Page 45 of Tides of Love

“Please tell me it’s not another kid stuck up a tree in the Azure Forest.” He sat back in his chair. The report he’d been reading was easily set aside as he waited for his dispatcher to explain.

“Lucky Wilde chained himself to a bulldozer over at Playa del Tesoro… The rep from Hulltown is asking us to cut him loose.” Antonio wasn’t sure what he had expected but it certainly wasn’t that.

“Tell them I’m on my way… Mateo is working a shift with the paramedic unit today so have uh…” He paused, running over the current on-call crew, “Lacy Mastern, she can take over as squad lead for any additional calls today.”

Antonio was out the door as soon as the dispatcher nodded.

Driving was a blur. He was distracted, lost in his head and flying blind. It was almost easy to give himself over to irritation. He could picture what Luc was doing, a protest, a disruption, some form of civil action that would raise awareness for his cause. But he hadn’t told Antonio. It stung.

Pride was the bigger emotion. A swell of impressed joy that was utterly untamable crested high in his chest, crashing only when he stepped into the sweltering humid air. It was a hot morning, the kind that settled slick against his skin.

The island was always beautiful, even with greenhead flies buzzing ruthlessly in the dunes. He knew it would be a long day the instant one landed to bite his leg.

“Would anyone like to explain what’s going on?” Antonio called out as he made his way through the scratchy dune grass. The bulldozer loomed amongst the golden reeds. Teague stood near the bucket while the two representatives and a sweaty man in a suit lingered to the side.

“Good morning, Antonio.” A chirped greeting had him rounding the machinery to meet ocean eyes glittering with amusement.

“Lucky…” Antonio sighed, “I don’t think this is what constitutes a good morning on my end.” He knelt, to make it easier to speak with the omega. “You okay?”

“I’m doing great! It’s the representatives who seem to be having a terrible morning. And Brian the suit. Though why Brian is here, I have no idea.” Lucky was staring pointedly at the man melting in his dark suit.

“We were hoping you could cut the chains so we can be done with this situation and discuss it like adults.” Councilman Dove wrung his hands as he asked.

Lucky hadn’t explained what was going on yet. Not in words, not with the gentle rambling way of his. Instead, those blue eyes were boring into his soul like he was daring Antonio to do something. A challenge and a decision. “Actually, a civil disturbance isn’t something you rescue someone from.”

“You can’t be serious!” The suit threw his hands up, exasperated.

“Antonio, you work for the island, two representatives are requesting you cut him loose…” Councilman Dove tried again, fingers curling in the front of his shirt.

“Actually, I work for myself. While the SAR unit might get some funds from the island… Our equipment is privately owned. By me.” Antonio bounced slightly on his toes where he crouched, arms resting on his knees.

“Captain Saavedra, this is ridiculous, surely—” He stood up, cutting Alexander Dove off physically.

“I’m very serious, councilman. None of my equipment will be used to move Lucky from this spot. And if anyone from the council tries, they’ll be dealing with a lot more than just a refusal to move.” Antonio stepped even closer, “Am I clear?”

The man swallowed audibly, squaring his shoulders. “Crystal.”

“Absolutely not! If you won’t remove him, we will find someone who can!” The man in the suit, an alpha from the acrid stench of him, attempted to thrust himself into the center of things. But a hand on Antonio’s shoulder was a reassuring touch as Teague moved alongside.

“Oh, you think we should call some people? I think that’s a great idea.” Teague already had his phone in hand, a call displayed on the screen, “You heard that, right, Jackie? Bring everyone…”

Alexander sputtered, frantic, “Teague, please, stop this… For the sake of our long friendship at least, be reasonable.”

“This is me being reasonable, Dove.” Teague shrugged, “The council didn’t listen. Per the charter, we have the right to act against the council and force a vote on the matter. So, I think you should get on with gathering for a vote, don’t you?”

A beat of silence, the weight of history as long and as storied as the sea herself. To refuse a vote was to refuse the charter… Alexander Dove let out a hearty sigh. “A vote.” He held up a hand before the other councilwoman or the suit could interrupt, “Please try to keep things somewhat orderly until we return, Teague.”

“No promises.” Teague grinned.

Alexander Dove was not a terrible person. His fond little smile and shake of his head spoke of years knowing the Wilde family. Antonio didn’t begrudge the man his difficult position. But he wouldn’t sit back and let Lucky be pushed around either.

He watched, cross-armed and frowning, until the three cleared the beach. No sooner had their cars began to pull out then a fleet of new vehicles came to replace them.

“You want to fill me in, now that they are gone?” Antonio kept his eyes on the road.

“Depends. Are you mad at me?” Lucky didn’t sound sorry at all, not that Antonio expected him to be. He wasn’t even defensive. There was an honest curiosity in Lucky’s voice that made him smile.

“At you? Never.” He finally looked back at Lucky. Blue eyes were dark under the shadow of Lucky’s hat, but they were soft and warm as they held his own. “Tell me, please. I want to be on the same page as you. I want to support you wholeheartedly. Let me be in on it, Lucky. Please.”