HELLO BEAUTIFUL

Chapter 17  

The last thing I heard through my earphones before I ripped them off my ears was Big Sexy yelling at his men to clean the mess. Then I lifted my head as ‘Mad Doc’ and ‘Little Doc’ stormed into the room, bringing the med kit with them, shouting at us to move our asses so they could work.

After that everything turned a bizarre blurry mix of images and sounds with the exception of one vision that will remain engraved with fire in my mind forever, haunting my nightmares.

Hanna’s limp body jolting on the floor each time ‘Mad Doc’ pressed those damn paddles, sending a shock to her heart.  

I felt my head spinning as I swallowed hard, blinking. Then I got to my feet to make room for them. My heart started to ache as if one of Ricardo’s shivs was stabbing it, tearing me apart. In fact I wasn’t even sure it was beating at all.  

Then everything seemed to slow down even more.

‘Little Doc’ pulled out from the med kit a mask with oxygen, covering Hanna’s mouth and nose while ‘Mad Doc’ cleaned one of her arms, tapping it and injecting a needle loaded with what I guessed was atropine or adrenaline. They were talking to each other but I wasn’t making sense of their words. It seemed as if I was watching that scene from the distance. My body was there, but I wasn’t sure where my mind was.

My hands were shaking and looking down I saw Hanna’s blood covering them. My vision blurred and before I realized what I was doing I moved backward until my back pressed against the wall. My legs were shaking as badly as my hands and slowly, I slid down to the floor.

Closing my eyes, I’m almost sure I bent my legs to my chest, resting my forearms on my knees. I leaned my head back down, pressing my forehead on my arms, taking a ragged breath, forcing the air to pass through my lungs. Not an easy task with that knot closing my throat completely, almost choking the life out of me.

There was nothing I could do to help Hanna and I felt so powerless and so useless that I would have beaten the shit out of me at that very moment. Clenching my jaw so tightly that my neck muscles hurt I raised my head, staring at the image displayed in front of my eyes. I swear to God I never felt so damn frustrated before in all my damn life.  

Hanna’s heart wasn’t beating; the monitor wasn’t registering her heartbeats anymore. So Ricardo moved faster than I thought was humanly possible, pulling out the defibrillator device. ‘Mad Doc’ spread a gel over Hanna’s chest as Ricardo connected the damn machine, selecting the voltage.

I felt my heart breaking apart a little more with those damn shocks, flinching each time a new electrical shock was released through Hanna’s body. She was fighting for her life while I was there, clinging to that fragile emotion I refused to let slip from my soul; hope.  

All at once some of our happier moments together passed in front of my eyes like a movie. Visions of Hanna were popping inside my mind in an endless succession of sequences. I couldn’t understand why my brain decided to use that moment to cloud my mind with those visions. Maybe I was trying to escape from that horrible reality that was surrounding me at that very moment. An easy way out, a cowardly one maybe, even a selfish way to find a comfort I was unconsciously craving for.  

Hanna laughing heartedly at some nonsense I was whispering in her ear while waiting in the line to watch an action movie; one of those she loved.

Hanna grunting, pretending to be annoyed with me, slapping my arm with a dishcloth, chasing me all over the house because I was making fun of her after her first and only attempt to cook for me. And then, giggling like a little girl, stifling her laughter while watching me cleaning the mess she made in the kitchen. I gladly accepted my punishment for being such a damn big mouth even though I was cursing myself silently because it was that or sleep on the couch, and I wasn’t sleeping in any other place but my woman’s bed. That was for damn sure.

Hanna’s face stained with tears of joy the day I gave her my mom’s earrings. The ones my dad bought for my mom the day he asked her to marry him. Mia found them in a velvet pouch at the bottom of a box my dad had in his bedroom. I knew then and there without a trace of doubt that sooner rather than later I was going to marry Hanna.  

Hanna’s eyes sparkling like stars, those breathtaking beautiful green eyes, greyish sparks around the pupils, holding my intense gaze as I made love to her the way I knew she loved. Her hands, caressing my skin, that soft brush almost imperceptible that always caused the same reaction; a strong shiver to run up my spine as my heart skipped a beat to match hers.    

A beeping sound tore me from my happy memories. The monitor started to register her pulse and I found myself letting out the air I didn’t know for how long I’ve been holding.
  

I closed my eyes tightly, hearing that beeping sound, echoing inside my brain. Her pulse was weak but steady, and silently I gave thanks to God for not taking Hanna with him.
  

I like to think that a little angel named Dominic had something to do with God’s decision.  

Ricardo growled deeply as he got to his feet, staring at her body for a long moment, like he was memorizing each and every single mark that was marring her pale skin. Ricardo’s hands were shaking as badly as mine as well as his body. His jaw muscles twitched under the scruffy skin and without saying a word, he turned on his heels, storming out of the room.  

I couldn’t explain myself, but watching Ricardo’s reaction I realized at that very moment that he seemed even scarier than ever before while staring openly at Hanna’s wounded body. Ricardo seemed to be fighting to keep himself under control, and all of sudden I knew without a trace of doubt that Snake will die soon and that I wasn’t going to be the one taking the pleasure of ripping his life apart. I knew without anybody telling me that Ricardo would kill me if I tried to put a hand on Snake’s body, depriving him of that privilege.

I frowned deeply and slowly I got to my feet as well, padding to Hanna’s side. ‘Mad Doc’ was trying to stop the hemorrhage as best as he could, bandaging the wound so we could move Hanna from that damn house before she regained consciousness. At the same time, Little Doc was cleaning her arms so he could set an IV with serum and one blood bag.  

My eyes slide down her battered body, watching those damn dark burns, trying my best to not envision my woman being subjected to such torture and failing miserably. I could hear Hanna’s voice, calling me, pleading for me to come; rescuing her from that living hell she was immersed in. And I wasn’t there.  

Guilt started to consume me in seconds. I wasn’t there to protect her. I wasn’t able to stop that fucker before he touched her. I failed my woman one more time.  

Hanna’s chest was rising and falling in time with her weak breath as ‘Mad Doc’ started spreading a set of adhesives upon her torso to keep checking the frequency and strength of her heartbeats.  

“We’ll be ready to fly in less than a couple of hours, Sexy.” I heard Mad Doc’s words as if far away as he kept wrapping Hanna’s abdomen. “As soon as her vital signs are stabilized.”  

Big Sexy nodded as he gave the order for everyone to leave the room, packing their shit and taking the corpses of all those guys who died, helping us to get Hanna. Little Doc jumped to his feet and headed outside with part of the med kit in search of the others, to take care of those who had been injured. Then Big Sexy turned his attention to me.

I locked eyes with that big black guy who had lost eight of his men, his brothers and all of sudden I couldn’t find my own voice. What could have I said to him? I couldn’t start to think how I was going to repay them for their sacrifice. Those guy’s loyalty went beyond doubt or duty and I felt my heart skipping a beat, thinking about their families and friends. Some of them were married, some had kids. I didn’t even know what to say, so I said the only thing I could think about.

“Thank you, Sexy.” I whispered, holding his gaze. Those words didn’t make justice to what I want to express, but I said them, feeling them from the bottom of my heart. In response Big Sexy grinned lightly, pulling me to him, tapping my back.

“It was well worthy the risk, Dom.” He whispered, squeezing me lightly. “I lost eight of my brothers tonight but they died being loyal to their own principles. That’s how all of us should go down to hell.” He released me and staring deeply in my eyes his voice turned as cold as ice itself with his last words. “You better take good care of Richie’s princess or I’ll make sure you regret the day you were born.” And with that he tapped my shoulder one last time, leaving the room.

I can’t help the strong shudder that crosses my body from head to toe. I have no doubt that Big Sexy is not shitting around with me. I bet this fucker would tear me apart without a second thought and I wonder for how long Big Sexy knows Ricardo and Hanna, and if they all grew up together.

I looked back at Hanna, thinking about Big Sexy’s words and I made a promise to myself then and there. I was going to spend the rest of my life making up for all the fuckups I’ve done to her and I was going to do it not because Big Sexy threatened me or because anyone told me to; not even because I was feeling guilty and I knew I owed her, but because I wanted to.

I was going to make my woman be proud of me and damn it all if I was going to fail her again. I didn’t care who she was. I didn’t care if she was Hanna Miles, Hanna Evans or if her real surname was another. She was Hanna, she was my woman and that was all that mattered to me.  

“Her condition is critical but stable.” ‘Mad Doc’ said to me, pulling me out of my thought. “She’s a tough girl, man.” He added, a slight grin tugging his lips. Then he turned his attention to Hanna and started taking care of her other injures.
 

I couldn’t push Snake’s words out my mind, about what he had done to Hanna to break her. I guessed Mad Doc figured what I was thinking about at that very moment as I was staring at Hanna’s belly, gritting my teeth. Mad Doc locked eyes with me as he lowered the tone of his voice, asking me if I wanted for him to check if there were vaginal or anal tears as soon as we were back in LA.  

In response I shut my eyes tightly, sighing hard as I nodded ‘yes’ while silently I was praying to God, begging him to give her a damn break.  

———-

Mad Doc left us alone, saying he was going to help Little Doc with the others. He asked me if I wanted something to calm my nerves. I almost laughed out loud at that one. Like that’s going to happen anytime soon. I don’t think any drug is going to help me feel better. However, I shake my head ‘no’, returning my attention to Hanna.

I’m not sure how many hours have passed since I found her. Some things never change I guess; time still flies when I’m with her. I’ve been at Hanna’s side, holding her cold hand, stroking her pale cheek, consciously oblivious to the rest of the world. Right now I don’t want to think about anything else, only Hanna.

Mad Doc enters the room, saying that fortunately the five guys who were shot aren’t in danger of severe injury; mostly nasty scratches and superficial wounds. Then he checks Hanna’s vital signs, changing the serum bag and putting a new blood bag.

The wound is still bleeding but not as much as before. Mad Doc says he needs to stitch up the cut in a sterile place, adding he’s probably going to perform a minor surgery. However it seems that her tight abdominal muscles acted like a shield, protecting her internal organs. At least all the working out Hanna subjected her body in order to play her role served her for something better than just to attract Reynaldo’s attention.

Reynaldo. Damn, the fucking case. I sigh hard, thinking about that bastard. I suspect Hanna is not going to let him go that easily. I know she’s out right now but I have no doubt as soon as she’s recovered, Hanna is going to be back on track. Fuck!

I hear Mad Doc mumbling something and blinking, I look at him.

“Huh?”

Mad Doc frowns slightly, looking at me. “You should clean up before she wakes up, man.” He says hesitantly and then elaborates. “I don’t think is a good idea Hanna seeing you covered in blood, you know?”

I arch my brows, looking down. My chest, arms and hands are stained with her blood. It’s already dry, but it’s everywhere. I looked back at him and he grins lightly.

“I’ll take care of her.” He says putting as much reassurance as he can in his words, making sure I notice. “She’ll be ok, man. I promise you.” Mad Doc adds, no trace of hesitation or doubt in his voice. I narrow my eyes for a second, holding his gaze.

I don’t want to leave Hanna’s side but I guess he’s right. I don’t think that seeing me covered in her blood is going to do her any good. So, turning my head, I look at Hanna’s face.

She’s still pale but her lips are regaining their natural colour. Before my brain registers the move, I bend my head, kissing them softly, whispering to her I’ll be back in a second. Then I get to my feet as Mad Doc hands me a bottle with a liquid, saying it will help to dissolve the blood.

The sun is rising upon the horizon, dying the sky with shades of orange, ocher and yellow tonalities. The desert dawn breeze made gooseflesh on my skin, making a shiver run up and down my spine. Looking around I find that the only vehicles left are two of Big Sexy’s SUV and someone drove my car to the warehouse.

There’s one guy with Big Sexy and they are watching how the corpses of those six fuckers are burning in a pile. I figure the rest of his men already picked up the dead bodies of their partners, putting them into the SUV’s and driving back to LA.

My gaze slides, taking in the surroundings. Countless pieces of brick and broken panes of glass are spread all over as well as bullet shells. I shake my head and sighing hard I pad toward my car, noticing for the first time that Ricardo is nowhere to be found.

Picking up my bag from the trunk I open it, searching for a towel. I clean my face wiping away the camouflage paint and Hanna’s blood, using the liquid Mad Doc gave me. Grabbing a clean shirt I put it on and glancing at my cargos I decide they could wait until we were back in LA. Then I close the trunk and heading toward Sexy I ask him where’s Ricardo. Little Doc is the one to answer my question, saying he patched him up and then he headed toward the town an hour ago.

I frown deeply, thinking about his words and without a second thought I head off in search of big dark guy. I think I know where I can find him.

The town seems completely different under daylight. People are starting to fill its narrow streets, opening their little shops. They don’t even pay attention to me as I make my way through the same streets I walked last night. In fact they seem more interested in their own business.

Santa Maria is one of the closest towns near the Mexican border, so I bet people around here are more than used to see guys like us, walking along their streets. The locals don’t even look at me twice when I cross in front of them.

It took me just a few minutes to find him. There he is, at the main square, sitting on one bench, surrounded by kids. I come to a stop and narrowing my eyes I stare at him.
 

Ricardo is wearing a fresh tee shirt, clean cargo pants and there’s no trace of camouflage paint or blood. He’s grinning from ear to ear while listening to whatever the kids are saying to him. Some of them are laughing out loud and others are giggling.  

I can’t stop the grin, tugging at my lips, as I watch him, and I find myself giving thanks because there are street kids everywhere. I know it’s a bizarre thought but I figure this is the only thing he needs to calm his nerves, to find some kind of peace of mind.
 
 
Ricardo must have sensed my intense stare because, raising his head, he locks eyes with me. Then he stands to his feet, wincing slightly and giving the kids a few bills, he heads toward me. Ricardo reaches my side and pulling out a cigarette, he lit it up, taking a deep puff, blowing the smoke.

“I found a safe place to take Hanna.”