HELLO BEAUTIFUL

Chapter 10   

It shouldn’t be that difficult, not after what I’ve done, not after where I’ve been. I should have gone to the apartment instead of coming back here. What am I doing?    

Here I am, sitting inside my car in front of her house, watching the front door. There’s no sign of Ricardo’s ride, so I guess big dark guy is not around. No lights are on and I’m not sure if she’s here or not, but she definitively is not at the club because it’s her night off. I wonder if Hanna’s inside, waiting for me.  

I already checked the phone calls and the last one she made was early this morning. Why didn’t she call me again after that last call? What a loser I am, wishing for something impossible to happen. Who am I fooling?  

I can’t tear my eyes away from that damn door, and all of sudden, I find myself overwhelmed with anticipation, like I’m expecting some miracle to happen. And I close my eyes, letting my mind fly free, unrestrained.  

 
Hanna will show up anytime now, dressed in one of her cotton flowery dress and plain sandals. Her hair will be loose and a radiant smile will be lighting her face, making her blush slightly as soon as she sees me.  
 

Those beautiful green eyes, grayish sparks around the pupils, sparkling like flames in the darkness as soon as our gazes meet, reflecting her feelings. She will giggle like a little girl when I lean my head, kissing her neck, inhaling in her sweet scent. Lilacs, cinnamon and arousal, and I will grin against her skin, pressing my full lips to her ear, and lowering the tone of my voice to that deep low rumble I know makes her shudder, I will whisper her name. Hanna.  

In response, a soft moan will slip through her lips as unconsciously she will press herself to me, stroking my nape. That almost imperceptible caress; the tip of her slim fingers will be tracing an invisible line down my shoulder. Her lips will brush mine, her breath warming my heart before she whispers my name, Dominic, making my heart race; gooseflesh appears on my skin and a shiver in my soul.
  
 
It shouldn’t be this difficult, not anymore, not after where I’ve been. I should have gone to any other place instead of coming back here. What the fuck am I doing?  

I open my eyes, my gaze traveling over the surface of the facade until comes to a stop at her bedroom window. There’s a soft gleam coming from that spot that wasn’t there a few minutes ago. My heart skips a beat as an invisible knot closes my throat in seconds.  
 
 
Hanna is here. I don’t need anyone to tell me. I know it’s her who lit that candle, and maybe I’m just a damn fool, but I find myself wishing she did it so I can find my way back home.  

What am I doing to myself? Why do I keep torturing myself with these self destructive thoughts? Why the fuck can’t I accept I lost her once and all, moving on?

I wanted to see my woman. I needed to see her at least once. Those were my exact words.  I begged her to let me see her. What the fuck was I thinking?  Hanna knows me better than anyone else and she already knew that I wasn’t ready to see the real Hanna. That’s the reason why she was refusing to let me in. Damnit, at this point I seriously doubt that I would be ready any time soon or even if I will ever be ready, or what’s worse; what if I don’t deserve to know Hanna?  

———

I grab the chick’s waist, pulling her to me as we walk toward Rey’s jet. She’s giggling and I’m grinning like a loony as I bend my head, licking her neck, making her laugh out loud. I come to a stop and tightening my hold around her I grab her tight ass, squeezing hard.  

That’s one of the effects of the coke. You don’t give a shit about anything. You lose literally any nuance of shame or shyness you had. You feel powerful and invincible. While under the effect of the white powder, you are a winner because there’s no place for self pity or desolation, and all of sudden, you’re not a loser anymore, now you’re a winner again. I’m a winner. I’m a fucking winner.  

It’s starting to get dark and Reynaldo turns his head, looking at me, grinning, saying that we can fuck them when we have taken off. Then he turns to Crystal, slapping her bottom, making her yelp in surprise.    

 
Oh, you can count on that, fucker. I already have a painful hard on and this redhead is gonna help me to get rid of it. I have to make up for a whole year without pussy at my reach and months of sweet lovemaking with who I thought was in love with me.

  
As the plane takes off I make myself comfortable in my white leather seat, closing my eyes. The redhead’s hands are all over me, her lips and tongue tracing circles on my throat as she tugs the hem of my shirt, pulling it out of my pants, and I’m so fucking pathetic I’m wishing silently those hands were Hanna’s instead Sara’s, the redhead.

    
Closing my eyes is not helping me either and even though this chicks’ touch is soft and gentle, it’s not the same. Damn!  

Hanna’s eyes are haunting me, her hoarse voice echoing faintly inside my brain, silently torturing me. She’s whispering how much she loves me, how she misses me. Her lips feel like velvet against my skin. Her hands aren’t stroking my body anymore, they are caressing my heart, calling my soul, breathing I’m home.  

My eyes snap open, finding Sara nuzzling my cheek, ripping me from my secret fantasy. Fuck, fuck, fuck!!! I’m unable to get rid of her, to let go of her. Shit! Not even in hell can I find some kind of peace. Damnit, Hanna, I hate you more than ever bitch!
    
    
 
————    
 

Miami, Anti Castro Cubans’ stronghold, organized crime’s settlement and Reynaldo Casamajor home.  

After fives hours of hard sex, coke and tequila, we finally land in Miami. Several cars are already waiting for us. Four black SUV and a white limo. There is a little army as well, at least 15 guys with automatic weapons surrounding the area.    
 
 
Rey and I make our way toward the limo, getting in with the girls as Miguel gets in one of the SUV’s while speaking on the phone, setting up the meeting with Rey’s East coast contact.    
 

We aren’t even inside the vehicle for five minutes and Sara is already naked on her knees sucking Reynaldo’s dick like there’s no tomorrow.  
  
 
Crystal is sitting at my side, looking through the window, pretending to be enjoying the view outside. She hasn’t said a word since we left the jet and I’d swear she’s lost in thought right now.    
 

I notice Crystal is always around Reynaldo. He has other chicks apart from her, but this nineteen year old girl is a constant presence in Rey’s bed. She’s the only chick who sleeps each and every night in the same place he sleeps. I also noticed when Rey is fucking her; he always takes his time, making her ready for him.  

  
Unlike the other chicks, the Cuban never lets his men put a hand on her or even talk to her. The other night at our little orgy at the hotel suite, Crystal was blowing the kid, but that was all, she only fucked us.  

  
Crystal is what she is and she’s the first one to accept that fact, but Rey immediately refused to fuck her with me. I wouldn’t say Rey loves her. This fucker is in love only with himself, but still Rey seems to care for her in some sickly way.  

However, I don’t think this fucker trusts her more than any other, but I bet this girl has been witness to all Rey’s deals. I wonder why she’s around him 24/7?

 
I gently squeeze Crystal’s thigh and she turns her head fast, already smiling at me. I narrow my eyes in suspicion when I notice how her smile is not reaching her eyes. But, I don’t care. I’m too high to care about anything other than myself and my throbbing dick, screaming for attention.  
  
 
I slide my hand between her legs as she spreads them farther apart, giving me more room. I grin wickedly, rubbing her sex through the fabric of her silky thong. Her eyes widen slightly as she tenses. She’s looking at me but I suspect she’s playing her role like a pro.    
 

I’ve been with enough chicks to know when they are faking and I know Crystal is not enjoying my touch. I bet she learnt long ago how to switch off her brain so her body is here, but her mind is somewhere else and not inside this limo.  

  
I bend my head, burying my face in her neck, kissing her as my hand slides under her thong, searching out that secret place. Crystal moans my name as her hand reaches for my dick, stroking over the fabric of my pants, applying pressure.

 
Damn, she wasn’t kidding when she said this was the only thing she was good at. Fuck, she’s much more than just good. Crystal means real business. No wonder Rey has her with him 24/7.    

 
A low growl escapes my mouth, feeling her hand sliding inside my pants. She’s soaking wet and begging me to fuck her with my fingers right here right now. I thrust two fingers inside of her hot wet sex as she breaths my name, stroking the length of my already hard dick, in time with my fingers’ movement.
    
 
I close my eyes and before I can stop myself, I’m moaning Hanna’s name against Crystal’s skin as I increase the speed. Crystal tenses every muscle in her body as her hands freeze.  

I tilt my head back a bit, making our gazes meet as my hand goes motionless. Damn!

Crystal is staring at me through narrowed eyes and all of sudden a sweet real smile spreads on her red lips, and leaning in, she presses her full mouth against my ear.
    
 
“You don’t belong here, Dom.” She whispers, kissing me. “You belong to Hanna.” Crystal adds, tilting her head back, locking eyes with me.  

I clench my jaw, narrowing my eyes. Who the fuck does this little bitch think she is? I’m no one’s property. I’m my own owner and I’m the one who decides about where I have to be or to who I belong. Fuck!  

Grabbing a fistful of her hair, I pull her to me. “Listen to me and pay attention, bitch,” I hissed coldly nose to nose with her. Crystal’s eyes widen as she gasped, shocked by the tone of my voice. I bet she wasn’t expecting this. “You don’t know nothing about me and if you dare to mention that cold bitch to me again I’ll rip you apart, got it?” My voice is low enough so no one can hear me, not even Rey who is busy fucking Sara.
  
 
I tighten my grip around her hair causing her to hiss in pain. Gasping, Crystal’s eyes widen even more, flashing at me full of panic, trying to release herself.  

“You’re hurting me, Dom,” she whispers, gritting her teeth.
  
 
“Good. Now shut the fuck up and suck my dick, Crystal,” I mutter, pushing her head down until her lips clasp around me. “And you better make me cum hard, babe.” I say, my voice cold, emotionless. In response, she gasps, shuddering violently, and after the initial shock, she starts sucking the life of me with her skilled mouth. “Yeah, that’s it, Crystal, keep sucking, babe.”    

 
Reynaldo laughs hard at my words as I grin at him. “These bitches like it rough, Dom. Never forget you’re the one in charge, bro.” He says, winking as he slaps Sara’s butt hard, causing her to moan in pleasure, begging for more.      
 

———–    
 

The Shore Club, one of the most luxury spa hotels all around Miami, will be our place for one night. We are lodged at the beach house, a duplex villa with private pool and an exclusive entrance just for us. We even have our private section of the beach with a couple of big hammocks with wooden canopies and white silky curtains.    
 

Damn! Never thought hell would look like this. I could get use to this indecent style of living. It seems to me that so far my deal with the devil is more than worth it. What other things could a man wish for?  

 
Rey is hosting a theme party. The villa is filled with chicks spread all over the place wearing only red clothes. Rey said is in my honour because he remembered red is my favorite colour.    

Shit, this fucker is so pathetic that I almost feel sorry for him. Hanna was right; he desperately needs a friend at his side. But not anyone. This sick bastard needs someone who can keep up with his bizarre style of living; someone who is able to snort as much coke as he does and drink at his rhythm. Well, hell, fresh news. I’m exactly the person who fulfils his expectations. Who would have told me? Am I lucky or what?

A few days ago I was cursing my life and my weakness, and now look at me. I’m having the time of my life with two Asian chicks in a hammock at the beach. I guess Crystal and Hanna are not the only ones who can shut their brains off. I guess it’s all a question of how willing you are in your desperate search for that place where you don’t feel anything at all. That place were all your five senses are focused in one single goal; oblivion.

 
The party is a complete success. It figures. Rey has skill as a host. The fucker is able to bring together in the same place a selection of all kinds of people. Among the guests there are politicians, sportsmen, businessmen, musicians and even a couple of famous actors, all mixed up with drugs dealers, members of organized crime and indecently expensive whores. What a fucked up world we live in!

I have seen a lot of movies about this shit in which the bad guys were closing deals in some warehouse located on the outskirts at midnight or some deserted dark place. Two guys with suitcases both surrounded by bodyguards and assassins. Inside those suitcases are money and drugs, well in this case the weapons, or a dossier with pictures of them. I figure I’ve seen too many movies after all.

That’s not the way these deals are closing anymore. The latest technology and the Internet make of those old ways just a funny memory, even naïve, reserved only for Hollywood and its movies stars. Real life is much scarier even though we are all sitting around a table, drinking and talking about extreme sports.

  
Rey’s contact doesn’t look anything at all like I expected. This little man seems more like an accountant than someone who knows shit about weapons. He’s dressed in an expensive suit, little blue eyes behind small glasses and a toupee. I swear this guy seems like anything but a weapon’s dealer.  
    
 
He glances at me from the corner of his eye, probably asking himself if he can trust me. I notice he’s a little nervous but I don’t know if because I’m here or something else. I don’t think it’s because he’s dealing with Reynaldo, it seems he has been the Cuban’s contact for years. And the fact that Crystal is sitting on a big couch smoking a joint while listening to music in her earphones doesn’t seem to be bothering him either. So I wonder what is making him sweat like a pig even though Rey has the damn air conditioning inside the room at maximum.  

A short nod from Rey seems to put some ease on him and after a last glance at Crystal; he finally opens his laptop, showing Rey what he has available for purchase.  

Holy fuck!!    
 

They are not talking about long range rifles or automatic guns. Those weapons are high tech military shit. We’re talking about merchandise whose value is a number that makes my brain spin and the colour of my face disappear.    
 

Rey laughs coldly, saying that money is not a problem. It seems the payer is healthy enough to front such an amount of zeros. Damn, I feel sick just thinking where those weapons are going to be use and in whose hands they will end up in. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Hanna is going to hallucinate when she knows about this shit.

    
Rey orders the weapons as if it’s the most natural thing, as if he’s shopping in a damn supermarket on a Saturday morning with his wife and kids. Comparing prices, checking quality and asking for the day’s special offer.  

I grin, watching Crystal. She’s nodding her head to the rhythm of whatever song she’s listening to on her I Pod as she’s painting her toenails red.  

I wasn’t wrong in my suspicions. She’s present at Rey’s deals even though she’s not exactly paying attention. That or she’s a damn good actress, pretending to be alone in her bedroom. I wonder if the music is so loud she can’t hear what they are talking about.

Miguel is sitting at Rey’s side, transferring 50% of the price to different encoded bank accounts in different countries. Well, at least that part is similar to what happens in the movies. Money goes out of reach of the Government, not leaving any trace to follow the final addressee.

I stand too, heading toward the bar. I need a shot of something strong. Hell, I have to find a way to contact Hanna as soon as possible. She has to know about this and I didn’t even know how much time we are going to be out of LA. Damn, I don’t even know where I’m going to be tomorrow!

  
I’m pouring a couple of shots of tequila with my back to them when I sense someone behind me. I turn my head to one side and I find Crystal, smiling shyly, but keeping herself a few feet from me. In fact, she has been doing that since we arrived at the villa. Crystal has been keeping herself at distance from me. I don’t think she’s mad at me, it’s something else.  

I feel bad for her after what I did inside the limo. Crystal is a nice girl, she cares for others. In fact she’s the only chick around who has been talking with me about Hanna and herself.  

I’ve been watching her for almost the whole night and she has been acting like the perfect hostess, smiling, dancing, but always keeping herself within Rey’s sight. I bet she knows too damn well the deal regarding this fucker’s parties. And now that I think about, I’m realizing she doesn’t drink.

Crystal’s staring at me as she asks me if I can reach a bottle of water for her. Her voice is a soft whisper, tinted with fear. I nod ‘yes’, grinning and she smiles a little, adding that the bottles of water are on the top shelf and that she can’t reach them.

  
Miguel’s done transferring the money and now he’s talking with the guy, telling him the different security codes to use to have access to the money.  

I see from the corner of my eye while picking up the water for Crystal how the little man stands to his feet, shaking hands with Miguel and Rey, saying it has been a pleasure to do business with him. Then he turns his back to both of them, ready to leave the room.

 
As I extend my hand to give Crystal her bottle of water, we hear the sound of a silenced gun being shot and a loud thump.  

Crystal shuts her eyes tightly, clasping her hand against her mouth, muffling her scream. I bet she learnt the lesson well after the last time. Feeling all the muscles of my body tensing at once, I turn completely, doing my best to remain calm as I watch how she’s trembling violently. I wonder how many times she has seen Rey or his men killing someone in cold blood and she still can’t get use to the fact.

The little man is lying on the floor with a pool of blood around his head, Miguel standing at his side with the gun still in his hands, grinning like a fucking loony.  
  
 
Rey shakes his head saying that nobody is going to fuck with him, adding that the fewer middlemen to deal with the better. It seems Rey never liked that little man and that he was trying to cheat the Cuban, raising his cut.  
  
 
Crystal is blinking silent tears, still trembling like a leaf when in seconds; Reynaldo’s men pick up the dead body, and carry it outside using the back door of the villa. I can’t stop the strong shudder that runs up my spine as I stare at the pool of blood left behind.

  
The fucker is still sitting at the table when he orders Miguel to make a new bank transfer, sending the money to a different account, adding to open a new one under my name, and adding the little man’s cut to it.  
  
 
I snap my head up, arching my brows in confusion. Rey laughs coldly, explaining that it’s better in my hands than that scum’s. Then he stands to his feet, padding toward Crystal who wipes her cheeks clean in seconds. Reynaldo looks at her, narrowing his dark eyes as she takes a deep breath, swallowing hard.  

He lifts a hand slowly, stroking her face as she winces slightly, forcing her lips to spread in a smile. Rey grins, shaking his head, taking her hand in his, heading toward the huge terrace.  

All his prominent guests are still partying with the chicks dressed in red oblivious to the fact that a few meters from them his host has ordered to kill a man.
  
 
Crystal looks back at me for a couple of seconds, her gaze is screaming. She’s terrified and I find myself thinking about a bizarre suspicion growing fast inside my brain. Was she pleading me for help?  

————

I’m exhausted but I can’t sleep. My head is still spinning a little even though I’ve been smoking joints to compensate for the effect of the coke. Sighing hard I make my way to the beach. Maybe if I take a walk I will be able to find the strength to phone Hanna.    
 

I know I have to phone her, telling her about the deal, but I’ve been missing almost three days, and I don’t feel in the mood to deal with the Ice Queen right now. Maybe I’m acting like a damn coward, but it’s not that easy.

 
I wonder if she’s worried about me right now or if she even cares about me at all. Damn, this is not working. I can’t stop thinking about her and I’m starting to suspect all the coke, tequila and chicks are not helping me to forget her. Why the fuck has everything got to be so damn complicated?  

I can’t believe I’m almost missing my life in Lompoc. Things were much easier there. At least while I was in prison I knew what I could expect from other inmates. There was no mistake. I knew who I was dealing with. But here, the scum is walking around dressed in fashioned suits, driving luxury cars and playing golf.  
 
 
Shit! I don’t know what to do. I don’t have training for this shit. I’m not qualified to make a decision. Damnit! What should I do? Stick with Reynaldo no matter what?

I already killed a man. Ok, he was Rey’s brother and sure as hell he was implicated in his kid brother’s shit but that doesn’t change the fact that I killed him.
  
 
Lorenzo was sentenced to death the minute he crossed Reynaldo, that’s for sure, and I probably saved him the agony of a much more painful death, but still, I was the one pulling the trigger.    

 
Fuck, I should have phoned Hanna. Damnit what’s she going to say when she knows what I did?    
 

Shit, shit, shit. Reynaldo has me by the balls. What the fuck am I going to do now? Fuck! What if the local cops already found Lorenzo’s corpse? No, this sick bastard is not stupid; he probably got rid of the body so no one can find it. Fuck it!  

I have to call Hanna right now. She will know how to take care of this. Hanna has to help me. Damn, how fucking stupid I’ve been. I can’t do this alone.

  
“Dom”  
 

Crystal’s voice pulls me out from my internal turmoil. I turn my head and she’s a few feet from me, again keeping herself at what I guess is a secure physical distance from me.  
 

“Crystal, baby,” I say softly, walking to her.    
 

She tenses lightly but doesn’t move backward. Instead she smiled a little, rubbing her hands. I notice she does that a lot. I figure is a habit she has acquired, something she does without being aware. Just like Hanna when she bites her lower lips.    
 

I know we are not alone. I can’t see them because they have the ability to make themselves disappear conveniently if the occasion calls for it, but I know Rey’s men are around, guarding the villa, protecting his boss.    
 

“You can’t sleep?” my voice is low, almost a whisper.    
 

Crystal shakes her head ‘no’ as she looks away, shivering. I frown deeply, watching her in silence. It seems she’s trying to find the courage to tell me something, but she’s probably scared to death. No wonder, after how I treated her this morning.    
 

After a few seconds, she raises her head up, locking eyes with me. Shit, there’s that gaze again. I’m starting to feel uneasy and a little concerned for her. Crystal opens her mouth to speak but no sound comes out. She frowns a little, as if she’s searching for the right words to say. Several seconds more in silence and finally she sighs hard.  
 

“Dom… can…can you hold me?” her voice shakes a little as she holds her breath.    
 

I don’t need to think too much, and in one move a pull her to me, holding her against my body. As soon as my arms encircle her, Crystal lets out the air, whimpering, and I notice her hands, grabbing my shirt at my waist, closing her hands in fists as she lets herself go, burying her face in my chest.
 

I shake my head, closing my eyes. I’ve been around Reynaldo a few days and I’ve watched two guys die in front of my face, so I can understand how she feels. I bet she’s lost count of how many men she’s seen killed in front of her own eyes, either by Reynaldo’s men, or by Reynaldo himself.  
 

Hearing her sobbing in my arms, crying like a little girl is killing me. Damn, she’s just a kid, for fuck’s sake! Crystal’s just nineteen years old. I don’t know how much shit she already went through in her life, but it’s sure as hell much more than I figure. She should be studying or working or doing any other thing, but not here with that sick fucker.    
 

I wonder if Hanna tried to make her talk about Rey’s business. I know for sure that they are both close; at least that’s what I guess. Crystal cares for Hanna, I have no doubt about it, so I would say that it’s mutual. However, Hanna doesn’t have too much intell about Crystal, just some basics. This fact actually surprises me because I know for sure Hanna is an intell freak. Hmmm.

Now that I’m thinking about that fact I wonder at the reason why. I suspect it’s not a slip Hanna made regarding this girl, and I can’t help but wonder if the Ice Queen is hiding essential information from me?

 
I frown deeply thinking about it while listening to Crystal still crying silently, her sobs muffled by my shirt. There’s a question that has been dancing inside my head since that night at the club. Why did Hanna take this case? And all of sudden an unexpected suspicion grows really fast inside my brain.

 
Hanna is not acting like an FBI agent in this case, that’s for sure and I already know the Ice Queen will go as far as it takes to catch Rey. I wonder if Hanna has some secret tie with this girl I don’t know about. What if Crystal is the reason why Hanna took this case? Why does it seem to me that there are many more secrets behind that suspicion all of a sudden? Why the hell is Hanna so fiercely determined to destroy Reynaldo Casamajor? And why the hell is killing this sick bastard not an option even after he raped her?

A loud whimper from Crystal brings me back to the present moment. I have a precious chance to find out a little more about Crystal, and maybe, I’ll be able to know some more details about Rey’s dirty deals. However, I’m not sure if I can trust Crystal and the last thing I want to do is act like Hanna, using her for the FBI’s benefit. Shit! I guess I have no other choice.

I glance at the open sky, my mind racing. Damnit! I’m struggling again. Fuck it!

 
“Crystal…” I whisper. She tenses in my arms at the sound of my voice, but doesn’t move. I take a deep breath, clearing my throat. Here I go. “What are you doing here with him?”    
 

Crystal chuckles sadly as she releases herself from my embrace. Damnit, she’s not gonna say shit to me. I move backward a step, watching how she wipes her tears with the tip of her fingers, sighing hard. Then, she turns her head, looking at the sea as a heavy sigh leaves her trembling lips.    
 

“I owe him my life, Dom.” She whispers, turning her head to meet my gaze, smiling lightly when I arch my brows at once, unable to hide my surprise. Crystal nods ‘yes’ as she takes a short ragged breath and elaborates. “A couple of years ago my pimp beat the shit out of my soul when he discovered one guy got me knocked up.” She pauses for a second, swallowing as a soft whimper passes her lips. “The motherfucker left me in an alley bleeding to death, but Rey found me.”    
 

Fresh tears are rolling down her cheeks, mixed with the black eye liner. Without thinking, I lift my hand to clean her face as she flinches in anticipation in a reflex action. I can’t blame her; I bet she surely was expecting I was going to hit her.    
 

I feel my blood boiling inside my veins, thinking how many times a man hit this girl aside from that sick bastard Rey. I saw how he slapped her hard enough to make her fall on her bottom and I bet it wasn’t the first time and sure as hell won’t be the last either.    
 

“Rey took care of me and promised to protect me. Then, he waited until I was totally recuperated again and after he found that fucker, Rey let me kill him.” She grins coldly as her mind seems to fly somewhere else, her evil grin widening in seconds.  

She’s probably relieving that moment in her mind, savoring it silently. I shudder a little watching all the emotions playing in her sweet face. I don’t even want to figure out how this little girl paid that fucker back after what he did to her.    

 
“Of course I lost the baby after the beating.” She whispers absently as one single tear rolls down her cheek. “But Rey says someday he will let me have as many babies as I want.”

At the sound of her words I feel an invisible hand squeezing my heart with such force that I almost can’t breath. Fuck! I knew it! That’s why Hanna is closer to this girl than to any other. They have much more in common than anyone may think at the first sight. However, I’m not so sure that’s all and I wonder if there’s more in there.

“Listen, baby, you don’t owe that fucker shit,” I say before I can stop myself. I notice her hand taking mine, squeezing it gently.    
 

“If I leave him, Rey will kill me, Dom. I have no other choice. I don’t want to die.” Her voice sounds firm, no trace of doubt. “’sides, where the hell am I going to go?” I frown deeply at hearing her words. I can’t believe she’s so determined to keep living in this hell, surrounded by death and in constant danger. “At least, I’m not in the streets where some punk can cut me or rape me.”  
 

“Come on, Crystal. What are you saying? You can do something better with your life.” In response, Crystal chuckles sadly, sniffing. “You don’t deserve this shit.”    

 
“It’s the only life I know, Dom. Don’t you see?” She whispers, tears silently rolling down. “I’m safe here. It’s true that sometimes Rey slaps me, but only when he’s mad or nervous and I’m messing around.” She pauses, swallowing. “Rey takes care of me. He’s dangerous and unstable, but that’s better than being alone out there where I’m an easy prey for a lot of sick fuckers. Here I only have to deal with him.”

  
I can’t blame her. After all she’s right. Better to deal with one than a hundred. At the end, she’s already living on borrowed time and I bet she assumed that painful reality long ago, that’s why she thinks the way she does. Rey lives every day like it was the last and so does Crystal because she’s living with him. I guess, so far she did well, she’s still breathing.  
 

I lift my hand, cleaning the last tears and this time, she doesn’t flinch or move backward. I grin at her as she pulls herself to me encircling my waist. I hold her one more time, stroking her hair, thinking about her words. Crystal is a smart girl and I have no other choice but to recognize that once again, I misjudged her.    
 

“Crystal!!”    
 

At the sound of Miguel’s voice, she tensed every single muscle in her body, releasing me in one second, gasping and I notice a strong shiver crossing her body from head to toe. I turn my head, staring at him through narrowed eyes as he shoots me a cold gaze.  
 

“Rey’s calling you.” He adds. His voice sounds emotionless, yet hiding a threat. In response, Crystal looks at me, smiling a little and then back at him, nodding ‘yes’.  
 

Miguel is a few meters away, his arms over his broad chest, watching us. Crystal passes him, not even looking at him as he follows her with his gaze. When she’s out of sight, he turns his head, staring at me. His gaze is menacing and I bet he knows that I don’t like him a bit, but I don’t give a shit. I’m not here to make friends anyway.
 

We are staring at each other now, sizing each other up. I recognize that stance. I’ve seen it before. It’s like an invisible tension in your shoulders. You acquire it in prison because you never relax completely surrounded by the other inmates. It’s what keeps you alive inside. Once you’re out, you never lose it.    
 

I narrow my eyes, watching him, waiting for him to say or do something. I’m already feeling adrenaline running through my veins in anticipation as I think about my options, my hands in fists. Now this something I’m used to, something I recognize. I wouldn’t say I feel comfortable with it, but at least I can control it. It’s something I can deal with right now.      
 

Miguel seems to be doing the same, studying me, searching for weak spots. It’s hard when the guy you have in front of you is as big as yourself. However, we both have guns and we have seen the other killing a man.    
 

I feel the increasing tension between us. It’s like an invisible veil, almost palpable, that suddenly seems to make time stop.    
 

After a long moment, he chuckles and turns on his heels, heading back inside the villa, leaving me alone at the beach. Fuck you, asshole. You’re going to fall along with that bastard your boss. I’m going to make sure of that. We’re all now in hell and all of us are fucking death together.

I keep looking at the villa, thinking about what I’ve seen tonight and a strong shivers runs up my spine, freezing my blood. Fuck! Now what? My brain is racing again and I’m not sure if I will end collapsing here and now. Damnit, there’s only one thing left to do now and I have no other choice but admit I’m overwhelmed. Fuck it!

I pull my cell phone out from my pants back pocket, dialing that damn number. Shit! My heart is pounding hard inside my chest as I hear the tones. Please, baby, pick up the fucking call. Right now I feel like I’m carrying on my shoulders the weight of the damn world. I close my eyes, holding my breath when at the other side I hear her voice, breathing my name.

“Dominic….”

I snap my eyes open, blinking my all of sudden blurry vision as my throat closes completely in one second with a knot that came from nowhere. I shut my eyes tightly as I swallow hard, taking a ragged breath. Just hearing my name in her deep hoarse voice is tearing me apart. I don’t need to see her; I know she’s crying silently, waiting at the other side of the line for me to say something, anything.  

“Hanna….” I force my voice out in a shaky whisper. “Help me, baby.”