I gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, on a bright, sunny day and for a little while, I smiled and believed that everything would finally be okay. I cradled them in my arms. I chose to name them Alexander and Esperanza which means Hope in English. Looking at them with pure wonder, I marveled at howlife could still be filled with love even after your heart had turned to stone. This was what my love for Alex had brought to me, despite the evil and tragedy in my life.
Señor Mora stood to the side and watched me. Luckily, he wasn’t a cruel man like my father. He was an elderly man, but he had manners and he treated me with kindness. I respected him more than my father or anyone in his cartel.
But the darkness and evil wouldn’t step aside. It forced its way back into my life.
I only got to hold my babies briefly before my father came into the hospital room with his men and took them from me.
It didn’t matter how much I screamed and cried. Not even Señor Mora could do anything to stop my father’s men from tearing my babies from my arms. My father probably paid off the hospital staff to turn a blind eye because no one came to my babies’ rescue. I wept for the loss even as my milk came in and my body had readied itself to be a mother. A role I would have cherished above all other priorities in life.
That wonderful but horrible day was the last time I ever saw my children…”
Finally, the room went silent as the woman’s sweet voice from the phone stopped speaking and faded into the air.
After a minute or two, Carlos looked up at me as his dark eyes glinted with unshed tears. He then asked me, “Why did you show me this?”
“You are this brother she mentions. Carlos Castillo. So, I have a question…only one. Do you know where her children are?”
His eyes went from tearful to hard as ice as he did not give me an answer.
Chapter Two:Intriguing
Carlos
I didn’t even know what day it was or how much time had gone by since I’d hit that tree. Yes, I remembered that event. Somehow, I survived. I remembered most of what had led up to it as well. What I couldn’t remember was any reason why someone would kidnap me while keeping me alive and not killing me. In my world that was a huge danger. Getting yourself dead.
Therefore, since I was very much alive and still breathing, I had many questions to ask. Then this woman that I did not know asked me about my sister’s twin children? I needed to find out a few things before I answered that question. Maybe more than a few things. I wasn’t knocked in the head badly enough to have lost all my common sense.
Suddenly though, curiosity overcame all other considerations at this moment. Like who was this Mexican beauty? Why was she interested in me and my family? I stared at her, taking in her features, I could smell her wonderful scent too. She did somehow look familiar, I just could not place her. And damn, she was beautiful. Latin descent too, big dark eyes, great skin, and curves. But who was she? “First, I need some answers of my own.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she remained silent even though she looked pissed off. I hadn’t answered her question and her frustration showed in those expressive eyes of hers.
“Do you know how long I was out?” I asked her.
“It has been a month that you have been here.”
“And before that? Do you know how long my coma was?”
She shrugged and replied, “Maybe six months.”
I stared at her as shock rushed through me. “Six months?”
“From what I know, yes.”
Six months! What all had happened in those months?
“Please answer my question,” she urged.
“I need to know who you are and why you’re asking it.” I stared at her.
“Look…” She sat forward. “I answered your questions. You need to—”
“What?” I cut her off. “I wake up here. I do not know you nor do I know what your motives are. Then you ask me about my sister’s missing kids?”
Her eyes flashed with anger again. “Maldito…You are arrogant. Especially for a man who just came out of a fucking coma.”
I stared at her then I laughed. “And you have quite the ego yourself, senorita. And a temper on top of that. And this tells me what I wanted to know about you. You are cartel.”
She slowly shook her head even as she schooled her expression to a blankness.
