Chapter 13 - The Lion UnchainedAlejandro dropped the empty assault rifle. It clattered against the blood-soaked marble.
He didn't check his own wounds. He didn't secure the perimeter. He turned instantly to Valeria, his eyes wild and frantic.
"Are you hit?" he demanded, closing the distance between them in two massive strides. His hands, covered in the blood of his enemies, grabbed her shoulders, running quickly down her arms and waist to check for bullet holes. "Valeria, look at me. Are you hit?"
"No," Valeria gasped, her whole body trembling as the adrenaline began to crash. "I'm okay. I'm okay."
Alejandro let out a shuddering breath, pulling her violently against his chest. He buried his face in her hair. His heart was hammering against her cheek like a jackhammer. The invincible cartel boss, the man who had just slaughtered a room full of trained killers with his bare hands, was shaking.
"You foolish, beautiful girl," he whispered against her ear, his voice rough with emotion. "I told you to lock the door."
"He was going to kill you," Valeria sobbed into his torn shirt. "I couldn't let them kill you."
A pathetic groan interrupted them.
Alejandro slowly pulled away from Valeria. The warmth in his eyes vanished, replaced instantly by the cold, black void of El Patrón.
He walked over to where El Verdugo was desperately clawing his way out onto the balcony.
Alejandro picked up the silver Desert Eagle that the executioner had dropped. He checked the chamber. One round left.
He walked up behind El Verdugo and placed his heavy boot squarely in the center of the man’s back, pinning him to the floor.
"You came into my home," Alejandro said quietly, his voice echoing off the mountain walls. "You threatened my son. And you frightened my woman."
El Verdugo spat blood onto the stone. "The Sombras... will send a hundred more. You are a dead man, Ríos."
"Let them come," Alejandro said softly. "They will need someone to bury your body."
He pointed the massive handgun at the back of El Verdugo’s head and pulled the trigger.
The blast echoed through the valley.
Alejandro didn't look down at the mess. He turned around, wiped the blood from his cheek with the back of his hand, and walked back to Valeria.
Just then, the sound of heavy rotor blades chopped through the air. A massive black helicopter rose over the edge of the cliff, the Ríos cartel emblem painted proudly on its side.
Hector’s voice boomed over a loudspeaker. "Patrón! We have the perimeter! The remaining hostiles are in retreat!"
The cavalry had arrived. But they were late.
May you like
Alejandro didn't even look at the helicopter. He kept his eyes locked on Valeria. He reached out and gently took the empty Glock from her trembling fingers, tossing it aside.
"Come," he said, taking her hand. His grip was firm, anchoring her to reality. "We need to get our son."
Related Stories
