“Your father is waiting,” he spoke in Russian as they pulled onto the road. Katya wondered if she just made the worst mistake of her life. She only hoped it saved Matias and his family in the end.
Matiasheldtheknifein his hand as he pushed through the doorway. Gunshots rang out around him as he searched the storage shed for the person who had been taken by Dmitri and hidden there. He prayed his brothers were safe, but knew he needed to push ahead in order to end this.
As he rounded the corner, one of the armed men stood at the end of the hallway. Matias rushed at him with his knife drawn, catching him off guard. He drove the blade into his gut, forcing him backward into the wall. The man’s weapon fell to the ground as he grappled with Matias.
The two men rolled to the floor, fighting for the blade still held firmly in Matias’ hand. The man was not as big as he was, but Matias struggled to gain the advantage. Wedging his feet against the wall, he shoved as hard as he could, causing them to roll. This move placed him on top, giving him the needed opening to end the fight. Ramming the blade as hard as he could, Matias pierced his enemy’s throat with the sharp tip. When the man stopped moving, Matias withdrew the knife and rolled off him.Blood was oozing out onto the floor, making it difficult to stand up without slipping. Bracing himself against the wall, Matias moved down the corridor to the only door in the place.
Matias took a deep breath and steadied himself. The leather grip of his blade felt heavy in his hand as he pushed open the door. Unsure of who was on the other side, he paused at the opening and scanned the room. He was shocked to see it was nearly empty, except for a man lying in the middle of the floor tied up. He rushed in, kneeling beside him, and checked for signs of life. Relief filled him when he felt his back rise and fall with each shallow breath he took. Gripping his shoulder, Matias rolled him over. His face was swollen and bruised, making him unrecognizable to anyone. He was a big guy, making Matias wonder how he’d been taken in the first place.
“Matias?” Benji said, stepping into the room. “Jorge is not on the property anywhere.”
“Someone tipped him off. Help me get this guy up. We need to get out of here before he comes back with more reinforcements.”
Benji helped him lift the man off the ground. Between the two of them, they got him back to the SUV. They left the cars parked at the back entrance, knowing there was achance they could be found; but to their surprise, they were exactly where they left them.
Cristian and Bastian met them there, both covered in dirt and blood. Neither spoke as they loaded the unconscious man into the back with Bastian.
“Watch his head. Cristian, call Marco and let him know we’re on our way home and to get someone local there that can administer first aid.”
Matias threw the car in reverse and peeled down the dirt road. He needed to get home and make sure Katya was ok. With Jorge on the run, he worried he would come for her again.
“Matias.” Cristian broke through his thoughts when he spoke. “There’s a problem.”
“What is it?”
“Marco can’t find Katya. He’s searched the grounds, but she doesn’t appear to be on them.”
“What the fuck does he mean he can’t find her?”
“She’s gone, Brother.”
“Fuck!” Matias screamed. “Tell them to find her!”
“What if she changed her mind and left?” Bastian asked.
“No. Something is wrong. She wouldn’t just leave me, Bastian. I know it.”
“Why would she just disappear?” Cristian questioned Matias.
“This smells of Jorge. Where is that motherfucker?”
“We don’t know, but the guys are scouring the vineyards for any signs of his whereabouts. Maybe this guy,” Cristian pointed to the backseat, “can tell us something when he wakes up.”
“I hope so. Do you recognize him?”
“No.” Bastian and Cristian answered in unison.
Matias slammed his hands on the steering wheel. His anger spilling out like a volcano. Katya wouldn’t just leave him. He believed that wholeheartedly. He was going to find out who was responsible for her sudden disappearance and then kill them.
Katyaknewshemadethe wrong choice the moment her father tossed her into the basement and locked the door. Closing her eyes, she prayed Matias was ok. She had to believe her decision to go with her father to spare Matias’ life, was the right one, otherwise, sacrificing herself would be in vain. The door banging open caused her to jump to her feet.
“Daughter,” her father’s thick accent sent chills down her spine as it lacked remorse or love. “It seems your boyfriend has taken something of mine. You understand what this means?”
“Fuck you, Father. I don’t care what you say or do, I won’t help you in your fucked-up game.”
“Oh, you won’t have a choice, Darling.”
Igor walked in behind him and sneered as he wrapped his meaty hand around the tender flesh of her arm. Katya flinched as she attempted to pull free of his hold.
