh, Kali," she breathes, pulling her friend into a gentle hug. "What did they do to you!" Tears flood down her cheeks as she takes in the sight of her bloodied and bruised. "Thank God you're alive."

I follow as Luna guides Kali inside. She'll take care of her, I know. Give her the comfort and support she needs right now.

Before I leave, I turn to Kali, cupping her face in my hands. "I'll be back soon," I promise, my thumb brushing over her cheekbone. "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you again."

She nods, her eyes filling with tears. I lean in, pressing a soft, tender kiss to her lips. It's a promise, a vow. I'll always protect her, no matter what.

With a final glance, I turn and head back to my car. I have unfinished business to attend to. Suarez will pay for what he's done. I'll make sure of it.