Chapter 14: I’m Don Capo
Ace tore through the forest without breaking a sweat, not a breath escaped his lips, not a twig snapped beneath his feet. He kept yelling at one of his guys to run faster. The poor man whimpered like a beaten horse but pushed on.
Ace soon spotted more of his crew huddled beside the stream. Chaewon lay on the grass with a cold, wet towel on her forehead, her cheeks bright red as she panted. It looked like a sudden, vicious fever had slammed into her.
The others muttered, "Don Capo," when Ace showed up, and Chaewon forced her eyes open.
"I’m... sorry... for making you... worry and... stopping the trip..." Chaewon gasped.
Hearing her talk like someone on her deathbed yanked open old wounds. Ace’s chest felt like a thousand knives stabbed it. This woman always piled the blame on herself and apologized for things she couldn’t control.
Ace crouched and touched her cheek. "She’s burning. Grab the bike and drag it out of the forest. Bring the ropes too."
"Got it, Don Capo!"
Ace slid an arm under Chaewon, lifted her, and sprinted toward the trees’ edge. He knew his level and skills couldn’t help her; a real doctor had to. Once clear of the trees, he lowered her, knelt, and turned his back to her.
"Piggyback. Don’t bother holding on."
Her head blazed and tears blurred her eyes, but Chaewon trusted him. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he stood. Her heat climbed higher, and his worry did too.
He tilted his head. "Tie her to me. Show me you remember the knots. If you screw it up, I’ll work you like slaves till you drop!"
"YES, DON CAPO!"