Eco's Heart

by ChaShiree M.

  “Oh shit, Eco. It’s too hard. Oh God.” She says trying to crawl away.

  “Oh no you don’t. You take this like a good girl. You earned it!” My hand finds her clit and I pinch it, not stopping as I finish with my cock inside her womb, as she cries and mewls simultaneously, both hurt and satisfied. I pull out of her and sit her on my lap. Both sweaty and raw from all the emotions we just shared, I simply hold her. No words. For the rest of my life this is all I need. Her in my arms every night. Pissed or not. That just makes it more fun.

  12

  Eva

  One Week Later

  Uh!! My body is pissing me off. I have been trying to be mad at Eco all week. Ignoring him, giving one-word answers, the whole nine. But my body. My stupid, weak, traitorous body refuses to cooperate. Every time that exasperating man comes near me, my body melts. It caves and turns into a horny, needy version of itself. I simply can’t resist the way he makes me feel. In truth, I don't know why I am insisting on being so stubborn, other than if I don’t assert some sort of independence, I could lose myself and I don’t want that. I have been driving myself everywhere lately, my last attempt at being defiant and proving my independence. Plus, I know that Carlos is always behind me.

  It hasn’t been easy, keeping up this attitude. Especially since he is always so sweet and attentive. He tells me he loves me multiple times a day and I find myself begrudgingly saying it back to him, gruff voice and all. It just doesn’t feel right not saying it back. It is the truth. “Yoohoo. Earth to Eva. Girl, where are you?” My friend Lorna asks me.

  “I’m sorry. My mind is all over the place. I have so much going on with school and the wedding and trying to figure out how to include my family so far away. It’s all a bit, overwhelming.” It’s true. Aside from the relationship stuff I have going on right now, everyday life is kicking my ass. I finally got the part-time volunteer job I wanted at the children's cancer ward, helping the doctors test out the different clinical trials for curing childhood cancer. I don’t even want to discuss that for the past week and a half, I have been feeling a bit under the weather and this, more than anything, has had him beside himself not knowing what to do. In all honesty, I have no idea what is wrong with me either. I am nauseous, tired and super emotional. If didn’t know any better, I would think I was…

  “Girl you are pregnant.” Lorna says to me as we sit at the table having lunch. I found myself, instead of talking all things wedding when we first sat down today, telling her what I can of what has been going on with Eco and I. Especially, my not feeling so well. So hearing her say it out loud, has literally sent me into a state of pause. I stop, my fork midway to my mouth as what she said set in. Oh my God. “I see I just hit you with something you weren’t ready for. My bad boo.” she has a look of remorse on her face.

  “I-I need to go to the store.” Dropping my napkin, fork, everything and grabbing my purse, I hightail it out of the restaurant feeling like I have to throw up. I find myself walking down the sidewalk, not sure where I am going, just blindly moving, trying to climb my way out of the ditch I have somehow dropped into with this revelation. A car horn blaring in my ear is what finally knocks me back. Blinking rapidly and looking around me, I realize I have just been walking in circles around the same block. In front of me is a CVS Pharmacy. I take a deep breath and walk inside. After buying six different ones, I walk into their bathroom and take all the tests. One after one they each come back with the answer I already knew but was choosing to ignore. Eco and I are going to have a baby. Holy shit! I can feel myself beginning to hyperventilate. A baby. I am going to have a baby. As the words run through my head over and over, everything that has been keeping me withdrawn from him seems so small. I find myself leaned over the sink, crying. I am crying for the life I want for my child. I am crying for the overwhelming guilt I feel at not being 100% happy about this. I am crying for the conflicting feelings about its father that I have every single day and I am crying for the sense of protectiveness I can feel consuming me right now. No matter what, from this moment forward, there is another life I have to take into account. Starting with going home and talking to its father.

  I walk out of the store and get into the car, taking a moment to calm myself down. Once my eyes are no longer blurry from the tears, I start up the car and dial Eco’s phone. It rings, going to voicemail. I decide to go to his office. We need to talk about this now. I am about to pull off, and drive to him when my phone rings. I answer it without looking assuming it is Eco calling me back.

  “Are you at the office?” I ask, making sure I am heading to the right place.

  “No. I don’t have an office mi niña. This is your mother. I haven’t heard from my daughter in two weeks and I want to know why.” Crap. My mom is not someone to play with.

  “I’m sorry Mami. I have been busy with school, the wedding, looking for a house.” All of it the truth. Eco has taken house hunting very seriously lately and even though I haven't really been talking to him, he has made me go look at houses with him at least three days a week.

  “I see. I would have thought once you heard the news you would have at least called in.”

  “What news? Is dad ok? Lonso? Ricardo? Elena? Is everyone ok?” I can feel my heart beginning to beat out of my chest at the thought that something has happened to any of them.

  “Pero cálmate, Mija. Everybody is fine. I am talking about the news of Anatoly, Christopher and William.” I jerk back a bit at the mention of the three guys I went on dates with before meeting Eco. Each one of them had a trait, I considered to be admirable, but they also were lacking something I decided was necessary in one way or another. Once the date with each was over, I never thought about them twice. So to hear their names said in the same sentence, bares acknowledging.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mami.”

  “They have all been killed.”

  “What?” I say barely able to get the word out.

  “Yes. We all know you didn’t do it. But now it has your father nervous about your involvement and he says the Russians are in a frenzy. Be careful baby girl. Tell that man of yours, to be on the alert, Mija.” I have to wonder if Eco doesn't already know this and that is why he is so adamant about me having Carlos. Yet another thing we have to discuss. My arms become covered in goosebumps as I begin to feel like there is something I don’t know happening. That is no longer an option. I have more than me to worry about now. I contemplate telling my mom while she is on the phone. But I decide not to, feeling he should know first.

  “I will tell him Mami. I promise to call more. Hey, you still coming down here a week before the wedding?” I am not ashamed to say I need my mom.

  “I will be there Mija. I love you.”

  “I love you too Mami.” Once we hang up, I gather my courage and pull my car out of the parking lot. Sitting at the stop sign, I find myself rubbing my stomach, thinking about everything that is going to change. I pull off and am about to turn onto the expressway when suddenly I feel a jerk, hear a crash and everything goes black. The last thing I remember thinking is, “oh God. Not my baby.”

  13

  Eco

  Today has been the day from hell. It all started with Eva this morning. She is still pissed about last week when I got pissed about her ditching her detail. She still refuses to drive in the car with Carlos, which is why he is now riding in the car behind her everywhere to make sure she is always in his view. The one good thing about all of this, is that she can’t resist me physically. Every morning, spitting venom at me and all, I roll her over on her back, sometimes on top of me, others to her knees and wake her up my way.

  This morning, my mouth found its way to her tits, biting and sucking her from her slumber, only for her to shoot up from the bed and run to the bathroom vomiting. I followed her in there, more than a little concerned and rubbed her back as she finished. Once her teeth were brushed and she had washed her face, I asked her if she felt ok and she said she felt fine. The problem
is, this has been going on for days. I am about to take her to the doctor myself. Sitting back in my chair, I can’t help but feel frustrated at the fact that she hasn’t stopped being mad. Maybe I need to take her out or something tonight. I grab my phone to call her when it buzzes in my hand with an incoming call from a number I don’t recognize. “Hello.”

  “Yes. Is this Mr. Escobar Valladares?”

  “This is. Who is this?”

  “I am Dr. Locara at Cedars-Sinai hospital. I found your number in Miss Benevides’s phone as her emergency contact. She was in a hit and run accident, an hour ago.” I don’t hear anything else as I run out of my office down the stairs. I realize as I walk outside that Carlos is not with me. He was supposed to be with Eva. “FUCK!” I yell, panic starting to set in. This is what I was afraid of. This why I wanted her protected at all times. I see a limo driver standing outside of his car.

  “Hey, you! I will give you two-hundred cash to take me to Sinai right now.” His eyes bulge out of his head as he drops his cigarette and jumps into the car. Luckily it is midday, so traffic should be minimal. I drop my head back on the seat, my mind running, trying to figure out what the fuck happened. Where the hell was Carlos? I can’t fucking call anyone yet because I don’t know enough. The one thing I do know, whoever it was is a dead motherfucker.

  We pull up to the hospital and I jump out throwing the money in the front window. Fucking hate hospitals. “I’m looking for Eva Benevides.”

  “I’m sorry sir, I am only allowed to let immediate family back…”

  “The fuck did you just say to me? My fucking fiancée is sitting in a room somewhere, probably scared and possibly hurt and you want to talk to me about rules. Tell me where the fuck she is right now before I lose my shit in here.” Everything in front of me is painted red right now. I feel like a bull in Spain. Totally out of control, but with no other recourse.

  “Yes sir. Sorry sir. Right this way sir.” I’m sure in another circumstance, the young lady is nice and pleasant. Right now, she is no more than a nuisance. I follow her down the hall, with her walking like her legs are on fire. When we come to the room, I notice that there is a doctor in the room checking her vitals.

  “Are you Dr. Locara?” I ask not bothering with formalities.

  “You must Mr. Valladares. I am so glad you could make it so swiftly.”

  “What the hell happened?”

  “I am not sure. A detective Shears will be coming by shortly to speak with you. However, I can tell you, that when she was struck, her head hit the dashboard and jerked back causing swelling to her neck and brain. She is in a coma. I can’t do a CT scan to check to see how much swelling there because of the baby but…”

  “I’m sorry. What did you just say? Did you just say...baby?” There has to be some mistake. There is no way she is pregnant, and I didn’t know. Oh fuck. The vomiting. I began to hyperventilate. My brain adjusting to the fact that I almost lost them both. My life and my baby I didn’t even know was in there, snuggled in deep. Falling into the chair, I put my hands in my head as the activity in my mind begins to whir, making room in my heart for this new life, I now have to pray for.

  “I’m sorry. I thought you knew. She is indeed pregnant. It is customary, when a patient is unconscious, we test for pregnancy before sending them through any machine. If it is any consolation, the baby seems to be fine. Most times, when it is this early on, they are the safest.” I hear what he is saying but all I keep thinking is someone tried to kill them both. “I have to go make my rounds. If you need me page me.” He walks out after that leaving me and Eva alone in the room. Standing up, I walked over to the bed and look down at my sleeping beauty. Her skin dull and bleak. Not vibrant and shiny, like it usually is. I can see the big knot on her head, giving way to spots of blood from what looks like her swollen lips. Her right eye, black and blue from the impact. My stomach turns, nausea seeping into me as I imagine what her final thoughts must have been as she realized what was happening. Did she call out for me? Did she scream? Did she feel the impact her head made with the car or did her body release her endorphins to protect her from the pain? I should have been with her. It should have been me. I won’t stop until whoever it is, is beneath me, body convulsing from the snippets of pain I inflict upon them over and over until my brand of torture has been satisfied.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt. My name is Detective Shears. Do you have a moment?” I turn facing him, blocking her from his eyesight. I know it's crazy, but I don’t like other men looking at her when I can help it. Apparently, being in a hospital bed unconscious doesn't change that.

  “Sure. We can step outside.” I turn toward Eva, bend down and kiss her head. “Be right back baby. Both of you.” I rub her stomach before leaving out the room.

  “I understand you are Miss Benevides’ fiancé?”

  “I am. What the hell happened?” I am trying to hide my anxiousness, aware that if he thinks I am looking to exact retribution, not only will he withhold information from me, but he can also thwart my efforts. Not to mention if he decides to dig into who I am.

  “From witness accounts, your fiancée was about to pull on the 405 when they say an unmarked, black Range Rover, rear ended her, multiple times almost pushing her onto the freeway. Said Rover then backed away and drove off. We are scouring the area for any traffic cams and any cameras from stores facing the street. I was wondering if you had any ideas who would want to hurt Missus Benevides?” I know exactly who it was.

  “I have no idea. She is simply a college student at the university working on cancer research. I can think of not one person who would dislike her.” That much is at least the truth.

  “What about you. Any enemies that would hurt her to get to you?” Yeah, like I am going to answer that. Our family attorney, Phil would have a coronary right now if he knew I even so much as sneezed in front of this cop without him here.

  “Not that I know of. Listen, I am still trying to figure out how she is doing. Do you mind if we do this later?”

  “Sure. Call me if you think of something.” He hands me his card before walking out. I follow him to the elevator making sure he gets on it before taking my phone out of my pocket.

  “Levi. I need the footage for a five-block radius here in LA. Beginning at Cristal’s Italian Bistro and five blocks out surrounding and the 405.” I yell into the phone at our tech analysts that works for us.

  “Sure thing. What am I looking for?” He asks me. I can hear his keyboard typing away.

  “A black unmarked Range Rover hit Eva and she’s unconscious. Her brain and neck are swollen among other things. It was deliberate, Levi. I need to know who the hell it was, and I need to know NOW!” I yell the last part getting more pissed as I talk about it. My muscles begin to pulse, the adrenaline coursing through me. I imagine a man feeling much like this before he morphs into a werewolf. Everything in me is jittering, jumping with the need to do something. Anything.

  “Papa.” I say into the phone.

  “Hijo. What’s wrong?” My father has always been in tune to his children. Needing only our voices to be able to ascertain our state of mind.

  “Someone tried to kill Eva, Papa. She was rear-ended almost onto the expressway today. She is unconscious. Her brain is swollen. She’s pregnant, Papa. My baby is...” I drift off that last thought, trying to hold in my emotions. Especially with my father on the phone.

  “Popov?” He asks, though it sounds more like a statement.

  “I won't know for sure until Levi goes through the cameras. I need a team. You know this can only end one way.”

  “Sí. I do know that. Aye but Hijo, your brothers are all in their own muck, dealing with their women and the Russians here. I will send your uncles. Amador and Anton will be there for sure. I do have one question: how did the truck even get behind her? If she wasn’t in the car with Carlos, he should have been tailing her. No?” My fucking sentiments exactly.

  “No worries Papa. Everyone involved will pay. Please
have my tios call me when they land.”

  “Of course, my son. Please keep your mother and I apprised of her state. Te amo.”

  “Love you too.” Standing against the wall I feel so lost. I need to be doing something. My hands need to be on someone, making them pay. I don’t know how to do this...nothing. I walk back into her room and sit beside her, holding her hand.

  I remember my mom saying to a friend once, when her parent was passing, that they can hear you even when not aware.

  “I need you to wake up and ignore me, baby. Turn and look at your Eco. I am going to make them pay, I swear. Just please hang on. Our baby needs you.

  Bzzz.

  “What?!” I am losing it. I walk outside her room.

  “I got the car. No plates, but I was able to track it through traffic cameras, for ten blocks. It was Igor Popov. It's ...”

  “I know who the hell he is!! Where is he now?”

  “Looks like he is staying in the valley, with a woman named Tatiana.”

  “Good work Levi.” I hang up, grabbing my keys to walk out the building when dawns on me that I need to wait for my uncles. Having time to sit and think, I have come to one conclusion. Carlos is a dead fuck. He must have been working for Kostas, or he paid him not to follow her. Either way, no one betrays a Valladares and lives to tell about it.

  14

  Eco

  “What the fuck have you been doing? FIND HIM!” I refrain from throwing my phone across the room. We have been looking for Carlos since last night. His car was found abandoned in a mall parking lot and we have been monitoring Lazaro’s phone for any calls that may come through.