Gangster's Paradise // Rio (Good Girls)

43.im so sorry baby

Isla carefully adjusted her hair and examined her reflection in the mirror, applying the finishing touches to her hair and makeup just before her outing with Rio.

"Are you ready?" Rio asked, leaning against the door frame as he entered the bathroom. Isla nodded and turned to him.

"Yes, let's go," Isla replied, and they walked out of their room together. "Alright, Marcus, you be good for Uncle Axle, okay? Mommy and Daddy will see you in a little bit," she said, planting a kiss on his cheek. Marcus nodded, and Isla took hold of Rio's hand as they stepped out of the door.

Isla and Rio arrived at the restaurant, hand in hand, feeling a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. They settled into a cozy table, their eyes locked with a deep sense of affection.

As they enjoyed their meal, their conversation flowed effortlessly, isla here and there dog kisses and In a tender moment, Rio leaned in closer, his voice filled with sincerity.

"Isla," he said softly, his gaze unwavering, "Being with you tonight, it hits me hard, babe. You're my everything, and I can't even picture my life without you. You're my world, and damn, do I need you by my side."

Isla let out a loving laugh as her heart skipped a beat, and a warm smile spread across her face. "Rio," she replied, her voice filled with tenderness, "I love you so much." She said placing a loving kiss on his lips

they finished their meal, As they left the restaurant, their fingers still intertwined, they stepped out into the night walking side by side Heading towards his car

"Rio," a voice called from behind them. Rio tensed, subtly drawing Isla closer to him as he discreetly fished out his phone to send a quick text. "When my men arrive, you go with them," he whispered to her before spinning around to face the new threat.

"What?" Rio asked, feigning ignorance. Isla, having never seen the man before, flicked her gaze nervously between Rio and the stranger.

"I think we need to talk," the man insisted, to which Rio responded with a dismissive shake of his head.

"I don't have time for you," Rio retorted, "and you're not the boss here. You know your role."

"Oh, I'm not the boss? How about now?" The man's voice escalated to a yell as he brandished a gun. Rio instinctively maneuvered Isla further behind him, her breath hitching as her eyes darted between the armed man and the headlights rapidly approaching from down the road. A wave of relief washed over her as she recognized the car, but the man appeared to panic, seemingly recognizing it too. Isla's eyes squeezed shut at the sound of a loud bang, only to gasp in pain as she felt a sharp sting radiate through her chest

Isla's hands instinctively shot up to clutch her chest, her eyes meeting Rio's with a mix of pain and desperation. A wave of panic rushed through him as he sprinted towards her, just in time to catch her as her legs buckled beneath her.

"Isla," Rio's voice trembled as he held her tightly in his arms, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Rio..." Isla gasped for breath, blood spilling from her mouth as she coughed, she looked up at him, her gaze glassy but urgent. "You're... you're not like anyone else, Rio," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

Rio's heart pounded in his chest as he hoisted her up into his arms. "Isla, stay with me," he urged, his voice uncharacteristically shaky. "We're gonna get you help."

"I... I know," she managed, her fingers weakly gripping his jacket. "But you... you're different, Rio. Don't...don't forget that."

The sheer terror in Rio's eyes was something he rarely allowed to surface. He was typically smooth, always in control, but in this moment, he was scared. His car screeched to a halt beside them, and his men jumped out, their faces pale as they took in the scene.

"Get the door," Rio barked at one of them, his voice firm despite his shaking hands. The man nodded, rushing to comply while Rio carefully placed Isla in the backseat. Climbing in beside her, he pressed his hand firmly against her wound, trying to staunch the bleeding. "You're gonna make it, Isla. Just hold on," he murmured, his other hand gripping hers tightly.

As they sped off towards the hospital, Rio couldn't help but reflect on Isla's words. He wasn't like anyone else - and in this terrifying moment, he couldn't decide if that was a curse or a blessing. But one thing was certain: he would do whatever it took to keep Isla alive.

The hospital doors swung open as Rio burst through, his face etched with desperation. Medical staff immediately swarmed around Isla, wheeling her into the emergency room. Rio, his heart pounding, paced back and forth in the waiting area, his mind consumed by a mix of fear, anger, and grief.

Minutes felt like hours until Lexi, emerged from the doors. Her eyes were red, her expression solemn. She approached Rio, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry, Rio. We..We did everything we could, but she's.....gone."

In that instant, Rio's world shattered. A surge of rage coursed through him as he clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He unleashed his anger on the nearest wall, throwing a powerful punch that left a gaping hole in the drywall. Pain shot through his hand, but it was nothing compared to the agony he felt in his heart.

Collapsing onto a nearby chair, Rio buried his face in his hands, his shoulders trembling with grief. He rubbed his temples, trying to make sense of the senseless. Memories of Isla flooded his mind, their stolen moments together, the laughter they shared. And now, she was gone.

After a few moments, Rio slowly lifted his head, his eyes filled with determination. He knew what he had to do. He needed to find whoever was responsible for taking Isla away from him and make them pay. It wasn't just about revenge; it was about justice.

With a heavy sigh, Rio stood up and composed himself. He approached the hospital receptionist and requested to see Isla one last time. Guided by a nurse, he made his way to the room where she lay, peaceful yet lifeless.

As he stood by her side, Rio's voice cracked with emotion. "I'm sorry, Isla....im so sorry baby" he said
"I couldn't protect you," he whispered, his voice filled with regret. Tenderly, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. "I promise you, I'll find him. And when I do, they're going to pay."

With a heavy heart, Rio turned and left the room, the weight of grief still clinging to him. He knew that his journey for justice had just begun, and he would stop at nothing to avenge Isla's death.