DECEPTION - A Family Affair (21 page)

The phone rang and surprisingly Angelo picked up instantly.  “Ortiz’s Auto and Repair Shop.” 

“Angelo, it’s me Marisol.  I woke up to two flat tires on my Jeep and it appears they were slashed so fix a flat won’t do the job for me.  Is it possible to have someone come out here?”

“You got to be kidding me.  Marisol this is the second incident within a week.  Does Marco know?”

Taking a deep breathe, she envisioned an airplane flying a banner with bold capital letters informing the public - MARCO IS NOT MARISOL’S PROTECTOR.  “I know and I don’t have time to assess the situation because I have to get to work.  Please keep Marco out of this.  Do you think you can fit me in this morning?”

“Yeah, yeah of course.  I will have Oscar come right now with the tow truck and have him drop you off at the school.  I’ll also inspect the engine to ensure no one tampered with it.  He should be there in ten minutes.”

‘Thank you so much, you have no idea how much I appreciate this.”  She said with gratitude.

“No problem, but promise me you will report this to the police.”  He said with concern.

“I will.”  She replied.

****♥****

Sitting on her porch, exactly ten minutes later Oscar her savior arrived he had the Jeep hitch to the tow truck in no time.  Hopping into the tow truck eager to get to work, Oscar in his thick accent informed her he had to make one quick stop.  She was at his mercy so who was she to complain.  Pulling into the Quality Inn, Oscar called someone on his cell and descended out to the parking lot and that’s when she noticed Marco’s Mercedes with Texas plates.  When she looked over she saw Oscar by the entrance giving keys to Marco who stood with an air of confidence wearing black slacks with an open white shirt bearing his chest, his hair was wet as if he just jumped out of the shower and threw on his clothes. He looked delicious and edible as a wave of hunger escaped her.  She had the urge to caress his bare chest and lick the droplets of water from his nipples following its trail down.  Shaking her head realizing her imagination took over before acknowledging the fact that he spent the night here at the hotel which could only mean he spent it with Charley.  She turned her head as if her eyes got burned by the view, her chest felt like a truck just ran over it.  She started screaming in her head,
Oh God I’m going to be sick – please get me out of here.
  When she looked over again she jumped and hit her head on the roof of the truck finding Marco standing right next to her window.  Rolling her eyes, she struggled to get her window down her voice expressing her rage. “What?” Ignoring his alarmed look from seeing her in the tow truck she turned her head towards the front window pressing her lips together tightly.  Plus the scent of his cologne mixed with soap and his personal aroma was causing havoc to her senses.

Searching for her face seeking the rationale for the hostility he finally spoke, “Hello to you too.  What happened here?”  He asked softly as she turned back to look at him he lifted his chin to reference the Jeep.

“I don’t know but I have to go or I’m going to be late.”  She answered briskly.

“Why didn’t you call me?  Oscar says you have two slashed tires, this is serious Marisol.”  He too was now infuriated. 

“Look Marco, I appreciated how you helped me the last time but I am not your problem for you to worry about, I can take care of myself so thanks.”

He flinched at her remark as if she struck him.  “Why are you doing this?”

“What? Are you freaking kidding me?  Look I don’t have time for this I have to go and I’m sure Charley is waiting for you anyway.”  She began to bring up the window and turned towards Oscar who quietly entered the truck.  “Can we please go?”  She pleaded and her hands started trembling.  Oscar began to drive and in her side view mirror she could see Marco still standing there watching them drive away, an image that stood in her head through out the day. 

****♥****

It felt great to be back at work where she kept herself busy not allowing her mind to wander about Marco and all her troubles.  She actually missed Sally’s companionship as she caught up with the weekly gossip.    Discouragement quickly found its way back in when Angelo called her with an update.  He ordered her tires since he didn’t have those size tires in stock and the good news he discovered nothing else was tampered.  The police stopped by the shop to inspect the vehicle for their police report.  She was glad she filed a report as soon as she arrived to school she had to admit she was beginning to get scared. Frustrated being carless lunch time was approaching and she still had to figure out her transportation for her appointment with Dr. Travis.  She needed air she felt the walls in her office were closing in around her rising from her chair her cell began to ring and her heart skipped a beat until she saw it was only Nate.  “Hey Nate, what’s up?”

“I just wanted to check up on you since I had to hear second hand on what happened this morning.”

“I’m sorry it’s been a crazy morning and now I have to figure out how I’m going to get to my appointment especially since Dr. Travis moved to Chapel Hill.”

“That’s not a problem, hold on a second.   Hey Marco can you give me a ride later so I can drop off my car to Marisol?  Okay great.”  Shifting his voice back to the phone, “Marisol, problem solved I’ll drop off my car to you then I’ll meet you at your house afterwards.”

“Are you sure?  I don’t want to inconvenience you or the asshole.”  She said knowing darn well her attitude wasn’t civil or appreciative.

“Stop, you know it’s not an inconvenience and for your information he’s been quite worried about you to the point that he is easily agitated this morning.”  His reply felt like a scold.

“Well, maybe he is agitated from the lack of sleep from his long night with a beautiful blonde which by the way has nothing to do with me.  Just let me know when you drop off the car I have to go bye.”  Taking a deep breathe she headed out to take a walk to shake off this uneasiness that was overpowering her, wishing for the day to end already.

****♥****

Driving back home from her meeting with Dr. Travis she was assessing her thoughts and thinking about their discussion.  She knew Dr. Travis was right she had to come clean about Marissa it was only fair to him and herself. He had a right to know so he can mourn and have his closure. When Marco first came back home she wanted to exploit him with the loss of their baby so he can feel the agonizing pain she experienced.  Today was a different story since admitting to herself that she loves him and always has. Her love never vanished from her heart and was only covered up with hurt.  She ached inside and out and can’t fathom the thought of hurting him. She knew when he left all those years ago he had no clue about her pregnancy and maybe if he did things would have been different.  But he now had a life in Texas with Ms. Pageant Queen, Charley the business partner and whatever else she meant to him.  Her eyes began to well up again and it began to feel like she lost Marco and Marissa all over again.  The traumas of her past were mingling in her present triggering her nightmares all over again.  After picking up her prescription she drove straight home to find herself being invaded upon by an arrogant Texan.  Walking up the path she stopped facing the ladder looking up at Marco.  “What the hell are you doing here?” Taking in the scene before her; empty camera boxes, tools and wires on the floor; Marco on the ladder screwing some gadget onto the roof of her porch not even turning around to acknowledge her only frustrated her even more.

“Hey Marco, is this what you were looking for earlier?”  Nate halting at the sight of her while he held up a small bag containing various screws. She looked at Nate with raised eyebrows placing her free hand on her hip the other holding her bags. In the meanwhile Marco continued his task still ignoring her. 

“Oh, hey babe." Nate said nervously when he took in her not so pleased look.

"Hey babe? What the hell is he doing on my roof?"

He walked towards her placing his hands up to calm her down. "Now take a deep breath and calm yourself. We both feel you need some protection here. Marco had purchased some surveillance cameras for his ranch and thought it would be better served here. And I agree with him." he said looking compassionately at her.

"So I guess I have no say? You guys took it upon yourselves to make that decision for me?”  She was so angry she stormed into the house while Marco continued acting like she wasn't even there.

Nate following right behind her and scolded her, "You are being irrational we need to find out who is harassing you and by the way why wasn't I informed about you being attacked with paintballs?"

Throwing her stuff on the dinette table she eyed him cautiously. "I didn't want to worry you on your vacation and it wasn't that serious.” She replied trying to sound nonchalant but quite not working for her.

"Right that's why you woke up this morning with slashed tires?" He said sneering with sarcasm.

"I don't want to do this right now." She said rubbing her forehead attempting to release the pent up tension, awaiting the migraine to strike at any moment.  “Thank you for lending me your car.”  Reaching in her purse she pulled out his keys and passed them to him.  “I’m going to lie down, since you guys appear to have everything under control, I will assume you won’t need my services.”  She turned and descended to her room and collapsed on the bed, leaving a speechless Nate staring at her back until she disappeared and heard the door close behind her.

Marco came into the house once he completed his tasks out front.  He ignored her rants when she arrived he didn’t want her to talk him out of what he knew was best for her safety.  No compromising this time and he was tired of answering her with “FOR NOW” now has arrived and he wanted answers from her.  He was miserable these past few days without her.  Charley was a great distraction but she too drove him insane with her impossible demands if he didn’t know better she was trying to sabotage their business plans.  Then he couldn’t concentrate wondering about Marisol.  She looked so irate with him this morning at the hotel he wanted to yank her out the tow truck to shake some sense into her by ravishing her with his kisses.  He constantly worried about her and he will find out who her tormentors are so he can beat the shit out of them.  She deserved none of this and he will put an end to it if it’s the last thing he does.  Relief washed over him when he remembered he ordered the cameras for the ranch and they were just sitting in the corner of his office.  He couldn’t get to Marisol’s fast enough to get them installed so he can have a peace of mind.   

“Dude, she is fit to be tied but please ignore her.  What you did here tonight is exactly what needed to be done.  I can’t thank you enough.  Not to make excuses for her but she’s been alone for way too long and having complete control is all she knows.”

“Trust me; I will not let her get under my skin.  I want to catch these bastards who are behind this and I will not let anyone hurt her again.  By the way where is she?”

Nate seeing right through him it was so clear he loved her.  He now knew what he needed to do to push Marco along.  “She had a rough day so she went to lie down and hasn’t appeared since but I need to head out I have some errands I need to do before I retire for the night.” 

“Well, if you don’t mind I’m not leaving her here alone.  Did she even eat dinner?”  Marco said harsher than he expected.

“That’s fine; in fact I appreciate you staying since I am unable to do so.”  He paused and weighed his next words carefully, “Look Marco, we never discussed the text I sent you regarding my proposal to Marisol.  Well listen to me very clearly, I meant it and if she says yes I will marry her.  I love her dearly and there is nothing I won’t do for her.  She deserves to be cherished and truly happy, she has been hurt way too many times.  I won’t lie to you she appears so strong but inside she is very fragile and deserves to have someone who will mend her bruised heart and restore her spirits but it will take time and patience.  So if you plan to play games with her then yes back the fuck off and walk away otherwise you will destroy her beyond repair.  But I do hope what I see in your eyes is true for her sake and if it is then do right by her and break down her barriers and fight for her because God knows she is worth it.”   While Nate gave his speech Marco stood immobilized however he grasped each word out of Nate’s mouth. He wasn’t able to respond.  His heart began to ache for Marisol; he loved her more than life itself and it pained him to know she had faced life alone…without his love; without his protection and support.  Nate quietly let himself out leaving Marco lost in his own thoughts.  He wanted to be angry with Nate for also loving Marisol but all he felt for him was gratitude and thankfulness that Marisol had him in her life.  He was her ally, her supporter the only one she can count on.  It sadden Marco and he felt guilt stricken; at least in Texas he had people he considered his family and even here at home he still had a family.  Marisol’s only family consisted of Nate and her father even though he is a hateful son of a bitch and visiting him the other day only confirmed the man had no remorse dementia or not he spoke as the same man he remembered.  How a man with a black heart could sire a beautiful loving daughter.  Shaking his head to clear his dark thoughts he sat down and opened up the laptop he brought along to set up the settings for the surveillance cameras.  He noticed the prescription bag on the table and picked it up and read it was the medication Prazosin.  He searched within Google seeking answers what he discovered the medication was mostly used for people with post-traumatic stress disorder and his body went rigid as the coldness seeped through every pore of his being.  His soul engulfed by despair.  Then Nate’s words sunk in again while he sat there pondering what happened to her after he left.  As if on cue he heard her screaming and he jumped up from his seat with Mace barking and scratching at her door.  Marco just burst in her room looking around only to find her in bed screaming out with anguish and he gathered her in his arms speaking to her softly against her cheek.  “Marisol, it’s just a bad dream. Shh, baby I’m here its okay; I won’t let anyone hurt you again.  I promise.”  Brushing his fingers to get her hair out of her face, she was drenched in sweat.  “Honey its okay, my sweet Marisol talk to me please.  Let me in so I can help you.”  And she opened her eyes and burrowed right up against his chest as she clasped onto his shirt she held on to him tightly and sobbed while her whole body trembled.  He just held her whispering loving words to comfort her as best as he could.  She looked broken and the sight nearly killed him.