Page 40 of Every Chance to Stay

“What about the turtles!?” Lucky shouted towards the stage, taking his place front and center. Maybe he didn’t look like much, but he was not going to back down.

Alexander Dove was a kind man with curly grey hair who made his money off the trade of rare dyes and paints sourced only from Paradise. He was a bit eccentric and Lucky knew his daughter in passing as she always attended the beach clean-ups. Right now, he looked entirely trapped. A man in a tidy suit so out of place for the island casual everyone else was dressed in stepped up to the mic.

“We have heard about the turtle concerns. Our surveyors have done an excellent job going over extant documents and combing the land to catalogue any at risk animals. We consulted paperwork and found that any potential preservation work lapsed over two years ago without any turtle sightings.” The words were paired with a perfect veneer smile.

Lucky hated every word.

“There have been sightings of the particular leatherback species known to nest in Playa del Tesoro!” Lucky argued back, “My findings were documented through the university. Also, why was the Marine Research and Rehabilitation center not consulted?”

He was viciously pleased that the suit looked uncomfortable. “Sightings does not provide conclusive evidence that those turtles nest at Tesoro. Hadita Island is another hatching ground and has more recent nests. It is already a protected space with limited human traffic so we should be focused on that.”

“You can’t train turtles to go somewhere else. If even a single turtle from the clutch hatched on Tesoro returns, it will want to lay its eggs on the beach and needs the safety and peace to do that!” Lucky argued. A scattered echo of support came from behind him.

“We intend to host educational excursions for people to be able to see turtles and learn more about them along the Sirena Reef and with guided snorkel tours around Hadita. We would even be open to have those tours handled by someone from the Research Center. Perhaps yourself?” The suit’s smile was not kind.

“You are speaking as if the sale has already been confirmed.” Lucky tilted his head, “This measure has not been approved yet by the representatives, there has been no public vote to proceed.”

That went against the bylaws. And the agenda did not state that a public vote would be held today.

Alexander Dove was quick to step up to the mic once more. “Based on the precedent set by Lyrica Beach, we feel there is no need to hold a vote over the land sale. The new development project will not be given a representative unless the need arises. For now, it will be managed by the Rubí Beach representative.”

It was like getting punched in the stomach. The wind went out of him so suddenly, he almost choked.

“Are you saying there is no way to stop the sale? That you won’t be listening to concerns?” Antonio’s voice almost shocked him. The warm hands that settled on his shoulders helped Lucky regain his footing.

“We will listen to concerns about the development project both here and throughout the year, but there will be a sale of land. The Imperial Hotel has presented the most comprehensive project, though they are not the only prospective buyer.” Alexander attempted to soothe the crowd that churned behind Lucky.

“None of this feels like it is for the island!” Someone shouted.

“Which is why my vote is against it.” Lucky’s grandfather stood, hands shoved into his pockets. “And I won’t be participating in the rest of the townhall.” The old man left the stage, and the crowd began to rumble.

Chants of ‘No Hotel!’ broke out as bodies pressed forward. Lucky’s ears were ringing. The other representatives attempted to sooth the crowd, but it was clear no one was listening.

And still, there were some that were for it. Their voices rose as well, arguments swirling as the representatives attempted to reclaim the attention of the crowd. “We will hear all complaints, but we must remain civil! We welcome you to send your concerns to your representative for further discussion.”

Lucky hated it. They weren’t being heard, despite the insistence from Alexander Dove that they would be. Before he could find his own voice, the ripple of the crowd pushed against them once more. This time, Lucky lost his footing, crashing hard against the brick. He hissed, whining as a strong hand wrapped around his arm to haul him up. Something hot dripped down his calf, but when he looked up, all he saw was Antonio’s face with his eyes a storm of unconcealable rage.

“Enough!”

22

Antonio

He was not quick to anger. It was his very best trait—the calm captain of the Search and Rescue squad kept a cool head under pressure. Not now. Not when he saw the blood dripping from Lucky’s skinned knee.

His booming voice carried over their shouts as he lifted Lucky into his arms. People immediately backed up a step, put on edge by his scent as much as by the enraged expression he surely wore. In that space, he was able to carry Lucky away from the crowd that now focused on them.

Just as he placed Lucky on a decorative rock to assess the injury, a local reporter pounced.

“Captain Saavedra! Are you here to protest the development project? Do you feel obligated to participate given the corrupt history of Ernesto Saavedra?” The flurry of questions hardly phased him, but when he saw Lucky’s startled face and realized how far the situation had grown out of their control, he really couldn’t hold his tongue.

Antonio hated being on camera. He just wanted to do his job. He just wanted to help Lucky. He didn’t need to be a hero even if he knew some people joined the squad just for those perks.

He could ignore the reporter. He could just focus on Lucky and let them write whatever they would about him, his father, and corrupt development projects. Maybe they’d call this new project one, maybe they would say times had changed. Was it really his business?

“Lucky!” Teague and Jack pushed through the crowd.

With a reassuring squeeze to Lucky’s ankle, Antonio stood to allow Teague past as he turned to the reporter.