Chapter 129

Chapter 129
Matteo's POV

"Sera!" I shouted "SERA!"

My voice was so loud that it echoed in the whole car but there was no response from the other side of the call.

And then I heard a loud thud which was followed by her scream. My heart slammed violently against my ribs, and came straight up my throat until I could barely breathe.

What happened to her?

I pressed the phone to my ear “Sera? Sera, answer me!” but then suddenly the line went off.

My fingers trembled as I tried to call her again but the number was now switched off.

Something feral ripped through my chest.

“Kayden, you bastard!” I roared, slamming my hands against the steering wheel so hard the horn blared into the night.

My vision blurred with rage and fear, my grip tightening until my knuckles turned white.

“Boss… what happened?” Nick’s voice came from beside me.

“Track the phone,” I snapped. My voice was so raw that it was unrecognisable even to my own ears. “Now.”

I tossed my phone at him without looking. He caught it instantly and got to work. Within minutes he got the location and showed it to me.

So he has taken her to the old warehouse. The one we had converted into a wooden structure years ago to hide underground shipments from the government.

I let out a deep huff.

“I won’t leave you this time,” I muttered under my breath. “I swear on my blood, Kayden… you’re dead.”

All I felt was pure rage when I saw his number on the screen. I thought he had called me to mock that he took my girl away from my own home, under my security but I forgot he is a coward. He didn’t have the guts to face me head-on.

He had kept his real identity hidden for years because he lacked the courage to stand in front of me and confess the truth. He didn’t even have the spine to tell Serena how he felt and let her choose.

Instead, he used deception and manipulation to destroy her image in my eyes so I would hate her.

My head shook.

Kayden, I will give you the most painful death if you did anything to my Sera.

My hands shook and my heart shuddered in my chest when Serena's voice rang in my ears. The sound alone was enough to make my chest cave in.

She sounded petrified.

My face burned with anger and shame as the truth hit me like a blow. I can't be there when she needs me the most. I shouldn't have left her alone in this condition. Kayden may not harm her but he could definitely hurt the baby. That thought nearly brought me to my knees.

My baby.

I don't want anything to happen to it. I was shaken to the core when Serena told me about our first baby. I still regret asking her to abort the baby. I wasn't sure at that time but now... now I wanted that child more than anything. I wanted to protect it with my life. To give it a world where it would never have to feel fear, abandonment, or pain.

I would burn the entire world down if it meant keeping them safe.

"Boss! Boss!"

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't know when a truck came in front of us. My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. Before I could react, Nick lunged forward, grabbing the steering wheel and jerking it hard to the side.

The car swerved violently, missing the truck by inches. He saved both of us on time. My heart thundered as we screeched back onto the road.

“Let me drive,” Nick said, breathless. “You’re not in a state—”

“No,” I snapped instantly, cutting him off.

I couldn’t trust anyone else with this. Not when every second mattered. Kayden was right there. He would have got to her by now. I can't afford to waste time in changing the seats.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel again, fixed my gaze straight on the road and drove with focus this time.

I slowed the car a few meters away from the place, and turned off the headlights before the structure even came fully into view.

The wooden house stood there like a rotting secret. It was dark, silent and surrounded by dead land and trees.

The cold air slapped me when I stepped out of the car.

“Cover every exit,” I ordered quietly. “If Kayden tries to run, shoot him but don't kill him. He is my prey. I will punish him"

Nick nodded, already signalling the men. They spread out just the way I wanted. Within seconds the place was entirely covered by them.

Good.

I cocked my gun, and moved toward the house with silent steps.

Before entering the house, I bent down and removed my shoes. The wooden floor would betray even the smallest sound. For now, I couldn't afford to announce my presence. Serena is still with him.

Once the shoes were out of my feet, I opened the front door. My body froze for a second when I realised the door was unlocked.

My eyebrows drew together. He can't be this fool to keep the door unlocked. Slowly, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. My feet flattered for a moment as I was welcomed by dead silence.

It felt like silence after the storm. The silence was so thick that it pressed against my ears. The house was dim, lit only by a single lamp flickering weakly in the hallway.

My eyes scanned the living room. It was empty.

Of course!

My gaze caught the sight of a door which was slightly ajar. Kayden must have kept Serena here.

Slowly and cautiously, I walked up to that room. First I peeped inside and when I didn't feel any activity, I stepped ahead. I was expecting Serena to be on the bed, resting or something but the blood drained from my face when I found the bed to be empty.

When I walked to the bed, I saw a single black rubber band lying on the bed.

It was Serena's rubber band. I had seen that band wrapped around her wrist a hundred times. She used to tie her hair with this. She was here, I am here too, but a bit late.

We were so close yet so far!

My fingers closed around the rubber band as the rage flooded my veins. I turned sharply when my eyes caught something else.

The bathroom door.

It was lying on the floor, broken and tarnished.

I ran to the bathroom to find it in chaos.

Splintered wood on the floor, scratches on the wall, drops of blood smeared near the sink, the mirror cracked, and a phone... A phone lying crushed on the side. It was shattered beyond repair.

I picked it up slowly. It belong to Kayden. The one Serena used to call me.

My jaw clenched so hard it ached. My chest tightened painfully as the realisation settled in.

He took her again. He took her before I can reach here. He destroyed the phone and left it here so I can't track him.

I slammed my fist into the wall, “FUCK!” I roared.