Agustin

Brazil - the land of the Amazonian forest and pink dolphins.

Also Brazil, the place which shall soon be known to us - Moralez - as my wife's home.

Renata Macedo, daughter of the Macedo cartel's kingpin - André Macedo - welcomed us when we arrived. A sun-kissed beauty, her hazel eyes shone brightly when she saw me.

We'd met before during the annual cartel meetings. Those days, I barely spoke to her.

Renata has a lot of fans in the cartel. Most of those men were willing to marry or date her. Unlike most cartel girls, she waited for the right time to decide whom she wanted to marry.

To my surprise, she chose me. Her father André had informed Antonio of his daughter's selection.

Since then, I had become a sore eye for most cartel men.

"We've made all the arrangements for your stay," Renata said as she walked ahead of me, pointing towards the mansion they had arranged for everyone to arrive at. "I've been informed that the rest of the troops shall land soon."

"They are on their way," I said. "However, my brothers will be here sooner."

"And what about Vincent and his wife?"

Wife!

"They're arriving separately, with their men."

My focus remained on my phone. Any minute now, I'd get Antonio's message of his arrival. He had sent me earlier to ensure the Macedo men knew of the attack plan. Having devised it, Antonio wanted me to lead.

Though Alejandro hated that he wasn't asked for help, it took Val and Anto to convince him that he was too invested to make the right decisions.

"Agustin," Renata called my name in her sweet voice. "I hope everything is according to what you wanted. My father has asked that whatever you need, you can call me up for it."

Like Antonio, André was ensuring that even in this moment, when our priority was to retrieve Sofia, Renata and I bonded.

It was a fucked up outlook but it was what was required of me. I had to ensure the Macedo cartel liked me. After all, they were to follow my command.

"I'll leave you to it, then," Renata said, sliding open the glass doors to my room. "As I said, there's any need-"

"I'll call you." I gave a tight-lipped smile. "I also have to thank you for-"

"Thank me when you've Sofia back. Till then." She forwarded her hand. "Let's try to help each other."

She was helping me. I, however, wasn't sure, of my help to her.

~

Antonio and Alejandro arrive within an hour. Our men and those of Vincent' were given all the necessary instructions for the attack. Alejandro led that front.

I was in charge of making sure the Brazilians knew what was to be done.

Airlifted, we arrived in Columbia.

Upon landing, my first thoughts were of Sofia. And her well-being.

Was she doing okay?

Was she even alive?

Doubts swirled in my head. There were days leading unto today when I found myself giving up hope.

Nicolas was an agent, a trained assassin. His obsession for Sofia had grown from the time she was taken by Alejandro. Since Nicolas didn't make any ransom demand, we also knew that he wanted nothing more than his priced possession - Sofia.

"Vincent and Alejandro will lead the attack," Antonio's voice pulled me back to reality. He was giving the marching orders, as always. "Agustin will lead our men and the Macedos."

In the open field, a few hour's travel away from Nico's confirmed location, we had assembled.

The sun was beating down on us. Sweat trickled through my shirt. The heavy bulletproof vest I had worn, hung me down further. Yet, the sound of 'yes sir' from our men made it worth it.

We were walking towards one cause. To get our family member back.

"Nobody messes with my ward and gets away." Gemma walked from behind the troops and placed a sheet on the table. It was blank. "I'm putting my chit in."

Ahh. The chit.

It was our father Carlos' tradition. A blank paper to denote an unfulfilled promise. Once someone fulfils it, they'd burn the paper. Till then, they wouldn't rest. They wouldn't eat or sleep.

They said that one who called in the chit gives up on the pleasures of life. A simple, blank piece of paper denoted they'd do everything in their power to finish the task. Or end up dying for it.

"Nobody kills this man." Gemma held Nicolas' photo up in the air. The laptops kept on the table displayed a clearer version of the photo. "If you find him, bring him to us."

What she meant was to bring him to her.

The implied understanding made everyone nod. Everyone except for Alejandro.

Knowing my brother, he was thirsty for blood. But he wouldn't challenge a tradition dear to our family.

Antonio instructed something else but my mind had wandered. Alejandro pulled me to a corner, away from any prying ears.

"She shouldn't have called in the chit." His eyes appeared glassy. His voice was hoarse. "Nobody does that anymore."

"Father started it, Al. And he never stopped anyone from doing it."

"Well, I don't want to respect whatever she's doing. In fact," his teeth gritted. "I want to find that vile piece of shit and end his life myself."

Any words or reasoning or comfort would only anger Al further. Refraining from speaking, I nodded in agreement. When Antonio walked over, he could feel the tension in the air. He looked over to Gemma and back at me.

A tight-lipped nod from me confirmed his understanding.

"Al, we cannot disrespect the chit," Anto said, patting Al's back and walking away.

Although I knew it wasn't what Alejandro wanted to his from our leader, Antonio was right. I could feel Alejandro losing focus now and then because his heart too was involved in this battle.

Not long after, got into our jeeps and drove. Antonio decided to arrive at the end, ensuring there was backup if needed.

Being airlifted to the nearest village could alert Nicolas, so we all drove to the outskirts.

After three whole hours of horrendous roads that broke our backs, terrains where our SUVs almost gave up and deserted locations where we heard more static from the radio than any news, we had arrived.

Still a mile to go, we gathered at our drop point. The rest of the journey was on foot.

Nicolas' hideout was an abandoned bomb shelter. The place was secured from the entrance. Mercenaries circled the entire place. Some of those men even carried flamethrowers to scare away any animal at night that may wander into the enclosure.

We carried the uphill battle on foot when the sun set and the cold winds fanned our sweaty bodies.

The floodlights covered a wider perimeter, and we were tracing our way through the thick, long vegetation from behind the bunker.

Alejandro signalled - two short bursts from his touch.

It was about to begin.

My ears echoed my heartbeats. My senses felt numb. Even my mouth dried for a second.

Then everything came rushing back.

Boom

The grenade blast acted as our cover.

We ran, stooping low. Someone cut the barbed fences.

My team made it inside the enclosure.

Bullets rained down on us. The metallic rattle of machine guns echoed in the night.

"Take cover," I yelled. My men aligned themselves on the outside walls. "Move when I say."

Boom

My ears rang. It felt like bleeding.

Then, everything was muffled.

"Fire..." Someone yelled.

I began. Rounds of bullet casings hit my boots as I marched forward, stooping and firing.

Rat-tat-tat

Nicolas' men turned the floodlights over us.

"Take him down," I shouted.

Someone started shooting up.

Pew

A sharpshooter.

I looked around, adjusting my night vision goggles.

A man stood at the top of the bunker. His head popped up, then down.

A bullet flew past me.

Breath halted in my chest.

"I got you." The voice felt familiar.

Gemma ran past me, gunning down anyone who came in her way. She was making her way up to the sniper.

"Cover her," I yelled again but the sounds of bullets and bombs muffled my instruction.

I ran behind, covering Gemma. The corner she ran into, leaving a trail of dead bodies spoke for itself. Gemma didn't need protection.

She was death in a human form today.

Thud

A body dropped from above.

The sniper fell face down, blood oozing from the crack in his skull.

"Gemma," I called out but knew she couldn't hear.

With my finger pressed on the trigger, I began walking.

Any corner could be the last turn I took.

Any mercenary could take me out.

I saw a flash of light in the distance. Then a loud boom.

"Gus," Gemma shouted. Her voice felt far.

"Take cover, Gemma. Grenade Launcher."

"I've cover."

Another round of firing. Someone screamed.

I took a deep breath, digging my feet into the dirt.

The next corner led to the entrance.

There would be Nico's men there.

I had to be ready.

"Go." I ordered myself, pushing my tired body off the wall.

My hearing was impaired. The sounds appeared muffled.

I was gunning down men who crossed my path.

The door to the entrance was open.

Someone breached the perimeter before.

"Help..." Someone cried in a corner.

My feet fired up.

The inside of the bunker wasn't well-lit. A small bulb a few meters from each other, flickered.

Someone screamed ricochet.

Someone ran towards me.

I pressed the trigger.

The enemy was laden with bullets.

"Help..." A woman's voice.

I ran towards it, scoping corners.

Nobody was in the alley. Only dead bodies.

Whoever breached inside first, killed everyone.

"Help..." that voice was familiar.

"Aurelia..." I called. I ran.

My eyes watered - peering into the grey cloud of smoke.

My chest pounded - where was she?

My lips parted. "I'm coming, Reli."

"Uncle..." she cried.

I ran towards it.

Inside a fluorescent-lit room, a man was holding Aurelia at gunpoint. The lights flickered. Yet, I could see her tear-streaked face. She held her wrists, and her breathing pattern wavered.

"Let her go," I said. "And I won't harm you."

"You think I'm a fool."

Dut Dut

The man knelt. A hole in his forehead oozed blood.

Aurelia screamed and launched towards me.

I looked over my shoulder.

Vincent stood behind me, his eyes still trained on the dead body in front of me.

"Are you fucking mad? Aurelia could've been hurt," I yelled at Vincent as I patted my niece's head and pulled her closer.

"She isn't hurt, Gus. But you are right. He could have hurt her." Saying that, Vincent began walking.

"I was talking about you hurting her." You asshole.

"You're welcome." Echoed his voice.

Within seconds, the soot cleared.

Gemma stood across from me. Her face - colored red and black. Her hands were painted with the same color - of blood and soot.

"Is Auri okay?" she asked as she made her way towards her.

I picked up Aurelia in my arms, sliding my gun behind. "She's fine."

"No, she isn't." Gemma placed a hand over Aurelia's forehead, mouthing. "Fever."

"I'll take her," I said. She grabbed my elbow.

"Wait."

"We don't have time, Gemma."

"Sofia..."

As soon as Gemma said her name, Aurelia broke her embrace. She cupped my face in her tiny palms and pointed towards a dark corner. "The stairs."

Gemma and I shared a look. The look of concern - in knowing something was wrong. I could sense it from Gemma. I pacified myself, my aching chest by telling Aurelia was sick to be relieved about her mother's rescue.

Truth was, Aurelia herself knew something was wrong.

I could sense it.

"I'll get her," Gemma said. "I'll bring Sofia."

"I'll cover."

"No." She waved her arms across my face. Her jaws clenched. "You secure Aurelia."

"But-"

"She's my ward."

Gemma ran before I could counter.

I pulled my radio, pushing the button to speak. "Aurelia is secure. Gemma's going for Sofia."

Static.

I pressed again to speak.

Aurelia's warm body felt heavier than all the gear I wore and carried.

"I'll cover her." It was Alejandro's voice from the radio. "Bring back my daughter."

And I did as asked.

~

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