security around the perimeter of the house.
Since news of Elloisa’s return to the States, the DEA wanted to enlist extra security. Jerry agreed, especially after the multiple attempts on his daughter’s life. Jerry and his wife Teressa had been blessed with wonderful, attractive children. They had dark black hair, olive complexions, but Jack had jade green eyes like his father, and Salvatore had dark brown eyes like Teressa. They were both tall and in excellent shape. They had to be with jobs like theirs.
Mathew stood near the doorway pacing. All Mathew seemed to talk about was the last time he saw Elloisa. He had been shot by Ramos, Armando’s bodyguard. She was sure to think he had been killed. They needed Elloisa here with them so they could have a complete family and move on with their lives. Hadn’t they lost enough time together? Jerry was growing impatient by the minute and tried to calm his breathing. The anticipation was torture in itself.
* * * *
Elloisa looked out of the window as they drove through the residential neighborhood along with Gustavo and the other agents. The four men had been her constant bodyguards for the past twenty-four hours. Gustavo didn’t seem to trust her or like her one bit now that they were on US soil. It hurt, considering what they went through and how they survived together. She continuously caught him watching her, studying her, and she knew exactly what he was doing.
He actually wondered if she really was a prisoner or if she enjoyed being Armando’s possession. Gustavo wasn’t the only one who would think that. After all, she had remained with Armando for over a year’s time. Perhaps, Gustavo thought she was involved with the criminal activity as well. He hadn’t a clue. None of them did. She was scarred for life. She wanted nothing more than to kill Armando herself, but when it came down to doing it, she wasn’t capable. She shook and cried, unable to take out her revenge and her anger on him. Was there a part of her that still loved him? She hoped not because he didn’t love her. He never had.
Agent Williams informed her of what really happened that day fourteen months earlier.
Her father wasn’t on the take, he was working undercover.
Her brother tried to save her from Armando, but it was too late.
Everything she had assumed happened had been wrong. Armando fooled her, broke her down with intimidation and threats.
If she had known the truth then she would have tried to escape earlier.
The thoughts sent an enormous pain through her heart. She would have to live with that new knowledge for the rest of her life.
She closed her eyes and prayed that her family still loved her.
* * * *
The car pulled onto a long private road where only three very large houses resided. Her parents’ house was at the end of the road farthest from the other two homes.
It was gorgeous, semi-private, and about forty minutes north of the city.
Initially, she hadn’t seen anyone around, but when they came closer to the security gates, men bearing guns came into sight.
She hoped that there was solitude, privacy, and security at her parents’ home. Her palms were sweaty, her heart racing, and feelings of guilt and shame filled her body. Armando had taken too much from her.
She felt heartless, detached…lost.
All the emotions disappeared and were replaced by pure relief and love as the front door opened and her family filled the colonial front porch. The car stopped and everyone got out. Elloisa’s family ran toward her, and she ran toward them
* * * *
“Elloisa!” they called out in unison, and her parents embraced her then her brothers did as well. They kissed and hugged. Everyone was crying.
“My God, you’re beautiful. You’re so beautiful,” her mother exclaimed.
Elloisa was hysterical. Her body went weak in her brothers’ arms.
She reached up to place the palm of her hand against Mathew’s cheek. He looked so handsome. All three of her brothers were
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