Alexander Gonzales

The moment I pull up to Ezra and Amelia's house, something feels off. The air feels heavy, and there's a tension I can sense even before I step through the door. I've been here a hundred times, but tonight...something's wrong.

I knock, then let myself in without waiting for an answer. It's Ezra and Amelia, after all. We don't do formality here. But the second I cross the front door, I hear the muffled sound of crying coming from the living room. Amelia.

My heart jumps into my throat, and I quicken my pace, my boots thudding on the hardwood floor. Rounding the corner, I see her sitting on the couch, curled into a ball with her arms wrapped around her knees. She's sobbing, her whole body trembling as Ezra crouches in front of her, his hands on her legs, speaking softly, trying to calm her down.

"Amelia?" My voice comes out sharper than I intended, a mixture of fear and confusion bubbling to the surface.

She looks up, and her eyes are red, puffy, filled with so much fear I almost step back. Her lips tremble, and she tries to speak but only manages a shaky breath.

"Alex." Ezra says, his voice low and serious. "We've got a situation."

"What the hell is going on?" I demand, my pulse quickening. My eyes flick between them, searching for answers. Amelia's still shaking, her sobs quieting but her chest still heaving as she tries to pull herself together.

"Mia," she whispers through her tears. "She's in trouble."

My world narrows to that one name. Mia. My chest tightens, and I can barely swallow as panic goes through me. "What do you mean she's in trouble?" I keep my voice steady.

Amelia tries to explain, but her words come out too fast. She's panicking, and it's making my head spin. I glance at Ezra, silently begging him to tell me what the hell is going on.

He meets my gaze. "She's been taken."

Everything inside me stops. Taken? I feel like the ground is falling out from beneath me.

"Taken?" I echo, barely able to believe what I'm hearing. I feel like I'm in a nightmare. "By who?"

Ezra squeezes Amelia's shoulders gently, standing up and coming toward me. "We don't know yet, but Austin was involved. And a woman."

Cassandra. It has to be her.
And Austin? That fucking snake. My fists clench at my sides, my whole body coiled with tension.

"Where is she?" I demand, my voice rough with anger and something else. Fear. Deep, gnawing fear.

Ezra shakes his head. "We don't know. But we'll find out."

Amelia's sobs break through the silence again, and I turn my attention back to her. I can't fall apart right now, not in front of my sister. I need to stay composed, for her sake. But inside, im dying. All I can think about is Mia, somewhere out there, in danger, scared.

Ezra looks down at Amelia, his jaw set. "Stay here with her. I'm going to get my men on this."

He heads out of the room to make some calls, and I sit beside Amelia, my mind racing. She curls into my side, and I wrap an arm around her, trying to soothe her, but the truth is, I'm barely holding it together myself.

Minutes pass. Amelia's breathing eventually evens out, and her sobs quiet down, but her grip on my shirt remains tight, like she's terrified if she lets go, everything will fall apart.

Finally, Ezra returns. He gives Amelia a look. "I need to speak to Alex." He says and I stand back up. She nods, wiping her tears.

Ezra and I walk into the next room. He closes the door behind us, and the second we're alone, it all hits me.
I slam my fists down on the table, leaning over it as my body shakes with anger and fear. I can't catch my breath. My vision blurs, and my heart feels like it's about to explode. "Fucking shit."

"Alex," Ezra says, his voice steady but concerned. I feel his hand on my shoulder, gripping it firmly. "We'll find her, man. Don't you worry."

But I can't calm down. I can't think straight. "It's my fault." The words come out in a rush, my voice hoarse. "This is all because of me."

Ezra's grip on my shoulder tightens. "Alex, stop. We'll get her back. You just need to stay calm."

I shake my head, still hunched over the table. "God, I should've never..." I trail off, biting back the rest of the sentence.

"You should've never what?" Ezra's voice is quiet, but I can hear the edge in it. He already knows. He's always known.

I turn my head slightly, just enough to meet his eyes. "I...I messed up." My voice cracks. "I know you told me not to, Ezra. But I dragged her into this mess anyway."

He sighs, running a hand through his hair. "I knew you wouldn't stay away from her," he says softly. "I warned you."

"I know," I whisper, my throat burning. "But please...I...I don't think I can live without her."

"God...I can't breathe...why can't I breathe...?" I gasp for air. Loosening my tie, but it's useless.

Ezra turns me to him. "You're having a panic attack. I need you to mimic me." He says and I do.

"I need you to focus, brother. Look at me." He breathes slowly in and out. "Do it with me."

I breathe with him.
"We'll find her. I promise you." He says calming me down. He's really good at this.
"There you go." He says smiling this time.

I take air into my lungs, finally able to breathe.
"How...how did you know what to do?" I ask.

"Let's say...I've been there a few times." He shrugs like it's no big deal.

He doesn't say anything for a long moment, just watches me with that calm, collected expression he always wears. Finally, he nods, clapping me on the shoulder. "Promise me something."

"What?" I mumble, barely able to get the word out.

"When we get Mia back, which we will, you'll tell Amelia everything. No more secrets. I can't keep this from my wife."

I close my eyes, swallowing hard. He's right. I can't keep lying to everyone. I've made a mess of things, and now Mia's paying the price. I take a shaky breath and nod.

"I promise," I say, my voice breaking. "Just find her. Please." I beg.

Ezra squeezes my shoulder again, then steps back. "We're going to find her," he says, his voice filled with quiet confidence. "I need you to get it together now, and bring your men over, so we can work something out."

I nod, trying to hold onto the little hope he's offering.
Because the truth is, I can't live in a world without Mia. And if something happens to her, if I lose her...I'll go mad.

I'll burns this whole world down just to find her.