by Laura Marie
Two more hours passed. No one felt like eating or even leaving the room a second in case the call came in. They were exhausted, but they just kept thinking about Elloisa and praying that she had the strength to endure the escape. Sometime closer to midnight, they heard from John that Elloisa and the agent were safe, in the US, and on their way to the airport.
* * * *
It was three o’clock in the morning when Mathew’s cell phone rang a third time.
“Yeah?’ he asked, trying to clear his mind. It seemed like he had only fallen asleep minutes before the phone rang. His eyes burned, and his throat was dry and scratchy.
“Mathew, they were ambushed on their way through town from the border.”
“What? Are you fucking kidding me?”
“Unfortunately, no. Three agents are dead, but Elloisa and Montoya must have made it out. There’s no sign of them anywhere.”
“Holy shit. Montoya’s the agent who has been with her all along, right?”
“Yes. He’s real good, just like I told you. They’re probably hiding out and trying to find a way to contact me. I wanted to keep you posted.”
“Was it Sintorez and his men who ambushed them?”
“A local gang, obviously working for Sintorez.”
“How bad was it?”
“They had semi-automatic weapons, shot up half the town, and injured multiple local police. A lot of arrests were made. Our local agents there have been onto some sort of illegal drug transport operation run by this gang. They usually work at night but obviously were called out by Sintorez. There’s a full-blown raid about to take place in that town and on that gang.”
“This just keeps getting better and better.”
“Yeah, well the agents needed the break. They’ve been trying to catch these guys in action. Listen, I know this has got to be brutal on you and the family, and I want you to know that I will do everything I can to get Elloisa home safely to you. I’m sure Montoya will call soon.”
“Thanks, John. I appreciate it.”
Mathew hung up the phone and rubbed his hands over his face.
“Who was that? What’s going on?” Jack asked, with Salvatore and their father right behind them.
“It was John.”
Mathew began to explain about the ambush and the gang.
“Son of a bitch!” Salvatore stated.
* * * *
They were in full disguise as Gustavo led her through the mall. After discarding their other clothes into a plastic garbage bin, they set out for a safe location to make a call.
Elloisa held Gustavo’s hand as they walked slowly past the storefronts, vendors, and tourists to blend in. Just as they approached the final set of stores, they noticed three gang members walking towards them.
“Just relax and follow my lead. They don’t know what we look like,” he whispered.
Elloisa swallowed hard and paused to run the silk fabric of a dress through her fingers as if she were browsing with intention to buy.
The sunglasses she wore covered most of her face, along with the decorative straw hat, handmade across the border in Heroica.
She never looked up but felt the men’s presence close by.
“Oh, that’s a real lovely color, darlin’. It’s au-thentic and downright pretty,” Gustavo stated loudly with a thick Texas accent.
“It does complement my skin and all,” she replied, giving a try at a Texas accent.
Gustavo laughed out loud then pulled her close..
“You all would be my Italianna-Mexicanna sugar pie!” he roared then hugged her to him, being sure to put on a show for anyone paying attention. Her heart hammered in her chest as his body pressed against her own.
That’s when she noticed the three gang members listening as well and eyeing them while they also glanced around the area.
“More,” she whispered to Gustavo and she nearly screamed when he pressed a hand against her backside, blatantly pulling her up against him while rubbing her butt.
“You should buy it, darling. Then when we get back to the ho-tel, I can rip it offa ya,” Gustavo teased then growled against her neck as he began tickling and kissing her.
Elloisa hung on tight as she giggled and laughed. The gang members just seemed to stare at them strangely, so Elloisa jumped up, wrapping her legs around Gustavo’s waist as she tilted her big straw hat to cover their faces as if they were kissing.
She heard people yelling, so she moved her hat to see the gang members move swiftly through the rest of the mall and farther away from them.
Elloisa tried to calm her breathing as she remained in place, holding Gustavo’s gaze.
The man was rock solid, and she could only imagine what he would look like undressed.
“Are you okay?” he whispered, his voice sounding deep and raspy. Her insides coiled up, and her heart pounded faster in her chest. This soldier was lethal when it came to sex appeal. Every inch of him was solid muscle, and if he didn’t remove the palm of his hand that remained flat against her backside, she was surely going to embarrass herself.
Gustavo held her gaze for an awkward moment. She heard his heartbeat. Thank God. The man did have a heart. As if sensing the awkward moment, he slowly began to release her and take a step away. She looked around then quickly grabbed his hand.
“We should stay close just in case they return,” she stated, hoping that he would agree. Any amount of time she could have him near her she would cherish.
He eyed her knowingly, and her stomach churned. God, this man made her act like a love-sick puppy. Exasperated and feeling as if the attraction was purely one-sided, she attempted to pull her hand away from Gustavo’s.
He held it tight. “No. Stay next to me. I saw a little place over there to make the call. I’ve got an old friend who can help us. Come on,” he stated then pulled her along with him through the crowded mall.
Chapter 7
Elloisa was grateful for the hot shower and the new change of clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror, hearing her heart pound against her chest as she envisioned Gustavo. He had told her over and over again to stay put and wait for him to shower. She wasn’t to move outside of the small building unless she was with him. He was adamant and aggressive as he grabbed her shoulders and ground his teeth. The soldier could do intimidation, big time. He had her shaking in her crappy boots so badly that she hadn’t moved from the chair by the bed. She was afraid to even breathe the wrong way. Then, of course, he left the bathroom door ajar so he could hear her.
She listened attentively as he undressed then stepped into the shower. Her imagination had her fantasizing about Gustavo, and she needed to remind herself that he was just doing his job. He was on a mission, and she was his responsibility.
He took a shower in record speed and immediately came back out with only a towel wrapped around his body. By the grace of a god who had seemed to finally make his presence known, she didn’t drool or ogle him. With much finesse and familiarity to seeing chiseled sex gods on display, she rose from the chair and entered the bathroom.
Once the door was closed, she released a long breath then panted for air as she laid her forehead against the wood.
Gustavo was beautiful.
She shook her head at herself in the mirror. Don’t read into his attentiveness and sexual assets. He is taking you home and then he will disappear.
She dried her hair as best she could, allowing the sound of the hairdryer to drown out her thoughts of Gustavo. Then out of nowhere she thought about Armando. He had resources all over the world. Or at least it seemed so to her. The gang that attacked them was under his thumb, just as many gangs were back in New York. There was a great possibility that Elloisa would always be a target. That was unless Armando was killed. Her heart ached with regret for not doing the deed herself, but if she had the courage and hatred to kill him, she would have done it back in Mexico. She wasn’t capable of murder, even though he deserved to die. Now, as she pondered over her actions, she wished
she had killed him. Then no one would come after her. This was all Armando’s doing.
Quickly she cleaned up the bathroom then opened the door as she gathered the towels.
“You can leave those. Rafael said he would take care of it.”
She jumped at the sound of Gustavo’s voice. She felt shaky and guilty, most likely from contemplating murder.
“What is it? You’re shaking,” Gustavo asked, taking a step toward her and removing the towels from her hands.
She stared at him as he took her hands into his own. She felt so safe with him. It was nerve-racking.
Her mind traveled in a thousand directions. But before she could stop herself, she blurted out the thoughts that came to her mind.
“How do you kill so easily?” she asked him, and his eyes widened in shock.
He squinted at her then looked her over from waist to eyes.
“I kill only when necessary, for survival and for the good.”
He released her hands and turned from her. Obviously he wasn’t cold-hearted or unscathed by his profession.
“I…I had the chance to kill him,” she whispered as she stood in one place and stared at the rug. She felt Gustavo’s stare upon her, but she couldn’t look at him. She felt weak for confiding in him and showing such weakness.
“What?” he asked, taking a step closer. She stared at his boots and the bottom of a new pair of dark camo pants.
His fingers were under her chin a moment later, tilting her face up toward him. When she saw his eyes, they looked somber and dark with emotion.
“I had a chance to kill Armando, but when I tried…when I struck him and he wouldn’t let go, I began to shake profusely. I couldn’t continue to hit him and kill him. I couldn’t do it.” She sobbed as her shoulders shook.
* * * *
Gustavo pulled her into his arms and held her close. He caressed her hair as she shook against him. The smell of her shampoo and the weakness she shared with him played on his heartstrings. Was she for real, or was she playing him? He wondered if that was how she got Armando. He was pessimistic and untrusting. His job trained him well, and his experience prepared him for just about everything.
“Not everyone is capable of seriously injuring someone, never mind killing another human being. You weren’t weak, Elloisa. You got away from him. You got out of there on your own. I will help you get to your family, and all of this will be behind you.”
He had to distance himself from her. His gut told him to beware, while his heart felt her pain and her regret. This was work and nothing more.
He released her and saw the surprised expression on her face. She thought he was heartless and cold. It was better for both of them.
“We have a plane to catch, so let’s get moving.”
* * * *
No one slept that night. There was too much anticipation. Elloisa was finally coming home.
Mathew stood in his father’s study, along with Jack and Salvatore. They waited for the call. The one that said her plane had landed safely in New York. Elloisa was truly alive, and her identity was confirmed by the agency. She made it across the border and was under the protection of DEA agents. She was coming home.
Mathew’s cell phone rang, and everyone froze where they were.
“Yeah, John?”
“She’ll be there in thirty minutes. I’m on my way and about ten minutes from your parents’ house. It doesn’t look like they were followed, but we’re not taking any chances.”
“Thank you, John. Thank you so much. We’ll be waiting.” Mathew hung up the phone. Their mother re-entered the office. Her eyes were bloodshot. She had been crying again and hadn’t slept in three days. None of them had.
“Mamma, she’s on her way here. They made it,” Mathew told her, and she began crying again.
Their father wrapped his arms around his wife. Their mother was a beautiful woman, thin with short brown hair and light brown eyes. Her daughter Elloisa had been a mirror image of her mother. Jerry wondered what she would look like now.
What had she gone through and survived? There were so many questions for Elloisa. Jerry was also worried because he knew that the family members weren’t the only ones who wanted her to answer questions.
“Don’t cry, Teressa. We need to be strong for Elloisa. She’ll need us now. She’ll need all of us.” Her husband looked toward his sons.
They had all been shocked by the news, and none of them had been able to do anything constructive but sit and wait for Elloisa’s return. It was a roller coaster of emotions between the news of her escape, the possibility she had been massacred in the drug war, and then her success in crossing the border, only to be ambushed again. They were all exhausted.
Jack stood by the window, along with his brother Salvatore. He spoke softly into the small receiver on his sleeve, obviously checking with security around the perimeter of the house.
Since news of Elloisa’s return to the States, the DEA wanted to enlist extra security. Jerry agreed, especially after the multiple attempts on his daughter’s life. Jerry and his wife Teressa had been blessed with wonderful, attractive children. They had dark black hair, olive complexions, but Jack had jade green eyes like his father, and Salvatore had dark brown eyes like Teressa. They were both tall and in excellent shape. They had to be with jobs like theirs.
Mathew stood near the doorway pacing. All Mathew seemed to talk about was the last time he saw Elloisa. He had been shot by Ramos, Armando’s bodyguard. She was sure to think he had been killed. They needed Elloisa here with them so they could have a complete family and move on with their lives. Hadn’t they lost enough time together? Jerry was growing impatient by the minute and tried to calm his breathing. The anticipation was torture in itself.
* * * *
Elloisa looked out of the window as they drove through the residential neighborhood along with Gustavo and the other agents. The four men had been her constant bodyguards for the past twenty-four hours. Gustavo didn’t seem to trust her or like her one bit now that they were on US soil. It hurt, considering what they went through and how they survived together. She continuously caught him watching her, studying her, and she knew exactly what he was doing.
He actually wondered if she really was a prisoner or if she enjoyed being Armando’s possession. Gustavo wasn’t the only one who would think that. After all, she had remained with Armando for over a year’s time. Perhaps, Gustavo thought she was involved with the criminal activity as well. He hadn’t a clue. None of them did. She was scarred for life. She wanted nothing more than to kill Armando herself, but when it came down to doing it, she wasn’t capable. She shook and cried, unable to take out her revenge and her anger on him. Was there a part of her that still loved him? She hoped not because he didn’t love her. He never had.
Agent Williams informed her of what really happened that day fourteen months earlier.
Her father wasn’t on the take, he was working undercover.
Her brother tried to save her from Armando, but it was too late.
Everything she had assumed happened had been wrong. Armando fooled her, broke her down with intimidation and threats.
If she had known the truth then she would have tried to escape earlier.
The thoughts sent an enormous pain through her heart. She would have to live with that new knowledge for the rest of her life.
She closed her eyes and prayed that her family still loved her.
* * * *
The car pulled onto a long private road where only three very large houses resided. Her parents’ house was at the end of the road farthest from the other two homes.
It was gorgeous, semi-private, and about forty minutes north of the city.
Initially, she hadn’t seen anyone around, but when they came closer to the security gates, men bearing guns came into sight.
She hoped that there was solitude, privacy, and security at her parents’ home. Her palms were sweaty, her heart racing, and feelings of guilt and shame filled her
body. Armando had taken too much from her.
She felt heartless, detached…lost.
All the emotions disappeared and were replaced by pure relief and love as the front door opened and her family filled the colonial front porch. The car stopped and everyone got out. Elloisa’s family ran toward her, and she ran toward them
* * * *
“Elloisa!” they called out in unison, and her parents embraced her then her brothers did as well. They kissed and hugged. Everyone was crying.
“My God, you’re beautiful. You’re so beautiful,” her mother exclaimed.
Elloisa was hysterical. Her body went weak in her brothers’ arms.
She reached up to place the palm of her hand against Mathew’s cheek. He looked so handsome. All three of her brothers were gorgeous.
“You’re alive. Oh, Mathew…”
Mathew pulled his sister into an embrace. Salvatore and Jack hugged them both.
Her mother Teressa wept as Elloisa’s father held her upright.
“My Elloisa, my angel,” her mother’s words collided with her sniffles and tears.
“Oh, Mamma.”
Elloisa was relieved and so emotional she nearly fainted. Her brothers held her close to them, and the feel of their arms around her brought her joy.
“Let’s head inside where you can sit down,” Mathew stated then assisted Elloisa into the house and everyone followed.
* * * *
Walking through the foyer, inhaling the familiar scent of cinnamon and apples brought more tears to Elloisa’s eyes. The large painting of a picturesque scene of gondolas in Italy above the entry table, the wrought iron coat rack, the marble umbrella holder all remained in the same places as before she left.
Elloisa covered her mouth as she eyed the spiral, wooden staircase that led to the bedrooms upstairs. Was her bedroom still the same? The thoughts made her feel afraid. Did her family think that she was dead, too? Had they even tried to search for her or get to her in Mexico? So many thoughts went through her mind.
