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“Oh my, I’m not sure that I’m going to pass the test,” I hum, tossing my wallet into my purse.

“The test was hard, but I know that you will. You got this,” Heather says, pulling out her cell phone.

She looks at the screen and runs her fingers over the screen.

“We will know soon, but don’t worry,” Marissa says, nodding.

“Yeah, but the last two questions were hard. It took me a few to get the answer, but I’m not sure it was right,” I say, taking a few steps.

“Let’s not worry until we get the results,” Marissa says, walking next to me.

“I can’t wait for Friday; the new Fuego Club is the hot spot,” Heather says, walking up to us.

“I love the new dress; it’s perfect,” Marissa hums, pulling out her cell from her purse.

We walk out of the store, and the smell of the pizza hits me, making my stomach twist.

“I’m hungry,” I say, looking at the pizza place. I inhale the yummy smell of the fresh pizza.

“So am I. Let’s get some pizza, and then we can see a movie,” Marissa says.

“Yes, let’s do that,” I say, nodding.

“I’ll get the pizza,” Heather hums.

“Okay, I’ll get the car, and you two can get us the pizza. Don’t forget the salad,” I say, taking the bags from their hands.

“I’ll go with you,” Marrisa says, holding onto her bag.

“No need to; Heather needs help with the food.”

“Okay,” Marissa says, nodding.

I start walking down the walkway and take a step to cross the street when someone grabs me by my ponytail.

“Let me go!”

“Shut the fuck up, you stupid bitch,” the man shouts, shaking my ponytail.

He turns me around by my hair, and pain shoots through my scalp. The bastard is going to pull my hair out.

I drop the bags, fist my hands, and hit his chest. I stare up at the big man, and I mean big, tall, heavy, just huge. He has a beard, long hair, and dark mean eyes. Fucking scary man, and he won’t let me go. I kick his leg, and he pulls my hair, shifting me to the side, laughing.

“Bitch, calm the fuck up,” the man scoffs, smirking.

“Let me go! Help!”

“Shut your trap! I need to take you to the Boss. You’re the Cartel’s property,” the man hisses.

“What the fuck are you talking about! You crazy son of bitch!”

“Shut up! Your Dad is the Capo Adolfo Fuentes, and the Boss has decided to take you as an asset for the Cartel,” he smirks, yanking me around.

“You’re a crazy motherfucker! I don’t have a Dad! Let me go! Help! Help,” I yell, trying to kick him higher, like in the fucking balls, but I can’t reach that far.

The man is extending his long arms, keeping me at a distance, laughing as he pulls me around like a fucking rag doll.

“Stupid puta,” he growls, pulling me closer and hitting me with his huge, meaty fist.

I see stars.

Twinkling stars.

I blink, trying to clear my eyes, feeling weak and dizzy. I never believed people who would say that they saw stars, but fuck, you do.

“Let her go,” my girls yell.

Marissa and Heather run over and start hitting the thug. Heather kicks him and somehow manages to kick his balls. The man hollers, releasing my ponytail, and falls onto his knees, grabbing his junk.

“Fucking bitch,” the man yells.

“Come on,” I yell, grabbing the bags and running to my car.

I open the car door, throw the bags inside, and start it. My girls jump in, and I start the car. I’m so damn scared; with shaking hands, I push my fingers through my hair, looking around the parking lot.

“Let’s go,” Marissa says in a low whisper, looking around the lot.

“Yes, let’s go before the behemoth comes after us,” Heather says, looking around.

“Yeah,” I utter in a low voice, nodding.

I grab the steering wheel, shift the car into drive, and pull out of the parking stall. I drive across the parking lot to exit on the other side, away from the thug.

What the fuck is the man talking about?

Mom never told me anything about my father. In fact, she said that my Dad was killed in a car accident before I was born.

Now, this dangerous animal is trying to take me.

This is fucking crazy!

I need to talk to Mom; I need some answers. But she’s at work.

“Who was he,” Marissa asks, after a few minutes.

“I don’t know,” I say, chewing my lower lip.

“What did he say,” Heather asks.

“That his Boss wants me, and that’s fucking scary. I don’t know what that means,” I say, my throat closing up.

“Okay, let’s get to your house; we can order some pizza and have some wine. I’m sure that will help you calm down,” Marissa says.

“Yes, wine sounds good.”

The sunshine filters through the blinds, and the sounds of the garbage truck picking up the garbage cans and dropping them back on the ground wake me up. The sharp pain pierces my head; it must be from the wine or the fucking hit I took to my face. But I did drink a lot of wine to keep from getting hysterical. It’s not every day that someone tries to take you.

Plus the man said that my Dad is alive.

Fuck!

I close my eyes tight, rolling over onto my stomach, seeing the image in my mind of the thug trying to take me. My heart still pounds fast, just remembering the huge thug. I still can’t believe that I escaped with my girl's help. I press my lips tight, roll onto my back, and force my eyelids open even though I really want to sleep in. Mom should be getting up soon. I get out of bed, take care of business, and walk to the kitchen for coffee. I make my coffee and take a few sips, looking around the small apartment. Mom works as a nurse; the apartment is small, but it’s not bad. We’re not rich, but we live comfortably in this modest apartment. We’ve always lived here; it’s home.

A few minutes later, Mom walks into the kitchen, pulling her robe close. She looks at me, walks over to grab a cup, and pours the coffee.

“Buenos dias, mija, you’re up early,” She says, taking a sip of coffee.

“Mama, si, I need to talk to you,” I say, taking another drink.

“Si, what about,” Mama asks, leaning against the kitchen counter.

“Mama, yesterday I went shopping with my chicas, a huge man attacked me, tried to take me, and the monster hit me in the face. But my chicas helped me get away from him.”

“Oh, dios mio, are you okay,” Mama asks, wide-eyed.

She sets the coffee cup on the countertop and walks over to examine my face. She grabs my chin and moves my face to look at the bruise.

“It’s just a bruise, Mama,” I hum, closing my eyes.

“Si, but I want to make sure,” Mama says, nodding.

“Mama, my face is fine, but the thug shouted that his Boss, the Cartel Boss, wants me. That I’m Cartel’s property and that my Dad is alive. Alfonso Fuentes, a Capo for the Cartel. Is it true? Mama, tell me that you didn’t lie to me all my life,” I say in a low voice, pulling away from her.

I wipe the tears that start falling, and I angrily wipe them with the back of my hand. I look at Mama, watching her close her eyes.

“Talk to me!”

Mama moves her arm and runs her fingers through her short, dark, wavy hair. She grabs the coffee cup and takes a drink. She holds it and stares at me with sad eyes.

“Mija, si. Your Dad is alive. I left him because I didn’t want you exposed to that life. I worked hard to become a nurse, and your Dad respected my decision. He has always sent money, but I asked him to stop visiting when you turned three.

“What the hell! Are you serious? I have a Dad, and you kept him away from me,” I yell, pacing around the kitchen and running my fingers through my hair.

“Si, I did. I don’t regret it because you’ve been able to live a normal life.”

“Right. But now the Cartel wants me, for who knows what. The thug said that I’m the Cartel’s property! What the hell! This is a nightmare,” I hiss, closing my eyes, running my fingers through my hair, and pulling it back.

“Your Dad will resolve this. Mija, don’t worry.”

“Oh my god,” I yell.

Mama walks over and hugs me, crying. She buries her face on my shoulder. After a few minutes, Mama pulls away, scrubbing her face. She crosses her arms and looks at me.

“Mija, I’m so sorry. But you need to be careful because if that man said that the Cartel Boss wants you, it must be true. I’m going to call your Dad, and I promise that I’ll make him stop this nonsense.”

“Oh, Mama, I hope it works because I’m terrified of that man and the idea of the Cartel trying to own me.”