Chapter 35: Chapter 35

thomas

When César and I arrive at the place indicated in the message, I see that it is a dark and isolated house. I signal for him to stay outside on the side. I wait a few minutes for the security guards to arrive because I'm not stupid enough to walk into an unknown place without knowing who and where I'm messing with. As soon as the men show up, I know I need to act fast, before the police. I don't trust anyone to keep Cecilia safe, not after this one.

They stay hidden, guns in hand, as I make my way to the front of the house. I barely knock and a gray-haired man opens it. He breaks into a huge smile when he sees me and gestures for me to come in, as if I were a guest there.

I observe everything carefully and look for more men, with guns and hoods over their faces like the movies we see, but there is only the man there.

“She's not here, Thomas. Where is the money? You have nothing.

“You think I'm stupid walking around with that amount of dollars. What did you want? That I arrived with a truck? I want to see Cecilia first.

He stops, thinks, and I watch him. I look for a weapon, but he's either too dumb or too confident, because I can't find any around or on his body.

- Go ahead. She's in the basement. I will not turn my back on you.

He leads me through the house and I look at everything carefully. What kind of shitty kidnapper is this that doesn't have men with guns to protect the hostage? As soon as we arrive in front of the cellar door, the unfortunate man hands me a key so I can open it and I do.

“I hope she's okay, motherfucker,” I growl and hear a gun click in my head.

“You don't have to wait for anything, Thomas of Albuquerque. Goes into.

He leads me through the darkness and I hear a muffled scream. When the man turns on the light, I see Cecilia tied to a chair, shaking her body to free herself.

- Son of a whore! - I turn to assault the man and he fits his finger on the trigger.

I stop. If I do something impulsive now, Cecília will pay.

“You know what, Thomas, I think I want more than money,” he says, like a madman. — The sole heir to the largest hotel chain in Brazil has more to offer me, does it say? I think I'm going to use you as a hostage.

I let out a bitter laugh and turn to look at him, even though the gun is right in the middle of my forehead.

"And who's going to kidnap me?" You?

He clenches his jaw.

“You underestimate me, whatever your name is. You don't really know me, do you,” I say, approaching him slowly. “No one threatens me, takes what's mine and leaves it at that. You're not going to kill me because you need me if you want your money, you bastard. And you will not touch my woman. Because no one fucking touches her!

His eyes widen at my anger and he turns the gun on Cecilia.

When he does that, I completely lose control and put myself in front of him. The slap I give his hand makes the gun fall to the ground. He tries to catch it, but I mount him before he can.

I'm blinded by rage, as it always is when things get out of hand. I punch his face several times even after he passes out. I'm in a kind of trance and only stop when I hear Cecília's screams muffled by the cloth.

I look at her sitting in that chair, with the white skin of her face reddened. Only then do I realize that she is my priority at the moment. I go over there and crouch down to untie the knot on the ropes that bind her at her legs and wrists. I also remove the gag from her mouth and the girl throws herself into my arms. I hold her tight as she cries.

“I was so afraid I'd never see you again, Thomas. I knew you would find me - she says sobbing and I hold her tighter.

“You're not getting rid of me anytime soon, crystal. I am here.

I take a quick breath and something that has never happened to me before decides to happen right now. I don't know if it's relief, hate or something else, but the cry that comes relieves my soul along with Cecília's.

“It's okay, beautiful. Nobody will hurt you. I am here. - She sobs hard against my chest and hugs me like I'm her savior.

“Thomas…” he whispers and lifts his face. The red and puffy eyes stare at me in surprise to see the tears streaming down my face. - You are crying?

"I don't…" I can't say anything, I just pull her closer to me. “Stay here with me a minute.

We don't have that whole minute, because soon César enters there with the security guards and the police right behind. They go straight to the body lying on the ground and I hear from one of the police officers:

- He is alive.

Cecília cries more in my arms and I turn to Cesar, seeing him surprised to see us like this.

— My crystal… — he speaks in a low voice and approaches with trepidation.

- Daddy! “She lets go of me even though I'm not ready to take her away from me just yet. “I got so much to die before I could say I forgive you. I forgive you.

He also cries along with her, hugs her tightly and strokes her hair. Speak words to reassure her while the cops call me.

I know a long bureaucracy is about to start now. I'm going to have to answer a series of questions before I'm out of this nightmare for good.

— You'll have to come with us, sir — says a tall man while typing something on his cell phone.

I nod and look at Cecilia.

— I want to go with you — he says and walks away from César.

“Crystal, you need to rest.

“We need her statement too,” the cop says and I sigh. I nod in agreement.

All I wanted was to go to the hotel to have Cecilia by my side the entire time, but I need to get rid of that first.