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Matthias

“Stop pacing and sit down. We’re figuring this out,” Dom snaps.

“No, we’re not figuring this out. We haven’t figured shit out. She’s been gone for four hours, and we have nothing. ”

I’m shaking with rage. It’s easier to hold onto the anger than face the all-consuming fear. The worst thing that could’ve happened to my sweet girl has happened, and we’re empty-handed.

“Matthias, it’s only been four hours. These things take time. We’re working on it,” he exhales like I’m being a burden.

“You don’t even fucking care!” I yell.

His calm, detached tone is the last straw.

I get in his face and shove him. His eyes flash. Finally, a fucking reaction. He’s been a cold, calculated bastard this whole time, and it’s driving me insane. He should care. It’s Margot .

“You know that’s not true,” he growls. “I’m staying level-headed, so someone in this room can make decisions. Unlike you. ”

He shoves me back.

“Fuck you! This is your fucking fault! If you hadn’t called with bullshit, I wouldn’t have left her. She’d be safe beside me!”

“No. It’s your fault. You left her. You walked away. It was your duty to protect her. Do you even care–”

I don’t let him finish.

I roar and lunge. He sees it coming, but I’m faster and angrier. I slam my fist into his jaw. He reels back, winding up to hit me.

“Enough!” Roman’s voice breaks through the room as he grabs me. Bash grabs Dom, and pulls him back just as hard.

“Matthias, we’re doing what we can. Dom, give a shit.

This is Margot. And this is both of your faults.

” Roman doesn’t sugarcoat it. His voice is harsh.

Barely controlled fury. “Dom, you shouldn’t have called unless it was urgent.

You knew he’d answer. We always pick up for each other.

Matthias, you walked away. You left her.

You know better. And you’re furious at yourself for it. Don’t take it out on each other.”

We stand in silence, chest to chest, breathing like animals.

Dom slowly holds out a hand.

“I’m sorry. I do care. She’s family now. I feel like shit for calling. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Getting her back is my top priority.”

I look him in the eyes and take his hand. We shake then step back.

“Roman’s right. I’m fucking furious at myself. If I hadn’t left her, she’d be safe. It was stupid, and now she’s the one paying for it.” My voice cracks. “I broke my promise. I swore I’d protect her. And the first time we go out, I leave her. And now she’s gone. I’ll never forgive myself.”

Silence.

No one argues. No one defends me.

Because it’s true .

“Dom…” I whisper. “What are they doing to her right now?”

He looks at me, and something breaks in his expression. I’ve never seen that kind of sorrow in his eyes.

“If they used a basic sedative, it’ll be wearing off any minute. She’ll be held somewhere overnight. It won’t be clean. The Bratva doesn’t care about comfort. If it were winter, she’d risk hypothermia.” He pauses.

She’s probably so scared.

My chest tightens.

“Tomorrow or Monday, Viktor will meet with her. He’ll demand answers. What she knows, who she told, where his men are. It’s in her best interest to tell him that she’s yours. That she’s protected by the Syndicate. Maybe it buys her time. But even if he believes her, it won’t be enough.”

He meets my eyes.

“When we get her back… she won’t be the same. They don’t have a line, Matthias. They won’t be kind.”

My heart shatters.

My girl.

My sweet, beautiful girl.

She doesn’t deserve this. No one does.

I would take every second of her pain if I could.

I whisper a prayer to a God I don’t know. Spare her. Please.

We sit in silence.

Hearing it out loud makes it real. Too real.

Dom clears his throat. “Bash. Anything on the men who took her?”

Good. Back to business.

Sitting in grief won’t find her.

Bash sighs. “They faced away from the cameras the whole time. The only way I knew it was Bratva was from the tattoos. I followed their car through street cams, but they turned down alleys with no coverage. I lost them. Their plates were fake.”

His voice is heavy. He’s taking this hard. Since learning how I got her, he’s taken on a quiet, protective role. Like a brother.

“Keep digging,” Dom orders. Then he turns to Roman. “Anything from the guy you interrogated?”

“No.” Roman’s jaw clenches. “He didn’t know who called in the bounty. He didn’t even know we were connected to her.”

“Can you get more out of him?”

“No.” He doesn’t flinch. “I killed him. He started bragging, and I snapped. I strangled him with my bare hand.” His fists tighten. His whole body shakes with fury. “He was filth. He was laughing at what they’ll do to her. I couldn’t let him keep breathing.”

I nod. I understand.

We needed him alive. But I still get it.

Then, “I have something!” Bash exclaims.

We all snap to attention.

“I identified the man who cornered her in the hall. It’s her boss from the shipping company. That’s why she seemed to know him.”

He pauses, typing.

“I have his current location.”

I stand.

“Let’s go.”