Page 32 of Sins & Paradise

In a final act of desperation, I try to tug out of Miguel's hold, moving the gun that's pressed against my head and pushing him back, trying to get him off balance.

As he stumbles backward, he raises the hand that he had hidden, and in it is a grenade. The people are so close that there's no way less than a handful of them won't be killed.

I glance in Lobo's direction one more time before I throw myself back at Miguel, ramming him off the dock and against the side of the yacht.

I hear Lobo scream my name as Miguel and I tumble over the edge. The cold water shocks my system as we plunge beneath the surface. I struggle against Miguel's grip, kicking and thrashing. His fingers dig painfully into my arm as we sink deeper.

Suddenly, a muffled boom reverberates through the water. The grenade. The explosion sends a powerful shockwave that slams into us. I'm ripped away from Miguel as debris rains down around us.

My lungs burn for air as I'm tossed about by the turbulent water. Panicked screams pierce through the surface above. The splintering of wood echoes all around me. I fight to swim upward but my limbs feel like lead.

My vision starts to darken at the edges. I can't hold my breath any longer. Water rushes into my mouth and nose as I inhale involuntarily. The world spins and fades away as consciousness slips from my grasp.

The last thing I'm aware of is a strong arm wrapping around my waist, pulling me up towards the light. Then everything goes black.

Even in my unconsciousness I can feel that everything is all wrong. The arm around me isn’t Lobo but the one man I’d spent so much time trying to get away from.

Miguel has me all over again.

Fifteen

Lobo

My head poundsas the sound of flames and crackling wood reverberates through the air.

“Lobo! ¡Levántate!” I hear Vado scream for me but I can’t open my eyes yet. Finally, I force my eye lids open and look around for Angela. The last thing I remember was her searching for me before pushing Miguel back. Then there was a loud boom. Now she’s gone.

She’s gone.

No! She can’t.

Aye, Dios, Por favor.

The heat sears my skin as I plunge into the murky water. Smoke burns my lungs, but I push forward, desperation fueling every stroke. "¡Angela! ¡Angela!" I scream her name, my voice hoarse. The flames reflect off the choppy waves, casting an eerie orange glow across the bay.

I dive beneath the surface, my eyes stinging as I search the depths. Debris from the exploded yacht rains down around me. A tangle of seaweed brushes my leg and I jerk away, my heart pounding. For a moment, I imagine it's Angela's hand reaching for me.

Breaking the surface, I gasp for air. "¡Maldita sea!" I curse, spinning in circles. Where is she? The worry gnaws at my insides like a ravenous beast. I can't lose her. Not now. Not like this.

I look over my shoulder to see Vado and the rest of the club helping the rest of those who helped me at the docks. I should be there with them helping out as well. But I can’t not until I know for sure what’s happened with Angela.

I won't go back without Angela. And I won't rest until Miguel pays for what he's done.

A sudden movement catches my eye. A figure thrashing in the water. My heart leaps. Could it be? I swim furiously towards it, praying to every saint I know. As I get closer, I see it's Miguel, struggling to stay afloat.

He’s about half a mile away from me but I can see him clearly. My heart squeezes in my chest when I watch him drag a gasping Angela up behind him.

It feels like my prayers have been answered. I prayed that she’d be okay. That I’d have another chance to let her know just how much I love her. I don’t care if it’s all happening so fast. Angela is made just for me and I’m not going to waste any time denying it.

I’ve been blessed by her being alive after that explosion. Now I just have to find a way to get her out of Miguel’s hands. As it stands he’s walking the both of them up into the dense trees. I knew if they got too far in there was a chance I’d never catch up to them in time.

Vado wants me to stand down. He wants me to wait until we can regroup, but I can’t. I’ll go against my patch if it means I get Angela back. I’ll just deal with the repercussions when I’ve got her in my arms.

***

I swim with all my might, pushing through the water toward the shore where Miguel dragged Angela. My muscles burn, but I ignore the pain. Nothing matters except getting to her.

As I reach the beach, I stumble out of the water, gasping for air. The dense forest looms before me, a wall of green shadows and rustling leaves. I pause for just a moment, straining my ears. In the distance, I hear the familiar chirp of coquí frogs, their high-pitched "co-kee" calls echoing through the night. It's a soundthat usually brings comfort, a reminder of home. But now it only adds to my anxiety, masking any noise that might lead me to Angela.

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