When all else ends

After a long day at work, District Attorney Isabella Santos finally arrived home. She kicked off her shoes at the entrance, hung up her bag and coat, and let her hair down from a high ponytail. As she stepped into the living room, she called out to Alexa to play her favorite Spotify playlist. The first notes of “Mi Gente” by J Balvin, Willy William, and Beyoncé filled the air. Making her way to the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of red wine and took a sip, gazing out into space before noticing an empty glass and a pack of San Andrés Mexican cigars on the counter. Slowly she looked under the counter where rested a hidden gun safe, quickly putting in the pull she pulled out a revolver. She began to search her home carefully for any signs of an intruder. After clearing the ground floor, she made her way upstairs, checking each room on the second floor, all of which appeared empty. Letting her guard down, she turned to leave her bedroom, only to come face-to-face with an intruder, confusion washing over her as she pointed her gun at him. “Don’t move!” she shouted. Just then, another gunman emerged from the closet behind her, pressing a gun to her head. Her heart raced until she heard him speak softly, “Drop it, Bunny.” Slowly, she lowered her weapon to the floor. “What did he do this time?” she asked, raising her hands in surrender. The intruder in the hallway rushed forward to grab her gun, tucking it into his waistband. “Go get the car ready, Carlos,” the man with the gun commanded the young man, who looked no older than nineteen. As Carlos hurried away, she turned to face the man holding the gun to her head. “Isn’t this a bit much?” she asked, her voice steady despite the situation. He puts the gun away and grabbed her arm behind her back forcing her against the wall. Causing her to hit head, “f**k,” she screamed trying to push him off her. Despite her efforts her pushed against her to where she couldn’t move, he leaned in and used his other hand to brush the hair out of her face forcing a kiss on her lips. Then grabbed a roll of duct tape from his coat wrapping it once around her wrist then grabbing the other and binding them together. Isabella’s irritation was louder than her own words but that didn’t stop him from throwing her over her shoulders and walking downstairs. As soon as he walked out the door she started screaming and causing a scene so that someone could hear her, in hopes to be saved. Slowly the neighbors cut on their lights, so he quickly shoved her in the truck and hoping in with her. Carlos took off in a haste so they couldn’t be seen. Meanwhile in the backseat, Isabella’s mouth was be taped shut. “Come on, Nico not to rough,” Carlos stated peering through the rearview mirror. But he didn’t listen after binding her feet climbed on top of her and grabbed her neck, “pull that move again and I will shoot you! “He whispered. After a single tear fell from her face, he got up allowing her to sit up in the seat. She sat still as he buckled her in for the rest of their ride. That 30 minutes from a private airfield owned by her family. When they arrived, Carlos parks the car and prepares to help Nico get her out the car. While Nico takes off the tape on her mouth, “try and run…well you know it’s pointless right. Follow Carlos to the jet,” he stated while unbinding her feet then her hands. She nodded calmly waited for him to open the door. Once they go onto the jet they met with the head of the cartel and his security. The leader stood up to acknowledge their presence, “ahhhh, mi dulce hija.” He hugged and planted kisses on each of her cheeks before realizing the bruise on her forehead. “Hi, papa,” Isabella softly spoke reluctantly hugging her estrange father. this being only the second time they’ve seen each other since her high school graduation. “What happened to you,” he questioned her sternly. She shooked her head refusing to answer him. He welcomes her to have a seat, in which she again refuses. “Why am I here papa, is it Javier?” she questioned, “Papa I can’t keep sticking my neck out for him I’m sorry.” He slams his hand on the tabled, “you will do as I say to protect this family! I didn’t allow you to become this to betray us,” he voiced. “I could lose everything behind him!” she exclaimed fighting back her tears. He looked at her and then back down to the table, “listen they screwed up bad. And Javi will go down for it Bella,” he paused, “you will lose your brother and maybe this family with him.” She stood there looking at how angry he was, feeling empathetic to his cry for help. She reluctantly she asked her father what happened. As he begins to explain the gruesome murder carried out by his son, Isabella realizes there’s no way possible she could save him. Once he finished the story, she sat down trying ease the sick feeling in her gut. “I need a drink,” she stated trying to unravel the situation. “How could you allow him to be a part of that?!” her anger filled the plane, her tears finally reaching their limits before the water overflowed. “I can’t protect him papa, the FBI is going to investigate that crime. I have already buried crimes for you!” she ranted until Nico yells, “which means you will go down to.” She paused looking at him then back at her father. “Let me out,” she demanded. No one moved so she stood up and again demanded that she be let go. “sit down!” Nico yelled at her stepping toe to toe with her. She wasn’t going to back down not to him her father anyone, she taught herself better. However, her father hated seeing her angry, “take her home Nico,” he stated, “but don’t leave her until our problem levels out”. This only adding fuel to her anger, “I am not having him follow me around like some lost mutt,” she voiced. Her father sat down and lit his cigar and stated, “you don’t have the choice.” With that Nico grabbed her by her arms and walked her off the plane. Once he got her to the car, he opened her door and this time allowed her to get in at her own will. The drive home was another thirty minutes, with nothing but silence and anger. Once they reached her home Nico was cautious to drive around her block twice before pulling in her driveway. Before she could open her door, he locked it, trapping her in and forcing her to talk to him. He turned off the car and faced her, “Come on now bunny, we need you,” he stated brushing her hair back, “I need you.” Leaning in for a kiss in which she refused. “Unlocked the door,” she quietly spoke. He sat back into the driver’s seat and unlocked her door allowing her to get out. He watched as she got out and walked into her house without saying a word. After five minutes in deep thought he decides to get out and go inside. Searching for her he finally finds her in the bathroom of her master suite, with the door on partially opened. He crept in the steamed filled room and watched her, listen to her quiet tears he decided to join in on the shower and try to console her. Opening the shower door and stepping in, her pulled her in close and just held her. Her cries filled the air and echoed through her apartment. At first, he said nothing just listened for almost thirty minutes, till finally he spoke, “I’m sorry bunny, I know you hate this but it’s who you are.” She mustered up the strength through her tears, “no, I left. I ran away from that life; he just won’t let me go.” She rested on his chest and didn’t say a word for a while. Till finally she was okay again, calming herself to the sound of his heartbeat like she use to when they were young and in love. A love that was toxic and forbidden but theirs. She lifted her head locking eyes with him, their eyes screaming for lips to touch. After refusing him all day would she submit to him like she use to or turn away, again. After a few more seconds their lips met, and in this moment all she could remember was he was her home when all else ends. He was the one she calls and as much as she hated it, she could stop now. She needed him. She broke the kiss and rested their heads on each other, “I need to go to bed tomorrow going to be tough,” she spoke softly trying not to let his touch phase her as he caressed her thighs and gripped at her ass. She turned and cut the shower off and opened the shower door to grab her towel wrapping it around her she steps out the shower and leaves him alone. Eventually he got out and grabbed a towel from her stack in the bathroom closet. Walking to her room, watching her prepare for the night. “You still have your bag here from a few months back. I washed them,” she stated rubbing lathering her skin with lotion. He hung his head and walked up behind her wrapping his hands around her waist. Planting kisses over on her neck and shoulders, every kissed would set a nerve in her body on fire. Setting her back to the burning sensation of the “could have been”, she turned around to face him. Taking a minute to stare at his body, dripping with the water from the shower that raced down his abs and on to the towel. He begins again placing kisses all over her this time trailing them down her body and back up. He lifts her and places her on the dresser and undid her towel, caressing every inch of her body till his hand stopped at her v****a making the beginning of a long night. The next, morning he woke up cuffed to her bed with her gone. “Damn it,” he shouted in disbelief he let her slip out that easily. She had to of course got to work to deal with her brother’s case, to see if he. ‘Was in custody? What was the evidence against him?’ These questions ran through her head as she walked through the halls of the district attorney’s office. Finally reaching her bosses office she opened the door to be met by him and two FBI agents. “Good morning, Santos!” her boss said as he stood up to greet her. She smirked, “you called sir?” she asked suspicious as to why she’s there with two federal agents. “Santos this is agents Donovan and Lachey, they are investigating a murder that took place last a couple days back and have requested that with your knowledge of the Los Zetas cartel that you be a part of the case,” he explained. Her mouth dropped, “all due respect sir I would rather not,” she expresses. He looked at her and informed her that the request has been fulfilled and she has no other choice. Even soften the blow with how much of a career altering opportunity this was for her. She only nodded and led the agents to her office so that she could be caught up to speed on the case. Once they finished going through the case, informing her of the evidence, suspects and possible motives she felt sick. Her brother was at the of that list, but she showed no sign of panic. She continued to listen to the facts of the case: two rivals at war till a leader is dead a long with his wife and kids. The women housed also missing if not r***d and killed. ‘Javier Guzman was f**k beyond saving’ she thought. “Any suspects in custody?” she asked afraid to hear the answer. “One,” agent Lachey answered, “Felipe Quintilla, one of the female housed at the residence of the Sinaloa Cartel hid and placed him and Guzman there at the location.” Isabella couldn’t believe they were that stupid. To be seen, let alone caught. “ok so where’s Guzman?,” she asked pulling her hair to the side and leaning back. “we don’t know we think he fled the country,” agent Donovan stated. “which is where I come in? you want me to do offer Quintilla a deal?” she questioned in full curiosity. “Immunity and witsec,” Lachey gulped “considering the position he held within the cartel we believe that we have a way to bring down the Los Zetas. However, he’d have to get a meeting with Guzman.” Isabella was in no position to set her brother up like that but she couldn’t refuse to set the deal. So she signed for the deal to put in place, “let me know when the meet is happening I want to be there. Got it?” she demanded. They agents nodded; the three went back to inform Quintilla about the deal and the terms of it. terms. Isabella stayed outside of the interrogation room knowing that if he saw her, he wouldn’t accept the deal. After he signed all needed documents, he was free to go but he was notified that he had to check in every hour until they both were in custody. Agent Donovan had agent Lachey to walk out Quintilla as he sat back and spoke with Isabella. “What you think?” he asked standing to the side of her handing her his file. “I think you should double up on surveillance if you lose him, you lose your shot at bringing down Los Zetas,” she informed him of the steaks of the case,” I’m going for lunch call me if he makes a move,” she stated hiding him her card before she walked out. Mesmerized by her attitude and confidence he chuckled to himself, as he walks to his desk. Isabella spent her lunch trying to get back home to Nico. When she arrived, he was downstairs relaxing looking at TV. He stood up, “that was low Bunny,” he stated in deep and disappointed voice. She quickly ran up to him, “I know you’re mad but I need you to get Javi out of this country ASAP. Felipe just signed a deal to bring him in,” she went on to explain the terms of the deal. Nico shook his head and stated, “I’ll make a few phone calls, but your father will kill me if I leave you.” “Now about the bags you packed this morning, where are they,” he asked her. “What bags?” she tried to act as if she knew nothing. He reached for her hand and walk her to the sofa, “Nico this is my lunch I have to go back to work so please” she begged. He then grabbed the remote and turn on her security system replaying the entire night. From the time she got carried out of the house to the moment he laid in bed with her to the moment she left. “You have security cameras in my house!” she screamed at him tossing a pillow at his face in which he dodges. She gets up to leave but he grabs her and throws her back into the couch this time climbing on top of her pinning her to the couch. “Stop it!” he screamed at her. “Get off me, Nico,” she screamed infuriated with him about the cameras. “Why, huh? So, you can run off on me like you did before,” he yelled back. “I only went back for you!” she reaffirmed, “I went back against everything to protect you! I’m trying to keep Javi out of jail, so you don’t go down with my father’s s**t show.” Realizing the hurt in her voice her sat up, “I’ll call your father tell him the deal Felipe made”. She slid from under him as he reached for his phone and grabbed her keys preparing to leave. “I want you gone by the time I come home.” She said but before slipping out she informed him to remove all the cameras he has up in her home. She headed back into work trying to hold her s**t together. Walking into the FBI office she waltzes up to Donovan and asked if Felipe checked in since it has been an hour and a half. “He’s made contact,” agent Donovan stated looking up from his computer. She sat her bag in the chair beside his desk, “and?” she asked folding her arms. Donovan stood up and stated, “and we have meeting tonight.” She raised her eyebrows, “What? No, if this meeting goes down tonight, they must have something planned’” she warned. “What would you have us to do. Not like we can cancel it,” he stated. She sighed trying thinking about ways to protect both Felipe and her brother but how? Knowing how vicious her family is she knew Felipe wasn’t leaving that meeting alive. “When is it,” she asked trying to see if there was time to prevent whatever her father plan is. Donovan looked at his watch, “two hours, Lachey is with him walking him through the plan,” he answered. Isabella rolled her eyes which didn’t go unnoticed by him. “What?” he asked leaning onto his desk. she shook her head, “walk me through the plan,” she answered. With that he went through the plan with her explaining where the agents and snipers would be placed. The layout of the location of the meet as well as the safe word Felipe must use. “I want to be there,” she stated. Donovan surprise by her enthusiasm chuckled, “absolutely not,” he stated. “you’d just be another civilian in the way. We got this.” She smacked her lips and voiced, “I can take care of myself, just get me a vest.” Lachey walks in with a cup of coffee, “a vest for what, Quintilla?” she asked taking a sip from her cup. “oh he ready by the way their just getting him wired,” she informed them. “Santos want to join in and watch the meet,” Donovan answered. “Not that I don’t trust you, but I’d prefer my asset live through this,” Isabella snapped back. “Oh, absolutely not,” she answered. “I won’t leave the van. And like I said he need to be alive in order to catch these guys,” Isabella argued. The agents looked at each other, “I’m sorry exactly what do you plan to do exactly oversee us doing our job?” Lachey snapped. Taking back by the sudden change in attitude in Lachey, Donovan spoke up, “we’ll get you a vest.” Lachey in utter shock by his response she rolled her eyes and walked away to her desk. After 15 minutes, they drove to a corner a block away from the meeting site and waited for the meeting to take place. Listening to the to the audio from the agents radioing repetition of the word, “check,” filled the van. “This secure enough for you?” agent Donovan joked. “Lachey should be getting a camera set up for us to see what’s happening” he added pointing at the mini-TV. Soon a clear picture came up marking the beginning of a tragic situation. As the time went by a dark SUV pulls up with no identifying markings, after parking three armed men exited the vehicle two of them being Carlos and Nico. After seeing this a silent panic grew over Isabella because she knew this wasn’t going to end well. Five minutes later Felipe walks with a hood hung over his head as if he was in hiding. “I don’t see Guzman,” Isabella started with concern in her voice. “That’s not good,” Donovan stated. “where’s Javi,” Felipe asked. Just as he finished the question Nico pulls out a gun, “Javi wanted me to tell you. He’ll take care of Marci and the boys”. “All units move in! NOW DAMN IT,” Donovan yelled into the mic jumping out of the van. Instruction Santos to stay put before shutting her in. Running toward the meeting, all hell broke loose ending in a shoot-out between the feds and Los Zatas foot shoulders. After a few shots echoed through the vacant construction site Nico, Filipe and the other man was gunned down. Two agents and Carlos were wounded however, that did not stop agents Donovan and Lachey from wanting to bring Carlos in for questioning. After finally securing the scene Donovan went back to the van to see Isabella puking in a KFC bag. “You, ok?” he asked stepping into the van to assist her. “Yeah, I think I got some on my pants. “She gasped. “I can ask Elise to wrap up here and run you home for a new pair. You live near here, right?” he offered showing concern for her. She sat back in the chair tucking her hair behind her ears, “yeah about 15 minutes from here off Anderson drive,” she answered. He leaves her in the car to explain the situation with his partner then to grab the car. Then back to her, “you ready?” he asked swinging the doors open to the van. “Yeah,” she stated standing up and walking off the van. Soon they were off to her home giving her the chance to change and clean whatever puke that was left in her hair. She took a quick shower and washed her hair, trying to fathom the fact she lost her best friend and lover. No matter how badly the y treated each other he was her home., her safety net and she just watched him die. She eventually gets herself together and headed downstairs to the agent who sat patiently in his car. She took a few deep breaths preparing for what’s next but not even she could’ve foreseen her faith.