“He and Lola destroyed their own children.” Julia paused. “Sometimes I can hardly believe how easily Lola turned so cold and heartless.”
Miguel drew her close to him. “She met the wrong person at a terrible time in her life.” He tilted her chin toward him. “But I don’t want to talk about them anymore.” He molded his mouth against hers in a slow, thorough kiss.
“No sex, remember?” Julia teased him.
“Don’t remind me. All I want to do is hold you in my arms.”
They cuddled on his bed and kissed and caressed until Julia reluctantly rose and went to her own room. That night Miguel slept peacefully.
The fight was scheduled to take place at ten o’clock in the morning on the open field. It was the most unprotected area in the compound as it backed up to the mountains. Miguel dismissed that random thought as he dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt. The sweatpants hung loosely on him, so he tightened the drawstring around his waist. He drank plenty of water but refused to eat anything for fear he’d feel heavy and sick to his stomach. It already churned with dread.
Thirty minutes before the fight, Miguel called Justice. “It’s today, Chief. Any last-minute advice?”
“Yeah. Duck.”
Miguel let out a nervous chuckle. “Got it.”
“Seriously, Miguel, remain calm and coolheaded. The Andersons will be fueled by their anger and arrogance. Make them do all the hard work.”
“So, I should just stand still?”
“Yeah. Then duck.”
They laughed.
“Chief…give my love to everyone. I miss you all.”
“Will do. And we love and miss you.”
“Catch you after the fight.”
“You bet.”
Miguel dropped to his knees next to his bed, bowed his head, clasped his hands, and prayed until a sharp rap on the door alerted him that it was time. He crossed himself and glanced at the crucifix above the bed.
“God help me.”
Raúl, Ricardo, and Julia waited in the corridor. Julia stood with rigid tension, her body coiled tightly like a spring, and her dark eyes shone with intense focus. He wanted to offer a reassuring kiss but refrained. Julia, though, grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“Let’s end this quickly so we can go home.” Then she leaned forward and kissed him. “I love you, Miguel Rivera.”
He swept her into his arms and slanted his mouth across hers in a hard kiss. “I loveyou, Julia Washburn.” Miguel addressed the twins. “We’re ready.”
After passing through the maze of corridors, they stepped into the bright morning sunshine and headed toward the open field. A large crowd, absent of children, had already gathered, and a hush fell over them as Miguel and Julia approached with Raúl and Ricardo. Details pressed themselves into Miguel’s mind. The position of the sun. Don’t let it blind him. The foothills and the mountains beyond. Easy for someone to hide there. The line of ATVs parked nearby. They provided a way to escape. Where was Juan? Miguel’s eyes scanned the crowd. There he was. Standing two deep on the left side of the field. They made eye contact, and Juan nodded almost imperceptibly.Alfredo caught his eye and gave him a huge smile with two thumbs up.
Miguel and Julia chose their spots and started to warm up, as if they were preparing to run a marathon. They swung their arms and bent their legs behind them. While they stretched their muscles, the spectators began to murmur in low voices. Miguel ignored them and concentrated on the ordeal ahead.
And then everyone grew quiet again. General Escobar strode toward the field. Axis and Axalia flanked him. The expression on the siblings’ faces reminded Miguel of starving wolves. Predatory. Hungry.
General Escobar shouted, “No weapons! No rules! No mercy! No interference! The fight isn’t over until one pair has defeated the other to the death!” He stepped off to the side.
Axalia screeched like a banshee, maybe hoping to unnerve Miguel and Julia, but they stood still several feet apart. She flew at Julia, nails extended like talons. Julia held her ground, then sidestepped and grabbed Axalia’s arm, throwing her to the ground. Axalia growled like an animal and leaped to her feet. She lunged toward Julia who threw a powerful punch that broke her nose. Blood spurted.
In the meantime, Miguel and Axis slowly circled each other. His strategy was to force the younger man to wear himself out; and when the time came, Miguel would break his neck. Quick and easy. The thought made him sick to his stomach, and bile rose in his throat. He swallowed it, forcing it down with his compassion.
Axis was far more coolheaded than his sister. He bided his time. Miguel watched him calculating his first move and tried not to be distracted by the battle now raging between Axalia and Julia. But Axis wasn’t as careful as Miguel. When he diverted his attention by glancing at his sister, Miguel struck the firstblow. He swept Axis’ legs out from beneath him and stomped on Anderson’s wounded leg.
The kid grunted, then laughed as he dusted off himself. “That won’t happen again.”
