Chapter 15

Fifteen

Lobo

My head pounds as 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 sound that usually brings comfort, a reminder of home. But now it only adds to my anxiety, masking any noise that might lead me to Angela.

I plunge into the forest, branches whipping at my face and arms as I run. The ground is uneven, slick with fallen leaves and hidden roots. I stumble more than once, but I push on. The air is thick and humid, clinging to my skin. Moonlight filters through the canopy above, casting eerie shadows that seem to move and shift as I pass.

"?Angela!" I call out, my voice hoarse.

There's no response, just the endless chirping of the frogs and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. I pause, trying to catch my breath and listen for any sign of movement. The forest is alive with sounds – the buzz of insects, the distant call of a night bird – but nothing that tells me where Angela and Miguel might be.

I'm keenly aware that I have no weapon, nothing to defend myself or Angela with if – when – I find them. But I can't let that stop me. I clench my fists, feeling the raw scrapes on my knuckles from the fight earlier. It doesn't matter. I'll use my bare hands if I have to.

A twig snaps somewhere to my left and I freeze. Was that them? Or just some animal moving through the underbrush? I hold my breath, listening intently. There – another sound, like fabric catching on branches.

"Angela," I whisper, more to myself than anything. "I'm coming, mi amor. Hold on."

I move as quietly as I can through the forest, following the faint sounds. The coquí frogs continue their endless chorus, but now I welcome it. It masks the sound of my approach, giving me a chance to catch Miguel by surprise.

As I push through a dense patch of ferns, I catch a glimpse of movement ahead. My heart pounds in my chest as I see Angela's familiar silhouette, with Miguel's larger form looming behind her.

I say a silent prayer, steeling myself for what's to come. I have no plan, no weapon, nothing but my determination and need to save Angela. But it will have to be enough.

I creep closer, my muscles coiled and ready to spring. Miguel has his back to me, one hand gripping Angela's arm tightly. She looks terrified, her eyes wide and darting around frantically. I can see tear tracks on her dirt-smudged cheeks.

Suddenly, Angela's gaze locks with mine. I see a flash of relief in her eyes, quickly replaced by fear as she glances at Miguel. She gives an almost imperceptible shake of her head, warning me not to reveal myself.

But it's too late. Miguel must have sensed something, because he whirls around, dragging Angela with him. His eyes narrow as he spots me.

"Ah, Lobo," he sneers. "Come to play the hero?"

I don't waste time with words. I lunge forward, aiming a punch at his face. But Miguel is faster than I expected. He shoves Angela aside and dodges my fist, countering with a vicious uppercut to my jaw.

Pain explodes through my head as I stagger back. I taste blood in my mouth. Miguel presses his advantage, raining blows on my face and body. I manage to block some, but others connect with sickening force.

I hear Angela scream my name, her voice filled with terror. It gives me a surge of strength. I duck under Miguel's next swing and drive my shoulder into his midsection, tackling him to the ground.

We roll across the forest floor, grappling for dominance. Leaves and twigs dig into my back as Miguel pins me down. His hands close around my throat, squeezing. I gasp for air, black spots dancing at the edges of my vision.

With a desperate effort, I bring my knee up hard between his legs. Miguel's grip loosens as he grunts in pain. I use the moment to flip our positions, straddling him as I rain punches down on his face.

Blood sprays from Miguel's nose and mouth. I feel bones crunch under my fists, but I can't stop. All the rage, all the fear, all the desperation of the past hours pours out of me in a flood of violence.

I'm so focused on pummeling Miguel that I don't notice Angela's frantic warnings. It's only when I feel a sharp, burning pain in my side that I realize my mistake. Miguel has pulled a knife, and the blade is now buried deep in my flesh.

I gasp, more from shock than pain at first. Miguel's face, bloody and battered, twists into a vicious grin. He yanks the knife out and I cry out, feeling warm blood gush from the wound.

"Not so tough now, are you, you piece of shit?" Miguel snarls.

He shoves me off him and I fall back, clutching my side. The pain is intense now, radiating through my body with each heartbeat. I try to stand, but my legs are weak. I stumble, falling to one knee.

Miguel looms over me, the bloody knife glinting in the moonlight. "Time to finish this," he says, raising the blade.

I close my eyes, bracing for the final blow. But instead of pain, I hear a sickening thud and a grunt of pain. My eyes fly open to see Miguel crumpling to the ground, the knife falling from his limp fingers.

Behind him stands Angela, a large rock clutched in her shaking hands. Her eyes are wide with shock and fear.

"Lobo," she whispers, dropping the rock and rushing to my side. "Oh God, you're hurt."

I try to smile, but it comes out as more of a grimace. "It's nothing, mi amor," I lie, even as I feel my strength ebbing away with each pulse of blood from the wound. "You saved me."

Angela tears off a strip of her shirt, pressing it against my side. "We need to get you help," she says, her voice trembling. "Can you walk?"

I nod, though I'm not sure I can. With Angela's help, I struggle to my feet. The world spins for a moment, and I lean heavily on her.

"What about him?" She asks, nodding towards Miguel's unconscious form.

Before I can open my mouth, I hear AZ speak. “Leave him for us. We’ll finish him off for you.”

My eyes scan the trees and I see all of my patch brother there waiting for their chance to get their revenge. Miguel truly fucked up when he decided to bring his problems to our island. No one fucks with us here.

“Come on, we go to get you back home.” Oro rushes over to me and I rest most of my weight on him while Angela stays on the opposite side of me trying to help me walk.

As we start our slow, painful journey back through the forest, I can't help but marvel at the strength of the woman beside me. She's been through hell, yet here she is, holding me up, guiding me to safety.

"Angela," I murmur, my voice weak. "I love you." Fuck taking it slow. Fuck being a pussy for being the first one to say. I don’t care what anyone has to say. She’s my woman. Put here just for me. I’m not ashamed or too proud to let the world know.

She tightens her grip on me. "I love you too, Lobo," she says softly. "Now save your strength. We're going to make it out of this. Together."

As we stumble through the darkness, I cling to that promise. Whatever comes next, whatever battles we still have to face, we'll face them together. And somehow, that makes even the pain in my side seem bearable.