A True Queen
Paring: OC/James, Teresa/Guero
Summary: it isn't Teresa's future self that guides her; it's Concetta. A woman who's seen and endured some twisted shit. Concetta is the definition of a survivor and she'll protect Teresa with her life.
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EJERCICIO DOS
Cuarenta Minutos
When Concetta woke up she was moving, she blinked a few times before she raised her head and realised she was being carried through some unknown building.
"Carajo!" she muttered and brought her knee up to the face of the man carrying her, leaning down to painfully twist his arm. He dropped her on her ass and clutched his bleeding nose. Concetta speared a glance to see the damage before taking off while he yelled after her. She searched frantically for any sight of Teresa but found none.
She had to keep going though, she'd never find Teresa if she was dead.
Footsteps chasing her pounded loudly in her ears and she ran faster, turning a corner so quickly she didn't even see the person she ran right into. Concetta fell back and hit her ass again, blinking in surprise she wasted no time scrambling to get onto her feet again.
Only this time she was yanked the rest of the way up and slammed into a wall.
Concetta glared a deadly glare at the man pinning her to a wall, he looked curious and slightly amused at her failed escape.
It only made her angrier.
"Puta madre" she spat at his feet, a mix of blood and saliva.
The man sighed irritated and tightened his hold on her arms. At least the amusement was gone from his face though. Concetta's pride was hurting from the situation she was in already. This was the smallest of victories she figured she would find anytime soon.
"I'm sorry, she surprised me" The man with the bleeding nose finally caught up.
Concetta snorted when the guy three times her size stood there panting and clutching his broken and bleeding nose. Blood dripped down his face, on his shirt and his hands.
The guy holding her shook his head in disappointment, "Just take her and don't loose her this time" he sighed like this whole thing was an inconvenience to him.
Concetta supposed it was - because nobody would look out for you except yourself. Something she knew better than most and didn't plan on forgetting anytime soon.
"Come on, puta" the guy from before grabbed her and shoved her in the direction she needed to walk. Concetta grunted in annoyance and complied knowing she didn't really have a choice or a way out.
Her element of surprise was lost.
The man led her into a small cage and she sighed in relief when she spotted Teresa sitting at the table. "Dios! Teresa!" Concetta ran to Teresa and pressed a kiss to her friends forehead.
Noticing the blood dripping from Teresa's hand, Concetta frowned, "You're hurt?"
"No!" Teresa shook her head and Concetta took the seat beside her listening when Teresa started whispering. "I've got glass in my hand. I got the ziptie broken on the shelf over there. Go"
Concetta nodded relieved Teresa had started thinking not feeling - there was no place for emotions when you were fighting to survive. She walked over to the shelf Teresa had told her about and spotted the sharp edge. Using to easily cut off the restraints before going back to take a seat next to Teresa.
She didn't need to grab any glass, she could fight and kill with her bare hands if need be. Glass would hurt her already sore hands and that would slow her down, not help.
They waited anxiously for hours for somebody to show up or something to happen.
Teresa's body shook slightly but she was clearly trying not to panic as they waited for something to happen. Concetta was a lot calmer - it wasn't that she was relaxed exactly, just hid her emotions a hell of a lot better than Teresa.
This type of danger wasn't something new to Concetta like it was to Teresa...
Suddenly they heard heels tapping on the floor heading their way and keys jingling. The gate opened and in walked, none other than, Camilla Vargas - Epifanio's wife.
Of course.
Camilla spotted the blood and the broken mirror instantly, clicking her tongue at Teresa and taking the glass before grabbing a cloth. Moving to the other side of the table Camila sat down. "Give me your hand" Camila instructed and Teresa complied hesitantly.
Camila pressed the cloth to the cut.
"The gas station you stumbled upon is in my mule route... my people always tell me anything strange they encounter. Curiously enough, you found them. My husband has been leaving me messages. He said he was in an accident and he's looking for two girls" Camila's accent was heavy as she spoke in clear English. "What a curious coincidence. You two are those girls, right?"
Neither of them said anything.
It didn't matter though, Camila knew.
They sat in silence for a few minutes before Camila started frowning at them, "I know you both..." she trailed off failing to recall from where she remembered them. "Where do I know you from?"
"We met you at your house" Teresa sighed, "On Christmas. I was Guero's girlfriend" the dejected way Teresa spoke had Concetta sighing.
"Era?" Camila raised a brow looking between them
"Yeah" Concetta butted in seeing the sad look on Teressa's face right now. She huffed a little, like this whole thing was no big deal. "Guero, he's uh, dead" she shrugged a shoulder indifferently gaining a surprised look from Camila and no reaction from Teressa who knew the truth of how she really felt.
There was a male snort that had Concetta glancing up to see the man she'd run into before, was there watching them. He looked about her age, stood straight like a he had some kind of training or maybe just a stick up his ass.
Either option sounded completely possible.
He also looked like he saw straight through her indifference for the controlled composure it really was.
Camila ignored him though, or didn't notice, Concetta wasn't sure but Camila continued talking anyway. "What were you doing at such an out of the way place? You were running?" she scoffed knowingly when they didn't answer. "Did my husband really chase you into the desert? Why do you think he went to such lengths? Porque?"
Concetta tilted her head studying the cool and collected woman in front of them.
Camila acted like she knew already, and so far she has... but this time it sounded like Camila was desperate to know.
Maybe their plan would work out after all?
Concetta let a lazy smirk work it's way onto her face as she cracked the bones in her neck with a small content sigh. "What would the all mighty soon-to-be Governor want with two women like us?" she taunted with a knowing smirk of her own that had Camila sitting up straighter to keep her composure. "I'd bet it's something important"
Camila sighed and nodded, understanding she wasn't going to get an answer to the question she wanted. The woman stood turning away to the man from before, "Take them downstairs, James" she instructed.
"Wait. Donde esoy?" Teresa called out
Camila laughed and turned to face them again, "Where are my manners? Dallas, Texas. Welcome to America girls" and with that the puta turned on her heels and walked away.
"We're gonna love it here" Concetta grimaced
Concetta sat up watching as Teresa slept, she looked like she needed the rest and Concetta was too on edge to fall asleep anyway. So, instead she watched the goings-on's of the warehouse they were being held in. She knew places like these, had heard of them and worked in one back in Mexico. Her job had been to teach the girls how to drive if they didn't know - she'd come and go freely, working for the cartel but not being owned by them.
Only now she was on the other side of the fences and she didn't like it one bit. Especially not as she remembered how badly these woman got treated.
None of them would ever end up getting away from this place, and now - she might not either.
The whole place smelt like mould and dust, birds flapped around in the ceiling. The chained off area was filled with women sitting in the small sections they've claimed as their own with some ratty clothing and dirty mattresses on the floor. Lines of wet clothes were stretched across the fences that guards patrolled with guns.
No way to run past them.
Nearby there was a woman crying, a guard was holding her down while another shot heroine up her arm.
Concetta sighed in realisation.
She had seen that happen three times in the last hour and she had prayed it was just coincidence. Cartels only used heroine to dope up the ones they want to use as prostitutes and that seemed like it was the area they'd been placed in. That made recent thoughts of Gato swirl in her mind. Her skin felt like it was itchy all over just thinking about his touch, his breath on her skin, his mouth.
Bile rose in her throat but Concetta refused to let it out.
Taking a deep breath Concetta racked her brain for ways she remembered a girl being taken from the prostitute section over to the mule sections back in Mexico?
They had to do something.
She couldn't let what happened to her, happen to Teresa.
Teresa moving startled Concetta out of her thoughts, "How long was I asleep?" Teresa asked sitting up.
"Few hours. It's time to wake up now though" Concetta nodded sadly and watched Teresa start looking around taking in the situation.
Teresa stood up and stretched before walking over to the fence, "Excuse me? I need to speak with Camila" she told the guard.
Concetta sighed having known it would get Teresa the smack to the face that she received.
Teresa was knocked on her ass into some woman's things who yelled.
"Welcome to America" Concetta muttered going over and helping Teresa up, guiding her back to their mattress. "This isn't going to be easy, but we'll figure it out" Teresa only nodded and shut her eyes with a heavy sigh.
The two sat in silence since there wasn't anything else to do.
Teresa tried to sleep while Concetta kept watch of their surroundings. Trying to figure out a way out and learning anything and everything she could about her surroundings.
Knowledge is power - and they have neither at the moment.
A woman walked over and squatted down near them, smiling sweetly. "Hi" she said looking no older than they were, but like she had been here a long time already. "You hungry?"
Teresa shook her head, "No, gracias"
The woman nodded, "I know you're both scared. It's okay though. My name's Aveline... are you guys a Pro or a mule?"
"Neither... yet" Concetta sighed where as Teresa looked confused before realisation hit her fast.
Aveline scoffed, "Do you even know where you are?"
"Dallas apparently" Concetta answered the woman who nodded and then looked at Teresa's freshly split lip sadly.
"My advice to you - that guy who just gave you that" Aveline looked at Teresa gesturing to her lip. "that asshole, he's the nicest guy in here. You just stick close to me, and I'll help you both out"
Concetta figured the woman seemed genuine enough about what she was saying. It didn't mean they were going to stick by her side though. She understood how this all worked enough to get by. They didn't need to owe anybody around here anything.
"I help a lot of the girls here. You know, if you both follow my lead you'll see. And before you know it you'll be in my position... I'm a mule now" Aveline stated almost like she was proud of that.
It just went to show that this woman had been here a long damn time.
Aveline smiled, "I get things the other girls don't get; better food, better money - and sure, sometimes I got to do some things for them, but it's good to stay quiet around here"
Concetta watched blankly while Teresa nodded to appease Aveline who rattled the toy mouse.
"You got any kids?" Aveline asked, "Either of you? I have a kid in El Paso I'm gonna get back to" she informed them wistfully.
Aveline sounded like she really believed that.
Whether it was just her way of continuing to the next day, or whether she really thought that - Concetta wasn't sure.
The three of them sat in sad silence for a minute before Aveline sighed, "I've gotta go on a run to the airport in a minute. But I'm gonna come back and take care of you both this afternoon... show you the ropes. Sound good?"
"You really don't have to do that" Concetta sighed giving the woman the nicest smile she could muster. "We'll take care of ourselves. I know how this whole thing works"
Teresa gave her a surprised look, "You do?"
She nodded, "Yeah. This isn't anything I haven't seen before"
"Are you sure?" Aveline asked
"We're sure" Teresa nodded in confirmation
"Sure?" Aveline asked again only this time her eyes went wide, pupils dilated and a far off numb look on her face. Like she wasn't even here with them anymore.
Teresa frowned in confusion
However, Concetta knew all too well what was happening. "HEY! She needs help over here!" Concetta jumped to her feet yelling before Aveline even hit the ground.
"There's something wrong with her! HEY! HEY!" Teresa yelled catching a guards attention. "She needs help!"
"She's dead" Concetta told the men who rushed over to them.
Aveline was laying on the floor dead before she'd even hit the ground. If Concetta was right - the drugs in her stomach had killed her.
The risks of being a mule.
"Aw, She's dead. Argh!" The man yelled angrily to the guys behind him before he grabbed Aveline's arms and another man grabbed her legs. Both of them hauling her outside their cage and towards a table in a blocked off area.
"They burst again!" one of them men crowding Aveline's body hissed out
"We need to get them out before they dissolve!" someone else yelled
Concetta stood beside Teresa as they watched it all happen. However this was something she had seen before though, unlike Teresa. She felt even worse for her friend having to see this. The possibility of death is still better than being a Pro though, they needed the mule job.
At least there's a spot open...
They watched the man cut Aveline's chest open, stuffing his hand past organs and blood as he reached to find the balloons of cocaine. He started counting as he pulled them out, finding as much of the drugs as was salvageable. Teresa winced and looked away but suddenly grabbed Concetta's arm and nodded in the direction of the open gates and a garage door that hadn't been close all the way.
They could run!
And they did...
Men who realised what they were doing yelled after them and moved to chase, but they slid under the garage door and took off faster then Concetta had ever run before. She ran not caring that the sudden sunlight was blinding, or the fact that there was guards with guns around.
They were likely dead anyway.
"Fence" Teresa yelled and Concetta nodded jumping the fence as she heard guards yelling in a mix of both Spanish and English to stop running.
After they jumped the fence they were met with a dead-end, another fence that was too high for them to jump. Concetta spotted some stairs and grabbed Teresa's hand racing them up the stairs. Taking them two at a time they'd lost a few guards at the fence but she could heard their heavy footsteps still following.
Gaining on them.
Reaching the top of the stairs there was no other option than to go over the side of the building. Thankfully there was something halfway to make the drop less likely to kill them. Only when they landed on it, they fell straight through and onto the hard pavement.
Teresa groaned in pain, but Concetta ignored any she might of felt and roughly yanked her friend to her feet ready to run again. She had been running her entire life and taken falls much worse than this and still kept going.
Teresa wasn't going to give up now, she wouldn't let her.
Only it wasn't her choice, because the clicking off of the safety on a gun had them both freezing. Concetta looked up to see that same guard who caught her running the first time - James - she thought someone called him.
He was watching her curiously, like he was slightly impressed they made it this far but also put out by their stunt.
Giving a small bored sigh he shook his head at them and one of the other guards grabbed Teresa hauling her towards the building. He looked at Concetta waiting to see if she'd do what she knew he wanted her to.
With a loud sigh and a mean glare - Concetta followed after Teresa.
They were put back in the fenced off area none too gently and Concetta sighed as Teresa hissed in pain again. Teresa wouldn't be fit to do mule work right now - they'd laugh at her for trying.
It was going to have to be her who get's them a mule position.
Concetta felt a pit in her stomach just thinking about it. Though she was oddly relieved knowing she would perform better under the circumstances than Teresa likely would.
Concetta watched her surroundings silently as she stroked Teresa's cheek, offering the only comfort she could give to her injured friend. She heard the clicking of heels in the floor and wondered if that was Camila.
Her theory was confirmed when she heard the woman's voice.
"How many have we lost?" Camila asked, voice laced with irritation and Concetta assumed she was talking about the situation with Aveline.
"We lost two bags" a man said
Camila sighed, "Why do they keep bursting?"
A different man answered, "It's the new chemist... he still doesn't know what is happening, you know?" that guy sounded a little nervous.
Rightfully so judging by Camila's tone as she snapped, "Why are you calling him the new chemist? He's the old chemist now, and since you found him, you tell him... Han's plane is leaving soon. Have you thought of a way of delivering to him?"
"No, not yet" the nervous guy answered his voice sounding a little more even now. "I mean, this basically just happened now" he tried
"Let's figure it out" someone else cut the guy off, "And fast"
Concetta frowned in thought but forced her face to an easy blank when their secluded fenced in room was opened. Camila walked in looking like she'd come from a fashion show or some shit.
"So... you're a runner?" Camila smiled what Concetta was sure Camila thought was a charming smile.
Concetta didn't answer but she was glad their talking hadn't woken Teresa up.
Camila didn't seem affected by the lack of answer and placed her phone on the table as it rang.
"Yeah?" came Epifanio's voice over the phone
Concetta kept her perfect composure despite the fact her heart was thumping faster now.
Camila just smiled at her before answering her husband. "Epifanio?"
"Yes, hola, my love" Epifanio cheerily greeted.
"Why are you sending me stupid messages at night about two girls?" Camila demanded casually, more dismissive sounding than like she was prying - which she clearly was.
It seemed Camila wanted to know what was going on and her husband wasn't telling her?
"Just like I said" Epifanio said with just as much casualness. "These girls I'm looking for, I believe they're coming across the border in Texas. Their names are Teresa Mendoza and Valentina Espinoza. Do you remember them? Teresa was Guero's novia... and I don't honestly know what Valentina's relation to Guero was - but he was 'fond' of the woman"
Camila hummed, "Yeah, I think so" she said staring Concetta down as Teresa slept beside her on the floor.
"Valentina seems like she's calling the shots... they're probably smart enough to know that you are in Texas, so she knows not to be there" Epifanio told her thoughtfully
"What did they do to you?" Camila asked or more demanded than actually asked
Epifanio scoffed, "Those puta's and Guero stole money from me. He's dead"
Camila smirked at Concetta as she teased her husband. "You need more money, sweetie?" Camila asked knowing Epifanio was bullshitting her right now.
"Enough of these people stealing from me. I have to send a message. You know what I'm talking about... it's about principles now" Epifanio told Camila who simply looked amused at his lies. "And you know I'm very principled, like any leader of the good people of Mexico should be. Listen, if you find these girls, let me know... maybe I can do something for you?"
"Yeah" Camila scoffed quietly, "I won't hold my breath" before hanging up on her husband agreeing to let him know if she saw them.
They sat in silence of a second - staring each other down before Concetta's lips turned up into an amused smirk and she chuckled.
Camila smirked but it was harsh and not nearly as amused. "So? Is that all Guero did to him? Steal?"
"Guero didn't steal anything" Concetta revealed on a sigh knowing she had to give Camila something. Otherwise Camila would think they weren't worth keeping alive and away from Epifanio.
"You must be worth more than money to my husband. I know him - I believe that Guero, or you didn't steal" Camila nodded almost kindly. "It's more than that. So, why does he want you dead so badly?"
"Cause he's a cabrón?" Concetta offered in mock helpfulness
Camila chuckled like this wasn't the first time her husband was being called a bastard.
Maybe Camila even agreed?
There had to be some bad blood if he was lying to his wife. Not to mention Camila was willing to lie to him just to figure out what they have that her husband wants so badly?
Teresa stirred and opened her eyes. Spotting Camila, Teresa sat up quickly staring confused at Camila.
"I'm here asking Valentina, what it is exactly that my husband wants? Why does he want you both dead so badly?" Camila filled Teresa in
Teresa shrugged, "I don't know anything - I'm just the girlfriend"
"Right" Camila nodded almost like she believed that. "Well, since you're so good at being a girlfriend - we're gonna make you a girlfriend to a lot of people" Camila said confirming Concetta's worst fears.
She couldn't let that happen.
Camila stood, "Drug them up, and put them to work" she instructed the guards.
Concetta stood shoving Teresa behind her as the guards walked into the room. Camila moved out of the way watching it all happen with a raised brow, waiting for them to agree to tell her what they knew.
It wasn't going to happen - even if they did become Pro's, Concetta wouldn't tell.
The two guards split up, one going for Teresa and the other going for Concetta. Concetta shook her head as Teresa screamed and pleaded. When the guard grabbed her arm she snapped and smashed his face a few times into the wall until he slid down it unconscious.
She'd been known to have a few anger issues and right now they were certainly helpful...
Concetta turned and grabbed Teresa's hand, pulling her behind her as the other guard advanced. "Wait!" Concetta snapped and looking to Camila knowing the woman was the only one who could stop this.
The guy from before - James - was standing there watching, shaking his head at the unconscious guard on the floor.
Camila raised a brow and held up a hand just as the guard pulled Teresa away from Concetta and out of reach. "Do you remember something now?" Camila asked tilting her head. "Something you did to Epifanio?"
"No!" Teresa screamed
Concetta gave Teresa an unimpressed look.
Did she really think Concetta was about to spill the only thing that can save them?
Shaking her head she looked back at Camila, "I don't remember anything... but I can help you instead. Those drugs you guys need delivered? I can do that"
"Well if you heard enough to know they need delivered then you know that there's problems with the balloons?" Camila smirked. "The police, as much as we know what they're doing... they know what we're doing too. They can stop the car you're in" she was trying to scare them.
Concetta gave Camila a bored look as she drew out, "I already said I'd do it... Me and Teresa would be great mules, don't you think?" she smirked right back.
Camila chuckled and gave a shrug before nodding to the man behind her, James, Concetta had remembered him being called. "Do it"
JAMES POV:
James followed Camila out of the room waiting until they were far enough away before speaking. "No offence, but what's the point? She'll just die anyway" he pointed out as they walked.
"Don't worry about her" Camila sighed waving him off dismissively, "Better her than the girl you spent months training"
"I don't care about her... about either of them" he scoffed at Camila's slight accusation. Why she'd think he cared, James didn't know, but he didn't like his ability to get the job done being questioned.
Sure, he'd found that one girl amusing to watch and listen to - all that fight she has in her is impressive.
But she isn't what he cares about.
"I care about getting those drugs to Han... but if she dies first, what's the point?" James spoke firmly
Camila stopped and turned to look at him. She was pissed at being questioned and he knew that by just looking at her right now. "You hired a chemist you shouldn't have, not me. So you don't have another choice but to drive faster, now, do you?" she shot back.
James sighed and gave a single nod of understanding.
Camila calls the shots and she's saying she doesn't care about these girls lives. He doesn't either, not really, but they were unnecessary deaths and the number was getting high enough already.
"Han is an important client. He gets his shipment. And you? You can take comfort in knowing you had no choice" Camila said before walking off
James sighed and went over to where Charger was preparing this woman for the job.
James grabbed the camera as he walked into the room. "Look at me" James instructed and snapped the photo when she looked up. "You're gonna need a passport"
As he was getting that shit ready, Camila walked in and leaned against the table watching everything happen. It was clear Camila was interested in seeing exactly how this woman was going to deal with everything.
Not many people could stand up to Camila the way this woman has.
Charger handed her the packages of cocaine and everyone stood around the table watching her swallow them. Counting to make sure she got all of them. James raised a brow when she was done, this woman wasn't even blinking at how Camila was trying to scare her off of this.
He was slightly impressed once again.
She's sure got a set of balls!
James realised then that he didn't even know her name yet, not that it matter much, but he was just curious.
Charger sighed, "Don't eat or drink anything until those are all out"
"The plane leaves in about 40 minutes" Camila told her with a smirk. "You understand, Valentina, that they could dissolve before then? Right?"
Valentina, he noted was her name, but James didn't think it fit her quite right. Regardless, he grabbed Valentina's arm pulling her alongside him as they walked towards the garage doors. James knew he didn't need to grab her arm, but after she had run twice he wasn't willing to take the chance she'd do it again.
Not when running from him would get her killed.
Camila paused them holding out a gold chain to Valentina. "This was on you when you arrived. Does it bring you faith or comfort?" Camila mocked
Valentina smirked and laughed, "That shit isn't mine. I don't need some saint on a necklace... I know that there isn't anybody to look after me, but myself" and with that Valentina ripped her arm from his grasp and pushed past Camila walking out the exit.
James sighed and quickly caught up to Valentina again.
He would never admit that he found the way she seemed to effortlessly piss Camila off funny. Although he was a little surprised to hear her response to the religious necklace. He wasn't a big believer himself - didn't think that there was anyone watching out for him.
Maybe they'd send him to hell if there was though?
But he didn't really care, not now at least. If there's a god out there, it's already too late for him with everything he'd done. Shaking his head he led Valentina to the car and got behind the wheel.
They had to get there fast and he wasn't really sure they would make it at all.
Speeding faster than he ever had before, James pushed the car to its limits. They needed this to happen - for his sake and Valentina's sake. As James looked at the clock showing 30 minutes until the flight... and until those bags start bursting, he groaned. This wasn't a good idea. He knew it hadn't been when she'd suggested it in the first place.
The tires of the stolen car screeched in protest at how fast he was driving. The car tilting as he turned corners too sharply.
If the drugs don't kill her, his driving might.
"What's your name?" James demanded suddenly, knowing that they specifically trained their mules for this reason. The airport security ask questions and Valentina needed to know the answers. James doubted she would be able to though and he was just hoping nobody thought to ask.
"Valentina Garcia" Valentina supplied easily without hesitation as she gripped the door when he made another sharp turn.
James didn't show his surprise or relief that she knew at least the fake name. It was more than some girls he'd had to work with.
"Address?"
"7714 Elms Ave" Valentina replied. "Ay pendejo wanna kill me before the drugs do?!" She snapped
He shook his head in slight disbelief, fighting off a grin at the sheer gal of this woman. Usually it would have annoyed him to no end, but somehow Valentina made it almost endearing.
"How do you feel?" James asked trying to keep his mind on the job at hand.
Valentina didn't answer and he chanced a quick glance at her while he drove.
"How do you feel, Valentina?" He demanded harsher than he meant to but she was worrying him right now.
"I don't know!" Valentina snapped finally
"You don't know?" He scoffed turning the corner at the lights, passing through another red light as he did so.
"Ay, I don't know, alright?!" Valentina snapped harshly. "I don't know because all I know how to do is not feel. I push it out of mind - everything, pain, fear, worry, sympathy and I get the job done. So, no, I don't know!" She yelled
James didn't know how to respond to that...
Despite the situation they were in, Valentina sounded tiered. Like she'd rather be anywhere else - but he could blame her for that. He wouldn't want to be a mule... though it was a better option than being a cranked out puta.
"Just tell me if you physically feel numb" James muttered.
It reminded him of his time in the military. They were always in situations where there was no time to stop, or think.
So he didn't.
He didn't think about anything - not pain, not fear, not worry... you just do what you need to do and get the job done. James had been so lost in his thoughts he almost didn't stop in time when he turned the corner only to be blocked by construction workers.
"It's closed. You can't go through here. It's closed!" The construction worker yelled but it was too late - they were boxed in by cars behind them.
They weren't going to make it!
"We're never gonna make it." James voiced his thoughts, shaking his head, and slamming his hand on the steering wheel.
"Yes, we are. We have to make it." Valentina insisted sounding more confident then she looked.
James turned to Valentina and looked her in the eye - genuinely not wanting to see her dead. She wasn't one of the girls who gave up and just went through the motions until they died. Valentina still has the fight in her and he didn't want to watch it die.
He didn't want to be responsible for that.
"You've got ten minutes. Okay, listen to me. You're not gonna have time. You need to throw that shit up now!" He demanded. His voice booming through the vehicle with a small amount of panic showing through.
"No!" Valentina shouted, shaking her head. "I can't. We have to go. Just drive!"
"Throw it up!" He yelled again, clenching his jaw.
Did she want to die?
Had he been wrong? Was all this some twisted death wish she's got?
"No!" Valentina refused.
"Then I'll make you!" James grabbed the back of Valentina's neck and pulled her closer ready to force her to throw up.
Valentina ripped herself out of his hold with more strength than he'd expected. "Get off of me! Stop it!"
James managed to catch her chin again, sighing at the determination in her eyes. "That wasn't the first girl who died." James started his voice softer than he wanted it to be. "I'm not having that again. Okay? You need to throw that shit up"
Valentina's eyes softened as she stared at him. Her hand coming up to remove his from her chin. "I get the risk. I have to do this though... because there is no other option for me and Teresa. Now, I'm not throwing this shit up... so just drive"
James sighed and looked away. "You're gonna die" he told her seriously but put the car into reverse.
As much as he didn't want to see it happen, he understood why Valentina needed to try. Camila wasn't going to give these two shit they didn't earn. If they want to be mules, Valentina was gonna have to earn it - and she knew that too.
So instead of arguing, James drove.
They were about to head under the underpass when a red truck clipped the ass end of the car. Sending them spinning out of control before he could stop it.
Tires screeching, metal crunching, horns blaring.
James blinked a few times shaking the confusion and disorientation from his mind. Looking around he took in the scene. It turned into a damn pile up - just what they fucking needed. He heard a groan and turned to see Valentina looking around and sighing in pain. Bystanders were starting to gather, looking at the accident.
They needed to leave.
"We gotta go" Valentina voiced his exact thought.
James nodded getting out of the car and grabbing the duffle bag. He looked at Valentina when she got out a little slower than him. She looked like hell. Probably felt like it too. That couldn't matter right now though, they had to get out of here.
"We're gonna run... can you do that?" James asked hesitating as he quickly approached her side of the car.
Valentina nodded sharply, "Yeah" she agreed. Even that simple action looked like it caused her pain.
James held in a wince as he nodded, they didn't really have any other choice right now though.
She has to be able to do it.
Cops were going to be here soon.
They took off running, James led the way hearing Valentina's boots smack the pavement only a step behind him. James wasn't surprised she kept up with him. He had seen how quick she was earlier, of course, but he knew it had to hurt like hell this time.
He only slowed when they were in the airport, but not by much.
Just enough to look like normal people late for their flight - not like people who's life depend on being on the other side of the airport in under 5 minutes. Shoving they're way through crowds of people, they finally made it to the entrance of the airport. James led Valentina through the airport check point and up the escalator.
So far they still have a slight chance of making it in time.
Stopping once they reached the self check in booth. He tapped the screen and got out fake tickets quicker then he thought was actually possible. Jamming the tickets in one hand, James grabbed Valentina's hand in his other - a little unsure when or why he grabbed it in the first place.
However, she didn't complain and let him lead her through the crowd of people.
Reaching security James handed over the tickets to the guy. "I told her we'd be late... 3 hours later and she's still not done packing" he muttered sending a charming smile to the security guy checking over their passports.
Valentina scoffed and gave a small chuckle, "Don't be a pendejo".
The guy checking the passports looked up and when the man caught a look at Valentina, he smiled. Valentina made easy conversation as the guy let them pass, wishing her nice travels.
James rolled his eyes as he was completely ignored.
It wasn't like he didn't know Valentina was a beautiful woman, even right now when she's probably been in the same clothes for days.
Once they were through security James started running again. Valentina sighed exhausted, but followed at the same pace. James grabbed her arm when she moved to go into the bathrooms.
"That's not where we're doing this" he sighed pulling her into the authorised personnel only little storage room.
Valentina was hunched over the sink retching before he even had to tell her to.
"Come on! Get it out of you." James ordered despite the fact she already had her fingers down her throat, retching. While the sounds of Valentina gagging filled the tiny utility room, James spun and searched the shelves to find something to wash the balloons off in.
His eyes landed on a rusty old can.
Grabbing it, James flicked the water on and started rinsing off some of the balloons Valentina had managed to get out already.
"Come on. Throw that shit up!" James coaxed trying to encourage her. "Get that shit out of you."
Valentina's shoulders heaved up and down with effort.
James noticed that her hand that wasn't down her throat shook as she clutched the dirty sink. Valentina already got ten of the twenty three balloons up - it was almost over. "Come on! Thirteen left. Throw that shit up." James said washing each of them off.
Valentina started coughing, she slumped a little over the sink. Her body was shaking slightly and she had gone quiet, but he could hear her laboured breaths.
"Come on. Keep going!" James sighed. "Three more. Get it done. Three more."
She was almost done...
"I don't think I can" Valentina looked up at him as she swayed on her feet. Her hands reached forward to grab the sink for stability. She looked paler than usual and the sweat dripped down her clammy skin. He knew her body had to be exhausted but not throwing them up wasn't an option.
"Throw that shit up! They're starting to dissolve." James placed a hand on her back hoping to steady her just in case.
Valentina's eyes were unfocused, her skin clammy, disorientation kicking in as she tried and failed to throw up again. Her body just wasn't having it anymore.
Shit, If Valentina doesn't get this shit up soon, then she's dead!
And they both knew it.
"I can't do it" Valentina whispered.
Those balloons are gonna burst and she's gonna be dead - and she looked scared knowing that.
Thinking quickly James grabbed the soap out of the soap dispenser and poured it down her throat. He let out a breath of relief when Valentina spluttered and coughed - the last of the bags coming up straight away.
Valentina stumbled away from the sink.
James was about to tell her they were one short, but when he turned she handed the last bag to him.
"We're good." Valentina said taking quick laboured breaths. She wiped her mouth on the back of her hand, a breathy and relieved chuckle escaping her that sounded as tiered as she looked right now.
Sighing James dumped the contents of the can into a ziplock bag and stuffed it into the bottom of the duffel bag. "Lets go. Stay close" James ordered only getting a slight nod of her head in response. James checked his watch, knowing Han was waiting and picked up the pace. He glanced over his shoulder at Valentina who was lagging slightly as she tried to keep up.
He wanted to slow down but knew he couldn't - not if he wanted to make the handoff in time.
Heading to where hand off using takes place with Han, James spotted him walking towards them and sighed in relief. The pass off was effortless and went unnoticed by the people surrounding them. They continued walking out of the airport. When he reached the doors James chuckled in slight disbelief as the adrenaline and stress wore off.
This shit really is stressful sometimes!
The jobs done though and It was actually successful, which shocked the fuck out of him.
James had been sure that Valentina would die today.
He looked at her as she stumbled a little on her feet. It almost looked like she was drunk to anyone who noticed. James grabbed her upper arm, taking some of her weight without making it obvious he was trying to help. He could recognise that defiant part of her that would hate him thinking she was weak.
She'd stumble the entire way back to the warehouse if it meant proving that she could do it.
James knew that because he would do the exact same.
He might not know much about Valentina Espinosa... but the one thing he did know was she's brave as fuck. Fearless unlike anyone he'd seen in a long time. Most people assume being fearless or brave is doing dangerous shit for the fun of it. They think it's breaking the rules or being stupid. But it's not... being fearless and brave is not the lack of fear - it's being scared shitless and doing something despite it... because it's what you have to do.
So, yeah, Valentina Espinosa is brave and fearless and James could respect that.
.
.