Page 23 of Sins & Paradise

"This better be good," he grumbles. Casting me an apologetic look, he opens the door to reveal a grim-faced Pooh.

"Sorry to interrupt," Pooh says, not sounding very sorry at all. "But trust me, you're gonna want to see this.”

Lobo shoots me another apologetic glance before following Pooh out of the room. I take a moment to compose myself, willing my racing heart to slow down. The charged moment between us still lingers, my body thrumming with unfulfilled need. Sighing, I straighten my clothes and smooth down my hair before trailing after them.

We enter Pooh's makeshift tech den and he gestures for us to look at his laptop screens. "I did some digging on Angela, like you asked," he begins, his tone serious. "And I found something disturbing."

I step closer, a sense of dread coiling in my stomach. On one screen is an official looking document with my photo and the word 'WANTED' in bold red letters. My heart drops as I read the text below claiming I'm a crazed killer on the run.

"What the hell is this?" I whisper, my voice trembling. "That's not true, I never killed anyone!"

Pooh nods grimly. "I figured as much. Especially when I found this." He clicks to another screen showing what appears to be a dark web page. My blood runs cold when I see my picture again, this time with an offer of $500,000 for anyone who can find me.

"Someone wants you bad," Pooh states the obvious. "And they're not afraid to play dirty."

I feel Lobo tense beside me, a low growl rumbling in his chest. "Can you trace who put out this hit?" he asks tightly.

Pooh shakes his head. "Not yet. Whoever it is, they covered their tracks well. But I’ve got a feeling we won’t need to wait for very long to figure out who is behind this. I pulled all this from the servers here in Ponce. The community already knows about it. Still give me some time, I'll keep digging."

I barely hear their conversation, my mind reeling from this revelation. Hot tears prick at the corners of my eyes as a sense of hopelessness washes over me. Will I forever be looking over my shoulder, hunted like an animal?

Suddenly, Lobo's strong arms wrap around me, pulling me into his solid chest. I bury my face in his kutte, breathing in his comforting scent of leather and spice.

"Hey, look at me," he orders softly, tilting my chin up to meet his intense gaze. "We're going to figure this out, okay? I won't let anything happen to you, I promise. You're not alone in this anymore."

I search his eyes and find only sincere conviction shining back at me. In that moment, I believe him completely. Lobo will protect me, no matter the cost. Because that's the kind of man he is - fiercely loyal and unfailingly true to his word.

I nod, blinking back tears. "Okay," I whisper. "I trust you."

He presses a tender kiss to my forehead before turning back to Pooh with a determined set to his jaw. "Alright brother, tell me the second you see any movement on either of those notices. I want to be ready just in case someone tries to make a move.”

We don’t stay there much longer than that. Instead of going back to the room Lobo tugs me behind him and we walk out to the main area where a group of construction workers are working on the last wall and the rest of the clubmembers are still playing a hand of cards.

“I’ve got club business.” Lobo says loud. It’s like a sounding bell. Everything stops. The construction workers drop what they’re doing and walk out of the building. While the club members that are playing cards focus all their attention on Lobo.

“I had a feeling I’d be hearing from you sooner than later. At least that’s what Coca told me earlier.” A man with the president’s patch on his vest speaks. He tilts his head to the side to look me over. I shudder when I get a good look at all the tattoos on his face. He’s a scary man but if Lobo tells me I can trust him than I’m good with that.

“She’s right. I don’t usually bring outside problems to the table but I am today. This is Angela. She’s on the run and we’re going to protect her.”

The weight of his words fall onto my shoulders like a ton of bricks. I’d hate for any of these men to get hurt trying to protect me. I’ve never been a violent person but maybe what Lobo said before is true.

Maybe some people just need a little bit of violence to set them on the right path.

Nine

Lobo

This is a first for me.

I never bring outside business to the club, especially not over some woman. But Angela isn't just some woman.

As quick as all this is happening, I think she might be the one person I've been looking for. The one person that might fucking soothe this gnawing ache inside of me. The ache for purpose.

"What's going on? What's the dame got to do with it?" Vado asks, and I tug her closer to me.

"Angela has been hiding out here on the island for the last couple of weeks. She was set to marry someone by the name of Miguel, but it turns out he's a fuckingpuñeta. She told them she wanted out, but they refuse to let it go."

"You said they? Who is they? I thought we were only talking about the ex?" AZ is the one to speak up this time.

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