Love Through Pain (22 page)

Monica
’s lips thinned. “Excuse you!”

“He’d been dating you for years
, but I got the ring.” Jazmine lifted her ring, wiggling it.

“I knew it
!” Monica raised her voice. “I knew that baby was yours. How could you do this to me?”

“Monica
, I didn’t do anything to you. I never lied to you, you just didn’t want to listen,” Javier said.

“You think I’m letting you get off so easy
, fuck no! You are going to take care of your daughter.” Monica turned red.

“Calm down, it’s not good for the baby,” Maria
interjected.

“You
’re just going to allow this?” Monica looked over at his dad. “Papo, you said you didn’t want him with a black girl.”

His dad got up, placing his cup in the sink. “Monica
, who my kids choose to love is none of my business as long as they make them happy.”

“Uhhh, I can’t believe you guys.” She turned and rushed out
to the back.

“Why did I ever think that spoil brat was good enough for you?” Maria said
, placing the plantains in the deep fryer.

His dad laughed. “Because her mom is your best friend.” He ate a piece of fruit that was on the counter. “Jazmine, you handled Monica perfectly.”

Jazmine put her hands over Javier’s. “She can’t have what’s mine.”

“I’m your
s huh?” Javier kissed her nose.

Lucy came into the kitchen. “Nicky is sleeping upstairs
, and Carlitos is out in the back.”

“Jose’s here?”
his dad asked.

“He dropped him off,
and he said he’ll be back, he needed to pick up Olga,” Lucy answered.

“Lucy,” Elba called.

“Coming abuela E.” Lucy rushed out.

More people passed by saying hi and heading to the back.

“Do you always celebrate the Fourth of July like this?” Jazmine asked his parents.

“Yes, wait until you see the fireworks
,” Maria answered.

“This is for our hero
.” His dad clutched Javier’s arm. “I’m proud of you.” He hugged him.

“I’m proud of you
, too.” A male’s timber voice came from the entrance. Javier, Maria, and Papo looked over to the voice.

“Jose,” Javier strolled over, and Jazmine followed him with her eyes. He hugged a guy
a little shorter than him. He had brown hair, with a thin mustache. “Jose this is my wife Jazmine.” Next to his brother was a skinny blonde. She glared at Jazmine, and she swore she rolled her eyes at her. “Hi Olga.”

“Babe this is my big brother and Carlito’s mom.” Jazmine eyes widen
ed when she stared into his eyes. Her heart slowed; she would remember those light brown eyes anywhere. “Babe.” Javier called out to her again.

Chapter Thirty- Two

“You!” Jazmine’s eyes widen
ed, looking at his brother. Javier’s smile disappeared as he stared at Jazmine, she was now pulling on her shirt—a nervous trait—and then he looked at his brother.

Jose arched a brow. “Do I know you?”

“You were there,” she whispered, not moving a muscle. “The night I got raped,” her voice rattled as she spoke louder.

“Look lady, I don’t know what you
’re talking about,” Jose said in a stern voice.

Memories from that night came back to Javier in full effect. Jose was supposed to me
et him and Monica for his birthday, but he showed up two hours late with some lame ass excuse. Javier’s chest started to heave, and he glared at the tattoo on his brother’s arm, his mustache, and without warning, he charged Jose. His left hand connected with his brothers’ nose. “You raped her!” Javier yelled.

Olga screamed. “What’s wrong with you?” She pulled on Javier’s shirt
, trying to get him off Jose.

Jose didn’t fight back, but he shoved Javier back. “Javy, I don’t know what she’s talking about.”

Javier pushed Olga back and grabbed him by the throat. Jose tried to pry his fingers from his neck. Was his son really his nephew?

His mom screamed, “Javier let him go! Dejalo!”

His dad rushed over, “Javy, let him explain, let him go,” and then shoved himself between the two men.

“No, he raped her
.” Javier’s grip was getting tighter. His dad tried pulling his hands from around his brother, but it wasn’t working.

“Javier, you’re killing him!” His mom rushed over.

Jazmine snapped out of her fugue, shook it off, and ran toward them. “Javy, he didn’t rape me.” Javier stared at her. “It wasn’t him… he was there, but it wasn’t him.” She pleaded, “Please let him go, please. It wasn’t him…”

Javier slowly released his brother. Jose clutched his neck
, gasping for air. “You almost killed me.” He choked.

Olga rubbed Jose’s back. “Javier
, are you fucking crazy?”

His dad stood in the middle of both of them. “Somebody needs to explain what’s going on now.”

Jazmine’s eyes lowered to the floor.

Maria put her arms around Jazmine. “She was raped almost two years ago.” She looked at his dad, and then at Jose. “If you had anything to do with what happened to her
, you’ll leave this house, and this time you’ll never come back.”

His dad was in shock, cracking his neck a
s he glared at the both of them. “Jose!” he roared.

“Dad, I don’t know what she’s talking about
!” Jose raised his voice, sounding like a child.

Javier clenched his jaw, feeling his face burn in anger. He would hurt his brother over Jazmine. “What do you mean he was there?” he asked Jazmine. She leaned back from his mother’s embrace and wiped the tears from her cheeks.

Jazmine took a deep breath. “Remember I told you there were three men, but one of them left; it was your brother.”

His mom was rubbing her back. “Take your time
. I know it hurts to remember.”

“You left her there!” Javier yelled at his brother.

“Javy, I don’t know what she’s talking about.” Jose looked at Jazmine.

“It was the night of my birthday.” Javier shot daggers at his brother.

“I left the lounge, you and two other men were about to enter, but when you saw me leave, you guys followed me, and you asked me if I wanted to go home with you, and your cell went off, and I ignored you.” Jazmine had tears rolling down her face. “You were wearing washout jeans and a beige buttoned down shirt.”

Javier wiped her tears. “Don’t cry baby.” He watched his brother.

Jose’s eyebrows met. “I told them to leave you alone.”

“You remember?” Javier shouted.

“Yes, I remember, but Darlene called and I left. They said they were going to have some fun with her.” Jose’s nose began flaring.

“Fun! They fucking raped her.” Javier punched the wall, startling Jazmine and his mom.

“You got raped that night?” Jose barely looked at her.

“Yes,” Jazmine whisper
ed.

Javier stared at his bloody knuckle
s. “You left her, and those pigs attacked her!” He was breaking on the inside; never in a million years did he think his brother was there.

“Who?”
his dad asked. “Who did this to you?”

“The two guys that were with him.” Jazmine stared into Jose’s eyes.

“They fucking beat her to a pulp and raped her.” Javier circled his arms around Jazmine. “This is finally going to be over,” he whispered, and then kissed her. “I promised you they would pay, and they will.” He moved away from her.

“I didn’t know!” Jose shouted. “I would never let anyone hurt a woman like that. I would’ve killed them before I’d let them rape her.” He looked over at his mother. “Mom
, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, but I’ve never put my hand on a woman, you and dad taught me better than that.”

“I’m going to kill them with my bare hands
.” And then he froze mid-sentence. Javier stared at Jose. “Frankie and Kevin.” He backed away from his brother. “Ma, please watch Jazmine.” Javier picked up the car keys off of the table and rushed out.

“Javy!” Jos
e ran behind him. “I’m coming with you.”

“Keep him safe
!” his dad shouted.

“I will
.” Jose ran out of the door.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Jose stopped Javier from opening the drivers’ door. “Give me the keys.” Javier glared at him as his brother continued. “You’re too pissed to be driving. I’ll drive.”

Javier reluctantly handed the keys over, and then marched to the passenger side. He opened the door and jumped in.

Jose got in and started the ignition. “Javy, we’ll get him
.” And they drove off.

Javier glanced over at his brother. “Sorry about choking you.”

“No need.” Jose grazed his neck with his fingers. “I thought you were crazy, but I understand how it looked. I’m sorry about what happened to your wife.” He sighed. “I didn’t know.”

Javier stared at his right hand
, his knuckles were swollen and bleeding. “She was moaning, shaking, when I found her. Her entire body was covered in bruises.” He closed his eyes. “They left her there in that fucking alley like she was trash. Jazmine is my life, Jose.” He opened his eyes and peered at his brother. “I’ve never loved anyone the way I love her.”

“Man, I’ve only loved four women so far
, and that’s mom, Lucy, abuela, and grandma E. I don’t know how it feels to love someone the way you love your wife, but I would kill anyone who messes with them.” Jose kept his eyes on the road.

“Does Kevin live at the same place?” Javier
observed the road they were on.

“We won’t find Kevin
; he’s in jail.”

“Son of a bitch
.” Javier slammed his fist on the dashboard, cracking it. “Shit!”

“What?” Jose hastily turned his head toward Javier before focusing on the road again.

“It’s a rental.” Javier examined the damage he made. “This is going cost me.”

“We’re here
.” Jose pulled into an apartment complex. “Let me talk to him first.”

Javier jumped out
of the car before his brother parked, and then rushed up the stairs. Javier beat on Frankie’s door. “Open the fucking door, or I’ll break it.”

Jose joined him on the landing. “He might not be home.” His voice was calm.

Javier continued banging his fists on the wooden door and Frankie’s neighbors began peeking out of their windows. He stopped when he heard the snick of locks being turned and waited. Anger thrummed through him, making him shake. A tall, brunette woman opened the door.

“What?” She placed her left hand on her hip.

“Cynthia, where’s Frankie?” Jose glared at the woman.

She moved
, staring at Javier. “Frankie’s not here, he went to some stupid BBQ.”

“I shouldn’t have left Jazmine, he’s headed there.” Javier ran down the stairs with Jose close on his tail.

***

Jazmine sat on a white plastic chair in the back yard
, her right feet shook nervously. She kept watching the sliding doors and the back gate. She was worried about Javier; she tried to call him, but he didn’t pick up the phone. The cell dangled from her fingers. Jazmine prayed Javier didn’t find the asshole that raped her, because she knew he would end up in jail.  Maria wanted to send everyone away, but Jazmine stopped her; this day was supposed to be a celebration.

“I called the cops,
and they’re on their way.” Maria hadn’t left her side. “Jose might be a lot of things, but he will not let Javier get in trouble.”

“He won’t answer my calls.” Jazmine
shook nervously, looking at her phone. Olga and Monica were on the other side of the yard, watching her, and rolling their eyes. She didn’t have time for their shit right now. Monica could kiss her ass for all she cared.

“Frankie’s like family.” Maria watched her friend, Angela.  “I’m hurt
. I can only imagine how Javier and Jose are feeling.” She touched her hands. “His mother and I were practically raised together, and her heart is going to break.”

Jazmine observed Javier’s father as he spoke on the phone, pacing
, she wondered if he was talking to Javier, and if he was okay?

The sliding doors opened
—Javier and Jose came through.

Jazmine jumped, and
then ran to Javier, cupping his face. “Baby, don’t ever do that to me again.”

He hugged her close. “I would kill for you,” he whispered. “I couldn’t find him.”

~~~

Javier released Jazmine and walked up to Monica. “Where’s Frankie?”

“He’s on his way. What’s the problem?” Monica’s smacked her lips.

“There’s no problem,” Olga answered her
. “Javier, I didn’t tell her what happened.” She hurried away toward Jose.

“What happened?” Monica shot daggers at him.

“When I get my hands on your brother—” He didn’t get to finish his sentence; his dad grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.

“Let the cops handle this
,” his dad said. “You have a family to take care of son.”

“Dad
, honestly, if he would’ve raped mom or Lucy, would you say the same thing?” Javier asked, balling his fists; his father just looked at him and didn’t say a word. “I couldn’t find Frankie, and Kevin better thank God he’s already in jail.”

“Hola
, familia.” Frankie entered the back yard with a big grin on his face and two six pack in his hands.

Javier looked over at Jazmine and saw the fear in her eyes. She rapidly moved as soon as she heard his voice, and when she turned and saw Frankie, her hands began to shake. She backed up toward the sliding doors. He cracked his knuckles and clenched his jaw.

“Mom.” his father turned to his grandmother Elba. “Take the kids inside the house, now!”

Elba looked at Javier and his father. He was holding him back in a bear hug. She grabbed the kids and ushered them in
side. “Vamos, let go watch a movie.”

His dad waited until all the kids were in the house and had no choice but to let Javier go.

Javier rushed over to Frankie.

“Yo
, Javier, how you been?” Frankie asked, putting the beer down on the table, extending his hand to shake Javier’s, and in that moment, Javier saw the snake tattoo wrapped around his forearm. “I hear you’re making me an uncle.”

Javier stared at his hand, and in one swift move
, he caught Frankie off guard and connected his fist with Frankie’s jaw, and then another to his nose. “You son of a bitch!”

“Stop!” Monica yelled, grabbing onto Javier. “Leave him alone.”

“Monica.” Olga ran to her and pulled her aside. “Your baby.”

Monica dug into her purse and pulled out her cell, lifting the phone to her ear.

Frankie stumbled back, blood dripping out of his nose. “What the fuck!” Frankie charged him.

They fell to the ground,
but Javier was on top, swinging non-stop; Frankie rolled him over, connecting his fist with Javier’s eye. Jose rushed in and knocked Frankie off of him, giving Javier the chance he needed. Javier jumped up and punched him in the gut. “How does it feel, having no power?” He hit him in the face again. “You raped the wrong woman.”

“Frankie isn’t a rapist!” Mrs. Garcia pounded on Javier’s back.

Maria grabbed her wrist and forcefully pulled her back. “You’re going to get hurt.”

Jose grabbed Frankie’s arms behind him.

“Mother fucker!” Javier kept hitting him. He knew he was losing it. He could still see Jazmine’s swollen face, the bruises all over her body, the tears, and the sleepless nights she’d endured. Frankie and Kevin were responsible for everything she went through.

Family and friends kept screaming
, “Stop!”

“Papo
, tell your sons to get their hands off of Frankie, or else!” Mr. Garcia shouted.

“Or else what, Marco
?” his dad responded.

Jose let Frankie go
, and he dropped to the ground, his face bloody. “Now you know how it feels to get fucking beat up. Do you feel helpless?” Javier yelled. “Do you!” He kicked him in the stomach. “I want you to feel what she felt.” He struck him again. “Are the memories coming back? You kicked, punched, and fucking raped her!” Javier hollered.

“I called the police,” Frankie’s mom roared. “You’re going to jail.”

“I never raped … anyone,” Frankie said, spiting blood. “Two against one.” He fixed his T-shirt. “Cowards, you’ll pay for this.” He nose flared as he glared at Jose and Javier.

Javier stepped back. “Now you know how she felt.”

“All this over a cunt!” Frankie’s father looked at Javier.

“He raped my wife.” Javier stared at Jazmine
, her eyes looked empty, no emotion. He needed to be holding her. He was about to walk over to her when Frankie staggered up and charged him. Frankie kicked him in the legs, making him hit the ground. Javier got up, but Frankie rushed him. They stumbled into the table with the food, knocking everything to the ground, and everyone scattered out of the way. Frankie jumped on him and grabbed his neck. Javier pried his hands off, knocking him over and pinning him down. He heard a click, and when he looked up, Frankie’s dad was pointing a gun at him.

“Get off my son?”

Javier’s left eye was swollen, and he could barely see Monica’s dad through it, but his hands circled Frankie’s neck.

Maria
scolded, “Marco, if you shoot my son, I’ll kill you!” She rushed over to them, but his dad stopped her.

His dad held his hand out
, not letting her through. “Marco,” Javier’s dad said in a stern voice. “Put the fucking gun away, or you’ll regret it. If you shoot my son, you’ll have to shoot me too.”

“Tell your son to get off
!” Monica’s father hollered.

Javier didn’t move,
but his grip around Frankie’s neck was getting tighter. Monica’s dad cocked the revolver, and then out of nowhere, Jazmine covered Javier’s body with hers. She was on top of him, hugging him from behind.

“Move
!” Frankie’s dad yelled at Jazmine.

“Jazmine
…” That’s when he realized how much she loved him—if he had any doubt, it disappeared at that moment. He pushed Frankie to the ground and stood up with Jazmine attached to him; he turned in her arms. “I love you … he is going pay for everything he did to you.” He squeezed her tight.

The
officer’s busted through the side gate. “Sir, drop the weapon.”

Monica’s dad dropped the gun. “He almost killed my son.” He pointed at Javier.

Javier recognized the cops. They were the same ones from the hospital.

Frankie slowly stood, and
then stumbled. “I want … that bastard … arrested.” He held his throat and coughed.

Jazmine was shaking in Javier’s arms. He stared at the female police
officer. “He was one of the men that attacked her.”

The female police officer glared at Frankie. She glanced at the tattoo on his arm. Javier knew he fit every description
, which Jazmine had given; brown hair, brown/grayish eyes, right down to his broken nose.  Why didn’t he see it before?

“Ms. O’Neal,” the officer called
to Jazmine.

“Yes,” Jazmine answered, her face still against his chest.

“Can you point out the man that attacked you?”

Jazmine waited a few seconds before she finally pushed back from Javier and glanced at the female officer. “Yes
, I can,” she said in a stern voice, “it was him.” She pointed at Frankie.

“I didn’t rape that bitch.” Frankie spat,
and then he stared at Jazmine and smirked. “You.”

“So you remember now?” The cop
glared at Frankie.

“From the alley
; she liked it rough.” He wiped the blood off his face with his T-shirt. “But I didn’t rape her. She wanted me, and I gave her what she wanted.”

The female cop walked up to him. “Really
? She liked it rough, huh, she liked it so rough, that she suffered a broken rib, mild concussion, and that scar on her cheek.”

His smile disappeared.

“My son would never treat a woman like that.” Monica’s mom hurried toward her son as she spoke.

Monica had tears coming down her cheek
s, as she walked up to her brother and slapped him. “You did this, didn’t you?”

Frankie glared at Monica. “Sis, I didn’t rape her. I don’t even know her.”

“You just said she liked it rough, you asshole.” Jose jumped in. “Dude, I trusted you, we were supposed to be boys. How many times did I put my neck out for you? I never knew you had it in you to rape a woman.”

“Whatever
, Jose; if you hadn’t received that fucking phone call, you would’ve had a piece of that ass, too,” Frankie said with a smirk. “You’re fucking jealous you didn’t get to screw her.”

Javier clenched his jaw to the point of pain. This fucking piece of shit was talking about his wife. Jazmine remained strong
, she held onto him. He knew she was keeping him grounded.