Little Light of Mine (Club Decadence) (15 page)

In addition to the Rossi team, they were joined by Detective Angela Hixson from the SAPD.  She was also Megan’s cousin and was present to take Elena’s statement.  A BOLO had already been issued for Luis Lopez with the description and still shots Rossi had provided from their surveillance feeds.   

Dex started the meeting.  “Ok, tell me what you’ve got.  T?”

“I lost him down on Fifth Street.  It’s farmer’s market day and there were hundreds of people.  He could have turned down any of those alleys.”

Dex looked at the police detective who shook her head, as she had nothing to report yet. 

Not having much else to go on, Cap asked, “Where do you want to go from here?”

“Elena does not leave my sight until we find this asshole.  Cap, you’ll have to get someone to cover for me.  I was leaving for Colorado tomorrow on a lead on a new skip.  Jason or Kyle should be able to handle him.”  Cap nodded and Dex’s eyes turned to Rick.  “I need security set up here and at her parent’s house - phones, video and a man on them, in case he makes contact there.”

“Done.”  Rick agreed.  “What can you tell us about Luis, Elena?  Friends, co-workers, hangouts?” 

“The two creeps that he hangs out with are Bobby Mancini and Eduardo... I don’t know his last name.  I’ve already given you their descriptions.  He doesn’t have any other friends or a girlfriend that I know of.  He hasn’t been to see Papa in months, since well before his stroke.  He doesn’t call so we never know when he’ll show up.  That’s about it.”

Dex looked down at Elena and delivered some bad news.  “We are going to have to tell your parents something
,
Chiquit
a
.   They’ll wonder about the security and they have to know that Luis is a threat.”

Elena nodded and looked down at her hands.  A teardrop dripped off her cheek and splashed on the back of one hand.  He pressed a kiss to her temple, “I know this is hard, little one but I’ll be right there with you.”

Dex and Elena arrived at her parent’s home about eight that night.  Elena was visibly shaking and Dex had to pull her from his car.  “They have to know what he’s capable of Elena.  It’s vital to their safety.”

“Just the assault and what he said about not being blood kin, Dex.  Promise me.  I couldn’t stand for them to know the rest.”

“There are pictures and video out there, Elena.  That means there is always a chance they will find out.”

“
Dios mi
o
.  I couldn’t stand for them to see.”  She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, “or you Dex.  What they did to me.”

“Elena, you’re the victim here.  This wasn’t your fault and it doesn’t affect how much I love you.  It will be the same for you
r parents.”

“I’m not ready, Dex, please.”  She clung to him trying to get him to agree, desperate for his support.

“All right, honey.  But you are going to have to tell them eventually.”

As he escorted her to the door he got a strange feeling.  Jonas was on duty tonight he knew because they had passed his truck parked down the street.  He would have been watching for any suspicious activity but he was just one pair of eyes.  Rick had installed a silent alarm that afternoon while her parents were out of the house.  The full tech crew was due to install the rest of the security including the cameras once they had explained the situation to Elena’s parents.  But something didn’t feel right in his gut and he issued a warning.  “Wait a minute, honey.”

But Elena had already used her key and let them into her parent’s small, ranch style house.  The lights were off which she found odd.  She stood in the open airway turning back to see what was wrong when an arm wrapped around her throat from behind.  She was dragged inside the house and something cold and hard pressed against her temple.

A familiar voice echoed through the room.  “One wrong move and I shoot your little whore, Sargent.”

As they stood in the dark entryway with only a slim sliver of light from the street, Dex saw Luis holding a gun to Elena’s head.  Fear consumed him as he read the desperation in the other man’s face. 

“Come in and close the door.”

He backed a safe distance from Dex, the whole time pushing the gun barrel against her temple.

“Easy Lopez, what do you want?”

“I’m here to pick up a little stash I have hidden, then me and my little sister here are going to take a little trip.”

“That’s not going to happen, Lopez.”  Dex’s voice was like cold steel.  Hard and inflexible.

“I’m the one who has the gun here, asshole.  I’m calling the shots.”

“If you shoot her you’re dead.  You won’t make it past the front door because right before I separate your fucking head from your shoulders, I’m gonna rip off your disgusting prick and shove it up your cowardly, rapist ass.”  His eyes didn’t leave the gun and Luis’ trigger finger.

“I could always shoot you instead.”  Luis turned the gun on Dex and Elena stiffened.

“No, don’t shoot him.” Dex met her eyes and she read the silent instruction in his expression.  She knew he had a plan.  She had to distract Luis so that Dex could disarm him or carry out whatever he had in mind.  She remembered her defense training and how to get out of the choke hold position.  She looked back to Dex and gave a barely perceptible nod.

“I’ll give you three seconds to let her go, Lopez.  One.”  Dex didn’t flinch as Luis laughed at him.

“Two.” 

“I have the gun
,
Cabró
n
!”

Before he could count to three, Hector Lopez appeared around the corner with his shotgun raised to his shoulder.   He startled all three of them as his gravelly voice shouted one of the few words he was able to: “No!”

It was just the distraction Dex needed.  He charged the other man, grabbing his gun hand pushing it up and away from both him and Elena.  He slammed his wrist against the wall and the gun clattered to the floor at their feet.  The two men struggled, fists flying and furniture overturning as they fell to the floor and grappled for position.  Dex had about twenty pounds on Luis who was a surprisingly scrappy fighter, but Dex was able to get him in a vulnerable position on the floor.  The momentum shifted when Luis pulled a knife from his boot and held it against Dex’s jugular. 

Both men froze as Elena’s voice penetrated the sound of their harsh breathing. “Drop the knife or I’ll shoot you dead you bastard.” 

Luis looked at her over Dex’s shoulder, stunned.   Elena held his own weapon on him and it was pointed straight at his head.  She even seemed to know what she was doing.  “You wouldn’t shoot your own brother would you, little sister?”

“You can count on it.  Drop the knife.  And don’t call me that anymore, you pig.  I am not your sister.”  Luis moved the knife away and dropped it.  Dex immediately slid it across the floor and out of reach.  He then stood and went to a trembling Elena. 

“Give me the gun, baby.”  Dex held his hand out for the weapon, she still had her finger on the trigger and it was aimed for a headshot just like he’d taught her.

“NO!  I want him dead.”  Her voice shook as she relived every vile and disgusting moment of her rape.  “I can still feel his filthy hands on me Dex.  I can’t shake it.”

“Baby, please give me the gun.  We’ll lock him up and throw away the key.  He’ll pay.”

She started to weep and the gun wavered as she spoke haltingly, memories flooding her, as she looked at the man responsible for her pain.  She forgot her parent’s presence as her traumatized mind tried to suppress the horrifying memories, but they came spilling out.  “He raped me in my own bedroom, Dex.  I had to suffer the humiliation of sleeping in that room, night after night, reliving his violation.  He hit me, kicked me and broke my ribs.  I want him to die so I don’t have to look at his disgusting face, ever again.” 

Dex watched Elena close her eyes tightly and knew this was a sign she was going to pull the trigger.  He lunged for her, knocking her arm upward as her weapon discharged, once then a second shot rang out.  The room reverberated with sound, the report of the weapon, her mother’s screams and a loud crash as the front door slammed open and against the wall.  Elena cried out as he pried her shaking fingers from around the gun and pulled her against his chest.

As her mother’s piercing screams continued, they looked at her and found her hovering over a collapsed Hector.  Beside him lay a bleeding Luis with a gaping hole in his chest the size of a fist.  Maria was rambling incoherently in Spanish as she sobbed hysterically over her husband’s body. 

“Papa!”

Dex released her and she ran to kneel next to her father, her eyes and hands running over his slender frame searching frantically for signs of an injury.

“Holy shit, Dex.  What the hell happened?” Jonas stood in the open doorway taking in the scene.  “Jack alerted me that you had a situation.  I think I need to talk to him about his tendency for understatement.” 

Dex walked over to Luis’ body and leaning down touched his fingers to his throat checking for a pulse.  Of course, he didn’t expect one but he felt the need to verify that fact.  He stared at the huge hole knowing the wound hadn’t come from Elena’s 9mm but from Hector’s shotgun.  Her father, not Elena had killed him. 

Dex wished to God it had been him to pull the trigger instead.  He stared down at the bloody corpse of Luis Lopez and felt nothing but hatred and disgust.  His fists clenched and his body shook with barely contained rage as he thought about how this vile creature had raped and abused the most precious thing in his life.  He should have felt vindicated by his death but he felt cheated instead.  He wanted to make the bastard suffer as she had.  His death had come too easily, and it made him want to rail at the injustice of it all.  

Elena rose and stared at him over the dead body.  Her eyes locked on him as she read the emotions raging just below the surface.  “Dex, it’s over.”  When he continued to stare at the dead man at his feet she pleaded.  “Please
,
mi amo
r
.  Look at me.”

She saw Jonas approaching out of the corner of her eye.  He was there to provide whatever support the two of them needed, even if it meant taking down an out of control Dexter Russell.  His light blue eyes rose to hers and she could see him struggling to control his fury.  She lifted a hand to him in supplication, “Please, come to me Dex.  We are free now.  He can torment us no longer.”

He stared into her deep brown eyes for several minutes and she watched him slowly battle the demons that were waging war inside him.  “This pathetic excuse for a human being didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as you, let alone touch you.”  As he looked at her she saw his features slowly begin to soften and his body relaxed just a fraction, but she knew then that he was back in control.  “I feel cheated out of causing him the same excruciating fear and pain that he did to you.  But for you my love, I will walk away and try to take comfort in the knowledge that he will surely burn in hell for what he has done to you.  I only wish his suffering could be more.”  That said, he looked at the corpse with contempt and spit on the floor beside him.  He reached for her still outstretched hand and guided her around the expanding pool of blood on the floor, bringing her safely to his side.  Looking at his friend who was only an arm’s length away he assured him, “I’m under control now Jonas, you can stand down.”  Jonas nodded and Elena sent him a grateful look that spoke her silent gratitude.   

Dex moved Elena away from the gruesome scene and pulled out his phone.  “I guess we better call the authorities.  But first, I’m calling in Cap and the boys.”

Hours later, Elena sat numbly on the couch next to her Papa.  He had roused shortly after the shooting.  The traumatic scene and the recoil of the shotgun had been too much for his weakened state and he had slipped momentarily into unconsciousness.  Praying silently she held his hand.  Surely they wouldn’t arrest her Papa.  She listened to Dex outlining their case to the police detectives, explaining that it was self-defense.  The witness statements combined with Luis’ earlier assault on Elena and his mile long rap sheet made them disinclined to hold the older man responsible. 

Luis’ lifeless body had been rolled out in a body bag by the medical examiner about an hour ago.  Elena couldn’t bear to look at the blood stained carpet where he had died.  She felt like she was floating outside her body, watching the action like a spectator on the set of a police drama.  It was all so bizarre.  Her stable, orderly life had taken a catastrophic turn with Luis’ assault a few years ago.  With him gone now, maybe she could get off the crazy perpetual roller coaster ride her life had become.     

She squeezed her Papa’s hand tighter.  He had pulled the trigger and ended the life of her rapist.  She could only imagine what was going through his head - pain, remorse, guilt?  Although he could barely speak, he and his poor stroke ravaged body had mustered enough strength to intervene in a crisis making Luis’ pay the ultimate price for his crimes.  She worried how both of her parents would cope after this.

Chapter Fourteen

It was as if a cement block had been lifted from her chest and she could breathe again.  Despite the dramatic ending in her parents’ living room, Elena felt like she had closed the chapter in a horror novel and had moved on to a steamy romance.  In the past five days since Luis’ death, she and Dex had been inseparable.  When they gave their formal statements at police headquarters, he had been there with a supportive arm.  She was with him when he went to The Club or to Rossi, although he had taken a leave for a few weeks to help get her sorted after the incident.  They ate together, slept together and even bathed together.  Dex had insisted that she move in with him immediately.  He wanted her out of the room where Luis had attacked her and away from the scene of his gruesome death. 

She worried about her parents constantly.  They were in a state of shock and considering putting the place up for sale or rent to get out of the home where such a malevolent force had been fostered.  Elena thought that was an excellent idea but doubted the place would sell anytime soon considering the recent shooting and death there. 

Her father was guilt-ridden and depressed.  As Elena had predicted, he felt responsible for everything that had happened to his daughter as a result of his bringing Luis into their home.  This on top of his health issues placed a huge emotional burden on Hector, and she worried for her father’s mental health.  Elena had spoken with her new trauma therapist that day and shared her concerns with her.  They decided it would be good to include family therapy in her treatment plan, which would include both her parents and Dex and help them all deal with the horrific events and hopefully begin their healing as a family. 

“What’s that frown about?”

Her frown instantly dissolved and was replaced by a sweet, sexy smile as she looked at Dex standing in the bathroom door.   His tall muscular form was cast in shadow as he flipped off the bathroom light, leaving the bedroom lit only by the moonlight flooding in through the open French doors.  Elena stretched on the big, soft bed, arching her back seductively as he drew near.

“I love this great big bed, Dex.”  She curled and stretched playfully as she snuggled deeper into the piles of soft pillows and sheets.  “Mmmm… and these sheets are divine, what are they - a thousand thread count at least?”

He stood at the side of the bed looking down at her.  “That wasn’t an answer to my question.  Remember we talked about honesty
,
Chiquit
a
.  There will be no more lies, mysteries or surprises in our relationship.  So again, I’m asking you.  Why were you frowning?”

“I was thinking about papa and the shooting.  It was so horrible. I try to block it out
, but it keeps popping back into my head.  I’m so worried about him.”

“I think the family therapy will help us all but it will take time, my love.  Together we will learn to push aside these intrusive images and thoughts and replace them with happy memories, yeah?

“Yes, Sir,” She smiled up at him. “Can we start working on those happy memories now?”

He returned her smile with enthusiasm, overjoyed and relieved that she was back in his bed.  He reached down and slowly pulled off the top sheet, admiring the sight of her in his bed wearing only her skimpy amethyst gown.  As she lay on her stomach, the thin straps and plunging back bared her gently curving spine from the nape of her neck to the small of her flawless back.  Her silky legs were entirely exposed as the already short hem had ridden up and now just barely covered her enticingly rounded ass.

It was very sexy but it would have to go.  It was in his way.  “Come here, Elena.”  He crooked his finger in a beckoning motion and she immediately complied.  She crawled across the bed and the low neckline fell away from her chest revealing her small but perfectly shaped breasts.  When she was within reach he cupped her shoulders and brought her up to her knees at the edge of the mattress.

“Little one, while you look incredibly sexy in that gown, I want you naked.  Take it off.”  His eyes gleamed with barely contained arousal.  The slippery material glided over her skin and he watched eagerly as she pulled up her gown, revealing inch by beautiful inch.  His eyes drank in the sight of her pale thighs, slim hips and flat belly as the gown travelled upward.  Her nipples peaked in excitement as the material grazed her breasts and finally the gown was swept over her head and tossed aside.  Finally, she knelt gloriously naked before him.  Her skin gleamed in the silvery moonlight filtering in through the open doorway.    

When her hands were free she eagerly brought them up to touch his bare chest.  “Dex, I have to touch you.  Last time-,” she stopped abruptly.  She didn’t want to bring up their last session or remember his coldness.  That was before.

“
Chiquit
a
, can you ever forgive me for that ridiculous display of male pride?  Like an idiot, I thought if I kept my distance and remained detached I could have you without losing my heart again.  I was needlessly cold and distant.  I have to admit the plan was a colossal failure because every minute I was with you was torture.  I wanted nothing more than to hold you, and kiss you, and make you mine again despite the past.”

She glided her fingers and palms over his chest and flat abdomen, delighting in the feel of his body.  Leaning in, she spread kisses across his bare flesh and moaned as she breathed in his intoxicating scent.  “I was devastated, Dex.  That’s why I couldn’t continue with our arrangement.  I never stopped loving you, wanting you, craving you.”  She rose up and pressed her aching breasts against his warm, hard chest.  “But, I couldn’t be with you without you.  Does that even make sense?” 

“I know exactly what you mean and I’m sorry, little one.”  Both hands rose to cup her cheeks and he angled her head back seeking her mouth.  He devoured her as the kiss ignited their passions.  Although he wanted to give her time to touch and feel, to make up for him being a complete asshole the last time, he couldn’t hold back any longer.  Without breaking contact with her mouth, his hands swept over her shoulders and down her back until he grasped her hips and fitted her against him.  In an opened-mouth kiss, he slid down her cheek and then latched onto her neck, lashing her tattooed skin with long wet strokes of his tongue.  He felt her shiver and responded with a groan against her heated skin, “I ache for you, Elena.  Are you ready for this?”

He had learned that the only time she had been with anyone since the rape was their recent scene at The Club.  His guilt over the way he had treated her still weighed heavily on his mind.  She had responded eagerly and had come for him.  She hadn’t seemed afraid or distant until after, when he had left her alone.

“Can you ever forgive me for the last time?  I was a fool.”

“My love, you didn’t know.  You couldn’t.  It is my fault for not telling you and you hold none of the blame.”

“Let me make it up to you.  Lie back now and let me love you.” 

Without hesitation, she sank back onto the pillows, holding her arms out to him and spreading her legs as she offered him all she had to give.  Dex was on top of her in an instant, his weight and strength soothingly familiar.  As his arms came around her he rolled them, reversing positions so that she was on top.   “Take me deep inside and ride me.  I want you to be in control
as our bodies become one again.”  He pulled her face down until they were nose to nose, his eyes staring passionately into hers.  “I will never let you go again, my beautiful slave.  You are mine.”

Elena’s face became wet with tears as his words penetrated.  He had called her his slave.  “Yes!  I belong to you
,
mi am
o
.”  It seemed as though what was out of place in her world was suddenly righted and in perfect alignment.  “My body, my heart and my soul belong only to you Master, for eternity.  That never changed.”  She was sobbing with the raw beauty of the moment as she began lowering her body onto his.  She held his demanding gaze as she slowly seated herself, feeling the stretch and the slight burn as her muscles became reacquainted with his length and breadth.  Impatiently, she began to move against him. 

“Shh… No more tears.  There have been far too many already.”  Dex knew he wasn’t going to last long as he held her hips firmly and met each downward glide with an upward thrust.  “Ride me fast and hard, baby.”  As he spoke this husky command he started to grind his hips against her pelvis, stimulating her clit with each thrust.  He was straining to hold off his climax, wanting to wait for her but it had been far too long.  Too long without holding her in his arms, much too long since he kissed her fragrant skin, and an eternity since he had made love to the woman he desired more than anything.  “You feel too good for me to last.  Are you ready to come for me now?”       

“Yes, I’m so full of you, Master.  Nothing in this world is as beautiful as this.”  She pressed her lips against his and they flew apart in each other’s arms. 
“
Te amo, mi amo
r
,” were the last words she managed to utter before she was flying in sated bliss while held securely in his strong arms.

They held each other silently for a long time, waiting for their breathing and heart rates to return to normal.  Dex roused first then he cuddled her close as he spoke softly into her ear.  “I meant what I said earlier, Elena.  You are mine.  Since our love is still strong, we are going to reboot and try to recapture the essence of what we had.  I know it won’t be exactly the same.  We couldn’t help but be changed from what we’ve been through, but we are going to rebuild our relationship and re-establishing our trust is the first step.  Do you understand?  I won’t take no for an answer.”

“Yes Master.  I understand and it will be my absolute pleasure to obey.”