The Dancing Torera

64

Rio

"hijo del diablo!" I take a step forward to confront the president. (The devil's son).

When they saw me charging toward him, a couple of the president's bodyguards, spread across the tiny space, rushed to his side. He pretended to be as confused as the other men in the room as I cursed at him, calling him every name under the sun.

"Is that why you passed the law so quickly? Was this your plan all along?" I snarled, snatching his collar.

Esteban grabbed me and placed his hand on my shoulder, advising me to be cautious of my behavior, lest I be jailed.

"Rio, I have no idea what you're talking about and I suggest you let go of my collar before something worse happens" He smiles, patting my arm with caution.

I didn't have time for this. I push him down into the chair behind him and make my way toward the exit. "She is in trouble," I announced, looking behind at Esteban and giving him the courtesy of knowing Anais was in danger. We didn't have to exchange words; he understood what the president had done and threw his plate atop the table.

We both ran down the stadium steps, hoping to reach Anais and stop her, before it was too late.

——

Esteban is right on my heel as I ran.

"I'll go check with the handlers to see if they can fetch the chains and rope. You won't have any trouble distracting the bull, will you?"

Esteban scoffs, irritated that I had even asked him the question, and dashes out to find another crimson cape. I soak in the atmosphere of the stadium as people cheer and dance. The crowds were still unaware of the catastrophe that was about to unfold.

Although Anais appeared to be in command, I could see her tattering. The bull was acting erratically, stomping its legs higher and coming at her with increased force.

"Hey!" She frowns, trying to relax the bull as it charges at her. She narrowly misses its horn. I see Gloria climbing over the fence with concern. She could sense something was wrong. Esteban reaches the other side of the stadium and pulls Gloria back, exchanging a few quick words before hopping over the partition to enter in.

Anais screamed again, tumbling to the floor with dust on her face. I grew impatient as I noticed the narrow distance between the bull approaching Anais. Esteban knelt low, adjusting his posture to divert the bull's attention but I knew it would be too late by the time Esteban reached the bull to distract her.

And I understood what I had to do at that moment. It was a life I said I'd never return to, no matter what, but I guess breaking promises was fun once in a while.

-----

I scan the audience and notice a slim woman in the front wearing a tight red skirt. I raced over, bending low, and grasped the ends. "May I borrow this for a minute?"

"Hey!" She attempted to slap me when it ripped but stopped when she spotted my tattoos and appearance. "I would have let you take it all off after the match, cutie," she smirked. I didn't even respond when she said it.

I didn't have time.

My knuckles grip the cold iron gates as I leap over the fence, quick to act.

I dash to meet her just as the bull  narrowly pierced her side and snatched her into my arms, her back pressed against my stomach.

Anais

Don't move. He whispered. His voice was so strong...so demanding. I felt a rush of heat as he held me tight. I would be lying if I said I didn't miss him. My hands remained on top of his as he flipped the red blanket. Another swift move and the bull passed us. I didn't know what was going on but I wasn't scared.

"Don't move." He whispered. His voice was so demanding...so assured. I felt a rush of heat as he held me tight. As he gripped me tightly, I felt a surge of heat. His veiny arm was wrapped across my stomach, while the other was draped in a red cape. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it. As he flipped the red blanket, my hands remained on top of his. The bull passed us with another quick move. I had no idea what was going on, but I wasn't afraid."Were you wondering why the president passed the law so quickly?" he asked, his eyes still glued ahead."Yes?" I blurted, my eyes focused on the charging bull as well. "His plan was to sabotage your first match all along. He paid someone to drug the bull to act erratically.""But.." I look up at him. Rio snatched me closer, lifting me up and spinning us both around, threading the cape past the bull's head. I felt the gust of wind from the horns.

I couldn't help but notice Rio's persuasive movements. He appeared to be in his element. He was so sure of himself with every turn and every wave of his torn cape, it was shamelessly turning me on.

There was no way this was his first time doing this.

The handlers finally came with ropes and chains to subdue the animal. I see Esteban running towards us a little too late for my liking.

Rio pulled out a sword I had no idea he was holding and shoved me behind him. The bull came at him, but he seemed unfazed, skillfully avoiding his horns and twisting his body, driving the sword into the left hemisphere of his brain, killing it instantly.

"NO!!!" I yell and stand up to face him.

"Anais—" Rio turned to face me, attempting to explain.

"You killed it!" I try to run over to see the bloody scene but Rio held me back. "You killed it!" I hit his chest in anger. "Let me go!"

"Anais! It was either us or the bull! You wanna die?" He yelled, shaking me into sanity, and pushing me to recognize my priorities. Although I wanted no bloodshed on my match, this was a different situation. It was do or die. Despite how upset I was, Rio had saved me.

"LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A NEW MATADOR IN TOWN!" The announcer's voice blared over his speaker system. The crowd cheered, praising the quick display of showmanship. They hadn't even known the complexity of the situation. They thought it was part of the show.

"Domador del diablo! Domador del diablo! Domador del diablo!" (Devil tamer)

"Cute" He curses, cringing at his new nickname. The news reporters and photographers start storming over and surrounding us. "Juan" Rio whistles, alerting his guard's attention.

"Take her to the house. No one goes in or out"

"Follow me Anais," Juan says, leading me away as the crowds surround Esteban and Rio.

I try to meet Esteban's eyes but they swarmed around him, lifting him up and then Rio.

Juan takes my hand, leading me out of the stadium and escorting me to the car.

——-

Author Note:

I had secondhand embarrassment writing the part where Anais is yelling at Rio for killing the bull.
Also, pretend Esteban threw a rope or something to help Rio 💀 I didn't feel like wiring action scenes for two different men