HELLO BEAUTIFUL

Chapter 12

Five guys, one stripper.

I lost count of how many times I’ve seen this picture before and every time I enjoyed it more than just a little, no exceptions. But this time it’s different.

Any other time I would have said ‘yeah, let’s fucking enjoy this hell of a show’; I would have said, ‘damn, bitch, you’re hot as hell, come to papi and show him what’cha got there, babe’, but this time is different. This time, I’m fighting the urge to jump up there, put an end to this shit because this time, the hot bitch putting on a hell of a show stripping for us is my woman. Hanna.

We’ve been here for a couple of hours. Rey wanted Hanna dancing for us tonight and gave her very specific instructions regarding her outfit. The fucker wants to impress his two new partners, actually one of them, knowing in advance his taste for chicks. Hanna obliged without hesitation even though she looked like she was going to faint.

I should get used to this, but I already know that’s not gonna happen no matter how many times I find myself in the same situation. Watching Hanna dancing in ‘La Cueva’ had made me feel sick, my blood boiled in my veins, knowing what each and every single guy there was thinking. But what I’m feeling now is not even close to what I felt back then.

The fact that I know the other four guys is not helping me feel better, quite the opposite, and this is only the beginning of the night. What it means is if I’m already feeling this way, things can only get worse. And I have no doubts about that.

Crystal and Sara are sitting on one big couch located a few meters from us and they seem as similar as night and day. The blonde is smiling widely, watching Hanna swinging her hips around the steel bar as she sips from her bottle of soda, smoking. On the other hand, the redhead has her eyes narrowed, flashing Hanna with a mix of disgust and rage as she drinks from her champagne cocktail, from time to time doing a new line.

The bitch has been dropping comments here and there regarding the last days we have spent together, always making sure Hanna was close enough to hear her. I don’t give a shit about Sara, she was just a good fuck, but I didn’t like it one damn bit the way Hanna was looking at me.

It’s not the first time I’ve found myself in this situation though. I always got that from chicks after I had sex with them and never called again. They always waited until my girlfriend was around to drop the bomb. However, unlike Letty, Hanna hadn’t said or done anything to let the redhead know who she’s dealing with, but I noticed the hurt in Hanna’s eyes and how she was locking herself away more and more with each new damn nasty remark about my dick Sara made, leaving me out in the cold again.

I started the night in another club with Rey and Miguel where the Cuban introduced me to one guy he was interested in doing business with. I thought Rey was only into weapons, I guess I was wrong. The fucker is also into drugs and his partner is a half Italian half Spaniard whose name is Santos Martelli.

So far I know Santos is a European drug dealer who wants to extend his business into the US, using Rey’s connections. But he also wants to introduce his shit into Mexico and for that matter he already made another contact with a fucker who seems to be linked with the Tijuana Cartel. It figures. A fucker I’m craving to catch alone though because we have some pending man to man talk. Sandro’s buddy is none other than Mr. Big Dark Guy in the flesh and bones, Ricardo Montenegro.  

Funny, I was feeling like shit about the silent pain Sara was causing Hanna until this sucker showed up. At that very moment, I started to get mad, and the fact that Hanna wasn’t surprised at all when Ricardo joined us at the club with Santos is only confirming my suspicions. Hanna knew he was coming, but again she didn’t say shit to me.

I thought that after what happened this afternoon between us that things were going to change, I guess I was wrong. One more time I was fucking wrong. Damnit! I feel like a deaf man lost in the middle of a pitch black room with my hands tied up at my back.

I hate feeling this insecure about Ricardo and I can’t push aside a new suspicion. My gut instinct is telling me this fucker is hiding something from me; something I should know but for whatever reason he’s keeping it for himself, and what’s worse, from Hanna.

I was sure the FBI was after Rey and his weapons and that it was the DEA the ones dealing with drugs. Now this Santos fucker shows up hand in hand with big dark guy ready to close a multi million dollar drug deal. Who the fuck is Ricardo and what the hell is he doing here? Is he our backup or is he here just to offer emotional support? Has he other motivations?

Certainly, he could have blown my cover in seconds, but so far the fucker is playing cool, acting as if we just met and he’s doing a damn fine job at pretending. I’ve got to give him credit for that. So I figure if Ricardo is in this shit, he’s fully in. However I wonder why Hanna brought him?  

If I remember correctly, Hanna told me Ricardo hated the FBI more than me, which is way too much, so why the hell is he helping the three letters catch Reynaldo? All I knew about him was that he was going to help me set up in Mexico, no questions asked, and that only means one thing; he’s not going to answer them either.

This big dark guy has that invisible tension in his shoulders, just like Miguel, just like me. He has been in prison too. I can’t help but wonder when and where Hanna met him? How they ended up being friends when it’s clear they have nothing in common? Why does Hanna trust him?

He’s radiating danger and a ‘don’t fuck with me’ attitude all over his body, but in spite of that I still can’t get rid of the bizarre sensation that I had the first time I saw him at the auction.

I don’t know if it’s the way he looked at Elaine or because I noticed real concern in his voice while he was soothing Hanna, whispering tenderly as she was crying like a helpless little girl in his arms, but I still would say Ricardo doesn’t look like the kind of fucker who would be around Reynaldo.

  
I thought the Ice Queen always worked alone, not allowing interference from outside, not even from her bosses. Why is she using her friend to help her in this case?

If I was lost before, things are only getting darker with every second that’s passing by. Hanna is changing the line of action as it goes along and I don’t like it one bit. I can understand that taking in consideration all the new intell we have that the plan has to change, but damn, what was the plan in the first place?

I know that taking into consideration Hanna’s service record the FBI may be able to grant her a lot of leeway in this case, but I seriously doubt they would give her this much, allowing her to use another civilian to follow her goal. It’s true I don’t know shit about how the three letters’ bureaucracy works, but definitively this is getting out of hand really damn fast.

I’m sure Hanna didn’t report her rape to her superiors and I doubt she’ll do it in the future, mostly because she destroyed all the evidence when she showered at the yacht, not leaving any trace of Rey’s DNA on her body. And when I finally worked up the nerve, telling her I killed Rey’s brother, she snapped her head up, narrowing her eyes and after several minutes of muttering obscenities under her breath, she told me to forget about Lorenzo, and focus my attention on Reynaldo, adding that she didn’t come this far to just let the fucker slip from her fingers.

Hanna is so determined it’s starting to get scary and the Ice Queen is even worse. I’m sure she’s looking at Rey as more than just a target, turning this case into something personal. And for a second a bizarre idea crossed my mind. What if this case if not an FBI case anymore?

As far as I know, the worst thing the FBI can do to Rey is imprison him, and people like Rey don’t really go to prison. No matter how hard I try I can’t see the Cuban locked in Lompoc. I can’t help but think that Hanna bit off more than she could chew and I’m not sure anymore if we are going to all end up dead before we know it. I don’t trust anybody with the exception of Hanna, but damn, she’s making this much more difficult than I thought it was going to be.

All these thoughts and ideas are popping inside my head as I watch Ricardo and Santos sharing glances like they were having a silent conversation, their eyes glued to Hanna’s body as she keeps dancing and stripping for us.

The way they are looking at her is sending shivers up my spine, especially Santos’. He has been playing with a small shiv, turning it in his fingers for most of the night. I don’t even want to think how this Italian likes to use them with women. And here I thought Rey was a sick bastard.  

At this point, the only clothes left are a pair of white silky panties with little bears playing with balloons drawn on the fabric.  A couple of minutes ago, Hanna pulled off her bra, throwing it to us. Ricardo caught it mid air and kissing it, he put it in his jacket pocket, winking at her. I swallowed against the impulse to punch his face until not even his fucking mom would be able to recognize him.  

When Hanna came out to the stage, she was acting out the sick fantasy of a fucking pervert, dressing like a schoolgirl. Santos smiled a wolf grin, showing his perfect white teeth, almost drooling. I swear I was going to puke my guts out right then and there. Not to mention the way he has been looking at Crystal from the corner of his eye, not caring if Rey was noticing his dirty glances at her.

Hanna’s outfit was screaming ‘I’ve been a very naughty girl, principal, will you spank me?’ She was wearing a checked cloth miniskirt, white blouse knotted below her breast, white silky bra peering above the outline of it and short white socks. Her hair was pulled up in two pigtails with bright Barbie pink laces and sucking a heart-shaped lollipop.

Hanna turns her back to us, leaning forward at the torso, slapping her bottom, winking. In response, the Italian’s breath caught in his throat as he stiffens in his seat, gripping the handle of his shiv so tightly his knuckles turn white.

Ricardo shot him a cold gaze, narrowing his dark eyes, tensing his body. I swear big dark guy seems to be about to explode and I swear I feel the tension radiating from his body like heat waves. Whatever business he has with Santos, I suspect he doesn’t like it one bit the way he’s staring at Hanna either. And even Rey who is a sick bastard is glancing at the Italian, frowning lightly. I would say Rey’s expression passed for concern if I thought the Cuban has no conscience. I figure I’m not the only one who thinks Santos is a sick weird psycho pervert after all.

Ricardo looks at Hanna one last time and bends his head, whispering something to Rey who knit a brow, chuckling and glancing at me from the corner of his eye, his lips spread in a devil smile, nodding ‘yes’.

In seconds, Ricardo gets to his feet, heading towards Hanna. I narrow my eyes as my hands close in fists, watching how big dark guy stops at the end of the stage, gesturing his head to Hanna, grinning.

My stomach drops to my feet when in response Hanna offers him a sexy smile as she walks to his side, swinging her hips in the rhythm of the music. Fuck. There’s more between those two than mere friendship, that or the Ice Queen is damn great at putting on a show because as sure as hell that smile was reserved until now just for me.

Hanna stands in front of him, peeling from her panties seductively, revealing a tiny thong. Damn! The few chicks who were my friends when I was younger never let me see them naked, not to mention I never looked at them the way this fucker is looking at Hanna.
Ricardo laughs out loud, whistling, giving her a once over, and in a second, he pulls out a shiv from his cargo pants. What the hell…?

Hanna’s eyes widen as she stares at the shiv, shuddering uncontrollably. I feel every single muscle in my body tensing painfully as Ricardo pulls Hanna to him roughly, burying his face in her neck, murmuring something in her ear. She gasps shocked, looking at me, swallowing hard but she doesn’t make any move to release herself. What the hell is going on here?

Ricardo’s grin widens as he holds Hanna from behind, encircling her waist with one massive arm, keeping her from making any move. Hanna’s chest is rising and falling in time with her breath that seems ragged. He’s still whispering something to her when all of sudden she looks at Santos, shivering.

I glance at Santos who licks his lips, his eyes sparkling with sickly excitement and anticipation. My jaw clenches as I fight with all my will the urge to kill these two fuckers right here right and now even if I’m the one ending up dead.

Slowly, Ricardo pressed the blade of his shiv against Hanna’s right nipple, turning the tiny nub hard, making gooseflesh on her skin, and locking eyes with me, he slid the tip of his shiv down her belly, drawing an invisible line.

Damnit! I swear I’m going to kill Ricardo as soon as I have the chance. This is going too far. That fucker doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. I don’t fucking care if he’s Hanna’s best friend or any other thing. She’s my woman and he should know it. What the fuck is he playing at?

Hanna closes her eyes, holding her breath, shivering as Ricardo’s evil grin widens even more and never taking my gaze off, he cuts one of the straps of her thong in one skilled precise move, followed by the other in identical skilled manner, making a damn moan escape Santos’ fucking mouth.

Fuck it! I notice a hand, grabbing my arm, preventing me from moving. I turn my head, staring hard at Rey and following his gaze down, I watch how his hand is holding me in place.

“Relax, Dom,” Rey whispers coldly. I slid my gaze up at his eyes as he tightens his grip around my forearm. “Anyone may think you really care for our beautiful Hanna, bro.” Rey adds as his gaze hardens, pinning me with his dark brown eyes. “Why that cold bitch means so much for you?” He asks me, his gaze sparkling with banked rage. “What are you hiding from me, Dom?”

Seconds seem like hours as I go through my options. What is this shit? Some kind of test to see how much I can restrain myself? Damnit! And here I thought I had self-control issues. There’s no one single man on earth who has hot blood running through his veins that would put up with this shit for so long. What the fuck do I have to do now? Not only had I to trust Hanna, now do I have to trust Ricardo also? And what about Rey? Is he expecting for me to put up with everything he’s pitching me?

I glance at Hanna in time to see how Ricardo kisses her shoulder, turning her in his arms as the remains of her thong slid down her legs to the floor of the stage, leaving her completely naked in front of us.

Feeling my blood burning in my veins, I turn my gaze again to Rey. “I don’t give a damn about that bitch, but I’m not going to take a seat, turning into a silent witness to your sick games just for the hell of it.” I mutter through clenched teeth. “For fuck’s sake, Rey, shivs?! These fuckers’ deal is not my calling and you know that too damn well.” I add, putting as much emphasis as I can in my words, never breaking eye contact with him.

Rey’s eyes darken with a coldness that freezes my blood. “We’re not shitting here, my friend. These two fuckers might mean my way out, Toretto. I’m not backing up an inch and you better not either, got it?” he hisses a breath away of my face. I narrow my eyes, looking at Rey.

His way out? His way out of what? Hell? The tension between us increased and Rey knit a brow, waiting for me to answer him, blinding me with a gaze I recognize too damn well because I’ve been seeing it in my own eyes for a whole year, staring at my own reflection in the mirror. Damn! It’s the gaze of a man running out of time, a man who seems desperate in his search of freedom? What the hell are we talking about here?

I’m not going to let Rey get with it, not after what he did to Hanna. I’ve came this far, I’m not going to get frightened now. Shit! I have no other choice. As far as it takes, then. Fuck, Hanna you better know who the fuck you’re fucking with ’cause I sure as hell don’t know anymore. Fuck it!

“I’m not backing up, Rey, but what the fuck are you playing at?” I ask him, snatching his hand from my arm.

Rey’s evil grin widen as he makes himself comfortable in his seat.

“I’m not fucking around, Dom” he says, bending his head, snorting a line of coke. Then he turns his head, looking at me as he grabs his bottle of tequila. “This is business. Nothing more and nothing less.” He says, grinning devilishly and with that, he gulps the burning liquid in one long draught.  

“Fine, you do your business, I’m out of here,” I reply, getting to my feet. Miguel stands in one second, his gun already pointing at me. Rey shakes his head, chuckling.

“You’re not going anywhere, Toretto. We are all in hell.” He mutters coldly as slowly he stands, facing me. “Your soul belongs to the devil now, you sold it, remember?” Rey whispers, nose to nose with me. “You’re not better than me or than those fuckers, Dom.”

I clench my jaw, breathing through my nose, and before I give it a second thought, I’m hissing, my voice low and as cold as ice. “The fuck I am, man. You’re a sick bastard who loves to play people. Do you really think I’m gonna let you fuck with me, treating me like one of your whores?” My heart is beating so fast I feel it inside my chest pounding loudly, adrenaline rushing with the force of a wild animal. “I’m not gonna do it, Rey, so if you’re going to shoot me, you better do it now, if not… let me the fuck alone.” I mutter in disgust, staring at his eyes. In response, Rey arch a brow, tensing, his eyes widen in shock.

I bet he wasn’t expecting for me to stand up at him in front of all his fucking employees and his damn partners.

Miguel clicked the safety off the gun, pointing it at my head. If this is the end, then I’ll be damned but I’m not gonna die like a fucking coward. My dad taught me better than that. So, I stretch my back completely, closing my hands in fist with such force I feel my nails, digging into my palms, and rising my chin defiantly I hold Rey’s gaze.

“Do it, Naldo,” I hiss, tightening my jaw.

I feel my heart pounding inside of my chest like a wild horse, adrenaline rushing with the force of a storm. Times stops around us, there’s no one else around Rey and I. And for a brief second I see a flash of desperation crossing his gaze. My eyes narrow a bit. What was that?

Just when Miguel is about to pull the trigger, Rey lift his hand, stopping him. Then he moved forward, his gaze fixed on my eyes. “I want your loyalty and respect, Dom,” he whispers as his gaze softens a little. “Am I asking too much?” He asks me, tilting his head to one side. Now is my turn to blink in shock. Damnit!

I let out the air I didn’t realize I was holding as I arch my brows, looking at him. “If you want my respect and loyalty you better start showing me some of that too, Rey.” He narrows his eyes like he’s thinking about my words. And after several seconds, he explodes, laughing hard, shaking his head.

“Deal,” he says, still laughing. Then he turns around, snapping his fingers, gesturing for the girls to join us at the table.

In two seconds, Crystal gets to her feet, heading toward us. Santos grins as he gives her a once over, making her shudder with fear. I look at her as Rey bends his head, whispering something in her ear. Crystal gasps loudly and tilting her head back, she looks at him like he grew a second head, a puzzled expression written on her face.

Rey narrows his eyes, tensing as Crystal’s eyes widen and all of sudden realization dawns. Rey is going to let Sandro fuck Crystal so I can’t say shit about Hanna and Ricardo. The fucker is setting new rules and just like he said, he’s not shitting.

 
Crystal rubs her hands, glancing at Santos from the corner of her eyes and swallowing hard, she reluctantly nods ‘yes’. Rey grins widely, his thumb brushing her lower lip. Crystal closes her eyes for a second and with that, she turns on her heels, heading toward Santos, smiling shyly.

Sara gets to her feet, licking her lips, staring at me. That bitch seems to be glowing. I bet she’s thinking she got what she wanted. Hanna out of the picture so she can fuck me six ways from Sunday. Too bad, I’m not planning to go there any time soon.

 
I glance at the empty stage. Hanna and Ricardo are nowhere to be found. Damn! A heavy sigh escapes my mouth. I wanted so badly to believe her words that I didn’t realize she won’t forgive that easily. Hanna is hurting badly and after the venom Sara’s spitted at her I’m not expecting that pardon anymore. Who am I fooling? I don’t deserve Hanna. I guess she’ll be better off with Ricardo. At least the fucker saved her in some way from Santos’ sickly plans.

I have to get a grip once and all. There’s no point in Hanna telling me she loves me because her actions are far from her words.
Rey turns on his heels, encircling Sara’s waist, heading toward the exit, Miguel in tow. Sara winks at me and glancing one last time at the empty stage, she grins devilishly. Fucking bitch! I’m not done with you, Sara.

Crystal looks at me, her eyes flashing with a mix of sadness and fear. I know she’s scared of Santos but I wonder if she’s reading my feelings right now. Santos gets to his feet, pulling Crystal with him and encircling her neck, he follows Rey outside.

I look around, feeling the strength draining from my body. Damn! Since I left Lompoc I’ve not been given a moment’s peace. I swear if I can’t have a break soon, I’m going to lose the little common sense I still have left. I don’t think anyone can stand this tension.

I shake my head walking out to the street and when I reach the entrance Ricardo is waiting for me, leaned up against the wall.
“What the hell do you want now? You already have Hanna, let me the fuck alone.” I hiss, crossing in front of him. In response, he chuckles, shaking his head.

“Are you that scared?” Ricardo replies, making me stop dead in my tracks. “I thought you were a winner, Toretto.” The sarcasm is heavy in his voice. I growl deeply turning around in one fast move.

“Fuck you.”

He rolls his eyes, grinning. “Later, now let’s talk.” He says, tapping my shoulder as he heads toward the parking lot. I narrow my eyes in suspicion not moving an inch.

“Where’s Hanna?” Ricardo glances at me over his shoulder, not stopping.

“She’s dressing. We have a couple of minutes before she joins us.” He replies, grinning like a fucking loony. “We’re sharing tonight, remember?” The fucker adds, winking.

“I’m not good at sharing, fucker.” I mutter, following him. In response, he laughs out loud.

“Yeah, whatever.” He retorts, leaning against the car Rey left for us. Then he pulls a cigarette out, lighting it up. “Ok, here’s the deal.” He starts, blowing the smoke through his nose as his face turns deadly serious. “You can ask me three questions and I’ll answer them honesty, but with one condition. You won’t repeat to anyone what I tell you, not even to her, got it?” I knit a brow and I bet my face shows my shock because the fucker grins lightly.

———–

I glance at Hanna as she enters the bathroom, leaving the door open. I don’t know how to read that signal, not after what Ricardo told me about her past.

The fucker got me with his tale about how they met. I guess I’m unable to see her as a little innocent girl, going to school, playing with dolls just like Mia. Maybe because all the shit she went through killed that innocence before its due time. No wonder she turned into the Ice Queen. How the hell was she going to survive? How could anyone?

However, Hanna had already told me a huge part of that painful past, but what shocked me to the core was finding out that Hanna saved Ricardo’s life when they were kids, receiving as a prize her first beating with her father’s belt.

It seems little Richie was a constant source of trouble and one evening he sneaked inside Hanna’s house, looking for something valuable to steal. Hanna was doing her home work while waiting for her father to come back home and she caught Richie.
Ricardo says nobody had looked at him the way Hanna did, showing such tenderness. She was scared but in spite of that fact, Hanna started to talk with him, while making sandwiches for both.

Ricardo grinned like a loony; joking about the fact that Hanna always was a shitty cook. I guess that’s something you are made for or not. However I have to disagree with my mom here. The shortest way to a man’s heart is not through his stomach, at least not with mine.

At that time, Ricardo was living on the street and nobody had showed him any respect, there was no dignity, not to mention the fact he had been several days without nothing anything to eat. She even gave him clean clothes after he showered in her house. Back then Hanna was twelve years old and Ricardo sixteen.  

Now I can understand why he’s constantly saying Hanna is his princess because that’s what she is for him, his little princess. And all of sudden, I realize how similar Ricardo and Hanna relationship is to Mia and I. They both grew up together, not having anyone else around, they were their only family. No wonder that even though Hanna is a grown woman, Ricardo only sees that little innocent girl, scared to dead but full of determination, making sandwiches for a dirty kid who nobody else gave a damn about.

I have no other choice but to admit that big dark guy would be willing to not only kill for her again, but to die for her as well. The show he put on tonight for Santos is the evidence. Yeah, it was all a show to keep Hanna out of the Italian’s reach, at least that’s what he says.

Like I suspected Santos loves to play with shivs, cutting women, marking them like they were livestock. He wasn’t about to let him touch Hanna in any way. Ricardo told me I better not ask for details, or I won’t be able to eat or sleep again.

Hanna was trying to catch Santos’ attention so the fucker wouldn’t turn his eyes to Crystal, but by luck or misfortune and as far as Ricardo is concerned, Crystal’s fate is Rey’s business, and Hanna’s life is his priority here. Nevertheless, Hanna was mad as hell with him because he didn’t let her act on her crazy idea. They had a nasty argument inside the car while we were driving back to the mansion, yelling obscenities to each other. I swear they look like an old couple fighting.

I didn’t dare to say shit about that, especially after Hanna looked daggers at me as soon as I tried to open my mouth. I guess she’s not over my stupid behavior over the last few days regarding Rey’s chicks. Shit, and here I was all ready to start bitching around Hanna regarding her relation with Ricardo. Damnit! I’m more than just fucked.

He’s happily married though and that fact is making the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. Now I understand the relief in Elaine’s eyes when Ricardo put such an amount of money onto the table that not even Rey could resist, selling Elaine to him without a second thought. Now it makes sense the way he treated Elaine and the way her eyes were sparkling, the radiant expression written all over her face the following morning. I can’t help but wonder how many people Hanna has working undercover in this shit?

 
The fucker said to me he’s not going to forget the way I was staring at his wife and after tonight I also know how that feels. The damn fucker says a little bit of my own medicine is not going to kill me. Then he added that since I had seen Elaine almost naked, it was only fair he would be able to see mine too. However it wasn’t the first time though.

Ricardo told me he lost count of how many times he took care of Hanna’s injures after that fucker, her father, was done with her. She didn’t have anybody else to do it, and even though he swore he was going to put a full stop on that shit, Hanna always begged him not to do it. Her father wasn’t worth him having to spend the rest of his life locked in prison. Richie was too good for that and if he ended up there, then there wouldn’t be anyone else to take care of her.

I figure in spite of her pleas, Ricardo kept his silent promise, killing Hanna’s father several years later in prison where he ended up for being an asshole unable to stay out of trouble. Hanna doesn’t have a clue about that, the official reports says he committed suicide. And even though all that was a dirty affair, the authorities didn’t want to change it, afraid it would turn against them, biting his bureaucrats’ asses. Bad publicity for the US penal system I guess.

However it’s not like I’m not happy for once about how fucked up this country’s justice system seems to be. God is not always on the side of the good guys and his sick sense of humor sometimes pays off, putting each of us in the right place. Nevertheless, Ricardo never told her and I gave him my word I would keep my mouth shut, I won’t tell her either.

Like I suspected, he was the one who was going to send me that envelope the following morning. I guess he thought there was no point in it anymore after the painful loss. Ricardo told me he was with Hanna the day she lost our baby boy, adding her screams of pain and panic still chased him in his more horrible nightmares.

Hanna is done with her shower and she pads to the bedroom, wearing a big t-shirt and panties. Her wet hair is loose, falling down on her shoulders. Damn! She’s so beautiful I think I’m going to have a cardiac arrest, watching her.

“All yours,” she says, grabbing a towel, drying her hair. I snap back to reality, I didn’t realize I was staring at her bewitched.

I asked Ricardo why Hanna took this case and he replied he has no clue but he suspects it had to do with something that happened while he was in prison and Hanna was outside alone. However, he preferred to stay oblivious to Hanna’s whereabouts over that year. Ricardo says sometimes is better to play numb.

I get to my feet, walking to the bathroom and after I take a quick shower I grab a towel, wrapping it around my waist, heading toward the bedroom. Hanna is lying on the bed, on the covers, staring at the ceiling.

“Hanna…I want to tell you something about…Sara,” I whisper, padding to the bed. Hanna shut her eyes for a second, taking a deep breath as she bites her lower lip, just the right corner.

“It’s okay, I don’t want to know it,” she replies, turning her back to me, grabbing the pillow. “Besides it’s not like we are together or something like that. You don’t have to be faithful with me or some shit like that.”  She adds, her voice shaking a little.

I close my eyes, sighing hard. Damn! She’s going to make me sweat for that shit. Fuck it! I remove the towel, letting it fall to the floor, climbing in the bed. Hanna tenses lightly as I make myself comfortable at her side.

“Look at me, baby,” I whisper as I lift a hand, stroking her arm. Hanna gasps softly as she tenses a little more. “Please, Hanna, I want to tell you this and I need to see your eyes.” A heavy sigh leaves her lips as she turns to look at me. “Thank you, baby.” In response, she closes her eyes, swallowing hard.

“I’m listening.” She says, opening her eyes, holding my gaze.

Fuck! This is more difficult than I thought at the beginning. Shit, shit, shit. I’m not sure I can do this anymore. Those eyes are piercing me again, pleading me to not hurt her more than I already have.

I take a deep breath, swallowing hard. I have to tell her why I did it, but damn, I can’t find the right words. Ok, I can do this. She’s Hanna. She’s my woman and last time I checked she was in love with me; her eyes never lied to me, not even once.

“I…I was lost and scared, Hanna. I found the envelope with your picture and…and I was pissed off with you and with me and… I don’t know what I was thinking.” I pause for a second, noticing her hand taking mine, one more time our fingers interlacing like they have a will of their own, not caring how we feel right now.

“I just wanted to forget everything. I just needed some kind of peace of mind, Hanna. I know I’ve been acting like a heartless fucker and I know I don’t deserve you, not after how I acted, but I can’t help it, baby. I swear I tried everything to get you out of my mind, out of my heart, but you are part of me, Hanna… and…I can’t live this lie anymore.”

Hanna’s breath catches in her throat as she blinks furiously, I guess in a lame attempt to keep those tears from falling. Too late. They are already spilling down her cheek. I wince lightly, brushing my lips against them.

“I’m sorry I hurt you, baby. I… I love you, Hanna.” Her eyes widen as a soft whimper escapes her lips, hearing my words. “I know you don’t believe me and I can’t blame you, not after how I’ve been treating you, but just… just look at my eyes, baby…I”

I can’t keep talking. That fucking knot is not letting my voice come out of my throat anymore. This is too much. I just can’t deal with my feelings any longer. I need to find a way to make her see me, to make her believe me, but I can’t even think clearly.

 
I know maybe this is not the best moment for this, but I don’t even know if we’re going to be alive tomorrow. Our hearts and souls are trapped in a chaotic mix of feelings and emotions and probably my words are only adding more confusion to our current situation, but I simply can’t keep fooling myself, and I won’t.  

Hanna’s eyes flicker to mine. Those green eyes, their grayish sparks around the pupils, those beautiful eyes I fell in love with are searching for the truth behind my words and for once I’m happy I’m not able to hide anything so she can be sure I’m not lying to her.

“Dominic…” Hanna breathes as she leans her head, capturing my lips in a searing kiss and I feel the invisible wall between us crumbling apart. Thanks God, thank for giving me one last chance.

Breaking the kiss, we locked eyes, panting. Damn! I want to lose myself in her eyes and never be found again.

“Hanna…I’ve missed you, baby,” I whisper, pulling her to me. “I want you so badly it hurts.” Hanna smiles shyly, blushing lightly as she cups my face, nuzzling my cheeks.

“I missed you too, baby, but…” She whispers, brushing my lips with hers. I frown a little, tilting my head back. “I…I can’t, Dominic. It’s not you…it’s…damn…” she mutters, looking away. I grab gently her chin, making our gazes meet again.

“Its okay, Hanna.” I whisper, stroking her hair. “I know you’re not ready, not after what that fucker” Hanna presses a finger against my lips, silencing me.

“I love you, Dominic… I just need more time, that’s all.” She whispers, snuggling closer to me. In response, I grin, nodding ‘yes’. At the end is not like we’re going to be apart again, are we?

Hanna turns again, making herself comfortable, pressing her back against my chest, sighing contentedly. I encircle her waist, pulling her even more to me and she takes my hand in hers, kissing it. Then she put our hands against her chest. We are breathing in time and our hearts are beating in unison.

“I love you, Dominic,” she whispers, squeezing my hand and I notice how her body relaxes. I bury my face in her neck, inhaling deeply, filling my lungs with her scent, enjoying it this new step we took.

“I love you, Hanna.” I reply, closing my eyes, relaxing completely.

———

I blink slowly, adjusting my vision to the near darkness surrounding us when something catches my attention. I sense movement at my right side as out of the corner of my eye I see them. What the hell…?

Four guys dressed in military black clothes with camouflage paint on their faces are inside the room. Before I have time to think about my next move I find myself with the barrel of an automatic gun pressed against my temple.

“Don’t.” It’s all one of them says.

I feel a rush of adrenaline run through my veins, my muscles tensing all at once, my hands closing in fists. My mind’s racing. Rey found our game and we’re going to die. Hanna!

I glance at Hanna in time to see her eyes snap open when one of the guys claps his hand against her mouth, she shudders violently when he grabs her, dragging her out of the bed. Hanna’s screams of terror are muffled against his hand as she struggles with all her strength to release herself from his grasp.

Too damn fast. One second I’m watching Hanna fighting for dear life, kicking the bastard with her bare feet; next I’m on the floor, face down and the two fuckers left are beating the shit out of me.

I narrow my eyes, tightening my jaw as a deep growl leaves my lips. I’m trying my best to block the pain, but it’s more than I can take. These fuckers are not joking and I know they are going to tear me apart if they keep this up much longer. So gritting my teeth, I force the air to pass through my lungs, panting hard through my bleeding lips.

As they keep beating me, I only think about Hanna. I feel my blood boiling inside my veins. I don’t know from where the strength comes but I manage to turn my head, glancing at her in time to see how she head butts the fucker’s nose, making him drop her on the floor.

Hanna stands on shaky legs, rushing to the bed, trying to get my gun from under the pillow. Before she can reach it, the fucker grabs her by her hair and pulling her to him, he backhand her face with such force that Hanna lands a few meters from me, yelping in pain.

The fucker kicks her ribs while she’s on the floor, making her roll over and pressing a knee against her lower back, he grabs her hands, pulling them behind her, tying them together.

And all of sudden, a white ray of searing pain crosses my body from head to toe, making me blink tears when one of his kicks lands in my groin. Fuck!

Hanna hisses in pain, cursing, when the fucker presses his knee on her back. In response, she shut her eyes tightly, trembling in panic. Her face is stained with tears as she opens her eyes, looking at me. She’s scared to death and staring at her eyes I confirm my suspicions. This is the end, we’re dead.

I can’t make pass the air though my lungs anymore. My body feels numb. I’m breathing raggedly and I can’t focus my vision.

One of the fuckers crouches at my side. “Tell the Cuban this,” he whispers a breath away from my face. “Never bite the hand that’s feeding you, fucker,” he adds, standing to his feet, kicking me one last time with all his will. Last thing I hear is Hanna screaming ‘no’, and then everything turns black.