44. Matias

44

MATIAS

I sit next to Kali's parents, a small smile playing on my lips as I watch her waiting by the stage to receive her diploma. I never thought I'd find myself here, surrounded by her family, witnessing this milestone in her life. Yet, here I am—a cartel leader, a man who has done unspeakable things, sitting proudly as Kali achieves her dream.

Kali's mother leans over and gently squeezes my arm. "Isn't this just wonderful, Matias?" she says, her eyes shining joyfully. "We're so proud of our girl."

I nod, feeling a strange warmth spread through me at her words. These people, who know nothing of my dark past or present, have welcomed me into their lives. It's a foreign feeling, this sense of belonging.

As Kali's name is called, I can't help but let my gaze linger on her. She looks radiant, her face lit up with a smile that makes my heart flutter. I remember when that smile was rare, and fear and uncertainty clouded her eyes. But now, she's free from the horrors of our past to embrace a future full of promise and love.

And I find myself equally free—free from the constraints of my past, free to love Kali without reservation. The revelation still catches me off guard that I am capable of love. I never believed I'd feel this way or find someone who could break through the darkness that had consumed me.

Yet, here we are—Kali and I, two souls who have weathered a turbulent storm and emerged stronger for it.

I watch as the last graduate sits, the ceremony finally closing. My heart races with anticipation as I scan the crowd, searching for Kali. There she is, her dark hair shining under the bright lights, a smile lighting up her face. Without hesitation, I approach her, weaving through the sea of people.

When I reach her, I pull her into my arms. "Kali," I murmur. "I'm so proud of you."

Before she can respond, I crush my lips to hers, pouring all my love and adoration for her into the kiss. Her body melts against mine, and the rest of the world fades away momentarily. It's just Kali and me, lost in each other.

When we finally part, I gaze down at her, my hands framing her face. "You did it, baby," I whisper, my thumb caressing her cheek. "You've worked so hard, and you deserve this moment."

Kali's eyes shine with unshed tears, and she leans into my touch. "Matias," she breathes, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thank you."

I pull her close again, savoring her feel in my arms. We stand there, lost in each other, until the sound of approaching footsteps pulls us back to reality.

Kali's parents walk toward us, their faces alight with joy. Her mother reaches out and pulls Kali into a tight hug, tears streaming down her face. "Oh, my baby girl," she cries. "We're so proud of you."

Her father claps me on the shoulder, his grip firm. "Thank you, Matias," he says, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for being there for our daughter."

Kali clears her throat. "Mom, Dad, my friends, and I are going to grab dinner to celebrate. Would you like to join us?"

Her mother smiles warmly but shakes her head. "That's very kind of you to invite us, dear. But we're feeling quite tired after the long day. I think we'll head back to the hotel and rest up."

Kali's father nods in agreement. "But how about we pick both of you up for a nice lunch tomorrow to celebrate Kali's achievement?"

"That sounds perfect," Kali replies, giving each of them a hug goodbye.

I step forward and shake her father's hand firmly. "It was good to meet you, sir."

"Of course, son," he says with a pat on my shoulder. "You take good care of our girl now."

With final goodbyes, Kali and I join our friends and my brother, Luna, Thiago, Alice, and Taren, who are waiting nearby. A sense of contentment washes over me as I take Kali's hand.

"Well, shall we get this celebration started?" I grin at the group.

Alice beams. "Lead the way!" She glances toward Blake, who is in a heated conversation with her parents. "I think Blake will meet us there. She has to discuss her move to Mexico with them."

Kali sighs. "I still can't believe you and Blake are moving to Mexico!"

Alice looks wistful but shrugs. "I'll still visit regularly as Taren will have business in Boston."

I know Kali is sad that two of her friends are leaving, but Luna and Thiago will remain with us in Boston.

"Let's get to the restaurant, I'm starving," Luna complains.

Everyone agrees, and we walk a short distance to the place Gaston booked. It's a bit fancy for my liking, but it's a lively place filled with chatter.

I instinctively scan our surroundings, my protective instincts never fully at ease. Old habits die hard.

As we approach our table, I position myself strategically, my back against the wall and a clear view of the exits. Kali shoots me an amused look, seemingly aware of my vigilance. In return, I give her a small smile, pulling her chair out before taking my seat beside her.

The conversation flows easily as we all catch up, swapping stories. I remain quiet, content to listen and observe. Social situations have never been my forte, but being near Kali makes it tolerable .

Under the table, my hand finds her thigh. Kali's breath hitches, and I can't help but smirk. Even in this public setting, I crave the closeness, the reminder that she is mine.

My fingers trail along her soft skin, eliciting a subtle squirm from her. I lean closer. "Behave, baby," I murmur, my voice a low rumble.

Kali shoots me a playful glare, but her eyes sparkle with a hint of desire.

The arrival of Blake and Gaston provides a momentary distraction as Kali jumps up to greet Blake. "There she is! I'm so proud of you."

She squeezes her back. "Proud of you too!"

Alice and Luna join the hug, too, before Luna breaks it and says, "We're starving. Let's order!"

Kali returns to sit beside me, and I instantly slide my hand back onto her thigh, squeezing. Everyone chats about what drinks they will order, but I tune them out. All that I can think about is the beautiful woman beside me.

My brother declares a toast, but still I don't join in. It's not my style. Instead, I lean toward Kali and murmur into her ear. "I'll be toasting you tonight when I pour champagne all over your body and lick it off."

"Matias, stop it," she hisses, but her tone has a hint of amusement.

As the others part ways, finally sated with food, I shift my attention to Kali. "Shall we go, baby?" I help her out of her chair, my hand lingering on the small of her back as she stands .

I lead her out of the restaurant and to my car. Once inside, I turn on the engine and head out of the parking lot, turning in the opposite direction to the apartment.

"Where are we going?" Kali asks.

I grin. "You'll see."

She raises an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Are you kidnapping me again, Matias?"

I chuckle. "Something like that."

Kali's eyes glitter with anticipation, and I love that she trusts me enough to be excited now. The woman beside me is far from the fearful captive I once knew.

Soon, the buzzing lights of the city give way to the moonlit darkness of the woods. I pull over, cut the engine, and turn to Kali. "Here we are," I murmur.

She looks around, her gaze taking in the surrounding trees. "Why've we stopped here?"

I reach for her, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Because I want to relive our first time, but it'll be different this time."

Understanding flickers in her eyes. "Different, how?"

I tilt her chin up, my gaze intensifying. "This time, it will be consensual—a role-play of our past."

Kali shudders, a mix of anticipation and unease flashing across her face. "Do you want me to play reluctant, like I was back then?"

"Your reluctance makes me crave you more," I admit.

"I like it, too," she whispers.

But there's a brief flicker of uncertainty, and I know this will push her boundaries. "We can stop if it's too much. Just say the safe word, red," I offer gently .

She squeezes my hand. "I don't think I'll need it," she says firmly. "I want to do this."

The air between us thickens with anticipation. I take a moment to explain the ground rules, setting the boundaries of our role-play. Though I know Kali's desires, I want to ensure we're on the same page.

When she is ready, I capture her lips in a fierce kiss, pouring every ounce of my hunger into the touch of my mouth on hers. My hands roam possessively, eliciting a shuddering response from her.

"Run." The word is a growl, a command laced with desire. Her eyes widen, and I see the spark of the same flame that ignites within me.

And then she's flinging open the car door and off, her footsteps pounding against the forest floor, a glimpse of her pale skin and dark hair through the trees. The moon casts an ethereal glow on her, making her seem otherworldly, a phantom I desperately need to capture.

After a few moments, I follow, locking the car.

My pursuit is relentless, guided by my keen senses and primal urges.

Through the trees, I spot her, a fleeting glimpse of movement. She's fast, but I'm faster. I'm determined and driven by a need that borders on obsession.

When I'm close enough, I launch myself, tackling her to the ground. The impact knocks the breath from her lungs, and she sprawls beneath me. But she doesn't stop fighting, her lithe body twisting and turning beneath my weight.

"Get off me!" She shouts.

Her struggles only fuel my desires, heightening my hunger for her. With a growl, I tear at her clothing, rending the delicate fabric like paper. I want to see her, all of her, exposed and wanting.

Her naked skin gleams in the moonlight, and I feast my eyes on the sight of her. She is beautiful, perfect, and mine. Lowering my head, I taste her, my mouth claiming her neck and her shoulders, marking her as only I can.

She writhes beneath me, her breath coming in sharp gasps. "Matias, stop. I don't want this."

Her words do nothing to deter me. They fuel the fire burning within me. "You don't get a say." I unfasten the zipper of my pants and pull my dick out.

Her thighs part as if by their own volition, an unspoken invitation that only fuels my primal urges. Driving into her, I claim her with a fierce hunger. Her nails dig into my back, a futile attempt to fight me off, but I only thrust harder.

"Beg me to stop," I growl in her ear. "Beg, and I might show you mercy."

But she doesn't beg. Instead, she meets my harsh thrusts with a desperate keening, her body arching against mine. With each stroke, I possess her more thoroughly.

I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Do you like being taken by force, knowing that you're mine, and there's nothing you can do to stop me?"

"No," she whispers, her eyes sparking with defiance.

I grin, my teeth flashing in the moonlight. "Liar. Your body tells a different story, little rabbit. It wants me. It fucking needs me."

My lips descend on hers, drinking in her moans as I plunder her mouth with the same force that I'm using to take her body. Her nails rake down my back, drawing blood, but the pain only adds to my pleasure.

Our coupling is savage, our bodies slamming together with desperate need. The world narrows to this—her and me, a dance of violent passion.

"No one can take you like I can," I whisper against her lips. "No one else will ever satisfy you the way I do."

"Stop!" she pants, even as her hips rise to meet my thrusts.

I chuckle, a dark, dangerous sound. "Never. I'll never stop taking what's mine."

Her body arches off the ground, a cry of pleasure tearing from her throat as her release washes over her. Feeling her climax, I follow suit, spilling myself into her with a savage growl.

We come back to earth slowly, surrounded by the quiet forest. I roll to the side, bringing her with me, her head resting on my chest. My fingers trail idly through her hair while I stare at the starry sky.

"Was it like you remembered, baby?" I whisper.

She lifts her head to meet my gaze, her eyes glimmering in the moonlight. "It was different," she admits. "It was better. Because this time, I love you so fucking much."

I hold Kali close, her words reverberating within me. How can she love a monster like me? I don't deserve her pure, radiant heart. Yet, I'm too selfish to let her go.

Gazing into her eyes, I trace the delicate curve of her cheek. "Kali," I breathe. "You're my world, my everything. Without you, I'm nothing but a shadow, a shell of a man." I pull her into my embrace, burying my face in her hair. "You've become the air I breathe, the reason my heart beats. I never thought I could feel this way—this overwhelming need to cherish you."

Leaning back, I cup her face tenderly. "You've broken through the darkness that consumed me, shining a bright light that burns away the shadows. I'm forever changed because of you, my little rabbit."

My lips brush against hers, a gentle caress that belies the intensity of my feelings. We kiss slowly and deeply, pouring our love and longing into the embrace. There is only us in this moment—no past, darkness, or pain. Only the two of us entwined on the forest floor, lost in a world of our creation.

When we finally part, breathless, I gaze at her with a reverence I've never felt for another living soul.