Lost Love

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I've been living back in Santo Padre for a few months now with my boyfriend and as much as I am glad I am home, I am miserable. I want to leave my boyfriend and I've tried but he won't let me leave. Nothing I do is right. He screams at me, telling me that I am worthless. He beats me almost daily. I hate my life. I just want to die. A part of me has been dead for years anyway. I walk into the local butcher shop, Carniceria Reyes, to get meat for the next few days. "Two steaks and a roast please Mr Reyes." I say. "Natalia, please call me Felipe." he says. I smile softly and nod but still don't look up at him completely. After I pay for my order, he brings it around to me and says "If you want out, I can help you." I smile softly at him and say "I appreciate that Felipe but I can't leave. I've tried." I tell him. He nods and says "If you change your mind." I nod and see myself out the door.

Walking into the house, I put the steaks away and start the roast. I got about cleaning the house and doing the laundry, ironing his clothes and putting everything in its place. I dust the house and vacuum the floors. I go about my normal routine, dreading when James comes home from work.

While I am cleaning my house, Felipe is still at the shop when his sons come in to see him. "Boys, I need your help with something." he tells them. "What's up?" EZ asks. "One of my customers, Natalia, she comes in a few times a week and she's always bruised up. I told her I would help her leave and she said she's tried and that she will never be able to leave that boyfriend of hers." Felipe says. "You want us to handle it?" EZ asks. "I know I don't ask you boys to do things like this but..." Felipe says but is cut off by Angel's hand on his shoulder. "We got her pop. When's she supposed to be back in?" EZ asks. "Normally comes in on Monday, Wednesday and Friday." Felipe says. "I'll hang around Friday and follow her. See where she lives and help get her out." EZ says and Felipe says "Thank you boys." They nod before leaving the shop and heading to the clubhouse.

Angel and EZ walk into the clubhouse and call Templo. "What's going on?" Bishop asks. "We went to see Pop today and he told us about this chick that comes into his shop. Said her old man is beating the fuck out of her and he wants me and the Prospect to get her out of there. I just need to know that we can bring her back here for a beat to help her get out of there." Angel says. "Yeah. That's fine. What's the plan?" Bishop asks. "He said she comes in three times a week and that she will be in on Friday like normal. Gonna have the Prospect hang out and follow her home to see where she lives. He'll call me when he gets there so I can head that way and help get her out and handle her old man." Angel says. "I'll go with you." Coco says and Angel nods. "When she gets here, we'll have the doc here to check her out." Taza says and Angel and EZ nod their thanks.

Friday rolls around and I walk into the shop and only get a few things. Walking out, I say goodbye to Felipe and head home. Walking in, I start cleaning the house like normal and wait for James to come home. He walks in the door and he asks "Where did you go today?" I don't look into his eyes but say "Just to the butcher shop." He shakes his head before getting in my face and saying "I find out you're going anywhere else, I'll fucking kill you. You understand?" he asks. "Yes." I say simply. He shoves me to the floor and starts to punch me when all of a sudden we hear "Touch her again and I'll blow your fucking brains out." I freeze and so does James. I scramble away as James holds his hands up in surrender. I see another man hit him in the head with a gun. A third man comes over to check on me and he freezes. "Talia?" he asks. I look at him and my eyes go wide. "Johnny? Oh my God Johnny!" I jump into his arms and he holds me close. The other two are loading an unconscious James into a van while Johnny and I are still looking at each other. "How are you here?" I ask. "We'll talk about that later. He your boyfriend?" he asks me. "Yeah. I tried to leave him but he wouldn't let me." I tell him. Kissing my forehead, he says "Pack a bag. I'm gonna leave the Prospect here with you and he's gonna take you to the clubhouse and show you my dorm. Get a shower and relax. I'll be there soon." he tells me and I just nod.

After I'm gone, Angel and Coco are headed out to the desert to deal with James. "Who is she?" Angel asks as Coco drives. Coco doesn't answer. Pulling up to a pull off where no one can see, they get a now awake James out of the van. Throwing him on the ground, his feet tied as well as his hands, Coco says "Who the fuck do you think you are hurting Natalia?" he asks, seething. "Who the fuck are you?" James asks. Coco leans down and says "Her husband." before putting the gun to his head and pulling the trigger. As they bury James, Angel looks at Coco and asks "Husband?" Coco stops shoveling dirt and says "Married her right before I went to boot camp. My mom sent me a letter telling me she moved on and never wanted to see me again. No explanation. No nothing." Angel nods and says "Well, let's get this done and head back to your wife." They look at each other smirking.

Back at the clubhouse, I have showered and a man named Chucky made me something to eat. "How are you holding up?" Taza asks. "Okay I think. Not that I don't appreciate it but why did you help me?" I ask. "My Pop asked us to." the Prospect says. "Who's your Pop?" I ask. "Felipe Reyes." he says and I smile softly. "Felipe." and I nod my head. "Please tell him thank you." I tell him and he nods. A few minutes later, we see Angel and Coco walk back in the door and I rush to Coco. Wrapping my arms around him, burying my face in his neck, I sob. He whispers "It's okay. I got you Talia. I got you." and everyone looks at him confused. I cup his face and ask "How are you here?" He looks at me confused and says "Let's fill everyone in and then we'll talk." I nod and we are lead into what Coco called Templo.