Isela's Love Read Free Page A

the hoodlas away. Bernie opened the gate. Together, he and Evan pulled on the wagon while Darrios pushed from the rear. Slowly, the wagon began to move toward the tunnel.
    Once they got some momentum, the going got easier. They made it through the tunnel and started the trek through Midland toward the prison.
    “At least the ground’s flat,” Bernie said.
    “And the wagon will be empty on the way back,” Evan added.
    Darrios said nothing. He scanned the surrounding area among the sparse vegetation, attuned for any danger.
    About fifteen minutes into their journey, Darrios quietly said, “Guys, we’ve got movement to the left.”
    All eyes looked in that direction just as the viocomen leapt out of the skimpy bushes. All three men drew their weapons, standing ready. The viocomen’s beady eyes darted between the men. Hesitating, it must’ve decided it was outnumbered because it gnashed its razor-sharp teeth then fled back into the scant brush.
    “It’ll be back,” Darrios said.
    “Probably not alone,” Evan added.
    “Well then, boys, we’d better get moving.” Bernie slapped Darrios on the back.
    When they’d gone nearly a third of the way, the viocomen returned. Just as Evan predicted, it wasn’t alone. Curling up its bony hand, the creature advanced toward the wagon, its companion circling wide around the other side.
    “Are they serious?” Darrios asked rhetorically. “This isn’t even gonna be hard.”
    “I’ve got the one on the right,” Bernie announced, springing into action. With one fluid motion, he jumped into the air, spun around, kicking the beast in the head, knocking it to the ground. Before it could recover, Bernie plunged his dagger deep into its chest. The monster’s death scream echoed over the land, a warning to other would-be attackers.
    Darrios faced the other viocomen while Evan flanked it from the side. When it charged, Darrios barely had to move to deliver the fatal blow. With his machete-like knife, he severed the creature’s head clean off. As he wiped the blood off his blade, Bernie sauntered up next to him.
    “What a rush, huh fellas?” he said, a little winded.
    “Not bad for a rusty old man,” Darrios joked.
    “Personally, I could do without the drama,” Evan said. “I get enough of that living with three females.”
    Darrios and Bernie chuckled.
    “Laugh it up while you can, Darrios. Your time’s coming.”
    “All my money’s on a male child,” Darrios said, picking up the yoke of the wagon.
    “We’ll see,” Evan muttered, giving the wagon a shove from behind. Bernie stepped in next to Evan and they continued on.
    By the time they reached the prison gates, they had successfully battled three more viocomen, a half dozen scabras, a handful of ruffians.
    The guard at the gate instructed them to wait while he authorized their entrance. He turned and marched his way inside, leaving the men standing outside the gate.
    “Did he just march to the door?” Darrios asked, brushing the dust off his jeans, smirking.
    “So he’s into his job. Don’t judge,” Bernie said with a snicker.
    “Whatever.”
    The guard came back, opened the gate, and led the men around to a large bay door.
    “Wait here,” he said. “Someone will come for you.”
    Without another word, he turned and marched back to his post. Darrios resisted the urge to make a snarky comment.
    The bay door opened. Two scruffy young men, wearing the Midland Prison uniform, complete with wide, black collars around their necks, scurried out and started struggling with the wagon. A tall, heavy-set man in a suit stood behind them, surrounded by three more guards. His bloated, puffy cheeks and neck-rolls indicated his shirt was at least one size too tight. He didn’t come out, but instead waited for the men to approach him. Darrios disliked him immediately.
    Bernie, always the one to give people the benefit of the doubt, extended his hand to the man. “Bernie Belle,” he said, “and these are my friends,