Love Through Pain (2 page)

He went down the stairs to the living room. Monica was on the couch,
her thin lips pressed together, appearing angry as hell.

“Monica, I couldn’t just leave her there.” He stood in front of her.

“Why? You don’t know her.” She shot daggers at him.

“You wanted me to just leave her there like she was trash!” he raised his voice. “If I would’ve turned my back and walked away, I wouldn’t be able to live with myself. What if she was your mother
, or sister? You wouldn’t want someone to just turn and walk away.”

“That would never happen
, because they aren’t hookers!” She rose, holding his stare.

“You don’t know that.”
He hated this side of Monica—the one that didn’t care about anyone but herself. He’d put up with her all this time because of their families.

“Just fucking take me home.”

“Watch your language in my parents’ house.” He dug in his pants and pulled out his keys. “Here.” He handed her the keys.

She
peered down at them, and then searched his eyes. “Why are you giving me your keys?”

“So you can go home.”

She arched a brow. “You’re not taking me?”

“I want to make sure Jazmine is okay.”

“Jazmine… Really, Javy!” She snatched the keys from his hand, grabbed her purse, marched past him to the front door, and slammed it shut.

He heard
his truck roar as she started it. Then, the rumble faded.

“Tell your girlfriend not to slam my door.” His mother
yelled from the top of the stairs, placing her salt and pepper hair in a ponytail.

“Is she going to be alright?”
He climbed the stairs.

His mom
’s eyes showed concern.

“What?”

“Hijo, she was raped,” she sighed. “She needs to get checked by a doctor, I saved evidence. She’s asking for you. Try to convince her to go to the hospital.”

He kissed his mom. “Gracias.”

She walked over to her bedroom and entered.

Javier took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and softly stepped in
to the room. Jazmine turned her head to the side, grunting in obvious pain as she moved and stared up at him. His mother had cleaned all the dry blood off her face and placed more bandages over her cuts. Even though her eyelids were still swollen, he could glimpse her blood shot eyes. Her hands clutched the sheets covering her body.

He grabbed the computer chair next to the desk, rolled it
by the bed, and sat. “Jazmine, you need to be seen by a doctor.”

She just stared at him.

“You might have a concussion or
worse
?”

“Worse?” she mumbled.

“STD’s, pregnancy…”

Tears traveled down her cheeks.

“I’ll take you, and I swear I won’t leave your side.”

“To
-morrow, plea-se…”

Chapter Two

Jazmine
could feel their hands on her body as she tried to sleep. Her dreams replayed the attack in vivid color, like a movie. One guy held her mouth while the other ripped her clothes, starting at her cleavage. He called her a cunt as he slapped her. She tried to scream, and the other man covered her mouth with his dirty hands. She kicked, threw punches, fought. But they were stronger than her. Her attacker struck her, and they continued to call her names. The other man whispered in her ear—
you know how you black girls like it rough
. She wrinkled her nose as the musky smell of his cologne washed through her anew. Debris on the ground pressed through her clothes as she clawed at his arms. Her arms were then pinned down by his legs, keeping his palms over her mouth, as the other fella raped her, tearing into her body with no mercy.

It was beyond painful, but there were no more tears to cry
—she gave up—her soul must have left her, because after a while, she felt nothing. Their laughter felt like a physical blow while they took turns assaulting her. When they were done, they continued to beat her until she could no longer stay conscious.

Jazmine woke up screaming
, “No! No! Don’t touch me. Don’t fucking touch me, no!”

“Jazmine…
Jazmine … it’s just a dream, you’re safe now. I won’t let anyone hurt you,” a deep masculine voice whispered. The room was dark, but she could feel him; he was close, but never once did he touch her. “You’re safe now. No one will hurt you again.”

Her breathing slowed
, and she eventually went back to sleep. In her dreams, she relived the attacks, but his voice would soothe her every time.

***

“No!” Jazmine screamed, jerking awake again. She glanced at her surroundings and realized she was safe. She calmed down—remembering the man who’d helped her when no one else would. He brought her to his mother’s house, and they took care of her. Her vision blurred as she inspected the room; there was a flag with one star hanging by the window, but she was unsure of its representation because blobs of colors were all she could make out. Items she thought could be cars, or trophies, and pictures, sat on the bookshelves to her right.

Something touched her hand, making her pull back. When she looked over to her left, she blinked several times
and managed to see two light brown irises. A child, and he just smiled at her.

It was a little boy with curly brown hair
; he must’ve been around five years old. His elbows sunk into the mattress, and he just stared at her. “Hi.” The child grinned.

It was painful as
she tried to return the gesture. “He-llo…”

“Why are you in my uncle’s bedroom
? Who are you? Why is your face swollen—” He asked her about ten questions in less than thirty seconds. “Tio doesn’t live here, but he doesn’t like strangers in his room.” He politely finished, placing his chin in his hands.

“Carlitos, where are you?” She heard a female voice yelling.

He sighed, “Shhh.” And then put his index finger over his mouth before giggling.

There was a soft knock on the door, and
then someone opened it. Jazmine could see the look of surprise in the girl’s eyes when she saw her face.

She glared over at the child. “Carlitos, I told you not to come in here.” The teenage girl scolded him. “Miss
, I’m sorry he bothered you.” She grabbed his wrist and lugged him toward her.

“He’s okay
.” Jazmine scooted up.  Pain ripped through her belly.

“I just wanted to say hi to Tio’s new girlfriend, but Monica is prettier.” The boy said, trying to escape her grip.

“That’s not his girlfriend.”

Jazmine wondered if the boy was her brother
, they resembled each other. They had the same eyes. She was tall and skinny with freckles.

“What happened to her face? Did Uncle Javy hit her?”

“Carlito, Javy would never hit a woman.” The girl raised her voice at him.

“Grandma said, I need to treat girls like princesses if I want them to treat me like a prince.” He
watched her sympathetically. “I hope you feel better.” Carlitos left the room.

“My name is Lucy and that was my terrible nephew
, Carlitos.” She put her hand on the door, but before she exited, she turned around. “Do you need anything?”

“No, thank you.” It was getting easier to speak.

“If you do, just yell my name and I’ll come. My brother stepped out to get his truck, but he’ll be right back.” She spun on her heel and followed the route her nephew had taken.

***

Maria, Javier’s mother, came running into the room and rushed over to her. “Sweetie, it was just a dream.”

Jazmine didn’t realize she was still screaming.

Maria sat on the bed and gently scooped her into her arms. “It’s okay, he can’t hurt you.” She shuddered.

“I
… tried… I tried to fight them off, but they were too … strong,” she hiccupped between cries.

Maria leaned away from her. “They?”

Jazmine wiped her tears with the sheets. “Two … two … men… They took turns attacking me.” She couldn’t contain the wails that fell from her lips. Pain had become her constant companion.

“Dios m
ío.” His mom circled her arms around her. “Jazmine you need to report them.”

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“It was my fault
. I should have fought harder.” She placed her hands on the mattress and sat up. “I should’ve waited for my co-workers?”

Maria cupped her face. “What happened wasn’t your fault. Those men who did this are cowards. What if they do it to someone else? You can help another woman.”

She slowly pulled away, and gently placed her feet on the floor.

“Where are you going?” Maria help
ed her up.

“I’m going to the police station.” She held onto her. “I was in shock last night
—I couldn’t believe this happened to me, but I’m not a weak woman. They’re going to pay for what they did to me.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“Can you please take me to my hotel room first. I need to change.” She stared down at the T-shirt and boxers she had on.

“Hotel, you don’t live here?” Maria asked with surprise.

“No, I’m here on business. My co-workers have to be worried about me.” She looked around the room. “My purse?”

“It’s downstairs. Stay right here
, sweetie.” Maria opened the door and yelled, “Javy!”

There was no answer, and she yelled again. “Javier Alexander Martinez!”

“Coming!” She assumed it was Javier yelling back.

Maria moved out of the way as her son entered the room.

Her eyes were still swollen, but she could see much better. Javier had to be about six feet two inches tall. He was lean and muscular, he must’ve been the person who’d carried her last night.

“Javier, help her down
the stairs,” his mom told him.

His hazel eyes
with a hint of blue were a startling contrast to his olive skin. He stared at her face, and she could see the pity in his eyes.

“Maria it’s okay
.” Jazmine tried to move. “I can make it.” She took a step and stumbled.

“I got you.” He stepped forward and wrapped his hand around her elbow.

It was him last night, his voice, his words. He made her feel safe, promising not to leave her. He stayed with her through the night. He bent down and put his arm around her waist and the other under her knees, picking her up.

She placed her hands around his neck and inhaled his fresh cologne.

“We’re taking her to the hospital.” His mother walked over to the door.

“I have to change.”

His mom opened the door wider. “Mamita, you have to get examined first. What you have on doesn’t matter.”

They walked out
of the room, and his mother stepped back in and returned with her ripped up clothes in a bag. “This is evidence, those cabrones are going pay for what they did to you.” She headed down the stairs ahead of them.

Javier slowly carried her down the steps into the living room, and
then placed her on the sofa.

Jazmine scooted up and that’s when she saw her purse, grabbed it
, and dug inside for her cell. She pulled it out, looking at all her missed calls. There would be messages from her co-workers and family.

“Ma
, what did you just say?” Javier gave his mom an inquisitive stare.

Maria stared at Jazmine
, and then at her son.

Jazmine swiped her cell to life and made a call.

“Jazmine, oh God, are you okay?” Connie, her co-worker and friend, asked. “Where are you?”

“I’m okay
. I just had a long night.” She tried to answer in a normal voice.

“You said you were leaving because you needed your rest.”

“Connie, I’m okay.” She squeezed her eyes shut.

“You missed the conference
. You do know we leave in an hour?” She could hear the annoyance in her friend’s voice.

She swallowed. “You guys go ahead without me, I won’t make the flight. I’ll be there later this week.”

“Jazmine, this isn’t like you. Are you sure you’re okay?” Now concern colored Connie’s tone.

“I said I’m okay.” Her voice cracked as she raised it, making Javier and his mother look back.

“I apologize.”

“I’m sorry
, Connie. I have some things I need to wrap up here, so can you please tell the others I’m fine, and I’ll see them sometime next week.”

“Okay Jazmine.”
Her friend sighed. “I have to ask one more time—are you okay?”

“Yes
.” She slid the phone off and placed it back into her purse.

“Jazmine.”

She turned when she heard her name, and Javier stared at her.

“What did my mother mean when she said those
—was it more than one guy?” His jaw clenched.

She took a deep breath. “Yes.”