⊰ 26.5 ⊱ The Hunt Begins

⊰ **Marcel** ⊱

The first rays of morning light filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Mercy’s sleeping form. I stand by the bed, buttoning my shirt, my gaze lingering on her peaceful face. She looks so innocent, so pure, her dark lashes fanning out against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted in slumber.

*Why is she so fucking beautiful?*

It’s no wonder Ben fell for her. Hell, I can’t blame him. From the moment I met her, I knew she was special, a bright little light in the darkness of my world. But that doesn’t excuse what he did. The thought of his lips on hers, his hands touching her…it makes my blood boil, the anger I’ve been trying to suppress for Mercy’s sake simmering beneath my skin.

*I knew it. All along, I fucking knew it.*

…

*I should’ve confronted him a long time ago…before he tried anything.*

I played it off last night, tried to reassure her that everything would be okay. But the truth is, I wanted to kill him. I wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until the life drained from his eyes for daring to touch what’s mine. The only thing that stopped me was Mercy’s pleading, her desperate need for me to handle this calmly, rationally.

*My Mercy…always trying to see the best in people, even when they don’t deserve it.*

I’ve always been possessive when it comes to her, but now, seeing her like this, so vulnerable and trusting…it only intensifies my fierce need to protect her, to claim her over and over again. She’s my wife, the love of my life, my everything. The thought of anyone else touching her, of anyone trying to take her from me…it’s enough to make me see red.

My gaze drifts to the clock on the nightstand, noting the time.

*8AM.*

Ben and Pablo will be arriving soon for their daily check-in before heading out to join Rick’s team in tracking down Reyes. My hand drifts to the gun tucked behind the lapel of my jacket, a grim sense of satisfaction settling in my gut.

*Let’s hope for your sake you make the smart choice today, Ben.*

I lean down, brushing a feather-like kiss against Mercy’s temple, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair. She stirs slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips, but doesn’t wake. With one last lingering look, I straighten on my feet and head for the door, my steps purposeful as I stride down the hallway.

As I round the corner, I see Ben, Pablo, and Rick coming up the stairs, deep in conversation. They fall silent as I approach, Rick offering a curt nod.

“Morning, Boss,” he greets, but I barely register his words.

My eyes are locked on Ben, the sight of his face igniting a white-hot fury in my veins. Before I can even think, my fist is flying, connecting with his jaw with a sickening crack.

He staggers back, nearly losing his footing, but he manages to catch himself on the banister. Pablo moves, his hand reaching for the gun at his hip, but Rick is faster. In a flash, his own weapon is drawn, leveled at Pablo’s chest.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” he warns, his voice low and dangerous.

I ignore the exchange, my attention focused solely on Ben. I close the distance between us, grabbing Ben by the collar and slamming him against the wall. He winces, his head knocking against the plaster, but he doesn’t fight back.

*Smart man.*

“If you *ever* put your hands on my wife again,” I snarl, my voice shaking with barely contained rage, “I’m putting a bullet through your fucking head.”

He swallows hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “Marcel, I-I’m sorry,” he begins, his voice wavering. “I don’t know what I was thinking. It was a mistake, a stupid, impulsive—”

“I don’t give a damn,” I cut him off, my tone icy. I inch closer, getting right in his face, my eyes boring into his. “The *only* reason you’re still breathing is because we need you to finish this job. But the *minute* it’s done, I want you gone. Until then, you don’t even fucking look in her direction. Do you understand?”

He nods, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “I understand,” he says, his voice strained. “It won’t happen again.”

I search his face, looking for any sign of deception, but all I see is genuine regret and a hint of fear.

*Good. He should be afraid.*

I release him, shoving him back against the wall once more as I take a step back. My gaze flickers to Pablo, my jaw clenched. “And you? You keep your fucking partner in line, or I’ll handle him myself.”

Pablo reluctantly nods, his expression carefully neutral, but I can see the flicker of fear in his eyes.

I step away from Ben, my fists clenched at my sides, my knuckles aching from the impact. The rage still simmers beneath my skin, threatening to consume me, but I force it down, drawing on every ounce of self-control I possess.

*For Mercy. For our future.*

I turn to Rick, my brow furrowing as he lowers his gun, tucking it back into his holster. “What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice rough, the words feeling like sandpaper in my throat.

Rick meets my gaze steadily, a glimmer of excitement and apprehension in his eyes. “We found her, Boss,” he says, his voice low and intense. “We found Catalina.”

For a moment, the world seems to tilt on its axis, his words hitting me like a physical blow.

*Catalina.*

A dark, savage satisfaction unfurls in my chest, a predatory smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Where is she?” I demand, my voice deceptively calm, belying the storm raging within me.

Rick glances at Ben and Pablo, a silent question in his eyes. I nod, a curt jerk of my chin, giving him permission to speak freely.

“The drones picked up her trail last night,” he explains, his tone businesslike, professional. “She’s holed up in a safe house just outside the city. I have a few of my men sitting on her. It’s heavily guarded, but she has no idea we’ve found her.”

*Just a few miles…she’s been near all along.*

We have a chance, a real shot at ending this, at making her pay for what she did to Mercy, to our family.

*And maybe she knows where we can find Luciano.*

I nod, my mind already racing, calculating, strategizing. “Gather the men,” I order, my voice brooking no argument. “I want everyone briefed and ready to move within the hour.”

Rick nods, a grim determination settling over his features. He turns to Ben and Pablo, his gaze hardening. “You two, with me.”

They follow him without hesitation, Ben shooting me one last apologetic look before disappearing down the stairs. I watch them go, my heart pounding in my chest, a heady mix of anticipation and bloodlust coursing through my veins.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Sanitago and Levi emerge from the direction of the bedrooms they’ve been staying in, unaware of just how close we are to freedom.

“Morning, boys.” I smirk, eyeing them as they come to a stop just a few feet short from me.

Levi furrows his eyebrows, nodding as he asks, “And that’s got you in a good mood?” He pauses for a moment, realizing that it’s a loaded question before shaking his head. “Hold on. If it involves my sister, I don’t want to fucking know.”

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head at his assumption. If only it were that simple, that innocent.

“We found Catalina,” I say, my voice low and charged, the words hanging heavy in the air between us.

Levi’s eyes widen, shock and disbelief warring on his face. Santiago, on the other hand, merely nods, a smirk curling the corner of his mouth.

*Today is the beginning of the end.*