by Heather Beck
Trying to shake the feeling, Ava turned back to the street performer, who’d begun another set of songs, and looked for Javier. He wasn’t standing where she’d last seen him, and as she scanned the rest of the crowd, she realized he wasn’t there at all. Even Britney had disappeared – not that it surprised her. It seemed like those two were pretty much attached at the hip.
She let out a little sigh, knowing that she should leave, too. She’d already stayed out longer than she’d meant to, but there was still so much she wanted to see that she couldn’t bring herself to head back to the villa just yet. On a whim, she decided to make one last stop at the pier she’d driven past earlier that day. It was, after all, only a short walk away.
Ava hurried along the street, past the last of the vendors, and then onto the long pier. The wooden boards creaked under her feet, but she hardly noticed, her attention drawn to the fishermen who were casting off over the railing, some of them reeling in colorful tropical fish that she’d never seen before. When she reached the end of the pier, she stopped to look out into the horizon. The evening sun cast a pinkish glow over the clouds, contrasting brilliantly with the lapping blue water.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” a male voice suddenly came from behind Ava.
Startled, she turned around to see a Mexican man, who was probably in his mid-twenties. He was an average-looking guy, of medium height and weight, and he had slicked-back black hair that fell just below his ears. He was with a friend, who was a bit shorter and heavier, his black hair shaved in a crewcut. For a moment, she wasn’t sure who he was talking to until she saw his dark brown eyes focused on her.
“Yes, it is,” Ava said to the strangers as she returned her gaze to the horizon.
“I don’t think he was talking about the scenery,” his friend said with a deep laugh.
“I definitely wasn’t.” The man leaned against the wooden railing, a little too close for Ava’s liking. She ignored him, hoping they’d both take the hint, but they didn’t. “I’m Miguel, and this is Carlos.” He paused, clearly wanting her to offer her name. Instead, she gave him a tight smile and moved along the pier.
“Hey, I’m talking to you, hot stuff,” Miguel said, laughing as he and Carlos followed her. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Far away from you guys.” She tried to keep her tone neutral, like she wasn’t bothered by them, but they were making her feel annoyed and more than a little uncomfortable.
“Come on, can’t you take a compliment?” Miguel asked.
“I’m not interested in your compliments.” Her voice was firmer this time.
“We’re only trying to show you some hospitality,” Miguel said, playing innocent. “We can tell that you’re not from around here. Don’t you want someone to show you around, take you to all the hot spots?”
“Miguel and I know the best places,” Carlos added. “And we won’t charge you like those other tour guides.”
Wanting to get Miguel and Carlos off her back for good, Ava came to an abrupt halt and faced them, her expression stone cold. “Listen carefully, boys, because you obviously didn’t hear me the first time. I’m not interested in anything you think you have to offer me. So, go on home and leave me the hell alone or you’ll regret it, understand?”
“A fiery woman – just how I like them,” Carlos joked, taking a step toward Ava.
“Leave it, man,” Miguel said, stopping his friend from getting any closer. “She’s not worth it. There are a lot of chicas who’d love our authentic Mexican experience. She’s just not one of them.”
Miguel’s words made Ava want to be sick as she turned on her heel and walked swiftly off the pier, determined to get as far away from them as possible. Even though she couldn’t be sure, she had a pretty good idea what he’d meant by an authentic Mexican experience. As she reached the beach and started back for her villa, she cast a glance behind herself to make sure Miguel and Carlos weren’t following her. She was relieved when she caught a glimpse of them hanging out on the street, likely looking for another girl to harass.
Ava returned her attention to the walk ahead, and as she went, she saw the sun begin its final descent, casting an even brighter pink glow and then slowly disappearing into the dark sea. The beach was almost empty now, with Ava occasionally passing a group of partying teens or couples taking a romantic stroll, hand in hand, but the closer she got to her villa, the quieter it became until she was the only one there.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The sound of footsteps, like someone was following her, came so suddenly that Ava stopped dead in her tracks. She spun around, her heart racing as she scanned the beach, the noise stopping as quickly as it had started. She stood still for several tense moments, watching, listening, but there didn’t seem to be anyone there.
“What the hell?” Ava muttered to herself, her eyebrows furrowed.
She turned around and continued on her way, but a few seconds later, the sound came again. Instincts kicking in, she didn’t stop or look back. Instead, she grabbed her phone from her pocket, in case she needed to call for help, and picked up her pace as she headed off the beach. Going that way meant passing through a walkway that was surrounded by tall plants and thick greenery – where anything or anyone could be hiding – but at least she’d be on the street, where there would surely be some people around.
Ava hurried along the short walkway and had just stepped out onto the pavement when someone grabbed her arm – hard. She let out a startled cry, her phone flying from her hand and skidding across the ground. With a thudding heart, she twisted her body around and looked into a pair of familiar dark brown eyes that gleamed evilly in the moonlight. “Miguel, what the hell do you think you’re playing at?” she snapped, struggling in his grasp.
“You weren’t very nice to me back there,” he said, refusing to let go of her arm.
“What? Are you serious?” Ava couldn’t tell if he was kidding or not until she saw his eyes narrow. “Well, you weren’t very nice to me, either. How did you expect me to react?”
“It was a compliment. I liked what I saw and I told you.”
“I didn’t see it that way.”
“And that makes it okay for you to be so damn rude?”
“You’re right. I’m sorry,” Ava said, her tone gentler as she racked her brain for the best thing to say. She’d been wrong – there was no one else on the street, so the last thing she wanted to do was make him even angrier. “I’m flattered, really I am, but the thing is, I have a boyfriend. He’s probably wondering where I am, so if you could let go of my arm now…”
“I don’t think so.” He clutched her arm so tightly that it made her cringe. “You American girls are all the same. You go around in your sexy little outfits, as confident as hell, trying to lure us, tease us, but when it comes down to it, you think you’re too good for us.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t do any of those things, and I never said I was too good for you. Please, just leave me alone.” She tried to free herself, but it was no use – he was a lot stronger than she was. More than anything, she wished that Nate was here right now, or any other bodyguard for that matter.
“You didn’t say those words, but we both know that’s what you were thinking.”
“Stop it, Miguel!” she cried as he pulled her up against his body. “You’re hurting me!”
“Good,” he sneered, bringing his face so close to hers that she could smell the faint scent of tequila on his breath. “I’ve always liked it rough.” He crushed his lips on hers, his thick, stubbly facial hair scratching her face, his teeth grazing her bottom lip hard until she tasted a little of her own blood. She cried in pain, but the sound came out muffled, hardly more than a whimper since Miguel’s mouth was pressed so tightly against hers. Struggling to breathe, struggling to break free, she did what she should’ve done the second Miguel laid his filthy hands on her – she kneed him in the groin as hard as she could.
He took his lips off hers and let
out a pained groan, but he kept his grip on her, firmer than ever. Apparently, her kick, which had been at such a tight, awkward angle, hadn’t been hard enough. “Feisty,” he said with a psychotic laugh.
“Don’t do this,” Ava pleaded, her words ringing out in the suddenly still night air.
“Don’t do this,” he mocked in a high-pitched, girly voice. He laughed again, his voice returning to normal as he said, “Fight all you want, sweetheart, but like it or not, you’re coming home with me tonight.”
Miguel kissed her again, his hand sliding up under her top, despite her best efforts to fight him off. Then, before Ava knew what was happening, a car screeched to a stop beside them, a door slammed, and someone came at Miguel from behind, pulling him off her and shoving him so hard that he almost fell to the ground. Her heart thudding in her chest, Ava turned to her rescuer. She blinked in the beam of the headlights, her eyes slowly adjusting until she could see who was there. She gasped when she realized it was Javier.
“Are you alright?” Javier asked, his eyes filled with concern.
“Yeah, I…I’m fine.”
The words had hardly left Ava’s mouth when Miguel interrupted her. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he cursed loudly at Javier.
“What the hell are you doing?” Javier retorted, turning to Miguel.
When Miguel saw that it was Javier who’d pushed him, recognition flashed in his eyes. “Why are you here, Javier?” he grunted, coming face-to-face with him, trying to intimidate him. “This has nothing to do with you.”
“I say it does, Miguel.”
“So, what…she’s your girl?” He looked amused by the thought. “Okay, I get that, but come on, Javier, didn’t your mother ever teach you how to share? I’m sure there’s enough of her to go around.”
“You’re unbelievable. Is this the only way you can get a woman’s attention? By forcing yourself on her?”
“Maybe I wasn’t forcing myself on her. Maybe she likes it rough, too.” Miguel cast Ava a sideways glance. “Tell him, chica.”
“Go to hell,” Ava spat out.
“If I were you, I’d take that as a hint to leave,” Javier said, looking Miguel square in the eyes.
Miguel snorted angrily. “I’m not going anywhere, but I’ll give you one last chance to leave.”
“And if I don’t?” Javier said, stepping closer to him, refusing to back down.
“Don’t push it.”
This time it was Javier’s turn to snort. “Seriously? What do you think you can do to me? You’re pathetic, and the best part is, we both know it.”
“You son of a bitch…” Miguel cursed through gritted teeth.
Ava watched with wide eyes as Miguel shoved Javier, but Javier, clearly having anticipated the move, only stumbled backward by a couple of feet. Catching him off guard, Javier came at Miguel and threw a fast punch, the contact of his fist on Miguel’s jaw producing a sickening crack. Bending over, Miguel held his bloodied face in one hand, his slit eyes on Javier, as if he wanted nothing more than to retaliate. But he must have been in too much pain because after slowly straightening up, he started to back away.
“You’ll regret this,” Miguel said, pointing a crooked finger straight at Javier.
Javier advanced forward. “I’m pretty sure I won’t.”
Ava reached for Javier, grasping onto his muscular bicep. “Let him go,” she said. “I don’t want any more trouble.”
Listening to Ava, Javier came to a stop, but he kept his eyes on Miguel, ready to fight if he dared to come back.
“You will regret this,” Miguel threatened. “Just wait for it.” With that said, he turned around to leave, letting out a low, agonizing moan as he went.
When Miguel was out of sight, Javier turned to Ava, his expression softening, his eyes meeting hers. Gently, he placed the cap sleeve of her baby tee back on her shoulder, after it had slipped down during her struggle with Miguel. “Are you sure you’re alright?” he asked.
Ava nodded, unable to take her eyes off Javier. The headlights illuminated him, like he was some sort of heavenly figure sent to protect her, the light catching his hazel eyes, making them glisten. She felt the overwhelming urge to reach out and touch him, to thank him for what he’d done, but she knew now was not the time to be having a moment, especially when she saw him rub his knuckles and grimace. “Are you hurt?” she asked, snapping back to reality.
Javier dropped his hand. “Don’t worry about me. The important thing is that I get you to the police station, so you can file a report against that asshole.”
“Do you really think the police will do anything?”
“If they don’t, I will.” When Javier saw the concerned look on Ava’s face, he softened his tone. “Miguel’s always causing trouble, but this time, he’s gone too far. He’s going to get what he deserves. I can take you to the police station right now. It’s not that far away.”
“You don’t have to do that.” She was touched by his kindness, his willingness to help, but she was also concerned about him. “You’ve already done so much, and I don’t want to get you any more involved than you have to be. Miguel was really pissed, and if he’s half as bad as I think he is…”
“I’m not scared of him, and after tonight, neither should you. He won’t hurt you or anyone else again. I’ll make sure of it.”
“That’s so sweet of you, but…”
“No buts. There’s no way I’m letting you go to the station alone, so I guess you’re stuck with me, okay?”
“Okay,” Ava agreed, “but I have to do something first.” She scanned the ground until she found her phone near the base of a large, leafy plant. She picked it up, relieved to see that it was still working but not looking forward to what she had to do next. Ava pressed a button to speed dial, not having to wait long since it only rang once.
“Ava, where are you?” her mom answered, her tone frantic.
“I’m, um, down near the beach. Listen, Mom, there’s something I really have to tell…”
“What are you doing there?” Isabelle interrupted. “Don’t you know how worried I’ve been? Not just me but Tessa, too? She’s the one who discovered that you weren’t in the villa. We didn’t know if something had happened to you, and when you didn’t answer your phone, we were going to call the police.”
“Actually, I was hoping you could meet me at the police station.”
“Why?” Isabelle demanded breathlessly. “What’s wrong?”
Ava shut her eyes, reliving every moment as she told her mom about what had happened with Miguel. Ava was shaken-up and still a little shocked, but more than anything, she couldn’t believe how drama and trouble always followed her wherever she went.
* * *
Chapter Six
“Dad, calm down,” Ava said in her most soothing voice. “I’m okay. If I wasn’t, I would tell you.”
It was the following day, a little past noon, as she talked to her dad on the phone. He’d called just to say hello when Ava had told him about what had happened last night. He was shocked to learn about how she’d been attacked by Miguel but saved by Javier, how her mom and sister had frantically joined her at the station and supported her as she filed a report with an officer named Gonzalez, and how they’d been promised by the police that they’d take Miguel in for questioning. One thing she didn’t mention was how Javier had stayed by her side, not leaving until she and her family were safely home.
“You may think you’re okay, but how can you be sure?” Mitchell said, worried. “You don’t know the kind of effect these things can have on you.”
“Trust me, Dad, I’m fine.”
“I do trust you. It’s everyone else that I don’t trust – and for good reason.” He breathed in sharply as if he was ready to kill Miguel the first chance he got. “Going to Mexico was a bad idea. You should be here with me, where I can keep you safe.”
“Keep me safe? Seriously, Dad, that’s why we left Hollywood in the first place. I’d rather
be here than anywhere near Christopher.”
“The police will catch him.”
“You’ve changed your tune.”
“I have to believe that, or I’ll go crazy with worry, especially now that I know you’re not safe in Mexico.” Mitchell sighed. “I want to talk to your mom. Put her on the phone, okay, sweetheart?”
“Sure,” Ava said, gesturing for her mom, who’d walked into the room a couple of minutes ago. “Love you, Dad.”
“Love you, too.”
As soon as Ava gave her mom the phone, she overheard her dad yelling. Even though she couldn’t hear what he was saying, she knew that he was blaming her mom for what had happened.
“I had no idea she’d even left the villa,” Isabelle said defensively. She paused, listening to her husband, the receiver slightly away from her ear. “I didn’t lie to you,” she finally continued, her voice now rising in anger. “Mar de Lágrimas is a safe place, and I’d never do anything to put Ava or Tessa in harm’s way. You should know that.”
Ava walked away, feeling a twinge of guilt. Even though she knew Miguel was the only one to blame for this, she still wished she’d listened to her mom last night and not gone out. She hated to think that her parents were fighting because of her. They hardly ever got into an argument, and when they did, they never yelled at each other.
She was about to go to Tessa’s room, since spending time with her sister always made her feel better, but before she’d even reached the stairs, Tessa was already coming down them.
“Is that Dad on the phone?” she asked.
