Marc

"What do you mean she's missing?" I roared.

"Carlos took Tori, and when we found him, he vanished. We're guessing he had help, because by the time Emilio ran back to their room, Mattie was gone, but there weren't any signs of a struggle. She had to have known whoever took her," Owen explained.

"You better prepare my brother, because I'm on my fucking way now. Screw doing this the delicate way," I shouted and stormed out of the room with Axel and Brandon fast on my heels.

"Marc, take a breath," Brandon said. "Just take a moment to calm down and think this through." I stopped and turned to look at him. He put his hands on my shoulders, "If Carlos is trying to take down Cardoza through Mattie, then that means Violet is also a target. We can't take her down there. When they realize you're related, then, well hell he might consider her a risk as well."

A light bulb went off in my head. "I need to talk to Nate and Corey. I need to call her grandfather. That's our way in," I said.

****

A few hours later the computer screen lit up as we were airborne. "Hello? Who the hell is this?" Alberto Cortez demanded, his scowling face filling the screen. "How the fuck did you get this number. Only family has this number!"

"Then I guess it's a good thing I'm family, sir. My name is Marc Weiland, I'm Violet's father."

I heard him draw in a breath, "How the hell did you get this number?"

"I have my connections, sir, but right now that doesn't really matter does it? I also know Carlos and his followers have abducted Mattie. I am currently in the air and fully intend to help find her. Violet is safely tucked away to keep her out of the line of fire, but I need your help."

"Why would I help you?" he demanded. "You just want to take her away from us."

"Actually, sir, I don't, but that is a discussion I need to have with Mattie and Emilio first. For now, I offer my help. I along with my family and friends are former members of the Academy and we think Vivian Theriot, Mattie's grandmother, is working with Carlos to try and take over both the cartels," I explained.

"Joder," he spat, "Of all the pendejo fools...What do you need?

"I need to get into the compound and speak with Emilio. If you speak for me, he will listen. Time is of the essence. Vivian will make a move on Violet and when she realizes we've moved her location, she will panic. We need to stay one step ahead of her," I explained, praying that he would listen. I knew I was right about this, I just needed them to believe me as well.

"Give me the airport you're landing at and I'll meet you," Alberto said. "If this is a trick, I'll kill every last one of you," he gruffed.

"I promise, it's no trick. I just want her found safe and healthy," I said then quickly gave him all of the information. The moment I hung up, we dialed Owen and Sean.

"What's the verdict?" Sean asked, coming into view.

I passed the computer to Kota. "Cortez is meeting us and getting us a way into the compound. Any news? How's Tori?" he asked.

"She's fairly torn up but should heal physically at least. It will take a long time to heal mentally," Sean said, his eyes watering. "She's blaming herself for Mattie being taken. She thinks if she had just cooperated then Carlos wouldn't have targeted her. We've tried explaining that this was his and Vivian's plan all along, but..."

"Where's Owen?" Victor asked, coming closer. He'd avoided most of us since the day we learned what he'd said, but despite the tension, he refused to stay behind. None of them would. They wanted to help find Mattie and check on Tori.

"He's working with Emilio to track down all of the men Carlos had working with him. Apparently, when Mattie convinced her grandfather and Emilio into halting the human trafficking through the cartel it cost Carlos big money and he started making his plans. We've gotten a few reports that Vivian is in the country as well. I think Marc was right and she's helping him. She still thinks she can take the cartel with Violet under her control," Sean said. There was a soft mumble in the background.

"Sean," the woman's voice said.

"I'm here little bird. Would you like to see the others? They're on their way here and on a video call with me," he asked her, but I couldn't make out her response. He shifted the laptop and the very bruised face of a young woman came into view.

"Hi everyone," she mumbled, her jaw swollen. "Sorry, I didn't get dolled up."

"Oh baby, you still look beautiful," Luke said, tears edging his eyes.

"Thanks, Kisses," she smiled slightly. "So introduce me."

Kota dipped in front of the screen and smiled, "Hey darlin, we'll be there soon. Now you already know Nate and Victor. This is Gabe who you talked to on the, um, phone." Gabe blushed and waved. "Next we have North, Luke's brother, and this is Silas."

"Glad to meet you all," she said, "Now show me Mattie's men. Actually, let me guess considering I've heard way more than I should have about them." I laughed to myself imagining exactly what she meant by that. Kota panned the laptop. "Ahh, the infamous Nova," she said. "She never takes that necklace off, you know."

My eyes watered at her comment, "Thank you. I know you've been a good friend to her and I appreciate it," I told her.

"Yeah, well then get your asses down here and bring her home. Besides, I want to meet my niece someday," she laughed. "Now, where's the damn Russian bunny?"

Raven laughed as he faced the camera. "Krolik talks about me?"

"Dude, she bought a freaking bunny shirt because it made her think of you," she grinned. Brandon and Corey stepped up next. "Ahh the twins. Well, I can't tell you apart, but she could...and I'm not repeating the specifics." They both blushed and coughed. "That leaves ponytail," Tori snickered as Axel came into view. "Yep, almond eyes, dark long hair, you must be Axel."

"Yes ma'am, seems like Dove talked quite a bit," he grinned.

"She missed you all so much. She was terrified you hated her, would hate her. Please be gentle when you find her. I'm not sure she can choose between all of you now," she said, her voice trailing off a bit, then she yawned. "Sorry."

"No worries, Tori, get some rest, we'll meet you soon," Axel told her and handed the laptop to Kota.

"Text when you are on your way," Sean said. "I'm going to give her some pain meds and feed her. She needs to rest."

We made our quick goodbyes and sat lost in our own thoughts.

Mattie

I shook my head, then groaned at the pounding pain. "Bout time you woke up, Cher." I felt my blood boil at the sound of that voice.

"You lost the right to call me that when you tried to have me killed, Vivian," I spat, narrowing my eyes as I glared at the woman I once called MawMaw.

"You don't know what you're talking about, Cher," she chuckled. "I didn't try to get you killed, I merely wanted that idiot Rico to take you back to the gang. He's always had a thing for you. Once he got you knocked up, he'd never let you go and then I could introduce Violet to her family. Of course, I never expected you to find that stupid boy again either."

"Oh great, you just wanted me raped, not dead. That's so much better," I scoffed.

"Alive is always better than dead," she hissed. "Now, where is my Violet?"

I looked at her and laughed, "Nova hid her, didn't he? Good luck finding her, Vivian. I've been living my life in Mexico if you hadn't noticed. I haven't spoken to or seen my daughter since the morning we got into the cars to leave for South Carolina. You remember the trip you made sure I never took?" Her eyes widened. "What, didn't your precious Academy tell you I sent Trish home, well her head at least."

"You didn't," she sputtered. "You...you couldn't."

"Let me out of these ropes, Vivian and I'll show you just what a Cortez Cardoza Queen really can do. I'm not your pathetic little Matilda anymore. I'm Reina."

She stood without a word and left the room as I smirked. I looked around the room, trying to get a bearing on my surroundings. It was a plain room, no windows and only one door. There was the wooden chair I was tied to, a second chair, and a small tray-like table. I could only imagine what was inside the pouch on the table. I really didn't want to find out. I began shifting my hands, trying to find a way to slip from the ropes.

I froze when the door opened again. "Hello, Reina, how are you finding your accommodations?" His voice cut through me, sending a blade of fear through my very core. Carlos stood before me with a sadistic grin. He knelt down and gripped my chin. "I'm going to have so much fun breaking you. When I'm done, you'll be the perfect whore and I'll sell you off to the highest bidder. Well, that is after I kill that fucking husband of yours," he sneered.

I let out a breath when he stepped away, then whimpered when a flash of light caught the blades he laid out on the tray. "Not my tool of choice, but it will do. Once we get moved, I'll show you how I made Tori cum with only lashes from my whip. It won't take long until you're just like her - a pain slut who cums hard when I punish you."

I shivered as he came closer with a gleaming silver blade. He carefully slid it down my blouse, slicing the fabric away and exposing me. I didn't have on a bra as I was wearing my pajamas. His eyes lit up as he took in my breasts, then he knelt before me and ran his hands over my nipples. "Can't do too much damage, or you won't last to be a bargaining chip," he chuckled. "Guess it's a good thing, I'm quite skilled at this. Just enough to make you scream, but not enough to bleed out," he said as the blade traveled down my breastbone. I bit my lips trying not to give in, but when he circled my breast I let out a small cry. It was like a kid in a candy store the way he reacted to my pain. Tori had been right, he was a pure sadist. The more he cut me, the more turned on he became, until he let the blade drop and his mouth covered my breasts, licking and sucking at the blood. I groaned in pain, but he mistook it as pleasure and pulled back, kissing me hard. His hand traveled between my legs, and he chuckled, "Already wet, whore."

He stood and tossed the knife on the tray again. I was panting from the pain, but in his mind it was desire. He stopped at the door, "I'll be in with the camera next time. Make sure we give Emilio a good show, eh?"

My entire body sagged and I let the tears flow when he left the room. How the hell was I going to get out of here? 

Author's Notes:  Fair warning...I am not trying to mirror standard characterization.  That statement will make sense soon.

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