Love Through Pain Read Free Page A

on the bed and gently scooped her into her arms. “It’s okay, he can’t hurt you.” She shuddered.
    “I … tried… I tried to fight them off, but they were too … strong,” she hiccupped between cries.
    Maria leaned away from her. “They?”
    Jazmine wiped her tears with the sheets. “Two … two … men… They took turns attacking me.” She couldn’t contain the wails that fell from her lips. Pain had become her constant companion.
    “Dios m ío.” His mom circled her arms around her. “Jazmine you need to report them.”
    “I can’t.”
    “Why?”
    “It was my fault . I should have fought harder.” She placed her hands on the mattress and sat up. “I should’ve waited for my co-workers?”
    Maria cupped her face. “What happened wasn’t your fault. Those men who did this are cowards. What if they do it to someone else? You can help another woman.”
    She slowly pulled away, and gently placed her feet on the floor.
    “Where are you going?” Maria help ed her up.
    “I’m going to the police station.” She held onto her. “I was in shock last night —I couldn’t believe this happened to me, but I’m not a weak woman. They’re going to pay for what they did to me.”
    “I’ll go with you.”
    “Can you please take me to my hotel room first. I need to change.” She stared down at the T-shirt and boxers she had on.
    “Hotel, you don’t live here?” Maria asked with surprise.
    “No, I’m here on business. My co-workers have to be worried about me.” She looked around the room. “My purse?”
    “It’s downstairs. Stay right here , sweetie.” Maria opened the door and yelled, “Javy!”
    There was no answer, and she yelled again. “Javier Alexander Martinez!”
    “Coming!” She assumed it was Javier yelling back.
    Maria moved out of the way as her son entered the room.
    Her eyes were still swollen, but she could see much better. Javier had to be about six feet two inches tall. He was lean and muscular, he must’ve been the person who’d carried her last night.
    “Javier, help her down the stairs,” his mom told him.
    His hazel eyes with a hint of blue were a startling contrast to his olive skin. He stared at her face, and she could see the pity in his eyes.
    “Maria it’s okay .” Jazmine tried to move. “I can make it.” She took a step and stumbled.
    “I got you.” He stepped forward and wrapped his hand around her elbow.
    It was him last night, his voice, his words. He made her feel safe, promising not to leave her. He stayed with her through the night. He bent down and put his arm around her waist and the other under her knees, picking her up.
    She placed her hands around his neck and inhaled his fresh cologne.
    “We’re taking her to the hospital.” His mother walked over to the door.
    “I have to change.”
    His mom opened the door wider. “Mamita, you have to get examined first. What you have on doesn’t matter.”
    They walked out of the room, and his mother stepped back in and returned with her ripped up clothes in a bag. “This is evidence, those cabrones are going pay for what they did to you.” She headed down the stairs ahead of them.
    Javier slowly carried her down the steps into the living room, and then placed her on the sofa.
    Jazmine scooted up and that’s when she saw her purse, grabbed it , and dug inside for her cell. She pulled it out, looking at all her missed calls. There would be messages from her co-workers and family.
    “Ma , what did you just say?” Javier gave his mom an inquisitive stare.
    Maria stared at Jazmine , and then at her son.
    Jazmine swiped her cell to life and made a call.
    “Jazmine, oh God, are you okay?” Connie, her co-worker and friend, asked. “Where are you?”
    “I’m okay . I just had a long night.” She tried to answer in a normal voice.
    “You said you were leaving because you needed your rest.”
    “Connie, I’m okay.” She squeezed her eyes shut.
    “You missed the conference . You do know we