Trust Me
      Chapter 15
 

His breath tickled her neck and the heat from his mouth made her shiver.

She regrouped. Brought herself to speak, "Oh. It's over. Believe me." He had one hand carefully placed on her neck, the other wrapped around her waist. His palm resting on her stomach.

"It can't be over. You haven't screamed."

She twisted and turned until she was facing him. "I wouldn't give you the satisfaction."

Her eyes darted back and forth waiting for his reaction.

"I feel confident."

"You shouldn't be." She shifted her weight. His hand fell from her waist.

"I think you'll cry out my name before it's over."

"Really? I think you've spent too much time fantasizing."

"Oh. It's definitely in my fantasies."

Suddenly he leaned towards her. His lips covered her own.

Fighting back she refused his tongue. She tried desperately to untangle herself from his hold. He gripped her tighter. She broke free.

"You coward. Get your hands off of me."

They stood apart. Both with their hands on their hips. Chests heaving.

"Get out Danny."

"I'm not leaving."

"You have no right coming here like this. Did you actually think I'd fall into your arms with no problem? Unbelievable...", she shook her head and ran a hand through her wild curls.

He watched her and did not say a word.

"What did you believe I'd open my arms wide...oh no wait...my LEGS wide and welcome you home?"

She saw a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Michelle", he warned.

"Oh! That offends you?" "You know Danny I couldn't give a shit. I am so tired of this. Just let me go. Let me go!"

"I'm not letting you go. Never again."

And his lips claimed hers all over again. He took possession of her mouth. She felt herself relaxing. Her knees were weak. His desire was evident as he pulled her closer and lifted her to sit on the counter. He stood between her legs, his hand fumbled with the strap of her tank top, pulling it down. He bit at her lip as their tongues danced.

She hated herself for succumbing to his powerful charm.

She loved him for possessing that same trait.

Inside the building Ray drew his weapon close to his chest, listening. He could hear the raised voices of the men, but couldn't make out what was being said. His mind was jumbled with thoughts.

Steady. You are in control.

He was nervous. After he had taken his vows, he had chosen to forget about this part of his life. It all came back to him. He moved with the ease of a trained commando. Listening quietly for the enemy. There were five men. He had six bullets. He knew that he could take them all out. His father and Uncle had made sure of that every Saturday afternoon. He could feel the danger in his bones, and he liked it. He relished the quickening of his pulse. The anticipation built in him. It was a surge of energy that made him feel alive. He was aroused.

He recoiled in shock at his own hunger for the kill. He tasted blood on his lip and realized he had bitten through it. Wiping the red away, he began to feel the apprehension he had felt the moment Danny had called to ask for his help. Suddenly, he was Father Ray Santos again. It was then that he noticed Isabel behind him. She was peering through the doorway, a look of fear in her eyes. He ran to her.

"What the hell are you doing here?" "You have to leave." "Now.", the words rushed forth. He wasn't in control and that terrified him.

He heard the pounding footsteps descending the stairs. He pushed Isabel out the door and slammed it shut. He realized he didn't have enough time. He would be walking into an ambush if he stayed.

In a small alley, a few blocks from the apartment building, he stopped to talk to Isabel.

"Isabel, you have to leave. You're in danger."

"Who are you? Who are these people? Why do you have a gun", she asked.

"I don't have time." He yelled at her. He chose to run then. Leaving a flabbergasted Isabel to stare after him.

Ray ran to Ruben Vega's. As he ran he dialed Danny's cell phone again. The ringing phone made him more anxious.


At Ruben Vega's he banged on the door. His hands banged at the heavy wooden doors. No one came to answer. He ran around the side of the building. The back door was open.

"Senor Vega?" , he called.

No answer. He stood inside the dark room and realized it was a kitchen. On the table was a plate of rice piled high with red beans. He could see the smoke coming off the top of the food. The smell caused Ray to heave. Something wasn't right.

"Vega?"

Nothing.

He continued to walk through. "Senor Vega? It's Santos." He passed into what appeared to be an office. He looked around. The high ceilings did little to cool the stifling rooms. The fax machine was receiving a message. The phone on the desk began to ring startling him. He continued his walk through. Suddenly his feet slid from beneath him. He steadied himself with one hand before falling completely to the ground. His hand was warm with a sticky substance clinging to his fingers. Blood.

Instinct took over. He began to run from the room. He reached the kitchen door, he felt his body fly forward as he tripped over something. Sprawled on the linoleum, he began to get up. He heard footsteps. They stopped in front of him. He looked up into the eyes of Dietz.

"Oh. Fuck!"

John Vasquez was angry at Danny. Here they were in San Juan, Michelle was safe and instead of high tailing it out of there, Danny had insisted on a "visit" with his wife. He stormed down the stairs with the three other men.

Tucking his gun into his back holster he thought, "Damn this kid. We're going to all end up dead if I don't reign him in." From his pocket he retrieved his phone and dialed Ruben Vega's number. The phone rang over and over again without an answer. John persisted, refusing to hang up. Ray hadn't shown up and the only reason John could think of was that he had decided to go to Vega's place before coming to get Michelle. It was a mistake that only an amateur would make. John regretted having sent Michelle away with Ray. Danny had been adamant about it though. He wanted Michelle with someone he could trust absolutely. Danny also trusted that Ray could and would use his skills to protect Michelle. John wasn't so sure about that.

He arrived at the lower landing with the phone still at his ear. The ringing continued.

At the entrance to the building he told one of the men to stand guard inside with instructions to be on the look out for both Ray and Dietz. "Don't disturb Danny either. Unless it's necessary."

John was worried. Everything seemed to be going off without a hitch, but something was off. It was too easy. Wait for Dietz and it's over. John doubted that was the way it would work out.

Vega still hadn't answered his phone. "Okay, let's go visit Mr. Vega."