Re-Vamp

Chapter 29: Predator

The vans stopped in front of a huge abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Lola watched apprehensively as the thugs shoved them out of the vehicle, their handcuffs jangling with each rough movement.

Juana groaned in pain when one of the men dragged her without regard, while Arturo screamed in terror, kicking in an attempt to break free. Lola gritted her teeth, wishing she could do something to protect them, but her leg wound had left her weak and unsteady.

The warehouse doors burst open and an imposing man emerged, his face twisted in fury. Lola immediately recognized he must be the leader of that criminal group.

"Well, well... so here are the little fugitives," he muttered with a sinister smile... "What the hell is this?" Riquelme roared, fixing his steely gaze on the kidnappers. "Who is this policewoman and why have you brought her?"

One of the thugs, the same one who had shot Lola, stepped forward submissively. "Boss, this is the police officer who tried to stop us from taking the old lady. We had to subdue her..."

Before he could finish, Riquelme struck him hard across the face, making him stagger. "You idiots! Didn't I tell you I wanted this clean and discreet?" He spat with contempt. "How dare you involve the police in my affairs?"

The men kept a tense silence, some averting their eyes in shame. Riquelme then turned to Lola, who defied him with her chin held high despite her precarious situation.

"You..." he hissed with disdain. "I don't know what you had to do with all this, but I assure you, you'll regret it..."

At that moment, another man appeared on the scene. Lola recognized him immediately, feeling her heart freeze in her chest.

"Miguel!" she exclaimed with a mix of disbelief and disappointment.

Miguel seemed to find his voice upon hearing her, taking a step forward with a pleading expression.

"Boss, please! She had nothing to do with this. We had agreed that they would only bring the old lady, you wouldn't hurt anyone else, even the kid..."

Riquelme silenced him with a backhanded blow that made him stagger. His eyes burned with uncontrollable fury.

"Agreed? Since when does a worm like you give me orders?" he spat with contempt. "This bitch stuck her nose where it didn't belong and now she'll pay the price..."

He leaned menacingly toward Miguel, his voice turned to a venomous hiss.

"And if you don't want your daughter to pay the consequences too, you'd better shut up and obey..."

The poor man stood still, his eyes wide with terror. He shook his head frantically, all traces of bravery leaving him.

Riquelme turned his gaze to Juana. "Do you have any idea the shit you've gotten me into, you old bitch?" he spat with contempt. "My men say your demon tore apart several of our men."

Juana shrank back in fear. "I don't know what you're talking about, sir. Arnaud wasn't any monster, just a poor man who helped us when we needed it most."

Riquelme let out a mocking laugh. "Really? And how do you explain the dozens of men I lost last month, you stupid old woman? Do you think I'm naive enough to believe that a simple man could have caused such a massacre?"

"I... I don't know," Juana admitted in a trembling voice. "I never knew he had that strength until your men attacked us."

The capo frowned and turned to Arturo, who shrank back in fear. "And you, kid? What can you tell us about that demon?"