Wolf: A Dark Primal Mafia Romance, page 11
Thiago’s low voice cuts through the heated discussion. “Patience. We can’t afford an all-out war, not with our strained supply lines.”
The words hang in the air, a sobering reminder of the delicate balance we’re navigating. The Estrada cartel may be smaller, but their ruthlessness is unmatched, and their recent aggression has put us on the defensive.
I can’t help but smirk at the thought of them underestimating us. They’ve no idea the level of savagery I’m capable of unleashing.
“My brother is right,” I drawl, leaning forward. “We strike strategically, precisely. Cut off the head, and the body will wither.”
Suarez nods slowly, his beady eyes fixed on me. “You have someone in mind, Matias?”
A sinister grin tugs at my lips as I envision the fear I’ll instill in our enemies. “Leave that to me. I know how to make them suffer.”
The meeting devolves into logistical discussions, but my focus has already shifted. Visions of Kali’s defiant glare and the scent of her skin flood my senses, momentarily drowning out the surrounding voices.
A sharp elbow from Thiago jolts me back to reality. I shoot him a sidelong glance, daring him to challenge me, but he remains impassive, his silent warning clear.
I slump in the rigid chair, feigning interest as the previous bosses of this operation drone on about supply routes and territory disputes. A muscle in my jaw twitches with barely contained impatience. My fingers itch to reach for my phone, to indulge in the twisted compulsion that’s become my sole fixation.
Discreetly, I grab the device from my pocket. The screen lights up with a dozen screens—all monitoring her every move. A flurry of anticipation courses through me as I navigate to the live camera feed from her apartment.
Empty.
My jaw clenches as I take in the neatly made bed in her room and the vacant living room. Where is she? A familiar rage simmers beneath my skin, threatening to boil over. I open the tracking app, allowing the green dot to orient me to her location.
There she is. The cafe on 3rd is just a few blocks from campus. I can picture her now, sipping her insufferable herbal tea, burying her pretty face in one of those bland books she adores. The thought of her out there without me watching over her is almost too much to bear.
A firm hand grips my shoulder, snapping me back to the present. Thiago’s hardened expression offers a silent warning.
I force myself to tune back into the conversation, nodding as if I’d been present the entire time. But my focus is fractured. I zero in on the prospect of her sitting in that dimly lit cafe, unaware I know where she is twenty-four-seven.
As the meeting concludes, I linger behind, allowing the others to file out. Thiago lingers as well, his expression unreadable. And then he begins to speak, but I don’t hear a word because my focus is still on the image of Kali burned into my mind’s eye. The way her hair cascades over her delicate shoulders, the slight furrow in her brow as she pores over another one of her bland novels. A familiar heat coils in my gut, my fingers twitching with the urge to reach out and—
“Matias.” Thiago’s gruff voice cuts through my reverie, his calloused hand gripping my shoulder with surprising force. “Did you hear a word I just said?”
I shrug off his hold, shooting him a withering glare. “Of course, I heard you, brother. Something about the old regime not being happy?”
He lets out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “That’s putting it mildly. These fuckers are on the verge of open revolt if we don’t get our shit together and handle this transition properly. Show them what we’re capable of.”
A harsh bark of laughter escapes my lips as I rise from my chair, unable to contain my amusement at his concerns. “Is that why you’re so worked up? A few disgruntled foot soldiers throwing a temper tantrum?”
Thiago’s expression darkens, his jaw clenching in that telltale way that warns he’s losing his patience. “You think this is a joke, Matias? Need I remind you what it took to get to this point?”
I wave him off, already turning to leave the dank basement behind. “Save your lectures, Thiago. I know what’s at stake here.”
His fingers clamp around my biceps, spinning me back to face him with surprising strength. “Then start acting like it. Your head has been in the clouds ever since—”
He cuts himself off abruptly, but the unspoken words hang between us—since Kali.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish,” I growl, leaning into his space.
To his credit, Thiago doesn’t flinch, meeting my gaze with an intensity that would have most men cowering. After a tense moment, he releases me with a weary sigh. “Just get your head straight, little brother. We can’t afford any more mistakes, not with the Estradas breathing down our necks.”
I offer him a mock salute as I stride toward the exit, his words fading into white noise. My focus has already shifted, zeroing in on the prospect of Kali’s delicate frame tucked away in that dimly lit cafe, completely oblivious to the depravity about to descend upon her.
I climb into my car and peel out onto the empty street. As I weave through traffic, the streets blur past in a haze, my knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel.
With each passing block, the green dot signifying Kali’s location grows nearer, fueling the primal hunger that courses through my veins.
I pull up to the curb, the tires screeching in protest as I throw the car into the park. My gaze zeroes in on the quaint cafe through the tinted windows, scanning the patrons until I zero in on her familiar silhouette.
There she is. Tucked away in the corner, her delicate features illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp overhead. She’s engrossed in one of her romance books, that cute little crease forming between her brows as she pores over the pages.
A twisted smirk tugs at my lips as I shove open the car door and stride toward the entrance. The bell above the door jingles merrily as I push through, but the sound is drowned out by the pounding of blood in my ears.
Her head lifts, and those wide, innocent eyes find mine across the dimly lit room. Her expression is pure surprise for a fleeting moment, but I can already see the first flickers of dread in their depths.
I cross the small space in a few long strides, sliding into the chair opposite her with a smug grin.
“Matias,” she breathes, her voice a hushed whisper laced with thinly veiled fear. “How did you—?”
“Saw you through the window,” I purr, leaning back with a casual air that belies the compulsion burning beneath my skin.
Her gaze darts toward the entrance. I can see the wheels turning in her pretty little head as she contemplates an escape route. But we both know there’s no running from me.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
My lips curl into a grin as I reach across the table, trailing my fingertips along the delicate column of her throat. She stiffens at my touch, and I can feel the rapid flutter of her pulse.
“Isn’t it obvious?” I murmur, leaning closer until our faces are mere inches apart. “I’m here for you.”
Her eyes flutter shut at my touch, lips parting on a barely stifled gasp.
“You didn’t think I’d let you wander off unguarded?” I chuckle, my breath fanning her cheek as I murmur in her ear. “You’re far too precious a possession to leave unattended.”
She shudders, breath coming in short, shallow gasps. The scent of her arousal fills the air between us, her defenses crumbling like dried leaves in the path of an approaching wildfire. It’s all I can do to restrain myself from dragging her from this place, from marking her in front of the entire cafe.
With a final caress, I withdraw my hand, taking pleasure in the way her eyes snap open, a glimmer of desperation lingering in their depths. “You’re crazy,” she whispers, her voice hoarse with unspoken desire. “Leave me alone.”
I tilt my head. “No chance. I still need to claim you on US soil. My cock needs your tight little cunt. It demands it.”
Her cheeks redden, and she shakes her head. “Don’t talk like that here.”
“Embarrassed, rabbit?” I demand. “Let’s do it right here, on this table, for everyone to see.”
She bites her lip. “You’re insane.”
I cock my head, considering her words with mock seriousness. “Perhaps. But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
There’s a challenge in her stare now, a glint of defiance that only fuels my obsession. I lean back, signaling the waiter with a subtle wave.
“Let’s get out of here,” she murmurs, shoulders hunched as she avoids the gaze of the other patrons.
I shake my head, a devious grin stretching my lips. “No. We finish what we started. Right here.”
Her eyes widen, alarm bells ringing in her head as she grasps the true nature of my intent. But it’s too late—the waiter arrives with a fresh pot of coffee, clearing away the remnants of our unfinished drinks.
“Can I get you anything else?” he asks, his tone cheerful, oblivious to the sinister undercurrents that now permeate the air.
Kali’s eyes flick to me, panic flaring in their depths. “No, thank you,” she stammers, reaching for her bag. “We should really—”
“Actually,” I interject, “I believe we’d like to stay longer. I’ll have an expresso.”
The waiter nods, offering a polite smile before getting my order.
“I don’t think coffee is a good idea for someone with your mental condition,” she quips.
Glaring at her, I lean forward.
Her breath quickens, her chest rising and falling. “Matias, please...” she whispers, knowing full well that her pleas will do little to sway me.
A low chuckle rumbles in my throat as I lean forward, letting my lips hover perilously close to her ear. “You know I can’t deny me what’s rightfully mine.”
Without waiting for a response, I lace my fingers through hers, reveling in how she tries to tug free.
“That’s it, fight me,” I urge, my lips twisting into a cruel grin. “But we both know how this ends, don’t we?”
As I pull her closer, any remaining protests die on her lips. Her will crumbles in the face of the dark, relentless desire that binds us. “You’re mine,” I whisper, my lips brushing hers, “Completely and utterly. Never forget that.”
I claim those trembling lips as my own. A soft, needy whimper escapes her as our mouths collide in a desperate, searing kiss.
The world fades away. All that matters is the feel of her body pressed against mine, the taste of her on my tongue. I swallow each breathless moan, reveling in the way she melts into my embrace.
But an irritated voice nearby shatters the moment. “Hey, get a room, will ya?”
I stiffen, my grip on Kali tightening as I slowly turn to face the source of the interruption. A scruffy-looking man glares at us.
The beast within me roars to life, clawing at the confines of my control. How dare this pathetic insect interrupt us? I can feel the anger coursing through my veins, the overwhelming urge to lash out and crush this insignificant obstacle.
But before I can act, Kali’s trembling fingers brush against my arm, her touch soothing the savage beast that threatens to consume me. I focus my attention on the wide-eyed fear reflected in Kali’s expression.
“Matias, please,” she whispers. “Don’t.”
The raw vulnerability in her tone, the subtle plea for restraint, is enough to still the raging storm within me. I pull Kali closer, burying my face in the soft warmth of her hair.
“You’re right,” I murmur, my lips brushing the delicate shell of her ear. “I won’t make a scene.” The tension bleeds from her frame as she melts against me, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt. “Let’s get out of here,” I whisper, my grip tightening possessively around her waist. “I have plans for you.”
Without waiting for a response, I rise from the table, pulling Kali up. She stumbles, her cheeks flushed.
As we make our way toward the exit, I can’t resist the urge to glance back at the offending patron, my lips twisting into a menacing sneer that makes him pale.
It’s almost as satisfying as releasing my wrath on him. He’s no match for the savage beast lurking beneath the surface, but lucky for him, I’m starving for my most prized possession.
Kali is mine. Now and forever.
21
KALI
Izip up my sparkly top and give myself a final once-over in the mirror. My dark hair falls in soft waves around my shoulders, and a touch of smoky eyeshadow makes my brown eyes pop.
“You look hot,” Luna says, appearing behind me. She’s rocking a slinky blue dress that hugs her curves.
I grin. “So do you. Thanks for suggesting this, by the way. I need a night out.”
Luna links her arm through mine. “That’s what besties are for. Now let’s go party!”
We head out of our apartment, the cool night air a refreshing change from being cooped up inside since Matias found me at the cafe, I’ve stayed at the apartment most of the time except for school. As we walk toward campus, the music and laughter grow louder.
“I’m a little nervous,” I admit. “It’s been so long since we’ve done anything normal.”
Luna squeezes my hand. “Me too. But we deserve this, Kali. A chance to be regular college students again after the shit we went through.”
I nod. “You’re right. There’s no heavy stuff tonight. It’s just fun.”
We reach the frat house pulsing with music and flashing lights. Luna smiles at the guy at the door, and we’re waved inside.
The party is in full swing—a sea of dancing bodies and red solo cups everywhere. The bass thumps through my chest as we reach the drinks table.
“To freedom,” Luna says, raising her cup.
I knock mine against hers. “To being normal boring students.”
We down our drinks and hit the dance floor. For a blissful moment, I lose myself in the music. There’s no cartel, no captivity, no complicated feelings—just me and my best friend dancing like nobody’s watching.
I’m swaying to the music, feeling lighter than I have in months, when I spot a cute guy eyeing me from across the room. He’s tall with tousled brown hair that falls over his eyes and a charming smile. Before I can overthink it, I flash him a flirtatious grin.
He makes his way over, introducing himself as Carter. We chat and laugh, the alcohol warming my veins and lowering my guard. Flirting with a cute college guy feels so normal and refreshingly ordinary.
But then I feel it—that prickle on the back of my neck. I scan the room, and my stomach drops. Matias is here, his dark eyes locked on me with predatory intensity.
Before I can react, he’s striding over, his face a mask of barely contained rage. He grabs my arm roughly, yanking me away from Carter.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Matias snarls.
Carter steps forward, confusion and concern on his face. “Hey man, take it easy-”
Matias grabs Carter by the shirt and drags us out of the party. My heart races as we stumble into the cool night air and then into the shadows of the nearby woods.
“Matias, stop!” I plead, but he’s not listening.
He throws Carter to the ground and starts raining down blows. Carter tries to defend himself, but he’s no match for Matias’s raw fury.
“She’s mine,” Matias growls between punches. “Don’t you ever fucking touch her again!”
I watch in horror as Carter’s face becomes a bloody mess. This has gone too far. I have to stop this before Matias kills him.
“Matias, please!” I grab his arm, trying to pull him back. “You’re going to kill him! It’s not his fault. I was the one flirting. Please, stop!”
I know I should be scared, but a part of me stirs when Matias turns his ferocious gaze on me. Carter crawls away, bloodied and battered, and I feel a rush of guilt. I shakily stand as Matias steps toward me, his eyes burning with unhinged desire.
“You belong to me,” he snarls. “What the fuck were you thinking?”
I take a cautious step back, my heart hammering in my chest. “You can’t just do this. We’re not in Mexico anymore. People will hear, they’ll see—”
He grabs me by the waist and pulls me roughly against him, his lips crushing mine in a bruising kiss. I struggle at first, but it’s not long before I respond to his touch with a treacherous spark of desire. His hands roam aggressively, claiming me as his own.
“You’re right, we’re not in Mexico,” he says, his voice a low growl. “But you’re still mine, and no one will take you from me.”
His hands tighten on my hips, lifting me as if I weigh nothing. I release a startled cry, my heart pounding like a snare drum. Matias carries me deep into the woods surrounding the campus, the moon casting an eerie light on the path ahead.
I know what’s coming. Matias sets me down beside a large oak tree and pushes me against it, his lips finding my neck. His hands move urgently, exploring, possessing.
“Matias, someone might see,” I whisper, even as I angle my head to give him better access.
He chuckles darkly, his breath hot against my skin. “Let them watch, rabbit. Let them see what happens when someone tries to take what’s mine.”
I bite my lip as his fingers dig into my hips, his mouth trailing lower. Despite the wrongness of it all, I find myself arching into him, my body alive.
He stops abruptly and turns me to face him, his eyes feverish. “Run, Rabbit. Run as fast as you can.”
Shit. Not this again.
I turn and sprint through the woods, branches scratching at my skin and tangling in my hair. Darting between trees, my breath comes in ragged gasps. But no matter how fast I run, I can’t shake him.
A twig snaps behind me, and my heart leaps into my throat. I force my legs to move faster, my lungs burning with the effort.
But it’s no use. I sense him closing in, a dark, relentless force of nature. I stumble, my foot catching on a root, and I go down hard, the air whooshing from my lungs.
