Page 25 of Sins & Paradise

I turn to face her fully, cupping her face with one hand. "I meant what I said. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. The RBMC...my brothers...we look out for our own. And as far as I'm concerned, you're one of us now."

Angela's eyes shine with unshed tears as she nods. I press a gentle kiss to her lips before wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Come on. Let's head back inside…” I say but stop mid sentence as Angela face turns in the opposite direction and she’s wearing the most disgusted face I’ve ever seen.

“What on earth is that smell?” She takes a short inhale but coughs and covers her mouth.

I frown, catching a whiff of the rancid odor that has Angela gagging. It's acrid and thick, like burning rubber mixed with something putrid. My eyes scan the surrounding buildings and street, trying to pinpoint the source.

"I don't know, but it's rank as hell," I mutter. A knot of unease forms in my gut. Something isn't right.

Angela steps away from me, moving toward the edge of the sidewalk. Her brow furrows as she peers down the street.

"Lobo, look." She points, her voice tight with worry. "Smoke."

I follow her gaze and my blood runs cold. A thick, dark plume of smoke rises in the distance, blotting out the blue sky. It's coming from the direction of the bakery. Magda's bakery.

"Fuck," I hiss under my breath. I grab Angela's hand. "We need to go. Now."

We take off at a sprint, our boots pounding against the pavement. The closer we get, the stronger the stench becomes, burning my nostrils and throat. My heart hammers against my ribs as a sense of dread consumes me.

Please let Magda be okay, I silently pray. That tough old broad has to be okay.

We round the corner onto Magda's street and skid to a stop. Angela lets out a strangled gasp beside me.

The bakery is engulfed in flames. Angry orange tongues lick at the windows and door, thick black smoke pouring out. The heat rolls over us in blistering waves.

"No," Angela whispers, her hand coming up to cover her mouth in horror. "Magda…"

I'm moving before I even realize it, charging toward the burning building with single-minded focus. I have to get Magda out. I won't let her die like this. Not because of me, because of my inability to protect what's mine.

"Lobo, don't!" Angela screams behind me, but I barely hear her over the roar of the flames.

I'm just feet from the door, ready to barrel through, when an ear-splitting crack rends the air. The roof caves in with a thunderous crash, sending a geyser of embers and ash into the sky.

I stumble back, throwing an arm up to shield my face from the scorching heat. No one could survive that. I'm too late. Magda is gone.

Ten

Angela

I stare downat the charred rolling pin in my hands, the wood cracked and splintered from the intense heat of the flames. Lobo places a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"Come on, Angela. Let me take you home. You've been through enough for one day."

I shrug him off, shaking my head. "No. I need to stay and help clean this up. It's my fault Miguel did this, all because of me." Fresh tears sting my eyes as I survey the destruction surrounding us. Piles of smoking rubble and ash are all that remain of the village bakery.

“We don’t know this was him. It could have been those assholes that tried to stick you guys up yesterday.” Lobo tries to reason.

“Don’t do that. Don’t give me hope for something we both know isn’t true. We all know this is Miguel and it’s my damn fault.” I let me head fall forward and a lonely tear drops from my eyes.

Vado approaches, his expression solemn. "None of this is on you, Angela. We're just glad you're safe. You’re right. I think this is Miguel too. Pooh says there was a notice that went out saying they knew where you worked. If he’s crazy enough to do this, he’s not just a problem for you anymore. Miguel is dangerous and unstable. The RBMC is here now - we'll make sure he never hurts you or anyone else again."

I swallow hard, my throat raw from sobbing and the acrid smoke still lingering in the air. Part of me wants nothing more than to go home with Lobo, collapse into bed, and forget this awful day ever happened.

I drop the ruined rolling pin and grab a bucket and shovel lying nearby in the rubble. "I'm staying," I say firmly, meeting Lobo's worried gaze. "I have to do whatever I can to make this right."

Lobo sighs heavily but shakes his head. “No, querida, Lo siento. I don’t want to make you do anything you don’t want to do but I don’t know who’s out here watching us. I don’t want anyone to see you and get anymore crazy ideas. Either you walk home with me or I’m going to throw you over my shoulder and take you home that way.”

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