Page 47 of Set Up By the Cartel

Novak's eyes flashed with rage, his fingers digging painfully into my flesh."You belong to me as an employee of mine andnothing else,"he snarled, slamming me against the wall."And I always get what's mine. One way or another."

He leaned in close, his hot breath ghosting over my skin."Mateo will come for you,"he murmured, tracing the line of my jaw with a knife he produced out of nowhere."He'll come, and when he does, I'll end him. Right in front of your pretty little eyes. I'm sure you'll enjoy the show."

A sob tore from my throat, horror and despair crashing over me in waves. I shouldn't have gone out. Even with Mateo's men keeping my protection, I was still in danger.

Just then, the warehouse doors burst open, metal screeching against concrete."Kael!"

Mateo's voice echoed through the space, mirroring his fury and desperation. He charged towards us, Javier and several other men close behind.

Novak spun around, pressing the knife to my throat."One more step and the bitch dies,"he warned, his voice low and dangerous.

Mateo skidded to a halt, his hands raised in surrender."Let him go, Novak,"he pleaded, his eyes locked on mine."This is between you and me. Don't make him suffer for my mistakes." He didn't know I would suffer anything for him.

Novak sneered, tightening his hold on me."Suffer? He's the one who brought this on himself. By betraying me."

Mateo snarled, taking a step forward despite Novak's threat."You son of a bitch! You think you're better than me? You're just a coward, preying on people who can't fight back."

Novak bristled, his pride stung by the insult."You think this bitch is innocent and can't protect himself?"He scoffed, dragging the knife across my collarbone hard enough to draw blood."He's no more innocent than the rest of us. He's just a whore who got caught in the wrong bed, that's all."

Mateo roared, lunging at Novak with blinding speed. The two men crashed together, grappling for control of the knife. It was lucky that Novak didn't try to hurt me. He could have killed me.

But I wasn't fully safe yet. I screamed, thrashing wildly as I tried to wriggle free. The blade sliced my arm as I fought, painting the floor crimson with my blood.

Javier and the others rushed in, attempting to pull Novak off of Mateo. But the deranged man was too strong, too consumed by rage to be stopped.

He head-butted Mateo viciously, splitting his brow open. Blood poured down his face, but it only seemed to fuel his determination.

They crashed into a stack of pallets, sending them tumbling. Wood splintered beneath their struggles, sharp edges catching in flesh and fabric.

Novak gained the upper hand, pinning Mateo to the ground with his body weight. He raised the knife high, ready to plunge it into Mateo's chest. I had to act fast.

"No!"I cried, throwing myself at Novak's back. My added momentum knocked him off balance, giving Mateo the chance he needed.

With a powerful thrust, Mateo reversed their positions, driving his elbow into Novak's nose. Bone crunched sickeningly, spraying blood everywhere.

Novak howled in pain, clutching at his ruined face. But Mateo wasn't done.

He grabbed the knife, plunging it deep into Novak's shoulder. Twisted. Yanked it free.

Novak screamed, clutching his shoulder as he crumpled to the ground. His eyes, once so full of malice, now held only shock and disbelief.

Mateo rose to his feet, staring down at his fallen enemy. His chest heaved with exertion, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder with each passing second. The police were coming. Someone must have tipped them off.

I stumbled towards Mateo, falling into his arms as sobs wracked my body. He held me close, his own tears mingling with the blood and sweat on our faces.

"It's over,"he whispered, stroking my hair with a shaking hand."It's finally over." And I knew he was right. Novak was going to survive, but he was going to be locked up in jail.

As the authorities swarmed in minutes later, taking Novak into custody and tending to our wounds, I clung to Mateo like a lifeline.

Later, the streets were eerily quiet as we sped through the city, the only sounds being the hum of the engine and the occasional siren wailing in the distance. I clung to Mateo's hand, my knuckles white from the force of my grip. If I loosened it even a little, I felt like I would lose him.

The adrenaline that had carried us through the confrontation was beginning to wear off, replaced by an overwhelming sense of exhaustion and relief. I didn't think our altercation with Novak would end so soon.

"You did well today,"Mateo whispered, glancing at me from the corner of his eye."You stayed strong when it mattered most. Not many people could have done the same in your position. I'm proud of you."

I managed a weak smile, leaning my head back against the seat."I didn't do anything special,"I protested, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks.I was being honest and saying what I was thinking. "It was pure instinct."

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