Chapter 36 - Fire and Rain
The night sky suddenly broke open, unleashing a torrential, freezing downpour of rain over the chaotic battlefield. The heavy rain quickly extinguished the burning police cruisers, plunging the abandoned airfield into almost total, terrifying darkness, illuminated only by the aggressive, sporadic flashes of muzzle fire.
Alejandro crouched low behind the rusted oil drums, his breathing ragged and shallow. He was completely out of ammunition for his assault rifle, relying entirely on his silver pistol. His side burned with a blinding, excruciating agony; the violent movement had completely torn his stitches, and he was bleeding heavily once again.
He peered through the heavy rain. He could see the massive silhouette of the federal transport plane slowly beginning to taxi down the runway. Valeria and his son were safe. He had successfully fulfilled his ultimate promise. A profound, overwhelming sense of absolute peace washed over his exhausted soul. He was ready to die.
Suddenly, a loud, arrogant voice echoed through the dark rain, amplified by a heavy megaphone.
"Cease fire! Cease fire!"
The relentless cartel gunfire abruptly stopped. The eerie, heavy silence was broken only by the sound of the pouring rain hitting the asphalt.
A tall, imposing figure stepped out from the shadows of the ruined hangars, flanked by four elite, heavily armed bodyguards. He wore a dark leather jacket, and even in the gloom, Alejandro could see the distinctive, hideous scorpion tattoo winding up the side of the man's neck.
"Alejandro Ríos," El Escorpión mocked, slowly walking across the wet tarmac toward the oil drums. "The great King of the North, hiding in the dirt like a wounded animal while his pretty little family flies away like cowards."
Alejandro stood up slowly, leaning heavily against the rusted drums. He raised his pistol, aiming it directly at the rival boss’s chest. His hand was shaking violently from the blood loss, but his eyes were filled with pure, unadulterated defiance.
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"They aren't cowards," Alejandro spat, his voice echoing loudly in the rain. "They are survivors. And you are just a pathetic thug who inherited an empire he doesn't know how to control."
El Escorpión laughed, a cruel, soulless sound. "I control everything now. Drop the gun, Alejandro. Give me the satisfaction of executing you on your knees."
