Page 3 of Sins & Paradise

The second my feet hit the ground I know I’m in the race of my life. If Miguel or my father catches me outside they’ll just beat me again. This time I might not wake up.

I want to scream for help but who would risk my father’s wrath to help me. No I need to get away. With a strength I didn’t know I had I push away from the house leaving Miguel and the rest of this torment behind me. Running has never been more easy.

Car horn blare in my direction as I race across the highway and under over passes. I’m not looking around for what can hurt me. It’s not safe. In fact it nearly dawn by the time I make it to the docks. Instead of the small boats I expected to see, my one good eye settles on a large cruise ship.

I can’t say what brought me here but something beyond me pulled me in this direction. I don’t have a boat and I don’t know anyone at the marina but I’m hoping there’s someone around that I can trust to help me.

My breath is coming hard and fast as I walk down the dock and up to a group of people. There is only one woman in the bunch and I pray that she’ll take some pity on me.

“What the hell is this?” She gasps as she sees me.

“Please, help me. Please.” I gasp and reach out for her.

“Call the cops!” She orders and people start to scramble.

“No! No cops!” I yell and everyone stops. “Can I talk to the captain please? I just need to get away. I need to go.” The tears fall from my one good eye and the woman’s mouth presses into a hard line.

“Someone is after you?” She asks and I nod. I don’t know for sure that Miguel has figured out that I’ve gone already but I’m sure he will soon and when that happens he’ll scorch the earth until he finds me.

“I just need to run. Please. The captain?” The words slur out of my mouth.

“I am the captain. Come on. Come with me.”

I feel people lifting me bringing me closer to the large ship. I let the weight of what I’d just gone through fall from my body.

Miguel, my father and my brother just dragged me through hell but I hope to be able to find my heaven on this cruise ship.

One

Lobo

Que Bonita es mi isla.

The sun bakes my face as I lean back in my seat and let the rays wash over me.

The club has been through hell and back, but something about the smell and feel of my home makes me forget how fucked up the past few years have been.

The last time we were in Puerto Rico, the mayor had it out for us, and we had to run away. Now we're back, and it seems like everything has changed.

Everything except the sun on my face.

I remember everything about my little island, from the town markets to the bumps in the road.

We go over three bumps in succession, and my eyes pop open.

We're almost back at the clubhouse.

"Oye, you think it'll be ready?" Oro asks, turning to one in particular.

I scoff and shake my head. Vado told us the construction company was working as hard as they possibly could, but I knew what that meant. On this little island, working as hard as they possibly could meant three-hour days followed by five hours of fucking around.

It's not that my people are lazy, but we sure know how to have a good time.

"It won't be ready. Why do you think we need to stay at fucking hotels for the next two weeks?" I turn my head to look back out at the scenery whizzing by us.

In previous times, it would have been Vado who was pissed off at the world. Since we've been back, it's me that can't seem to let go of the past.

I thought I was over this shit. Thought I had come to terms with my place in the RBMC, but it seems like I've only let the wound fester to the point of resentment.