by Mari Sillva
- Jesse? -The heart of the investigation warmed at the sound of her friend's voice, but it hurt again when she saw a sentence as painful as Nayla's faceless hers, perhaps even more than hers.
-How did you know I was here? - Jesse's voice was tearful, melancholy.
-I did not know, my friend, I came to visit my boyfriend Estê. Something horrible happened to him, I'm afraid he will not survive.
Jesse began to assemble the pieces of the puzzle: Estevão's girlfriend was with him at the hospital and Nayla´s boyfriend that she calls Este had being hospitalized severely. They were equal a couple in love whom she has known since school. Everything made sense now.
-I heard from your father, I'm sorry, Jesse. - she sat down beside her and hugged her.
-Do not feel it, because if your boyfriend dies, it's my father's fault.
A designer widened her eyes at the revelation of her best friend. Jesse told her everything from the beginning. As friends, they cried together, embraced by the irony of being in love with bandits, especially when Nayla revealed about the pregnancy. As Stephen already gave an improvement overnight the doctor allowed visits and the right of a chaperone for twenty-four hours. She invited Jesse for a brief visit to her boyfriend before her mother woke up and went home to see what was left of her ex-husband.
-I'm not worthy to see him, not after what my father did to him. - Jesse shook her head, her head bowed with tears in her eyes, ashamed by the man's actions that put her in the world.
- That is not your fault, Jesse! Your father was such a heartless man. When Nayla notice it, she had already spoken. -Sorry, my friend, - I said without thinking, - we should not speak ill of the dead. Nay was ashamed to have said that.
-Just because he died did not become a good person, Nayla. I, better than anyone, know the father I had. -Jesse started to cry again.
-Do not cry, dear, come on let´s see Estevão. -she stepped out, pulling her by hand.
As Nayla was smart, she made friends with the nursing staff, thus getting permission for Jesse to enter the room. Nayla was dead for the beloved, she had not seen him since the last visit the night before when she told him she was pregnant. She wondered if he'd had a good night since was been alone. But now she could stay twenty-four hours by his side, and she would not leave until he was 100 percent well.
- Oh! My God! - Exclaimed Jesse, as soon as she looked at Stephen. She felt her stomach turn to know that her father had been responsible for that great evil, praying that he had regretted everything he did before he died.
- How long has it been there? - Jesse pointed at the crow, who was balancing on one leg, looking at them outside the window.
-Since Stephen arrived, I suppose. -Nayla gave a half smile, thought the connection between the two was beautiful.
-Get well soon, my friend, we're all rooting for you. -Jesse smoothed his face, drowning his hair, or what was left of it. But now it was different, in a very well done cut by the signal.
- Did you fix his hair? – It is great, Jesse said, sliding her fingers through the dark strands. At that moment a nurse came in to make the dressings.
-It was not me it must have been someone from the nursing team. I'll thank then for it, it looks great. - Nayla shrugged, her eyes on the dressings the nurse was doing. She was careful to make sure they were taking good care of her beloved.
-It was not us, miss. It was just the same way he came last night. But this morning, the window was open, and her boyfriend looked like Marlon Brando with that new cut. Jesse and Nayla looked at each other, not understanding at all. The advantage of being a member of the "Fearless Men" team is that they went in and out of any place without being seen.
In the first hour of visits the other day, Nayla was surprised by the arrival of three men, one of them very young. From what Jesse had told him, it was certainly Bobbi, Stephen's younger brother and the others, the friends, or rather, the accomplices.
-You must be strong, son! Stephen would not like to see his little brother crying because of him, -Julius exclaimed, adjusting the collar of his brother's blouse, still in the doorway.
Li adjusted his hair and glasses, very carefully. Nay thought their care for the young man was cute and smiled, imagining they would be great uncles for her and Stephen's babies.
-He did not like to see me cry! - Bobbi sobbed, but he swallowed the cry.
-None of us like it, especially Blade. - Li raised an eyebrow so that the young man understood the message. Maldonado had talked a lot with Bobbi at home, who spent the whole night crying with his head on his lap.
-Do not be sad, my dear! You'll soon have a nephew to play with. I and your brother are expecting a baby, -Nayla said excitedly, raising her hand for Bobbi to approach.
The sobbing took over, but this time it was a joy for the novelty. After a lot of talk and planning for the new member of the family, Estevão's girlfriend said goodbye to the visitors, saying that she would go out for a moment to go to her friend's father's funeral, for the sake of her and her family.
Major Carter's funeral had more policemen than ordinary people, with the right to shots and everything. Like he deserves to be honored for something, Jesse thought. However, it was her father, and she was suffering from his death. The partner Hugo Rodrigues did not leave her near at any moment in the cemetery, promising to look for Blade Maldonado in hell to make him pay for what he did. The investigator said nothing just last remaining tears. Finally, his grudge was starting to bother her, she knew she just wanted to help, but for at least a minute she wanted to be alone with her pain. Because of this, after everyone left, she decided to stay a little longer to say goodbye to her father, alone. Like everyone else, the investigator wore black, dark jeans, a T-shirt, and a closed jacket. He lowered himself near the den to place a white rose, which he held throughout the ceremony.
-I forgive you for everything you've done, Father. And I'm going to pray every day to you find the light, the way of God. -She was crying so hard she could barely speak.
She heard footsteps behind her. She though Hugo was coming back, guilty for leaving her alone.
-I'm coming, Hugo, do not worry, - Jesse said without looking back.
-Jesse, I am sorry… - Again the words were missing for Blade, he could not finish the sentence. Frightened, Jesse stood up quickly, facing the man accused of killing her father.
Chapter 30
The look on Jesse's face was indecipherable, and that worried Blade enough. She was always too expressive, even in simple gestures. Seeing her so dejected ended him, it was as if his heart had broken into a thousand pieces. He wanted to hold her and never let go again. Now she was part of him, half of his soul, of his heart. And if she did not forgive him, worse, if she did not want to hear what he had to say? He even tried to follow Julius's advice and wait for the dust to come down a little, but he could not, had to see "with his own eyes" that his angel as well.
- What are you doing here? - Jesse's tone came out loud, angry.
- I needed to see you. For the first time in her life, Blade felt like crying. He never imagined that rejection hurt so much more than any pain he'd felt before. But he held it, swallowing hard.
- Go away from here! - Jesse screamed, breaking out of him, pounding his chest non-stop, telling him to leave. - Get out of here, now! She repeated, repeatedly hurting him.
-Is that what you want? That I leave you because if it is so this is the last time you'll see me. -Blade held Jesse's hands, pinning her. Her heart was beating so fast, her adrenaline pumping the blood.
-If it's to keep you safe, yes, I'll give you up! - If you continue here, someone can recognize you, my love, and hurt you because of the reward.
Blade's eyes filled with tears, she believed in his innocence without even needing to hear a word of what he had to say in his defense. Faced with this, he held her as tightly as he could.
-So you do not believe the lies they're telling me about, about me killing your father? - he asked, afraid of her thi
nking straight and sending him off, for good.
-We made a pact, remember? Without lies, secrets, and fears, we'll be together, whatever happens. I will believe you!
She could demand a thousand explanations and still do not believe him after she heard, there were several reasons for this. But his girl was not like that. That was not the kind of Jesse Carter. Thank God, he thought.
-I was so afraid that you would not believe me, that you would break our covenant. - Jesse did not wait any longer, took her mouth to show that it would never happen.
-Now I beg you, leave before anyone sees you. - She tried to push him away, but Blade did not move an inch.
-I'm not going anywhere without you, we're not going to part any more. Sorry to have left you behind, it will not happen again. I'll take you everywhere, in my arms if I have to.
Blade's eyes were intense, two sapphires shining from the tears he was holding. The wind slowly swayed the trees in the cemetery, causing a long, scary whistle. Jesse's hair fell over his face, and he took them gently away.
- Ah! Blade, I love you so much! - She fell into his arms crying non-stop. That was his way of saying he loved her. Maldonado lifted her in his arms and walked with his angel, who was still crying with his face hidden in his chest.
-I'll take care of you, angel! - He whispered, placing a kiss on the rebellious curls. And he took her home, his home.
- I got news, Blade! It took me a while, but I was able to find the exact location of the family home of the accursed Matteo in Puerto Rico. -Li stopped talking as soon as he saw Jesse crouched beside his partner holding his hands with his head down.
The Chinese hair´s was all messy and dark circles around his eyes, he had spent the night working hard to find the address of the Castelli family.
-If I said I'm sorry about what happened to your father, I'd be lying, Jesse. But, yes, for you, who is too good to love someone like him and suffer for his death. Li held her hand and hugged her in a sympathetic gesture.
-Did you know we're going to be uncles, Blade? - Bobbi came into the living room, not content with joy but restrained him as soon as he saw Jesse. He said nothing to her then hugged her.
- How are you dear? she kissed the young man's face.
-My condolences, Jesse, I'm so sorry! - And what they're talking about Blade, that's a lie! My brother would never do anything to hurt you, just like all of us, he loves you, at a different way of course, not even compare ... -Bobbi would continue talking if Blade did not interrupt him, totally embarrassed.
- Bobbi's here! - Jesse understands that you're sorry, leave her alone, boy. She already told me the news that we are going to be uncles soon I hope your brother will soon recover from the "car accident" to hear the news. -That was the excuse they gave Bobbi about what happened to Stephen. They needed to spare him as much as they could.
- We are all happy with the news, now go study for your graduate. We have to solve a problem of big people and do not go to sleep too late because tomorrow Sara comes early to pick you up to visit Estevão. She'll take care of you while we're gone, I hope she behaves. - Julius looked worried, scratching his head thoughtfully.
-I do not need anyone to take care of me, damn it! - I'm a grown man, trained lawyer. I know you're going after those who are trying to incriminate Blade and I want to help. The young man was clenching his fists. Bobbi was a sweetheart until they played with one of the brothers.
- Thanks God that Stephen is not here to hear you say that ugly word, that you take a slap in the mouth?- One more and I wash it with soap, now go to your room and do not leave until one of your brother´s orders - Li shouted with his younger brother, holding himself so that he did not slap his ass.
-I'm not going anywhere, and I'm going to sleep anytime I want, everyone my age stays up late. - He folded his arms in rebellion.
-You're not everyone, brat! - And you're going to your room now, and if Iin five minutes from now and you not be sleeping, you're going to get caught for the first time in your life. -Blade was taxpayer and pitiful of Bobbi if he stubborn with him.
-But I'm not sleepy, Blade! - Bobbi whined.
-Your problem's four minutes now. And when Stephen wakes up, he'll hear of it. Do we have a deal? -Blade knew how to be evil when he wanted to.
- Yes, sir! And so the young man went to the bedroom, muttering.
-You were not going to hit him for real, were you? – Julius asked his eyebrow arched.
-No, but let him go to sleep and think so. Blade did not want to be a father, but he would be one of the good ones. -That thought made Jesse smile, the first of the day.
- When are we going to Puerto Rico? Because I'm not your little sister, you can´t forbid me from anything. -Jesse was speaking very seriously and everyone knew that especially Maldonado.
-You're not fucking going anywhere, you will keep your mother and your little sister quiet at home. - Blade tried not to raise his voice, but it was too late, when he saw it, he was already screaming. -Let's not play house if that's what you're thinking, we want revenge, kill as many of them as possible. – Break even with no shred of honor. His eyes flashed with anger.
-You promised you would not leave me behind anymore, that you would take me wherever you went. - She blinked several times not to cry, Blade knew that nothing he said would change her mind.
- Great! If you go it's your problem we leave at five in the morning.
He scowled, stepping hard toward his room, but not before he passed Bobbi's to see if he was asleep. The poor boy was.
- Are you mad at me? - Jesse asked, leaning against the doorway.
Blade was lying on the bed with his back to it, remained in the same position, silent. Realizing that there would be no answer from him, she lay beside him, hugging his waist.
-Let not go to sleep fighting today. I need you to hold me and tell me everything's going to be okay because we'll work it out together, - she whispered into his ear, and he turned his body to face her and hugged her, resting Jesse's head on his chest.
-It's going to be okay because we're going to solve the problems together. - He let out a long sigh, in fact he wanted to ask her not to go.
- Perfect! But take that sour off your face so I will think you're saying this just to please me.
In fact, he was and made no point in hiding it. Jesse shifted in his arms, feeling them tighten around his body.
-And I am, - he said flatly. He was not going to pretend to be okay with it if he was not.
-Why do not you want me not to go with you? - As much as my father did not do it, I want to help get the man who killed him so cowardly. He deserved to have been arrested and tried for everything he did. Jesse just wanted him to understand his side, to trust her.
- Because I'm fucking scared! I can´t take it if something happens to you, this is too much for me. He released her, sitting on the bed so that Jesse could not see his face. -It's enough of what happened to Stephen, he's lying in that cold hospital bed because of me. I would give anything to be in his place, my life if I had to. And there's Bobbi, Sara's smart, but what if she does be able protecting my boy? Everyone who is important to me is taking a risk, Li and Julius tomorrow will risk their lives fighting in a war that is not theirs is mine. -Her voice faltered when she realized that Blade for the first time in her life was really crying. Jesse noticed that it was he who needed a hug, to hear that everything would be all right because they were together.
-Do not cry, my love, I love you so much. It's going to be all right, I'm here with you. - She hugged him back tightly, filling him with kisses.
- Please, do not go! Stay with Sara and Bobbi, waiting for me, -she pleaded, her face filled with tears.
-I will not leave you now or ever! - She held the face of the man she loved in her hands, looking deep into her eyes.
- We do not know what we are going to find in Puerto Rico, we will be entering a nest of snakes. Besides, I did not want you to see me in action, it can be pretty scary. You're going
to see the monster I am, and you're going to be afraid of me. Even Blade's crying was discreet, silent.
-I'm probably going to fall more and more in love with my hero in action. Jesse rested her head on his broad back, and felt his warm tears slide down her. I saw you in action when you saved me from being raped at the bar by those horrible men and it was at that moment that I fell in love with you. - Her soft voice soothed him with fear, it always calmed down.
-I'm not a hero Jesse get it out of your head. I was not born to be a good person, so do not expect too much from me. - He stroked her hands, which met with each other with fingers intertwined around his chest.
-My birthday is almost a month from now, over Christmas. My dad never liked that date because of that. He did not let us having parties and humiliated me more than usual, finding reasons to punish me. That's why I felt bad whenever that date drew near, afraid of the wickedness it would do to me. It is horrible to say so, but I feel relieved to know that from now on I will live in peace. Relieved, because my mother is free to be happy alongside someone who truly deserves her, and my sister will not have to be perfect all the time to please the family, to please him. Relieved to realize that I do not have to follow in his footsteps and finally dedicate myself to my dream of being a photographer and doing it around the world. Since I was a teenager I am saving money for this and I would be very happy if after this mess end, you would come with me on this journey. - Jesse cried compulsively.
Blade never thought about having children, that's a fact. He did not want to pass his bad blood on him, but if he was a normal man and lucky like Major Carter was to have a nice family like his, he would have spent every minute with them. Jesse was such a good person that he felt guilty for being free of his father's evil deeds and his oppression. That was what he loved most about her, the ability to give love to the undeserving.