The streets were cloaked in the twilight of dusk when Lola returned to her apartment after an exhausting day at work. Her uniform was crumpled and her demeanor weary, but the idea of seeing Juana and Arturo comforted her. In recent days, since she had managed to clear up the misunderstanding with the little one, a sense of home had begun to take root in her heart.
The child's presence made her feel something she hadn't experienced in a long time. She remembered the previous night, when Arturo had greeted her with a radiant smile and a big hug, apologizing for misjudging her. Lola could still feel the warmth of that little body against hers, filling her with tenderness.
"I'm sorry, Lola. Ar is my friend, but you are my friend too now, since you let us live with you and take care of us," the child had said in his sincere little voice.
Juana watched them with a tender smile, her eyes shining with relief at seeing they had finally overcome the misunderstandings. Since then, Arturo had become a little ray of sunshine in the apartment, filling every corner with his crystalline laughter and tireless curiosity.
Lola couldn't help but smile as she remembered how, one morning, the little one had awakened her with a homemade breakfast he had prepared with Juana. Freshly made tortillas, steaming beans and a glass of orange juice adorned the tray Arturo had proudly brought to her bed.
"It's so you have a good day at work, Lola," the child had said shyly, his cheeks flushed with emotion.
That simple gesture had deeply moved Lola, who had spent the last years eating breakfast alone in her cold, lonely house after her parents' death. Now, upon returning from the grueling shift, all she wanted was to immerse herself in that homely warmth Juana and Arturo had brought with them.
Even the housework, which had once seemed an unbearable burden after an exhausting day, was now done when she got home.
Lola smiled as she remembered how, the previous day, Arturo had insisted on helping clean the apartment. The little one had donned a huge apron and grasped the broom with a determination that melted the officer's heart. Juana hadn't been able to contain her laughter at the sight of her little companion struggling against the cobwebs in the corners, his tongue sticking out in a gesture of utter concentration.
"Look, Lola, it's clean now!" Arturo had exclaimed proudly, pointing to an immaculate corner.
Lola had congratulated him and ruffled his hair affectionately, feeling lighter and happier than she had been in a long time.
Yes, maybe her small apartment was a bit cramped with three people living there, but those last few days had been an unexpected blessing. Having someone waiting for her upon returning, a homemade meal ready and a warm, welcoming home was more than Lola could ask for.
With a smile on her lips and her heart full of gratitude, she rounded the corner ready to immerse herself in that cozy atmosphere she so longed for.
As she turned the corner, she frowned upon seeing a couple of trucks parked in front of her building. Several menacing-looking men stood guard at the entrance, some even armed. A chill ran down her spine as she recalled Miguel's words about the dangers lurking for Juana in the town. Had they followed her here?
Swallowing hard, she strode forward with firm steps towards the group, her hand resting near her service weapon. As a law enforcement officer, she had the authority to intervene if she detected any illegal activity.
"Hey, you guys! What's going on here?" she exclaimed in an imperious voice, squaring her shoulders in a gesture of authority.
One of the men, a burly fellow with a surly look, turned towards her with a mocking expression.
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"Well, well, if it isn't a pretty policewoman..." He licked his lips lecherously. "Sorry, doll, but this is none of your business. Best keep walking if you don't want trouble."
Lola set her jaw, refusing to be intimidated.
"This is my building and I have a right to know what's happening. Identify yourselves immediately or I'll have to proceed to detain you on suspicion of illegal activities."
The man snorted disdainfully and gestured to his companions, who immediately drew their weapons and aimed them at her. Lola held her breath, her heart pounding in her chest, but maintained her firm, defiant stance.
"You're in no position to give orders, sweetheart," the thug growled. "You'd better turn around and forget what you saw here. You don't want things to get ugly, do you?"
Before Lola could respond, the building's door opened and several more men came out pushing Juana and Arturo. The child sobbed in terror as one of the thugs held him tightly by the arm.
"Lola!" Juana cried out upon seeing her, her face marked by fear.
Lola's blood boiled at witnessing that scene. Without a second thought, she drew her gun and aimed it at the kidnappers.
"Release the child and the woman immediately!" she shouted authoritatively. "You are committing a serious crime and I will not hesitate to open fire if you disobey!"
The men guffawed at her threat, some even openly mocking her.
"You're a fool, officer. We gave you a chance to avoid trouble, but I see you can't be reasoned with."
He nodded to one of his henchmen who raised his gun towards Lola. She reacted swiftly, firing first in an attempt to neutralize the threat. The thug stumbled backwards with a cry of pain as the bullet hit his shoulder, but managed to return fire.
Lola barely had time to dive to the side as the thunderous shot shattered the silence. A sharp pain tore through her when the bullet struck her leg, causing her to fall to the ground with a stifled cry.
"Lola!" Arturo screamed, struggling to break free from his captor's grip.
Juana watched the scene in horror, tears streaming down her cheeks. The thugs wasted no time and quickly proceeded to subdue Lola, who thrashed on the ground clutching her bleeding leg.
The building door burst open and an imposing-looking man emerged, his features twisted in fury. It was evident he was the leader of that group of thugs.
"What the hell is going on here?" he thundered, fixing his furious gaze on the burly man. "Why haven't you gotten in the truck yet? I told you I wanted that old woman off the streets as soon as possible!"
The subordinate swallowed hard, a flicker of fear crossing his face at his boss's rage.
"S-sir, this cop got in the way and wouldn't let us through..."
The leader followed his man's gaze until his eyes fell on Lola.
"Goddammit!" the leader roared, furiously pointing at his men. "You idiots just injured an officer! Do you have any idea what will happen if they find out about this?"
However, the leader didn't lose his cool. His gaze hardened like steel as he scrutinized the scene, fury boiling inside him at seeing his plans complicated by that stubborn woman.
His subordinates shrank back at his outburst, some even stepping back at their boss's explosion of rage.
"B-but sir, she fired first..." the burly man stammered, clutching his wounded shoulder.
"Shut up, you idiot!" the leader roared, silencing him. "Do you have any idea of the shit you've just gotten us into?"
"Damn it, now we'll have to get rid of her where no one will find her," the leader growled, glaring furiously at the injured officer.
"And you idiots had better keep your mouths shut about this with Boss Riquelme or you'll know my wrath."
His men nodded apprehensively, aware that their boss did not hesitate to punish incompetence.
"Bring her and let's get out of here before anyone else finds out," he ordered brusquely, gesturing towards Lola.
Soon, the three found themselves handcuffed and gagged inside one of the trucks, as the men stood guard over them. A thug approached Lola, who gasped in pain, and leaned towards her with a sinister grin.
"You should have listened when we warned you, officer. Now you'll have to pay the consequences of your stubbornness."
Lola looked back at him with defiant eyes, refusing to show fear in front of that ruffian. She knew the situation was serious, but she did not regret trying to protect Juana and Arturo.
As the truck started moving, Lola watched through the small window as their new and warm home receded into the distance, wondering what would become of them now that they had fallen into the clutches of those ruthless criminals.