by Laura Marie
It wasn’t until they all sat in the living room that Elloisa remembered Gustavo and the other agents. It had been an emotional reunion and an exhausting trip.
Elloisa sat on the couch beside her mother. The moment she laid her head back to rest, she felt the dizziness and exhaustion. So she opted to sit up straight, her hands clasped on her lap. She was tense, definitely tense, and she was certain it stemmed from the apprehension of the questions her family would have, never mind the presence of the agents. But she also felt the welcoming feeling of being home. It was somewhat difficult. She had thought they were all dead. They had finally accepted that fact and also realized what kind of a man Armando was. Yet, here she was in her parents’ home, surrounded by her family.
All eyes were upon her. Mathew sat across from her, Salvatore and Jack stood near the fireplace, and her parents, sat beside her on the couch.
“Are you hungry, thirsty?” Teressa asked, placing her warm hand gently over Elloisa’s.
Elloisa smiled then stared down at her mother’s hand upon hers. It was such a small action Elloisa had taken for granted years ago. The skin-to-skin contact of holding hands, an embrace, a hug or kiss on the cheek from family, she had missed out on so much. Now that she was with them so close, she craved their touch, their love and affection.
“I’m good, Mamma,” she whispered as a tear escaped her eye. She felt it slowly roll down her cheek then land upon her lap. She was certain they all watched and that they all saw her emotion.
She looked at each of them, absorbing how they had changed yet what had remained the same.
“I can’t believe you’re all alive,” she stated, her voice cracking.
“I…I thought that you all were dead…Mathew…” She swallowed hard, the tears flowed, and as she looked through clouded vision, she saw they all were crying.
“It’s…” She couldn’t get out the words or what she felt inside. She wanted to tell them it was like being around ghosts or in a dream, a fantasy she could only have in sleep, not in real life. But they were real and they were sitting with her now.
“Elloisa, I…I can’t believe you are here. This is a shock for us as well. We thought he had…we thought you were dead. How did you survive?” Teressa asked.
Elloisa felt the anxiety, the fear, of having to tell her family what had happened.
She pulled her hands away from her mother and bowed her head. She wiped a hand across her eyes to remove the tears best she could. Mathew handed her a tissue.
She smiled then used it to wipe her eyes.
“I…I did what I needed to. Everything seems like such a blur now. It’s so shocking to be here and to see all of you.”
“Our prayers have been answered. Our daughter is alive and back home where she belongs,” Teressa whispered.
Elloisa stared at her mother. She looked the same aside from the bloodshot eyes and the tired expression. She knew they had heard about her escape and how they evaded an ambush.
“How did you make it across the mountains and the desert?” Jerry asked her.
“It was brutal, but I was determined to get home.”
They asked a few more questions and filled her in on John’s part and the latest intel on Armando’s men. Elloisa felt herself leaning back against the couch. Despite not seeing her family in over a year, she felt at home and comfortable. The idea that she could finally rest for a decent amount of time caused her to yawn.
Agent Thomas cleared his throat and began to speak.
“We have some things to go over with you, Elloisa. They are important to our investigation,” he exclaimed with attitude.
Elloisa exhaled.
“I have been with my family for less than ten minutes, Agent Williams. I haven’t slept in days and my head is pounding. I would prefer to discuss this at a later time.”
She dismissed him with finesse, and her brothers seemed shocked but also tickled by it. From the moment they arrived, Williams had given them all the stare down and appeared to be analyzing their every response and move.
“Maybe Elloisa is tired. Perhaps some rest before dinner?” Jerry interrupted the awkward moment and Elloisa was grateful.
She nodded in agreement then placed the back of her hand against the side of her forehead. “I am a bit tired, sir. I feel kind of dizzy, so a rest sounds good.”
Her father looked at her strangely then quickly smiled to cover up whatever he felt.
She stood up from the couch.
Mathew rose from the couch ready to accompany her to her room along with everyone else. She paused before they could follow.
“I will find my way. No need to follow so close.”
Mathew smiled.
“Of course, Elloisa. Your room is all ready. Extra blankets are in the closet if you need them.”
“Thank you, Mathew.” She stared at him a moment, recalling how he was shot and that she saw him fall to the ground with a thump. She saw all the blood and just knew he was dead. Armando told her he was dead.
Mathew held her gaze as if he understood what she was thinking and remembering.
The word “sorry” sat on the tip of her tongue. She was so sorry for falling in love with Armando. Sorry for not having enough faith in her family. She was sorry for more things than she had time at the moment to remember and go through one by one. Instead she pulled him into an embrace, and her brother held her close.
“I’m so happy that you are alive,” she whispered then kissed his cheek and released him.
* * * *
“We’re all involved with this from here on out. Understand, Agent Williams? Mathew asked as he stood next to his friend John.
“I told you, Mathew, we have our agents working on the case.”
“Well, we’re working on the case, as well. We want Sintorez and his whole operation brought down,” Mathew added then crossed his arms in front of his chest. He stared at Agent Williams, not sure that he really liked the guy.
“We understand your position, and there’s a lot at stake here. We still have agents in the field,” Williams told them, and John spoke next.
“They thought their sister was dead, for Christ’s sake, Williams. Let them help where they can. We can use their skills and the cooperation of every department we’ve got.”
“What have you got so far, and what do you need from us?” Salvatore asked.
“Right now, we need all the information we can get from your sister. She has spent the last year right by Armando’s side. She’s bound to know information our undercover agents weren’t privy to,” Williams said.
“She needs to recover—”
Jack looked up towards the ceiling, knowing his baby sister was upstairs, home, alive, but on the defensive.
She downright refused to talk to Gustavo, Williams or any of the other agents. When she found out her brothers were all DEA agents, she nearly passed out. She stayed close–lipped, and that was a bad sign.
“Let’s get something straight, Givani. You and your family really shouldn’t be involved or privy to any information we have thus far. It’s not proper protocol, and to tell you the truth, I want to find out what your sister knows first. Why did she wait until now to try and escape? Why did she freeze up when she found out her brothers were DEA agents? There are a lot of questions,” Gustavo stated, making it perfectly clear that he didn’t trust Elloisa and questioned her loyalty to her family and the agents.
“How dare you stand in this house and make accusations about my sister. Who the hell do you think you are?” Mathew demanded with his fists at his side as he stepped up in front of Gustavo.
* * * *
They were the same height, but Gustavo was more muscular and a lot more highly trained. But he didn’t share that with the over-protective older brother.
Gustavo thought Mathew was a good agent. He had investigated the whole family except Elloisa, and that’s who he was after.
“Montoya, cool it, will you? These are my friends. These are good people,�
� John interrupted as he pushed himself between the two men.
“I think your agents should leave. Elloisa will be safe here with us, and when she’s had some rest then you can speak with her,” Jerry added as he motioned towards the door.
“Unfortunately, we need to speak with her as soon as possible. Let’s plan on tomorrow morning. Bring her to the office around ten o’clock in the morning,” Agent Williams said before leaving the room.
They agreed, and the agents left the house.
* * * *
“So what do you think, Dad?” Salvatore asked his father once the agents left.
Jerry rubbed his hand over his face and exhaled.
“I think they’re closer to getting Sintorez than they’re letting on,” Jerry replied then sat down behind his desk.
“I don’t want that guy Montoya near Elloisa. He already wants to hang her, accuse her of who knows what…” Mathew began to say but his father interrupted.
“Gustavo is an excellent agent, son. He’s thorough, and it takes a lot to gain his trust. It doesn’t matter what anyone else says. He needs to make a determination himself. He’s not one to mess with either.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? Am I supposed to be scared of him? Am I supposed to back down when he accuses my sister of being a criminal?” Mathew was yelling now and Salvatore and Jack were by his side. They were just as pissed off as their older brother.
“All I’m telling you, Mathew, is that we should be glad Gustavo Montoya is so involved with this case. Do you remember the Lopez gang, the one that imported the highly potent cocaine through Columbia and into New York and Bayside Queens?” Jerry asked, and each son nodded his head yes. It was a famous case and a major bust for the DEA.
“Well that was Montoya. He worked undercover for two years. He had to do some crazy shit and even take out over a dozen men. Believe me when I tell you that Montoya is definitely who we want involved with this case.”
Mathew understood what his father was telling him. He also had wondered why Elloisa had waited so long to attempt escaping. Why now? What was her motivation? He had a million of his own questions.
“Let’s get some dinner then see how Elloisa is doing. I don’t want you interrogating her, do you understand? She needs us to be her family, not DEA agents.”
“Yeah, Dad, we understand. All we want to do is love her and make her feel safe. I still can’t believe she’s alive and right upstairs,” Jack added as they walked out of the office.
Chapter 8
It was seven p.m. and Elloisa was still sleeping in the bedroom.
Teressa checked on her three times and so did her father and brothers. She had been tossing and turning. Having one bad nightmare after the next and always Armando was capturing her again.
She had apologized each time one of her family members came to her aid. She was embarrassed and knew they had questions.
Elloisa wasn’t too surprised when she dreamt about Rosalie’s death. The young woman who Ramos had forced to be his played out in her dreams since the night of the incident. It was the beginning of her hatred for Armando and all that he stood for.
She would awake in the middle of the night dreaming of the vicious murder of Rosalie. Armando was there comforting Elloisa and reminding her that it was a lesson she would never forget. He made his threats to her own life in whispers and kisses against her skin.
“You would not be so foolish to defy me, right, Elloisa?” he would ask as he held her in a tight embrace. Then he would manipulate her body to his liking so he could possess her in every way, body, mind, and soul.
She was powerless against his control and manipulation. She could only succumb to his authority for so long. The nightmares continued, the desire to be free grew stronger, and her hatred for the monster who owned her became a game of survival. It wasn’t until she decided that she would rather die than continue to live under Armando’s thumb that her plan began to evolve. Thoughts of Rosalie filled her mind.
Elloisa never forgot that day and night and the evilness and lack of respect for women, for life, that Armando and Ramos exposed her to. She would be scarred forever because of what she witnessed.
Rosalie was an attractive Mexican girl with long black hair and big dark eyes. Elloisa enjoyed her company when she first arrived at the compound. She was only twenty when Ramos captured her and demanded she stay. He swore he would kill her whole family, her mother, father, and three sisters if she left. Elloisa befriended her, and they spent as much time together as allowed. But Ramos was so different from Armando. Rarely did Armando strike Elloisa. At least, not on a daily basis, like Ramos did to Rosalie.
Ramos always smacked her around and continuously forced himself on her. It was tragic, and when Elloisa tried to help her, Ramos threatened her as well. It caused a huge fight between Ramos and Armando every time.
“My woman is my business! Keep yours in her place!” Ramos yelled at Armando.
“You remember who you are speaking to, Ramos. I will handle my woman, and you be sure to never threaten her again.”
As Ramos walked out of the room, angry with his boss as well as Elloisa, she felt that maybe Armando was on her side. Maybe, just maybe, Elloisa had brought some aid to her friend and Ramos would think twice about the way he abused Rosalie.
She recalled how Armando called her over to him as he leaned against the front of his desk.
Elloisa felt the triumphant feeling like she truly had made a difference and saved Rosalie from further harm.
Elloisa had begged Armando to talk with Ramos. She told him what he did to her and hoped that his jealousy would give some help and protection to Rosalie.
When she stood a few feet in front of him, he smirked then grabbed her wrist, pulling her against his chest.
He snarled at her, looming over her like an animal about to devour his prey. It was the first time she witnessed his wrath. The evilness she saw and felt scared her. This wasn’t the man she fell in love with. Not the one who showered her with love, affection, and gifts back in the States. This man was different.
His voice was low and deep. She sensed the clenched teeth, felt the firm hold on her wrist that pushed against her own back in an awkward position. One turn the wrong way, one inch left or right, and she would be on her knees.
Even his eyes looked evil, and she could see the anger and animal in him.
“You are my woman. You have had plenty of time to learn your place, to learn to respect Ramos, and to keep your mouth shut. Rosalie is not your concern. You spend too much time together. Time you should be spending with me.”
He held her gaze. The intensity of his look, how his hair fell across one eye, his red coloring, and the seriousness of his tone, she would never forget. She knew at that moment he could kill her. If she overstepped her boundaries, if she challenged him in the simplest of ways, her life was over.
It was as if he read her thought process when his lip turned up slightly as if smirking but not totally. He was a manipulator of minds. He enjoyed this part of victimizing and destroying potential challengers. Even her, his own lover.
He rotated her wrist slightly to the left. Elloisa cried out in pain. But her focus was on her friend. Elloisa was her only hope.
“Armando, he’s going to kill her.” She cried out, falling to her knees. Armando was crouching down next to her.
“Did you not hear a word I said?” She had defied him. Had spoken back to him, pleading for her friend’s life, pleading for some common decency and any remnants of the decent, classy man she had foolishly fell in love with, and it cost her a small beating herself. She would never forget the look in his eyes as he twisted her wrist. Armando broke her wrist in two places.
Elloisa cried.
It was nothing compared to the beating Rosalie received.
As Elloisa drifted in and out of sleep, she thought about Rosalie.
The memory of an older woman named Nina entered her thoughts. She was someone’s cousin, and she couldn
’t stand the way Ramos treated Rosalie. Plus, she heard what Armando had done to Elloisa for standing up to Ramos. In outrage, Nina attempted to stop Ramos from beating Rosalie one evening by hitting him with a table lamp. Ramos slit Nina’s throat from ear to ear.
He was outraged and so angry that a woman would attempt to stop him. Then he went to Elloisa when Armando wasn’t around. He threatened to kill her as well, but not before she received some of his own medicine for being a meddling gringo.
Elloisa took him seriously, and she knew the time to escape was drawing near.
One night, six months ago as Elloisa recalled, Ramos was raping and beating Rosalie. Rosalie lay naked and battered in the bed when Elloisa was called to take care of her.
Ramos was laughing at the sight. Elloisa was horrified.
A few nights later, once Rosalie recovered, she attempted to escape. Elloisa had no idea why she would try this. It was inevitable that Ramos wouldn’t release Rosalie, no matter how much the girl pleaded with him.
Elloisa was brought out for the chase. Armando wanted her to see the consequences of defying him or Ramos.
She got the message loud and clear when Elloisa and Armando approached a mob of wild dogs. The sounds and images were still embedded in Elloisa’s head. It was disgusting, revolting, and the most horrific sight. The animals had their way with Rosalie, and the men just stared, cheered, and celebrated and Armando and Ramos shoved Elloisa to the front. She tried to cover her eyes and her ears at the screams of pain, but Armando wouldn’t have it.
He held Elloisa’s arms behind her back with one hand and held her neck and head forward with the other.
“Never defy me, Elloisa. Never attempt to leave me,” he whispered then kissed her neck. His kisses became rougher and more intense as the sounds of torture slowly came to an end. Those sounds and the images fed into Armando’s ego. There was no fighting him.
Elloisa cried as he manhandled her, and Armando dismissed the men and cleared the area. The men were still getting in their Jeeps and departing, but Armando couldn’t wait. He was driven, turned on by the vicious murder and determined to express his possession of her. It was as if he became intoxicated by viewing death and violence. She couldn’t fight him. She didn’t dare challenge him. Elloisa had never seen Armando so angry and so intense before, yet her gut told her in this state he could kill without a thought. As the motors roared in the background, men yelled and cheered as they departed. Armando took Elloisa right there against the Jeep. Elloisa recalled crying hysterically and hearing the echoes of Rosalie’s screams of pain in the wind.
