Episode 13

It was 10:10 p.m. when Tez arrived at the Tenencia boat. He wasn't surprised by the increased number of men alongside the man called Guaco. However, he didn't expect to be face-to-face with Richard Maldonado so soon.

The blond man was the same height as Tez, but his build was smaller. He wore a light gray suit without a tie, silver shoes, and had a cigarette in his hand.

Richard: "How are you, Mr. Sallene? I heard retirement was treating you well, but you look so lively, you don't even seem like a washed-up old man. I see you brought our package. How clever."

Leyne was standing behind Tez, and upon hearing his name, he stepped forward, facing the enemy.

Richard: "Heavens, you're enchantingly petulant, kid. For even less than a look like that, I've already eliminated several of my employees."

Tez: "Where's Rodrigo?"

Richard: "Bring him here!"

Guaco and his men brought Rodrigo and placed him near Tez.

Rodrigo: "Chief, you don't have to worry about me. Everything is under control."

Richard laughed.

Richard: "Everything under control? You're very optimistic. These youngsters, what we do with them, isn't that right, Sallene?"

Richard grabbed Leyne's arm and pulled him toward him. As he moved away from Tez, Leyne smiled.

Tez: "{That smile… It's the same smile he gave me in the garden. I can't let them take him.}"

Guaco: "Mr. Richard! Can we release the other one?"

Richard: "You can deliver him, but no need to untie his hands. And as for you, Mr. Sallene, I'm sorry I can't give you more attention, but my brother insisted that he wants to lay his hands on our fugitive friend here himself, so you know how it is, these brotherly things... Oh, I forgot, you don't know."

With a peaceful voice, Tez began to give instructions with his eyes to Rodrigo, while his face burned with anger, he didn't look away from Richard.

Tez: "Rodrigo, you're going to call Chan and tell him about this. Take Leyne home, and don't leave until I get back to take care of you both, understand?"

Rodrigo: "Yes, sir!"

Guaco: "How funny, that is..."

Guaco's scream echoed through the boat. Tez threw a dagger at his hand, and then another at his neck. Very agilely, he fought with the men around him, leaving only one in Rodrigo's care.

Rodrigo: "Tez! Richard!"

Tez looked in the direction Rodrigo pointed and saw the man had placed Leyne in front of him, holding a gun to his head.

Richard: "If you hadn't taken care of my men, I would have done it myself. I'm tired of saying you need to check visitors thoroughly."

Unlike what Richard expected, Tez had already come at him, shooting with a gun he had just pulled from his belt under his arm. The impact of the man's shoulder going back released Leyne, who quickly ran into Tez's arms.

Tez: "Hey… Listen to me!"

Tez held Leyne's face, making him look at him.

Tez: "You run to Rodrigo and help him get home, and wait for me to get there. Go quickly!"

Leyne: "Yes."

Leyne immediately obeyed Tez's orders.

…

Leyne: "Rodrigo! You're hurt, aren't you?"

Rodrigo: "It's nothing serious."

Leyne: "Come on, let's get out of here."

Leyne supported Rodrigo, and even limping, he supported him until they got outside, where they got into Rodrigo's car.

Rodrigo: "Do you know how to drive?"

Leyne: "Very poorly. And with my foot hurt, I don't think I can go very far."

Rodrigo: "Then let me do that." The two switched places, started the car, and left the west harbor.

III

At Tez's house, Leyne was tending to Rodrigo's wounds. He put a bandage on his head, just above his right eyebrow.

Leyne: "I hope you didn't break any bones, I don't know how to tell. Can't you call that old doctor from the other day?"

Rodrigo: "I can, but now, in the middle of the night? I think it's best to leave it until tomorrow morning. I was careless. By the time I realized, the two cars had surrounded mine. And I ended up being taken. I ended up changing my uncle's plans and left him worried."

Leyne: "Don't say that. How could you have imagined the intention of those men? I'm surprised they kept their word because they actually returned you."

Rodrigo: "That's not entirely true. I believe he was going to send that Guaco and his men to take us down."

Leyne walked to the glass door. He looked outside and stayed like that for a few minutes.

Rodrigo: "Don't worry about him. By sunrise, he'll be here with us."

Leyne: "He shouldn't… But I am, very worried about him. Those men are terrible, they could play dirty."

Rodrigo: "You really like him, don't you?"

Leyne: "Huh!? No. It's just… He saved me several times. I'm just… grateful."

Rodrigo: "He likes you too."

Leyne: "He doesn't. He doesn't like me, he just doesn't want me to starve… He would do that with anyone else out there. And it all just went on because… Because he was tricking me into taking me to the enemies."

Rodrigo: "Seriously! I've never seen him like this. You made him laugh, you made him worry, and even if under precise circumstances, you made him leave the house. My uncle was very sad when my mother was killed. He was the chief officer and couldn't do anything."

Leyne: "She was also wronged, wasn't she? I'm sorry. So, Tez worked at the police station? He was an officer."

Rodrigo: "Yes, he was. When he couldn't get justice for my mother's death, he started hunting on his own. He got revenge on the Maldonados' first son, but for his misconduct, they retired him early, alleging traumatic problems."

Rodrigo: "Don't be upset with my uncle, he's difficult at times, but he's an excellent person."

Leyne: "I'm not upset."

Leyne sat on the couch and put his hand over his lips.

Leyne: "{So that's why he needed me, because I became the bridge for him to reach the other culprits. My God, Tez, couldn't you have told me? I wish I had understood your reasons. I think knowing all this… Only increases what I feel for you. Please come back in one piece!}"

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