Page 71 of Wolf

Her trembling voice filters through the speaker, laced with fear. “Matias, someone is in the apartment,” she whispers. “Please… I need you…”

Those words are all it takes to set my blood ablaze with a primal fury.

I hear men speaking Spanish in the background.

Motherfuckers.

“Stay where you are,” I growl, my tone brooking no argument. “I’m coming.” I end the call and turn to Thiago. “I think Suarez is after Kali. Come on.” I storm out of the compound, my boots pounding against the hard-packed dirt as I approach the car, Thiago following behind.

“How do you know it’s Suarez?” he demands.

“There’s men in my apartment speaking Spanish. I heard them in the background.” I clench my jaw so tightly that my teeth grind together. The only thought consuming my mind is getting to Kali and protecting her.

We reach the car, and I slide behind the wheel. With a twist of the key, the engine roars to life. Thiago settles into the passenger seat, his hand resting on the holster at his hip.

The tires kick up a cloud of dust as we peel out of the compound, my knuckles white as I grip the steering wheel. The city streets blur past us as I weave through traffic, ignoring the blaring of horns and the shouts of pedestrians.

Every second that ticks by feels like an eternity while the beast within claws at my insides, desperate to be unleashed.

Finally, we reach the apartment building, and I throw the car into park, barely waiting for it to come to a complete stop before I’m out the door and sprinting toward the entrance.

The hallway is eerily quiet; the only sound is my boots pounding against the floor. I reach the door to our apartment, and my heart stutters at the sight that greets me.

The door hangs open, the frame splintered and cracked. The apartment is in shambles, with furniture overturned and belongings strewn about.

And in the middle of it all, Kali’s phone lies shattered on the floor, the screen cracked and lifeless.

A low growl rumbles in my chest as I take in the scene, my vision tinting red with fury. Suarez has crossed a line, and now he’ll face the consequences.

“Kali!” I bellow, my voice echoing through the wrecked apartment. But there’s no response, no sign of her anywhere.

Thiago appears at my side, his expression grim. “She’s gone,” he says quietly. “Suarez has her.”

My fists clench at my sides, and I can feel the beast within me straining against its chains, hungering for blood. “Then we find them,” I snarl, my voice laced with venom. “And when we do, Suarez will beg for death before I’m through with him.”

For the first time in my life, I have something to lose and it’s terrifying, but I can’t dwell on that. All I can do is remain strong and focused on getting Kali back from that motherfucker.

37

KALI

Just when I started to feel safe and comfortable, these men have taken me. As they drive, I hear them talking up front about Matias. My heart races, a mix of fear and an unwelcome longing.

“Those bastards think they can just waltz in and take over our territory,” one of the men growls. “Well, we'll show them. This bitch will be the perfect bait for the psychotic one.”

I shudder at his words, knowing Matias will be furious when he finds out I've been taken. Part of me worries for his safety, but I quickly push that thought aside.

The van hits a bump, jolting me into the side wall and making me wince. I bite my lip, trying to hold back the tears that threaten to fall. I can't cry right now. I have to be strong. Wherever these guys are take me, I'll find a way to escape and return to Matias.

As the van rumbles on, I silently pray that he will come for me. Because the alternative is hard to think about. I might have escaped captivity and slavery only to be thrust back into it by these men.

Suddenly, the van comes to an abrupt stop. I wait, my heart racing as I hear the doors up front slam and then the van's back doors fly open.

I try to scramble away from them, but they roughly drag me out and into a dimly lit warehouse. The place is cold and damp, the air thick with the scent of motor oil and sweat.

As I'm shoved forward, I hear the men call out to someone. “Hey Suarez, we got the bitch.”

A tall, imposing figure steps out of the shadows, his eyes narrowed as he appraises me. He circles me slowly, his gaze burning into me. I try to stand tall, refusing to show fear, but my legs tremble.

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