The Daughter Extraction

Unspoken Tensions

•ALEC•

I snapped awake when I caught voices drifting down the alley. I sat up, pushed the blinds aside, and took a peek.

My senses went on high alert as I saw five figures casually strolling from the end of the alley. A red glow in the dark marked the passing of a cigarette, and the shadows of rifles hung off their arms.

No doubt, these were Emiliano's guys, patrolling the area on the lookout for us.

I let the blinds fall back and glanced at Luna, sleeping peacefully on her makeshift blanket. She looked calm, with her eyes closed, long lashes brushing her pale cheeks, pink lips slightly parted, and long hair falling in dark waves around her face.

It annoys me to disturb her peaceful sleep, but staying here meant putting both our lives in danger. With my ammo running low and our safe hideout still distant, time wasn't on our side.

I rose from the chair, crouched in front of Luna, and gently shook her arm.

"Hey... Luna? Wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open, and I watched as she slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes. Confusion crossed her face before her gaze met mine.

"We have to move," I whispered, opening my backpack. "This spot's not safe anymore; we might be in danger."

She frowned but didn't protest. I handed her a cap and jacket from the bag and stood up.

"Put these on quickly and meet me outside in two minutes."

After walking past her, I grabbed the door handle and checked outside to ensure it was clear before opening the door. Clutching my Glock 23, I cautiously stepped out, scanned the surroundings, and, satisfied there was no one in sight, held the door open, waiting for Luna.

"Let's go," I whispered to her inside. A few seconds later, she emerged from the guardhouse and joined me.

I closed the door gently, grabbed her upper arm, and led her in the opposite direction.

The night swallowed us as Luna and I navigated the quiet, empty streets of Mexico City. The distant hum of laughter and distant music filled the air, but the streets were a desolate canvas illuminated by the soft glow of street lamps.

Checking my watch, the hands pointed at 2 in the morning, a reminder of the eerie silence that surrounded us. Luna and I moved in sync, her hand in mine as I led her through the labyrinth of shadows.

The occasional flickering street lamp cast fleeting glimpses of our path, revealing the deserted alleyways and closed storefronts.

As we walked, a lively group emerged from the darkness – laughter echoed, and a chorus of inebriated voices filled the air.

A group of women, their infectious singing breaking the stillness of the night, approached us. For them, it was just another Friday night revelry, but for me, caution lingered.

Pulling Luna closer, my senses heightened. I scanned the faces, wary of potential threats concealed beneath the veneer of merry intoxication. The streets may seem empty, but danger often lurks in unsuspecting places.

Bars began to spill their patrons onto the sidewalks, their laughter merging with the nocturnal symphony. A few cars sped past, their occupants cheering and hooting in drunken revelry.

Yet, I remained vigilant, knowing that the night concealed both merriment and potential peril. I kept Luna close, my protective instincts on high alert, for the city's heartbeat pulsed with both celebration and an underlying tension that demanded caution.

My blood froze as I noticed three armed men striding down the same alleyway, their menacing presence sending shivers down my spine. Glancing at Luna, an idea sparked in my mind. Just as panic threatened to take over, I saw a group of drunk individuals trailing the three men.

Seizing the opportunity, I pulled Luna towards me, pressing her against the wall of the adjacent dark alleyway. My body close to hers, I instinctively covered her face with my arm, creating a façade of a passionate kiss to the passersby.

The group of armed men and their unwitting followers passed by without a second glance, allowing us to slip away unnoticed, our heartbeats gradually returning to normal.

As Luna stood frozen before me, her cap shielding her face, the palpable heat radiating through our clothes hinted at an unspoken tension. A magnetic force seemed to pull us together, tempting me to explore the curves concealed beneath the fabric. It was a desire I grappled with, conflicted by the forbidden nature of my feelings for someone who was just a client.

I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for my attraction to Luna. Maybe it was the mystery in her eyes or the delicate beauty in her soft-spoken demeanor. There was an undeniable allure that defied the professional boundaries I had set for myself in this line of work.

Suppressing these forbidden thoughts, I diverted my attention, scanning the surroundings as a distraction. The allure of Luna lingered in the back of my mind, a puzzle I was determined to solve but dared not unravel amid our dangerous situation.

After ensuring the coast was clear and the three armed men were nowhere in sight, I cautiously distanced myself from Luna. I could almost hear the subtle exhale she released as I moved away, a moment that brought a smile to my face. Double-checking the empty alleyway, I turned to Luna.

"The road is clear. Let's go." I assured her while shoving my gun in the gun holster strapped around my right thigh.

Luna adjusted the cap on her head before obediently following me out of the shadowy hiding spot. As we continued on our way, the thought lingered in my mind:

What if I had taken the chance and kissed her right then?
What might have unfolded in the aftermath?

The unanswered question lingered as we pressed on through the unknown, the possibilities echoing in the footsteps of our silent escape.