Renata sticks her head out from her hiding spot to see if the three men that had been tailing her were gone. If it wasn’t for her dressing like a teenage girl, she wouldn’t be able to work or walk down the streets. She wonders why they were out here looking for her now after a year? They had followed her from the Piggy Wiggly where she stopped to get a money order to pay her rent. She had spotted them when she walked across the street to get to the other side. She then leads them on a wild goose chase, taking back roads and side streets, so she wouldn’t lead them to her apartment. Renata had then duck inside a store and watched as they drove by.
Once she realizes the coast was clear. She starts walking towards her apartment. It was small and over a convenience store that was owned by a friendly old man. He didn’t mind her being Spanish. She didn’t know what her father was. She only knew her mother was Spanish. She knew her step-father wasn’t her father, even tho her mother kept insisting that he was. There was no way her step-father could be her biological father. She had none of his traits or looks. You could see those in her younger brother and sister. They both had traits from him, where she took completely after her mother in looks and build. Her mother was a small petite woman just like her and most of her looks where Spanish, where her sibling had features from their biological father.
Renata heads up a flight of stairs after unlocking the outer door and headed upstairs to the door to her studio apartment. It wasn’t much, but at least it was better than living on the streets like she had done after being thrown out of her house by her father and mother. They had caught her coming home from a transgender meeting at the local LGBT center. It wasn’t the first time they had caught her sneaking in dress in some of her sister castoffs or even his mother’s things that he had sneaked from her laundry. His step-father whipped him so bad and tossed him out onto the sidewalk with just the clothes on his back. His mom refused to help him at all. His sister met him the next day at their favorite spot and gave her some money she took from their father and said if he ever needed anything to call her.
Renata hated the fact that she had been born a male and knew how she felt since she was four years old. She enjoyed playing with dolls and wearing pretty dresses and such. At first her parents didn’t have a problem with it, but as she got older they tried to force her towards more male oriental things. Like trying to get her to play football, which she didn’t like. Her father had signed her up for hockey, but kept falling on her butt or miss the shots directed towards her during practice and during the game. She wasn’t built like the guys in her neighborhood. She was more into dance and acrobatics, not baseball, hockey or basketball. He didn’t mind volleyball, but it wasn’t considered a manly sport by his father.
Renata sits her purse down on the living room table and look out through her window to see if those two men were anywhere around. She knew she gave them the slip, but why were they still after her? It’s been almost a year since she testified against their gang leader and that was when she was still forced to dress as a male. Renata grabs a Pepsi from the refrigerator and walks over towards her sofa and let her mind drift back to the events of that year.
The first week on the streets had been tough for her. She could remember sleeping at the shelters and abandon building. She was lucky that it was still summer, but the unbelievable heat during the day was something she wasn’t prepared for. She tried getting a job from one of those temp agencies that paid you by the day for work, but because she had no identification on her, they wouldn’t take her. She had come across a bunch of guys standing on the street corner and learned that sometimes people like construction site owners and farmers would come by and pick people to come and work under the table for money and such. So, she decided to give it a chance figuring someone might choose her to work. The first few days no one took her, but on Thursday of that week she along with several guys were chosen to work. They loaded up in the back of a beat-up pick-up truck and was taken to a warehouse. Once inside the warehouse, they were told they would be working all weekend and if they had a problem with it to tell them now.
So, for the next four days she had been force to load and unload container trucks all day long and into the night. They gave them fifteen minutes of rest in between containers and feed them dinner every day. When they stopped for the night, which sometimes was late at night. They would escort them to a room with a half bathroom and made them sleep on the floor. The room was locked at night so they couldn’t get out and there was no window in their either. That went on for the whole weekend and when they took them back to where they originally picked them up, they gave them a hundred dollars each for the job.
She spent some of the hundred buying a couple of shirts and pants from a local thrift store and a beat-up backpack. That night the shelter she stayed out had a shower she could use to clean-up and change her clothes. The food they served wasn’t too bad. The next day she went back to the same street corner and was picked by a middle age man to come back to his place to do yard work. While she was there doing, the yard work another couple in the neighborhood spotted her and asked if she would be willing to do their yard as well. They would pay her and feed her for the work. So, all the second week and part of the third week she had work from people in the neighborhood and from a few construction foreman that saw her. When she got dropped off at night, she would sleep at the shelter.
One day she had been picked again to work a warehouse along with several others. They had picked like seven of them transported them in a box truck and transported them out to a huge warehouse. They worked all day long in the heat without stopping. If any of them stopped, they had money deducted from the pay they were getting. It was the second day working there when things went south. She remembers hearing cars pulling up to the place and then shouting going on inside a small office. There were three guys in business suits talking with the guy that had hired them and the next thing she knew he was being shot by the guy and the other guys that had come in with him were shooting guns at them. Renata remembers being shot in her shoulder and another bullet grazing her right arm. She remembers falling towards the floor and then several people that were nearby falling on top of her. The next thing she remember was passing out.
The next time she opened her eyes, she was in a hospital room. There was an IV going into her arm and she felt the bandages on her right arm and across her left shoulder. She must had done something to alert the nurse, because the next thing she knew the nurse was coming in.
“Welcome back to the living. We were wondering when you would wake-up.” Carmen smiles at the young man in the hospital bed. She was working when they brought him in from the operation.
Renata looks at the nurse. She had short black hair like his and was slim and young looking.
“Where am I?” Renata still felt a little groggy and his mouth was dry.
“You’re at St. Augustine’s Hospital. You were brought in three days ago,” Carmen checks Renata’s vials and makes notes on a pad she had brought in with her.
“Three days ago?” Renata couldn’t believe it.
“Do you want anything?” Carmen knew she was going to have to inform the detective that their witness was awake.
“Some water would be nice.” Renata felt his throat was extremely dry.
Carmen walks over and grabs one of the packaged pitchers down form the cabinets over the sink and fills it with water. She also grabs a paper cup and takes it over to Renata. After helping him sit-up, Carmen pours him a cup and hands it to him.
“Thank you.” Renata accepts the cup and takes a sip from it. The cool water felt nice against his throat.
“You’re welcome. If you need anything else. Just press the button next to you.” Carmen gives Renata and walks out to check on the rest of her patients.
While Renata is lying in bed looking out the window. She wonders what the cops are going to do when they find out that she was just fifteen years old. Thirty minutes later there’s a knock at her room door and two male police officers come walking in. The first one looked to be as old as her step-father. He was young looking and had light tanned skin. The way he had his hair styled, you could tell he was a cop. He was wearing a dark blue suit with a light blue and black tie. His partner was older and rough looking, like he worked outside all the time. He was taller than the first guy and had a military style haircut. The first one was firmly built, while the older one looked to have a small belly.
Detective Lawrence and his partner Detective King look at the teenager they had been assigned to question as they walked into the hospital room. He didn’t know what to make of the lad. What he saw sitting up in bed looked more to be a girl, then a boy. The kid had long straight black hair down to his shoulder and effeminate features. The kids full head of hair was covering her small ears. His build was short and petite. The first time he had seen a picture of the kid, he thought he was a she. The small button nose, soft cheeks and the oval eyes. The kid had a feminine looking face and body structure.
Detective King hated the fact that he had been assigned to this case. He didn’t like spicks and especially didn’t like freaks like this kid. As far as he felt, all transgender people should be locked up in a mental hospital. He had better things to do instead of being here speaking to this spick brat. If they didn’t need this kid to testify about what happened at the warehouse three days ago. He would leave now.
Detective Lawrence “good afternoon, I’m Detective Lawrence and this is my partner Detective King and we have been assign to your case. I was wondering if you feel up to answering some question for us about what happened three days ago, at that warehouse you were found at?”
“Sure, thing Officer. I don’t mind helping.” Renata didn’t see any reason not to cooperate with the detective.
“Good, can you give me your name and how old you are and then start from the being of that day and what you saw.” Detective Lawrence pulls out his recorder and a note book to make notes.
“My name is Roman García Lozada, and I am 14 years old.” Renata tells the detective everything he experience that day from being picked up at the street corner with several Mexican men to being taken to the warehouse and what they were doing. He tells them about the argument and then the shooting and about him falling and having several people he was standing next to fall on him, covering him and then blacking out and waking up this morning. Renata takes several sips of water during the whole conversion. The first detective stops him occasionally, to ask questions.
Renata had been watching the other detective during the whole time his partner questioned him and wonder why he wasn’t taking notes or asking questions. When the detectives were done. Renata recalled she was relaxed. The weeks that followed were just as bad. He was sent to a boys group home. The boys there were hard core delinquencies and he had to stay there and put up with their abuse and such. Some of them force him to perform oral sex to them. One of the biggest of the boys raped him.
Renata ran away after the trial so he could get away from the abuse. He took a bus out to Austin, Texas where he found a job at a local gay, lesbian bar. He managed to get a fake driver license and birth certificate after finding a stash of money someone had toss away. He hadn’t known it at the time, but the person that toss the money had been arrested for drug possession and part of the local gang. The money and drugs had been tossed during the chase from the cops. The cops found the drugs, but not the money. It wasn’t like it stood out either. The only reason he had found it, was that he had been on his hands and knees pulling weeds from the flower bed he had been hired to remove the old mulch and put new mulch down.
Renata yawns as she tries to put her stage make-up on and get ready for her number. Last night she woke-up in a cold sweat screaming from the nightmare she had last night from the shooting at the warehouse. Those guys that had tailed her yesterday weren’t around today at all. She had just checked her apartment to make sure no one had broken in.
“Better get your face done darling, you’re on next.” Violet Monsoon looks over towards their little Spanish queen.
“Thanks Violet. I just had a hard time sleeping last night.” Renata takes a deep breath and relaxes.
“Any one I know or slept with sweetie?” a playful smile appears on Violets face.
Renata just giggles in responses “no, no one you know.”
Renata just shakes her head, because everyone thought she was gay. It wouldn’t matter really, they didn’t mind transgenders. Renata finishes her make-up and checks her costume in the full-length mirror, her hair and go out to perform. When Renata steps out on stage, she couldn’t
believe how pack the club was tonight and goes right into her number after being announce.
She could feel the energy in the air tonight as she sung her songs and dance to the rhythm of the song. Her whole body was alive as she performed. By the time, she got off stage she was sweating profusely. Renata was full of energy as she sat and drink the glass of cold ice water she wanted. Once she was cooled down, she goes out and mingle among the club patronages after changing into her club dress. She lets a few of her admires buy her drinks and she socialize with them. Later, Renata goes out with another group and visit another bar. She has a few more drinks there. By the time two o’clock rolls around, she was tried and loaded. Renata catches a cab home and when she arrives she pays her cab fare and heads upstairs to her apartment. She sleeps throughout the night, not feeling anything.
“Oh, my head.” Renata wakes-up with a huge hang over.
Renata moves slowly to the refrigerator and grabs a bottle of water and start drinking it. She grabs a bottle of Aleve and takes two to help with her hang-over. Renata nearly jumps out of her skin when she hears the thunder. Renata grabs a granola bar from the cabinets and walks over and sits down on the sofa. She turns to look out the window and just watches as the rain comes down. Renata wonders what her sister and little brother are up to today?
As she sits there and watches the rain come down. She wonders what is in store for herself. She knew she wanted the operation to get rid of her unwanted growth. She was already on estrogen, antiandrogens, and progestogens. The doctor she got the medicine from is monitoring how she is doing. Some of the money she found has paid for his services. Renata stays in her nightgown and gathers up her dirty clothes and take them to the apartment size washer and drier unit she brought last month.
Once Renata gets her laundry going, she grabs a blanket from the closet and curl up on the sofa, listening to some music from her smart phone. She had today off from the bar and the restaurant. Renata starts reading the book she keeps on the end table. It was a romance/spy novel she had picked up at the grocery store one day from the discount book bin.
Renata was so engross reading her novel, that she didn’t hear the timer for the wash cycle end. Renata puts her book down and switches her wet clothes out and put them in the drier. Afterwards she grabs a frozen pot pie and stick it in the microwave to cook. As Renata is standing there waiting for her pot pie to cook, her phone starts ringing. Renata walks over to her cell phone and picks it up.
“Hello” Renata wonders who it could be.
“Carmen, darling what are your plans for tomorrow?”
Renata recognizes the voice of her friend Lady Bird “Lady Bird it’s nice to hear from you. As far as I know, I might be off. I’m switching places with one of the waitresses at my full-time job and Bernie said that he already had all the time slots filled for tomorrow tonight at the pink ribbon.”
“Hey, there’s this new club opening tomorrow that would be cool to check out. Are you game?” Lady Bird hopes so. If she could get Renata and a few other girls to help her friend out tomorrow. It would be profitable for him.
“Sure, why not. What time do you want to meet?” Renata figures it could be fun.
“How about I come by and pick you up at one tomorrow?”
“Sounds good. I’ll be ready by then.” Renata figures it couldn’t hurt to make a little more money.
“Alrighteee!” Lady Bird disconnects.
Renata just shakes her head when she hears the line go dead. She puts her phone back down and take her lunch out of the microwave. It was still raining outside, so her plans on going to the movies today went out the window. She normally took the bus or her scooter to the movie theater or the grocery store. Since it was raining outside, she figures she’ll work on some of her costumes for the drag shows she does.
The rest of the day goes by quietly. Renata spends the time working on costumes, dance routines and practicing the music she is going to sing. Unlike most drag queens, Renata likes to sing her songs and put a Spanish twist to it. Renata looks at everything she just finish and notice it has gotten dark outside. She fixes herself some dinner and takes a shower and turns in for the night.
Renata stretches’ when she wakes up. She had slept like the dead last night with no nightmares at all. She goes about her morning business and call in to see if she needed to show-up at her full-time job. Luckily, the waitress she had traded with showed up today. Which meant she had to work on Thursday for the other waitress she traded with. Renata gets her stuff ready and waits downstairs for Lady Bird to show-up.
Lady Bird shows up already done up at twelve thirty. The suv Lady Bird drove was already loaded up with two other drag queens she knew from the club that she performed at. Renata didn’t mind their company. It made the drive fun to say the least. It took two hours to get to the new club, but the drive was worth it. It was brand new and had an outside service area where people could sit down and still see the stage and have dinner as well.
Once they were shown to the dressing room and given the order they would appear on stage. Everyone got ready and once they were shown to the stage, they got down to business. All night long they rocked the place. The owner of the new club was so happy with their performance, that they were given hotel rooms for the night and ask if they would perform again for the club. Renata said she would, since she didn’t have to be at her full-time job till Thursday. All the other girls that came along with her, also agreed.
Some of them went to the hotel with dates that night. Renata didn’t. She went to her hotel room by herself. Once she settled in for the night. She had a hard time sleeping. The pounding of the speakers and the music she sung and the energy she felt in the club had energized her. It was hard for her to just relax and let sleep take her away like last night. Renata stays awake till five in the morning before finally falling asleep.
She is awoken around nine the next morning by a knocking sound on her door. Renata glances towards her cell phone to see what time it was. Once she saw what time it was, she groans and crawls out of bed. Renata grabs her robe that went with her night gown and was putting it on as she opens the door.
“Carmen, I hope I didn’t wake you.” Ichiko comes walking into Carmen’s room.
“No, not at all Ichiko. What brings you here at this hour?” Renata shuts the door and walks over to start some coffee. The room they had been given had a small kitchenette in them. Which came equip with a coffee maker, toaster and several small pots and pans, along with a compact refrigerator.
“I was wondering if you were heading back after the performance tonight?” Ichiko sat down in a nearby chair.
“Yep, I have too. My full-time job is expecting me to show-up tomorrow morning. So, I must leave tonight after the performance. Lady Bird, is my ride. Why do you ask?” Renata fills the coffee pot and put the coffee pouch in the basket. She pours the water from the pot into the machine and let it do its thing.
“How about if I give you a ride back? That way Lady Bird can stay and help her friend out some more?” Ichiko figures Carmen would take the offer. If things go the way she figures, she’ll get the money she was promise.
“Let me check with Lady Bird to see if she plans on staying. I thought she was going home tonight.” Carmen picks her cell phone up and dials Lady Bird’s number.
Renata waits till she hears Lady Bird’s voice “Carmen, what can I do for you?”
“Good morning Lady Bird, I was wondering if you are heading back tonight after the show like we planned?”
“Well, if you don’t mind. I was thinking about staying and helping my friend out. I know I promise to take you home, but I figure we could do it tomorrow morning.” Lady Bird didn’t want to go after the show tonight. She was having too much fun and her friend needed her to stay to help out.
“I can’t stay overnight Birdie. I have my full-time job tomorrow I have to be at.” Carmen really didn’t want to call her boss.
“I know Carmen, but my friend really needs me tomorrow. Can you make other arrangements?”
Carmen sighs” yes, I can find another ride. Have fun tomorrow Birdie.” Carmen hangs up.
Renata turns back towards Ichiko “looks like I’ll be taking you up on your offer for that ride tonight Ichiko.”
Ichiko just smiles. Her plan was going according to plan.
“We’ll leave after the club closes for the night. That way you can have some fun, before we head home.” Ichiko stands up from the chair she was sitting in and heads to the door.
“Sounds like a plan. Do you want me to load up before I perform or just before we leave?” Carmen figure she’ll have some time.
“After will be fine. I’ll see you at the club tonight.” Ichiko leaves Carmen by herself.
Renata just shakes her head and turn the television on to watch some news and then a movie afterwards. While she is watching the movie, she checks the costume she was going to wear tonight and make sure there weren’t any rips or lose seams in it. She had one custom rip wide open one night while she was in the middle of a performance. Like her drag mother told her when she was learning the trade just continue with the performance and make the audience think it’s part of the show.
Once Renata was done with checking her costume. She watches the rest of the movie. It was a movie she had hope to see, but never got the chance. It had come out when she was living on the streets. At the time she was more interested in surviving then going to the movies. When the movie was done, Renata changes her clothes and put on her jogging outfit. She might as well get some jogging in before she performs tonight. The fake state identification card she had said she was old enough to work at bars and such. It allowed her to buy beer and wine if she wanted it. So, it made it easier to socialize with the crowd.
Renata follows a jogging path that looked to be popular with joggers near the hotel. She thinks about her drag mother and what she was up to. She knew her drag mother was a chief at an up and coming restaurant and that she had been the one to give her the name Carmen after the famous French opera about a Spanish gypsy girl. Unlike that Carmen, she wasn’t interested in finding and seducing a gentleman. She
wanted to have the operation first to removed the birth defect she had been born with at birth.
The Carmen that had been her nurse in the hospital had been nice to her. She had learned that, that Carmen had two older brothers that were in the military and were station overseas. She didn’t care for the current president right now and she was working on becoming a head nurse either at the hospital she was working at or at another one. That Carmen loved to help people, so that they could become healthier. Renata wouldn’t have had mind having an older sister or mother like her. That Carmen didn’t mind that she was transgender and that she wanted to be a girl. Unlike Detective King. That man had been a jerk from the first day she met him. She wouldn’t be surprised to find out that he works for one of the local gang leaders.
Carmen just let herself get lost in the rhythm of the music she was listening to and the peacefulness of the path she was following. The sky was clear and the sun was shining. By the time, she gets back to her room she was soak with sweat and thirsty. She cools down before heading into her room and once inside. Renata strips out of her jogging clothes and takes a nice shower.
Rafael looks at the men gather in the warehouse before him. Their objective tonight was two folds. Their first objective was the capture of one Renata Magdaleno. The person use to be known as Roman García Lozada. The person had testified against their leader and stole their money. Their second objective was the capture of one Texas Ranger Jesse B. Baylor. The man has stuck his nose into their business for the last time. Their boss wanted this Texas Ranger dead. Rafael knew which route Renata was taking because his informant was bringing her here, herself. As for the Ranger, a trap had been design to capture him. All they had to do was wait.
Around three in the morning a car horn could be heard just outside their warehouse door. A green Chev blazer pulls in driven by a Mexican man. He stops the suv and gets out and walks around to the front of the blazer towards Rafael and several other men.
“Did she give you any problems?” Rafael looks towards his younger brother.
“Nope, I drugged her water bottle and she drunk it and a few minutes later, she was out for the count. She didn’t suspect a thing.” Eloy looks back towards his blazer with the sleeping Renata leaning against the passenger door.
“Good. She’s going to pay for testifying against Frisco and taking our money as well.” Rafael turns his attention towards two men.
“Take her out and secure her. You can have fun with her, once we leave here.” Rafael was going to let his men have their fun with her. She had a debt to be paid.
“Yes sir.” The older and ugliest of the two men head over towards the blazers passenger door and open it. The other guy catches the unconscious body of Renata and toss her over his shoulder and head towards a box truck and secure her.
An hour later a black 4X4 pick-up truck comes rolling into the warehouse. Three men jump down from it and walk over towards Rafael.
“We have him, but we lost Hernan. The Ranger was able to get the drop on him, before we could knock him out.” Domenico didn’t like losing his brothers like that. He wanted to kill the Ranger, but he had orders to bring him back alive so that Rafael could torture him.
“Put him with the she-male and secure him.” Rafael didn’t like losing men. He’ll make the Ranger pay for killing Hernan.
Rafael watches as Domenico and Javier load the Ranger in the back of the box truck and secure him, like they did the girl. They were going to be delivered to Rafael’s compound in Mexico, so he could have his way with them.
“Alright people, let’s get everything packed up and head out in an hour.” Rafael wanted to get back to Mexico as soon as possible. He walks back to the office and pack up his brief case. He checks his gun and heads towards the car he was driving back to Mexico.
Rafael leaves first, followed by another truck and then followed by the box truck that had the unconscious Ranger and Renata in it. So, far traffic was going well for Rafael. He made it to the broader of U.S. and Mexico without a problem. The man he paid off at the broader station to let his car and the two trucks go unmolested went through. Another five hours and he will be at his compound in Galeana, Mexico.
Domenico was driving the box truck that had the unconscious Ranger and Renata in it. Javier was sitting on the passenger side of the truck thinking about the things he was going to do to the she-male. He and the rest of the guys at the compound were going to have their way with her. He figures she may not survive the day once they get through with her. He rubs his crotch just from thinking about her.
Renata was slowly coming around. She felt her face resting against something rough. She slowly opens her groggy eyes and felt sick to her stomach. The last thing she remember was passing out in Ichiko’s blazer. She felt her hands tied behind her back and felt her feet bound as well. Where ever she was, it was bumpy. She slowly looks around and spotted a man with dirty blonde hair about five feet from her sleeping. It was kind of dark where they were. The only light coming in was from the roof.
Renata didn’t know where she was or where she was going, but she wasn’t going to stick around. She brought the back of her legs up to her hands and dig around under her jeans for a box opener she kept in an inside pocket of her pants leg. Once Renata has it, she pulls it out and extend the blade and start cutting the ropes holding her wrist together. Once she has her hands free, she cuts the binding holding her ankles together.
Looking around the empty truck. Renata was hoping that maybe they threw her purse in the back with them. Renata carefully crawls over towards the guy to check him.
She shakes his shoulder” hey, wake-up.” Renata shakes him a little harder.
Jesse felt his body being shaken and a girl’s voice. He still felt groggy and weak.
“Hey, wake-up.” Renata punches the guys shoulder hoping to get some type of response from him.
Jesse feels his shoulder being hit and that same girl’s voice again.
“I’m awake, stop hitting me.” Jesse felt his arms held behind him and his feet bound as well.
“Where are we?” Jesse tries sitting up. Where he was, it was bumpy, rough and hot.
“Don’t know. All I do know is we’re in the back of some sort of truck.” Renata moves so she can see Jesse better.
Jesse, notice she had a box cutter in her hand “is that how you got lose?”
“Yes, I never leave home without it.”
“Do you have a bobby pin or anything?” Jesse felt that they used his handcuffs on him.
“Yep.” Renata fiddles around with her hair and finds a bobby pin she had hidden.
“Here you go.” Renata pulls the bobby pin out and give it to Jesse.
“Thanks.” Jesse concentrates and uses it to pick his handcuffs.
“I got your legs.” Renata cuts the duct tape holding his legs together.
Jesse finally gets his hands free. He looks around inside the truck to see what was available to use to get out of the truck.
“Not much to work with. I doubt they want us to escape.” Renata had been trying to figure something out. She sits and watch Jesse as he walks around the back of the box truck while they were moving.
The next thing the two of them know, the truck is hit from the side and it goes rolling. Jesse and Renata are toss about like they were in a dryer. Renata lands hard against the metal wall and sprains her arm. Jesse lands on top of her pinning her against the metal wall. The two of them hear gun fire going on outside the truck as several rounds hit the bottom of the truck.
“We need to get out of here.” Renata didn’t want to end being shot by bullets.
Jesse moves over towards the rolling door and tries to pry it open more so they could slip out. He manages to pry it open enough for them to slip through.
Jesse looks over towards Renata “come on.”
Renata hurries over towards Jesse, just as another set of bullets go through roof. One of the bullets hit Renata in the arm.
“Ow!” Renata yells out. As the pain she was feeling was hurting her.
“Come on.” Jesse grabs her injured arm and pull her through the opening just as bullets riddle the truck.
Renata and Ranger Jesse manages to make their way to an abandon warehouse. Jesse had managed to stop the bleeding from Renata’s gunshot. He looks at her and wonder why she is tied up in this mess.
Renata couldn’t believe the mess she was in. Why did Ichiko do this to her. She had never done anything to her. Why couldn’t the cartel just leave her along? Their leader was in jail and he deserve it for all the people he killed that day.
“So, any idea on how we are going to get out of here?” Renata had found a wooden box and turned it upside down to sit on.
Jess just shakes his head “well it would be nice to know what your name is and why they were so interested in you?”
“My name is Renata Magdaleno and I have a history with that particular cartel.” Renata didn’t know how much she wanted to give this guy.
“How about you? Why is this particular cartel interested with you?” Renata was curious about this fellow.
“I’m a Texas Ranger darling and as for why they are after me, it’s simple. I’ve been a royal pain in their backside.” A shit ass grin appears on his weather face.
“Well, any ideas about getting us home? Because I don’t know about you, but I have about thirty dollars on me. I have no identification or the foggiest idea on where in Mexico we are.” Renata just wanted to get back home and leave this mess behind her.
“Well darling, I’m in the same boat as you. Let’s wait till morning and find out where we are and then make our way home.” Jesse figures they could either contact some friends or find a way home once they know where they are.
Renata looks out of the nearest window where they were hiding. The only thing she could see was darkness and lights from the surrounding buildings. She looks at where the bullet had struck her on her arm. The bullet had to be dug out by Jesse and they had to use Jesse’s undershirt to bind the wound.
“You might as well get some shut eye. We’re going to be here till morning.” Jesse was watching Renata to see if she was going to take his advice.
“No thanks. I think I’m going to stay awake and make sure my butt is covered. I had enough sleep from whatever the drug was that my friend used on me.” Renata still hated the fact that a person she trusted drugged her.
“Well since it looks like neither of us is going to get any sleep tonight. Why don’t you tell me how you got mixed up in all this mess?” Jesse finds a comfortable spot to sit and listen.
Renata just sighs “about a year ago I testified against the cartel leader. I was living on the street and took work that was paid under the table working at a warehouse. The cartel leader and a few of his men came in and gun down everyone working there and the men that hired us. I survived the attack by taking a bullet to my shoulder and by having dead bodies covering me. I also found some money one of their gang members threw away when he got arrested. This was before the shooting so I was already on their radar in a since. I guess having a so call friend of mine drug me and bring me to them is something that never crossed my mind.”
“So, you testified against them and then took money that didn’t belong to you?” Something wasn’t feeling right to Jesse.
“I found the money. A gang member had thrown the drugs and money down so he didn’t get caught with them. When the police search where the dealer threw the items, they didn’t see the money hidden back behind the bush in the corner of the flower bed. I found the money because I had been hired to change the mulch in the flower bed. So, I kept it. At the time, I needed the money to get off the streets. It wasn’t like I was using the money to buy drugs, weapons and such.” Renata really didn’t want to tell Jesse that she was a transgender person and a run away.
“You could have turned the money over to the police, instead of keeping it and looking over your shoulder now.” Jesse couldn’t believe this girl. He could understand why she kept the money, but at the same time she was playing with her life.
“You’re right I could or should have turned it over, but when you’re living on the streets and something like that presents itself. You need to seize the opportunity.” She closes her eyes and wonder why she was explaining herself to this guy.
“Why were you living on the streets? Didn’t you have any friends or family that could had taken you in?” He leans back against the wall he was sitting in front of.
“Nope, I was on my own. My family lived in another state and we don’t get along with each other. My sister is the only person I have any contact with and I haven’t spoken to her since last month.” Once she had gotten a place to live. She had called her sister and told her where she was living. Her sister had said that their parents were pretending she was dead when people asked about her. She had fallen and cried after hanging up.
“That’s too bad. Family is important. It gives you a history and support.” Jesse couldn’t see not being around his family. They had been the force that shaped his foundation and values on how he treated people. That was the reason why he became a Texas ranger. There has always been a Baylor Texas Ranger since they were first formed. It was a tradition in his family.
“Well, sometimes family members don’t always agree about certain things and distance themselves from each other about it.” She knew her parents weren’t going to change their opinion about what she felt was right for herself.
“That happens darling, but things can be worked out if both parties try. At least if you try to work things out and it still don’t work out. Then it shows you gave it your best effort. It is good that you still have a relationship with your sister. With her in your corner, your parents will have to come along. If there is one thing I know, sisters are the building blocks of family and they play dirty.” A smile appears on his face as he remembers the things him and his sisters did. They were the instigator of a lot of things that got them in trouble. They would make him go along with things when he was stubborn and didn’t want to do what the family wanted to.
“Well, you don’t know my family that well. My mother is from Spain and you know stubbornness and superiority is a trait that all full-blooded Spaniards have. My mother is a firm believer of the Catholic religion. She and my step-father are very religious.” There were times where Renata couldn’t stand the strict catholic rules and traditions her family forced her to follow.
Jesse started putting a few things together now. He figures it had something to do with her parent’s belief system and something she did or is. He looks at her as she sat across from him. He wonders what or why her parents didn’t want to have anything to do with her.
The rest of the night they sit quietly and watch as the night passes into early morning. He watches as Renata dozed off and he just let her sleep, while he kept watched. Once the sun was up, he shakes her lightly.
“Wake-up sleepy head. Time to get moving.” Jesse figures if they could get an early start. They could find out where they were and make some sort of plan.
Renata just yawns and tries to focus on her surroundings. She was still feeling tired and her mouth felt dry.
“I could go for something to drink.” As she stands up and dust her pants off.
“Well, get something once we figure out where we are darling.” Jesse looks outside of their hiding spot checking to see if it is clear.
“Come on. It looks like it’s clear.” Jesse leads Renata out and away from their hiding spot.
The two of them start looking around to determine where they were. All that was around them was the abandon building they had taken refuge in last night and several other buildings in various stages of decay.
“Well it looks like we are going to have to do some walking darling.” Jesse could feel it was going to be a hot one today.
Renata looks down at her feet and was glad she had on her tennis shoes when she was going home. She couldn’t believe that there wasn’t anything else around them. She couldn’t recall which direction they had come last night.
“Well I guess we might as well get walking. Do you know which direction we need to head?” She looks towards Jesse and could see he wasn’t looking forward to this.
“North.” Jesse starts following the dirt road before them.
Renata follows behind him as the two of them walked for twenty minutes before coming to an actual highway. She follows Jesse north walking along the side of the highway.
“Didn’t we come this way last night?” Everything had happened so fast last night.
“We might have driven passed here last night. I think everything took place back behind us.” Jesse remembers running through the night away from the fire fight going on.
The two of them walk in silence for hours, before a truck they hear a truck coming up from the direction they just came. Renata turns around and tries to flag it down. Her feet were killing her and she was dripping in sweat.
The guy driving the truck pull over and Jesse speaks with him in Spanish. Renata stands quietly nearby as she lets Jesse try to get them a ride. She was hoping the guy would be willing to help them out.
“Come on and hop in back.” Jesse walks next to Renata and helps her up into the back of the truck.
Once they were in the back the guy starts driving again.
“How far is he willing to take us?”
“He’s willing to take us to the broader. I can call my Captain to come and pick us up there.” Jesse wipes some sweat out of his eyes. Enjoy the air as they head down the highway.
Jesse and Renata sat in silence as each watched as the Mexican landscape went by. Both were lost in thoughts of their own as they traveled with this strange guy that was nice to give them a ride. Renata was wondering if she should tell Ranger Jesse the truth about herself. He would find out either way when they ran her name to verify her citizenship for him to get her across the border.
“Jesse, how do you feel about people born one gender, but feel they should had been born the other gender?” His response would determine what she tells him.
“I don’t see any problem with them. I try not to judge any one.” Jesse had heard about transgender people, but has never met one before that he knows of.
“How would you feel if one went into the same bathroom as your mom, sister or aunt? I mean if you knew that the person use to be a guy?” Renata was watching him. Seeing how his reaction would be.
“If that person was doing what they went in for, I don’t see a problem. Most public bathrooms have stalls, especially women’s bathroom. If they are pretending or trying to act like they should have been, then I don’t have a problem with it. If I was dating a person like that and they never told me and I found out later. I might be upset with them, but I wouldn’t toss them aside. I would try to understand why they didn’t tell me. Especially, if we have been dating for a while and the relationship is getting serious. Why do you ask?” Jesse looks towards Renata.
Renata wasn’t sure if this was the time or the place to tell Jesse about herself, but if they were going to get over the border he would need to know.
She looks at him and nervously rubs her hands “because I haven’t been totally honest with you. My real name is Roman García Lozada and I’m only 15 years old now. I was honest about the events that lead to me being shot and being hunted down. I ran away from the boys group home I had been sent when I got out of the hospital for the gun wound. Because one of the older boys there raped me and another force me to have oral sex with him. That was after the trail of the guy who shot me. I slipped away among the confusion after the trail. Before you ask, my parents tossed me out of the house when they found me coming home from a LGBT meeting as a girl. The only ones in my family that
don’t care about me wanting to be a girl is my sister. We keep in touch. I was also honest about not knowing who my true father is.”
Jesse listens to what Renata just told him. He didn’t know what to make of it.
He just looks at her wondering “why are you telling me this now?”
“Because, I don’t know how we are going to get across the border and I don’t want this to be a surprised on you if it comes up. All I want to do, is get back home to Austin, Texas.” Tears were coming from Renata’s eyes.
“Don’t worry. Once the situation is explained to my Captain, everything should be okay.” Jesse hopes they just make it to the border.
The rest of the ride is boring and uneventful, which for Jesse is a blessing. He had watched as Renata had fallen asleep. He didn’t know what he was going to do about her. She was still a minor by law, unless she became emancipated. They get dropped off in a little town, just on the other side of the border. Renata and Jesse walk up to the border guard and Jesse explains everything and asked to call his Captain so he could come and vouch for him. They did finger print both him and Renata. His came up as being with the Texas Ranger Department and there was nothing on hers, but she was listed in the DMV data base as a resident of Austin, Texas.
An hour later, Jesse’s Captain shows up and vouches for both, after a bunch of paperwork is done. Jesse suggest that Renata comes and stays with him for the night, till this mess is straightened out. Renata doesn’t mind, but she does call her boss and explain what happen and that she will need to miss work. After she calls her boss, she calls her landlord to ask if anyone has been in her apartment lately and inform him that she is going to be gone for a few days.
Once all that is taken care of, Jesse is dropped off at his house with Renata in towed. Jesse cooks up some dinner for them, while Renata soaks in the tub and wonder what is going to happen next.
Renata has already told Jesse she wasn’t going back to a group home. She was going to go ahead and get emancipated. He wanted her to stay here at his home till he found out more about the Cartel that had kidnapped both him and her. Renata had called Lady Bird and told her what had happened. Her boss at her full-time job had spoken with Jesse and understood. She would still have her job if she wanted it when she came back.
Jesse had arrived at work and started investigating the Cartel he and Renata had been kidnapped by. She had given him all the information about her ATM card and the contents of her purse so they could track anyone using the items from it, including her cell phone. He had a meeting later with the Captain and child services. He knew that Renata was going to hire a lawyer to represent her for her emancipation from the system. He couldn’t blame her really. She had been doing well on her own till now.
Renata decided to go and do some shopping. Jesse was your typical single male who had nothing in them except outdated takeout. The store was kind of high class so things that would normally cost her less at the store near her apartment, was a little more here. She still had thirty dollars to her name, so she uses that to buy the food. Hopefully Jesse will like what she was going to cook.
Renata prepares things she will need to make dinner tonight, before cleaning up Jesse’s place. Hopefully he doesn’t get mad with her cleaning the place up. Once she is done and is waiting to for him to come home, before starting dinner. She heads into the bathroom and takes a nice relaxing bath. She’ll have to get him to take her by her place to grab some of her clothes.
As Renata lays, there in the tub soaking and enjoying a glass of wine she had managed to buy while shopping for dinner. She wonders what Jesse is planning on doing with her. They really didn’t talk about it and there was a big age gap in their age. Also, not to mention the fact they both were equip with the same plumping until she could pay to have hers redone. Why did life have to do this to her. Why couldn’t she had been with the proper plumping and enjoy the pains of being a real woman. Even after she gets the operation, she isn’t going to be complete.
There’s going to be things she’ll never get to experience.
She downs the wine she has been drinking and pour herself another glass. She really hated life at times. It would be nice if things could be simple like it is in some of the fairy tales she uses to read. A wave of a wand and all her worries would be forgotten. She leans back and let the wine take her away for a while.
Jesse had gotten a hit on someone using Renata’s debit card at a gas station down in the warehouse district. He runs down to his truck which he had picked up the spare keys from home and heads out towards there. While he is driving towards the gas station, he thinks about everything Renata told him about herself. He felt kind of sorry for her after everything she had experience.
When Jesse arrives at the gas station, he goes inside to speak with the cashier to get a description of the person trying to use Renata’s debit card.
The cashier has the manager of the gas station show him the security recording of the person. Once Jesse has a description he calls it in and drives around seeing if he might get lucky and spot the person.
As Jesse is driving, he spots a truck he has seen before. It was the night he had been ambushed and taken. He drives over to where it is parked and have the plates run. As he is sitting there waiting for the results to come back. The driver comes walking out and immediately, Jesse recognizes him.
“Freeze!” Jesse had pulled his gun and had it aimed at the person.
“Put your hands on the truck, Now!” Jesse watches as the person does as he is told.
Jesse comes around and handcuffs the person. He searches his pockets and find his credit cards and Renata’s card as well.
“Where’s the rest of our stuff?” Jesse turns the guy around.
“In my truck.” Francisco knew he was screwed now. He had thought they had taken care of the Texas Ranger, but here he was arresting him.
Jesse searches the truck and finds Renata’s purse along with his wallet. He also finds his and Renata’s cell phones. He knows Renata will be happy when he gives her, her stuff back. Jesse calls for a tow truck and a black and white to come and pick his guy up. He’ll interrogate him at the station about the rest of his crew.
Renata wakes up after falling asleep in the tub. The water was ice cold as she slowly gets out and dries herself off. She looks at the clock in the bathroom she had taken with her and notice it was getting close to six. She wonders what time Jesse will be back? Renata heads into the bedroom and gets dress and fixes her hair. Once she is done doing that she heads into the kitchen and begin dinner and hope Jesse is home by the time it is ready.
Carmen starts getting ready for her number. Her and Jesse had, had an argument this morning about her coming back to work. One, because she really isn’t of legal age to perform as a drag queen and two, because the cartel guys that were after her were laying low, because another group was moving in on their territory and they couldn’t spare any one right now. That’s what Jesse had gotten from that guy he had caught the other night. She was getting tired of being shut-up in his house with nothing to do except watch television and listening to his cd’s.
She has promise that she would call him when she was ready to leave. Besides, she really needed the money. True, she still had some of that money she had found, but that was emergency money only and it was in her safe deposit box at her bank.
“Carmen, it’s your turn sweetie.” Georgia Swan looks over at their youngest entertainer and hope everything was alright.
“Thanks Georgia.” Carmen gets up and heads out on stage and start her number. After a few minutes, she loses herself to the music and start shaking her assets and bouncing around on stage. The number she was performing was an old Gloria Estefan song. She does two number she had practice and then goes into another that was a Spanish Lullaby
By the time she was done sing, she was exhausted. Carmen takes her bows and head into the dressing room.
“Girl, how do you expect me to follow that act?” Jessica Moon was shaking her head.
“Sorry Jessica.” Renata really looks sorry. She didn’t mean to make it hard.
Jessica just shakes her head and goes out to start her performance. Renata could hear that music she was lip syncing to was an old Cher number and then another one and finally something more up to date. Carmen sings a little to herself while she fixed her make-up and go out into the bar and mingle with her fans. This is what she enjoyed. Performing and entertaining to a crowd and singing.
“Carmen, why don’t you come up here and do a number with me.” Jessica Moon motions for Carmen to come up and join her.
“Okay” Carmen gets up on stage and they perform a duo song that both knew the words to and rock the joint.
The two of them go into another song and continue the energy that was building. Everyone starts chanting for more. So, they do another number. Once that number is done, Renata and Jessica get down off the stage and have a cold drink to relax their vocal cords.
“So, have you found a boyfriend yet?” Jessica takes a sip of her drink while watching Renata.
“No, I’m living with a guy right now, but he isn’t my boyfriend. He’s more of a friend.” Renata knew there was no way Jesse could ever have anything to do with her.
“How about you? Any one special?” Renata smiles when she notices Jessica eyes light up.
“Yes, he’s an account at Williams and Williams. Everyone knows he’s gay. So, there’s no problem with our relationship.” Jessica was beaming with pride when she thought about her boyfriend.
“Maybe one day you’ll find that special one Carmen.” Jessica rest her hand on her shoulder.
“Thanks, Jessica.” Carmen takes a deep breath and let it out slowly. She hopes one day she will find that special person, but for now she’ll just have to live a lonely life.
Renata stays the rest of night and enjoy the company. Around two in the morning, she calls Jesse to have him come and pick her up. She hates doing this to him, but he insisted that they do things this way. He arrives within fifteen minutes and she walks outside making sure it is safe.
Once she is inside the car and belted in.
“So how was tonight?” Jesse had never been inside a gay club.
“It was fun tonight. Me and Jessica rocked the place. I think you would have had fun being there, all though. I might have to beat the other guys off you.” Renata wonders if he would show one night.
“You beat the other guys off me? Are you telling me you’re gay?” Jesse had been wondering about Renata, but felt uncomfortable asking her.
“No, but everyone at the club thinks I am. I want a traditional relationship between a woman and a man. I want to find a man that could accept my past and love me for me.” Tears were sliding down Renata’s cheeks, but she didn’t want Jesse to see them.
He glances her way and watches as she tries to hide something from him. The rest of the ride he thinks about what she had admitted to him while they drove home. Was he starting to feel something for her? He’ll have to see where their relationship goes from here.
“Jesse, would you mind if we stop and get something to drink please? I didn’t buy any more soda for the house.”
“Sure, no problem Renata.” Jesse pulls into a Shop 24 and parks.
“I’ll be just a minute Jesse.”
Renata gets out and walks into the store and picks up two, two liters of Pepsi and a bag of gummy bears as well. She heads back outside and just as she is walking towards the car, a car squeals by and gunfire could be heard. The next thing Jesse sees is Renata being hit and the guy behind her as well. The car that had done the shooting takes off down the road.
Jesse gets on his radio and call for the ambulance and after he does that. He gets out of the car and rushes over towards her. He notices she had taken several bullets to the stomach and to her nether region. He does what he can to stop the bleeding from her wounds till the ambulance arrives.
Renata looks up at Jesse and in a weak voice “why do bad things keep happening to me?”
Jesse just smiles at her “don’t know darling, but you do tend to draw attention to yourself.”
Jesse stays by Renata side till the ambulance shows up. He had managed to slow the bleeding till they got there. The other person had taken a bullet through his head and through his chest. More cop cars show at the same time as the ambulance. While the paramedics stabilized Renata, Jesse tells the other officers what happened.
The ambulance takes Renata to the nearest hospital. Jesse follows and waits while they operate on Renata. The Doctor does manage to fix one of the wounds of Renata, but inform Jesse that they will have to change her gender.
The first thing Renata feels when she wakes-up is numbness and a tightness to her body. Her throat felt dry and she felt so weak. She manages to move her head to the side and notice Jesse sitting there next to her sound asleep. He was holding her hand in his as a smile appears on her face. She squeezes his hand and closes her eyes as she drifts off to sleep again.
The next time she wakes up, she notices that Jesse was still holding her hand and watching her.
“Well, good afternoon sleepy head.” A smile forms on Jesse’s face when he notices Renata’s eyes opening again.
Renata just smiles at him and winces when she tries to move. Jesse notices the painful expression on her face.
“I wouldn’t try moving to much Renata. You took a round to your stomach and to your lower region.” Jesse had been informed that Renata would had to have reconstructive surgery because of the damage that the bullet had done to her lower region. Since he knew she wanted the surgery any way, he gave the okay for it.
“No wonder I hurt so much.” Renata tries very hard not to move any more. She glances around and notice her room was decorated with flowers and a few teddy bears. Two of the teddy bears were dressed in drag.
“Your friends came by. I didn’t think you would appreciate me not telling them. Someone named Lady Bird came in and wanted to know how you were doing. She said your drag mother was concern about you. I should admit Renata, when your friend Jessica Moon came to see you. All the male nurses stopped to stare at her. Even the police officers outside your door were amazed by her looks.”
“That’s Jessica for you. She’s already married to an accountant. So, you guys are going to have to back off her. Her and her husband love each other very much.” Renata remembers seeing the two love birds one day. They were heavily involved with one another.
“Don’t worry Renata, I don’t think anyone will be chasing after her. They met her husband when he came with her to see you.” He had been intrigued about the couple. Jessica seemed to be genuine concern about Renata.
“Oh, I have some good news for you. Jessica said a talent agent came by and wants you to get it touch with him when you recover. He heard you sing and thinks you would be great at it professionally.” Jesse had the guy checked out to see if he was legit.
“That’s sounds like a plus among all the bad things that have been happening to me. Can you hand me some water please?” Renata was feeling thirsty.
“Sure.” Jesse gets up and gets some water for Renata in the sterile hospital wrap cups.
Jesse walks back over and hands the cup to Renata.
“Thanks” Renata winces when she reaches for the cup.
“Here, let me help you.” Jesse brings the cup to Renata’s lips and tilt it just a little.
Jessica takes a few sips.
Jesse watches and stops after she takes a few sips.
“Thanks.” Renata watches as Jesse sets the cup back down.
“So, we’re you able to capture that person who shot me?” Renata wonders why she was shot.
“Yes and no. We tracked the car down and found it abandon. We’re still searching for the driver and gunman. But, don’t worry the hit wasn’t on you. It was the guy behind you. He was a member of a gang that has been moving into the area lately. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Jesse knew the local police department was dealing with it. They had taken him off the case, because of how close he was to the victim.
“Well, I hope you find the asshole and put two rounds into them like they did me.” Renata hated the fact she had been shot.
“You know, if I didn’t know you were fifteen years old. I would say you were a lot older.” Jesse was still amazed on how mature Renata was at times. She had her moments when her true age showed through.
“Actually, I just turned sixteen a few days ago when we got back from Mexico. Did you hear from the lawyer I hired to handle the emancipation paperwork?” Renata wanted to just be able on her own.
“No not yet, but I did tell your case worker that you wanted to be on your own. She said that she’ll talk with you later when your recovered. Now, I know your doctor is going to come and check on you and check on your wrappings. I need to go and make a phone call. So, I’m going to leave you alone for a while with your doctor.” Jesse stands up and leans over to place a kiss on her forehead.
“See you in a little while.”
Renata watches as Jesse leaves her hospital room. A few minutes later her doctor comes in with a nurse to look at her wounds. The doctor was gentle with her, but it was still painful as he checked the packing from her vaginoplasty surgery. He also checked the wrappings around her stomach from that surgery.
“Well, everything looks good. In a few days, we’ll take your packing out and you can start with the dilators. Unfortunately, you’re going to have to stay here at the hospital for a couple of weeks to recover from your stomach wound.” Doctor Youngster wrote a few things on a pad.
“I’m going to cut back on your pain medicine some. From what your blood pressure has been showing, it’s a little too strong for you.”
“Thanks.” Renata watches as the nurse and her doctor leave the room.
Renata closes her eyes and just wonder how many more times she’s going to be shot. She’s been shot in her shoulder, grazed by a bullet during the shootout when her and Jesse escaped from the truck they had been traveling in. Then she got shot in her stomach and groin area. She already had nightmares from getting shot in her shoulder. Now, she gets to add the recent shootings to her nightmare.
What was life trying to tell her? Why did things keep happening to her? Renata just sighs and lays there staring up at the ceiling wondering what will life bring her tomorrow.
A week had gone by since Renata ended up in the hospital. Her friends from the club came and visited her while she was in the hospital. They had teased her about the dilators and said if she was feeling that horny, they could find a stud for her to help scratch that itch. Even though a week had gone by and she was using the dilators like she was instructed to. It was both painful and embarrassing. Her stomach wound made it painful.
The doctor told her that she would be spending a few weeks in the hospital recovering from the gunshot wound to her abdomen. On the fifth day, a middle age woman with a long blonde ponytail dress in a form fitting light blue business suit and white blouse enters her hospital room. She was carrying a black leather computer bag with her. Renata couldn’t believe that the dress suit the woman was wearing had come off the shelf. It looked to have been tailored especially for her.
The mysterious woman stops next to Renata’s bed and holds out her hand.
“I’m sorry to intrude on your recovery Ms. Renata Magdaleno, but I thought it was time we met. I’m June Armstrong-Jones and I’m with a private security firm by the name of Black Bird Security that’s been hired to protect you. The person who has hired my firm has asked to remain anonymous. That same person has also asked that once you are given the okay to leave the hospital. That were to transport you and Texas Ranger Baylor to a privately own ranch in California. That way you can recover in peace without worrying about any Cartel members finding you. An associate of mine is already meeting with Texas Ranger Jesse B. Baylor to speak with him and his Captain. I need for you to sign these forms giving me permission to enter your apartment and pack up all your belongings. They will be put in a storage unit not far from where you’ll be staying if you need anything.” June take her IPad from her leather shoulder case for Renata to sign.
Renata didn’t know what to make of this. Who would hire a private security firm to protect her?
“Why would someone I don’t know do this for me?” She was looking at June.
“I don’t know ma’am. I’m not privilege to that information. All I can tell you, is that we did do a background check on the person paying for this and that person has no ties to the Cartel at all. All the cost involved to transport you and Mr. Baylor is being handle by the person that hired us.” June knew the person, but she wasn’t allowed to say who it was.
“Can I wait to talk with Jesse first?” Renata wanted to know what he thought about all this.
“By all means and once you have decided give me a call at this number at any time.” June places the IPad back in her leather case and pull out a business card that had her name, the company name and phone number on it. She hands it to Renata
“There you go. If you need anything, just call that number. That’s by direct line. I’ll leave you now so you can get some rest.” June turns and leaves Renata’s hospital room.
Renata just watches as the mysterious woman leaves her. She glances down at the card and read the information on it. She did know if she should trust this persona and wanted to talk with Jesse about it first, before she did anything. Jesse lays down to take a nap.
The next time she wakes up, Jesse is sitting next to her bed. He looked tired and worn out. Renata knew he has been spending time with her. Staying overnight and barely getting any sleep. She was slowly falling in love with him and hope maybe, just maybe he was with her.
Jesse head Renata moved and knew she was awake. Jesse looks into Renata’s hazel color eyes and couldn’t help to feel h was falling in love with her. He had been thinking about her, ever since their returned from Mexico. At first it had bother him that he was attracted to another male, but then he realized that Renata wasn’t a male. He had watched as she moved, dress and acted around other people and in private. He had thought he lost her when she had been gunned down at the convenience store they had stopped at for her to get some soda. He had finally come to a decision this afternoon before speaking with his captain and the representative from Black Bird Security. He had them checked out and found they were on the up and up.
“Well, good evening sleepy head.” He leans over and give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Mm, I love it when you kiss me like that.” Renata just stare into Jesse’s brown eyes.
They stay like that for a few minutes, before Jesse notices the business card from Black Bird Security.
“I notice you had a visit from Black Bird Security firm. Did they tell you that they had been hired to protect you and wanted you to sign some forms to store your things?” Jesse picks the card up and looks at it.
“Yes, but I wanted to talk with you first. Are they on the up and up or do you think we are being played?” Renata just watches Jesse’s face.
“I had them checked out and they are on the up and up. They wouldn’t tell me who hired them or why. If you want to go ahead and go with them. I’ll come with you. I don’t think I can stand it if you left me Renata.” Jesse reaches into his pants pocket and pulls out a black velvet covered small box.
“I know this isn’t very romantic, but I couldn’t stand it if I lost you.” He opens the box and inside was engagement ring.
“Will you marry me Ms. Renata Magdaleno?” Jesse was holding his breathe hoping Renata will say yes.
“Yes!” Tears were coming down her face as she latches onto Jesse and was hugging him. Her wish had come true. She didn’t care about the pain she felt when she moved like she just did.
After a few minutes, she releases him so he could put the ring on her finger. Renata holds her hand up to admire the ring. She still had tears coming down her cheeks. She loved how the ring looked and the expression on Jesse face when she said yes. She moves slowly and climb onto his lap and kiss him deeply. If she wasn’t in so much pain right now between her legs and stomach she would let him make love to her tonight.
The next following weeks for Renata were busy. She was discharged from the hospital after spending two weeks there. Her doctor told her not to lift anything heavier than ten pounds while her abdomen muscles healed. Her and Jesse had agreed on doing what the security firm had requested of them and a moving crew had come in and moved all her belonging and Jesse’s. They were flown out in a private jet to a private airfield and transferred to a helicopter to the ranch they had been promise.
Renata couldn't believe her eyes when she saw the spread of the ranch as they flew towards.
“Jesse, look. There is a vineyard and horses and such.” Renata eyes were big.
Jesse looks towards the rep from the security that had traveled with them “will we be meeting our benefactor when we land?”
“Unfortunately, they won’t be available. They are currently out of the States on business, but should return by the end of the week. Trust me
Mr. Jesse, they want to meet you as much as you want to meet them.” June knew that her employer hadn’t wanted to leave, but wanted to be here when Renata and her fiancé arrived.
“You have a full staff here on the ranch to cater to Ms. Renata’s need and your own Mr. Baylor. Also, Ms. Renata, your name has been changed and a proper identity has been issued to you.” June hands an envelope that held a new birth certificate, identity card and other records and paperwork for Renata.
Renata looks at her new identity card and notice it still had her first name, but her middle and last name had been changed and it was issued through the Spanish government. Her new identity read Renata Elizabeth Borbón. When they land, they are met by a middle age Hispanic gentleman waiting for them.
“Hola Señora como estas?” Carlos had been informed that Don Juan Carlos was expecting visitors and they were to be treated as if they were family. As soon as Carlos saw the youngest woman among them exit the helicopter. He knew right away why Juan had given that order.
Renata turns to Carlos “Que estamos haciendo bien.”
Renata had a pleasant smile on her face as if she had been clever responding back in Spanish.
Jesse just shakes his head at Renata.
“Here, let me get someone to handle your bags.” Carlos presses a remote in his pocket and a few seconds later. A young man comes out with a luggage cart to load the bags they had brought with them and load it on the cart.
June smiles when she hears Renata respond back in Spanish to Carlos.
“If you’ll follow me please.” Carlos escorts June, Renata and Jesse over to a cart that had been parked nearby for them to use.
Everyone follows Carlos to the cart and seat down inside. Once everyone was settle, the cart starts moving.
June turns to look back at Renata and Jesse “Carlos is the head manager here on the property. If you need anything personal or something special let Carlos knows and he’ll make sure you have it. The head house keeper is his wife. She has already informed the staff of your arrival and rooms are being prepared. Tomorrow we will take a tour of the property conducted by Carlos. Tonight, I figure you would like to relax and recover from your long flight. If there is anything you need, just let the staff know and they will get it for you.”
The ride from the helicopter pad to the main house didn’t take long. The Villa itself was of a Mediterranean style architectural design. Renata and Jesse both couldn’t believe the place. The head house keeper met them at the main door. She was of average build and was Hispanic.
“Mr. Baylor and Ms. Borbon, this is Mrs. Sofia Garcia and she is Carlos wife and the head house keeper here. If there is anything special you need, just let her know.” June follows behind Sofia as she escorts them to their room.
When Sofia opens the door to show them their room Renata stops before going in. She couldn’t believe the size of the room. It was huge. She could see a balcony thru the glass doors that were open to allow a breeze to come in. She slowly walks in and start exploring the room. It had an attach bathroom with a huge tub in it.
June stood back and watched as Renata explored the room with Jesse in tow. The furniture in the room had been brought over from Spain for Renata and her husband to be. Renata watched as Renata went outside on the balcony. June had to admit the view was breath taking as she stood and looked out over the property. The room was facing the vineyard. She could see workers out in the field picking grapes for the wine made here on the property.
Jesse couldn’t believe the place. Whoever their benefactor is, was loaded or came from money. He could tell that all the furniture in the room was handcrafted and very old. He steps outside on the balcony with Renata beside him and loved the view. They could see mountains in the distance and the vineyard directly in front of them. Whoever, design this place had done an exquisite job. A little dining table and chairs along with two loungers had been set-up out on the balcony so the occupants could come out and enjoy the sun or have breakfast outside.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” June had walked out onto the balcony and over to the couple.
“Yes, It’s very beautiful.” Renata couldn’t believe they were going to be living here.
Sophia had been surprised like her husband when she saw the youngest woman among the group, but now understood why Don Juan had insisted that everything was perfect. The youngest among them was the splitting image of the Don’s Great, Great Grandmother María Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez.
Sophia shows them the rest of the house and a meal is prepared for them. Renata did have to excuse herself to her room to handle a few things that she still needed to do because of her operation. It was still painful to a certain degree using the dilators. However, she was getting use to them.
June had retired to her room for the night. Even she couldn’t believe the resemblances of Renata to their Great, Great Grandmother. Juan had been right and the blood work to check and see if Renata was his long-lost child had come back positive. She couldn’t believe how spiteful Renata’s mother had been by not telling her brother that he had a son and later found out that he was really a she. Juan didn’t care that his child felt different then he was born. All he wanted was for his child to be happy.
Juan had wanted to be here when they arrived today, but he had to fly down to Mexico to meet with a certain friend of his that was going hunting. His friend had agreed to solve a certain problem for him while he was down there. This way Renata would be safe and they wouldn’t have to worry about her safety. June wanted to tell Renata who she was and who her benefactor was, but she had promise her brother that she would let him do it.
Later in the evening as the sun was going down Renata and Jesse take a walk outside around the courtyard and enjoyed the sun setting and the smell of the flowers. Renata couldn’t believe that they were going to be staying here. It was so beautiful and peaceful. They just walk along holding hands and enjoying each other’s presence.
Later, they turn in for the night. Renata snuggles close to Jesse and couldn’t wait till she was healed enough to take him inside of her. She closes her eyes and dream of their wedding.
Renata had woken up early and slipped out of bed quietly. She didn’t want to wake Jesse. They had slept with the sliding glass door opened last night. She opens it quietly and walks out onto the balcony to watch the sunrise. She couldn’t believe the view from the balcony in front of her. Nothing but grape vines and the mountains all the way behind vineyard to see. They were going to take a tour of the place later today. A bottle of the wine this place makes last night was served at dinner and she loved it. She wasn’t a wine connoisseur, but she enjoyed the wine last night.
Renata just sits and watches as the sun comes up. She could get use to this view every day. Sophia had said that they had a staff here on the ranch that cleaned the rooms and made the beds. She doesn’t know how she felt about having people waiting on her hand and foot, but she’ll see what happens. Renata just relaxes and enjoys the morning air and scene.
Renata was so relaxed, that’s he didn’t hear the screen door opening and closing behind her. She was lost in her thoughts and enjoyment.
“I see you are enjoying the morning sunrise.” Jesse had woken up and saw that Renata wasn’t in mind with him. He had gotten up and worked over to the door separating the balcony from the bedroom and notice Renata sitting in a lounge chair enjoying the morning sun.
Renata nearly jumps out of the lounge when she hears Jesse’s voice.
Jesse just grins as he watches her almost fall of the lounger.
“Don’t do that.” Renata turned around to see Jesse grinning at her.
Jesse walks over and sits down in a lounger next to her.
“Sorry.” He was amused by her reactions.
Renata just glares at him as she goes back watching the sun. She wonders what she was going to do here. She had been happy when she found out someone was interested in her to sing professionally.
“Jesse, do you think we made the right decision?” Renata loved here, but what did she give up.
“Having second thoughts about being here sweetie?” Jesse moves over to her lounger and holds her.
Renata leans into Jesse’s body when she feels his arm wrapped around her.
“Yes and no. I’m just wondering if I made a bad choice. I know I’m being silly, but I love to sing and perform.” Renata will miss that part of her life.
“Look, we’ve been here for one night. Let’s see how things are sweetie. Maybe, our mysterious benefactor will make it so you can sing and perform again.” Jesse rubs Renata shoulders and hold her tight against his body.
“Okay.” Renata just stays like she is. She was enjoying the fact she finally found someone to love her for her.
Jesse and Renata stay like that for a while just watching the morning. Thirty minutes later there’s a knock on their bedroom door.
“Enter.” Jesse gets up and walks inside the bedroom. Jesse notices one of the house maids standing there.
“Sir, I sent to tell you that we’ll be serving breakfast soon. Is there anything special you and miss would like?” Zoe had been sent to inform the new comers that breakfast was going to be served and if there is anything special they would like.
“Renata, is there anything special you would like for breakfast?” Jesse was just going to have his normal. Which was coffee and toast.
“How about a Denver omelet? I wouldn’t mind that with some hash browns.” Renata comes walking in.
Zoe takes a notepad out and writes it down.
“Anything special for you sir?” Zoe looks directly at Jesse.
“Just coffee and toast is fine with me, Miss?”
“Zoe sir. I’ll be your personal maid here during the day. I normally take Fridays and Sundays off.” Zoe wonders who these people are. The girl looked familiar, but she couldn’t place her finger on it.
“Thank you, Zoe.” Renata smiles at her. She looked to be part Mexican and part Native American.
“You’re welcome ma’am.” Zoe turns and leaves.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to go and take a shower. You’re welcome to join me if you want too.” Renata starts heading towards the bathroom. Renata grabs everything she needs from her side of the dresser.
“I’ll be in after you take care of certain things sweetie. I know how you feel about me watching you.” Jesse had tried to help Renata one morning and she felt uncomfortable with him seeing her having to use her dilators in front of him.
“Okay, give me a few minutes to do my morning routine.” Renata walks into their huge bathroom and do what she needs to do.
“Okay, I’m ready.” Renata turns the shower on and gets under the water once it hits the right temperature.
Jesse walks in nude and gets into the shower with her. The two of them enjoy lathering and enjoying each other’s bodies as the hot water cascades down their bodies. Jesse plays with Renata’s breast, while Renata plays with Jesse’s manhood. This is the first time she has ever done anything like this and wants to please him. Jesse just closes his eyes as he enjoys Renata’s playing of his body.
They spend a while in the shower and finally get out of the shower and dress. When they get down stairs and see the table setup for breakfast. They both couldn’t believe. It. There was fresh cut fruit, a basket of fresh bread. The smell of freshly brew coffee was hanging in the air.
“Wow!” Renata takes her seat and Jesse sits down as well.
“Morning” June sits down at the table as well and she has some fruit and coffee.
They all have a quiet breakfast. Renata enjoys the omelet, while Jesse enjoys the coffee and the fresh made bread. Later, after everyone is done eating. June rides with Jesse and Renata as they are given a tour of the ranch.
Renata had decided that she wanted to walk around for a little while on her on. Jesse had taken a private tour of the winery. He wanted to know more about it and how much business it did. Renata didn’t want to come with him and just wanted to have some time to herself. Her life had changed so much. She had gone from barely getting by to finding someone to love her for her. Now she was just exploring on her own. Renata finds a nice little hide away where she could come to think and not be bother by the staff on the ranch. As she is sitting there, she watches as some butterflies’ flutter by her. The flowers that were planted near this spot were nice and the area itself was a little cool.
Renata figures someone had planted the different plants around this area to make it a place for a person to relax. She has caught a few people giving her strange looks when she walked by them. She didn’t know why they gave her strange looks, but she does wonder. June had said that their benefactor would be joining them tomorrow. She been wondering who it could be. There weren’t many people she trusted. She did call her sister after Jesse went on his tour. She had told her that she had moved, but couldn’t tell her anything yet. She had also informed her that she was engaged to get married. That sent her sister thru the roof and told her she wanted to be invited to the wedding.
Her sister said she had a big argument with their mother and father about what they did to her. She had said that she couldn’t understand how they could put their stupid religious beliefs before the love of their children. Renata’s sister also told her that it was the people in the church that had put pressure on their parents to force her to leave. It was giving other teenagers that felt like she did ideas that maybe the church was wrong and there was nothing wrong with them. They had talked about what type of wedding Renata would like to have, but not be able to have it. Her sister said if when they set a date to let her know right away so she can plan on coming to the wedding.
Renata missed her sister and her brother. He was doing okay according to her sister, but lately he was hanging around with some fellows that were known to be in gangs. Renata closes her eyes and wish that her younger brother doesn’t end up going to jail or having something bad happening to him. The tour they took of the ranch was impressive. She had enjoyed it and learn, once she was feeling better. There was a gym on the property if she wanted to work out. There was even a dance studio if she wanted to practice her dance moves.
Renata figures she may not be able to do drag shows any more, but that doesn’t mean she couldn’t still dance. Renata watches the clouds as they on by up in the sky. She just felt at peace just sitting and watching the butterflies as they flew this way and that way. She wonders if she would be permitted to get a cat or a little dog. This place would be a good place for something small she could take care of.
Her new cell phone starts beeping. Renata pulls it out of her pocket and checks it. It was a text message from her friend Lady Bird. She was texting to see how she was doing and if she’ll be coming back to work.
Renata returns the text and slip the cell phone back into the pocket on her dress. It had a pocket sewn into it so she could carry her cell phone with her without it being spotted or in her hand. She wonders what the people she used to work with at the diner would think of the place she was staying at. She closes her eyes and lean back and enjoy the peacefulness.
Jesse had gone to check the winery out early this morning. He wanted to know more about it. As he toured the place, his thoughts were on Renata and wonder where she had gotten to. He knew she was still on the ground, because he had checked his new cell phone and it showed here still here. However, it didn’t say where exactly only that she was still her.
He starts looking for her and soon finds her in a hidden secluded spot on the property. She was laying down on the wooden bench she had been sitting on. A smile appears on his face as he watches her sleep. He knew he made the right choice by asking her to marry him. He didn’t want to disturb her, so he sits across from her and just watches over her as she slept. He had to admit that this was a nice place to take a nap at.
Jesse just sit there and think about the wife he would soon have. They hadn’t set a date yet or talked about what type of wedding she wanted. He has been trying to find out who their mysterious benefactor was, but every time he thought he had a clue or information them. His informants or files would disappear. He has been noticing that whenever a member of the staff was around. They gave Renata weird looks. Why he hasn’t been able to find out, but it had something to do with who this ranch belongs too.
June wasn’t much help either. She was keeping quiet on any information relating to their benefactor. All she would tell him was that they would him them tomorrow. That was all. Jesse notices Renata becoming restless. He moves to her side and holds her hand. He knew she had nightmares of the day she had been almost killed. It was something she just couldn’t over come.
Jesse strokes Renata’s long black hair and left her head, so she can use his leg as a pillow. He stays there and just let her sleep.
Jesse felt his shoulder being shaken lightly. He slowly opens his eyes and notice Renata was looking at him.
“Good afternoon sleepy head.” She leans in and gives him a kiss.
He returns the kiss.
“Good afternoon to you as well.”
Renata had awoken when her cell alarm went off reminding her that she needed to do some business with her dilators. She had been startled when she woke up, but calmed down when she notices she had been using Jesse as her pillow. She had watched him as he slept sitting up. She didn’t want to wake him, but she had too because her reminder went off again on her phone.
“Come on sleepy head. I need to take care of business. Why don’t you go and have lunch sent up to our room?” Renata was pulling on Jesse’s arm to pull him up.
Jesse just giggles at Renata antics and gets up. The two of them walk to the nearest door leading inside the main house. Jesse heads for the kitchen to inform Zoe they were having lunch in their room and what they wanted.
Renata rushes upstairs towards their room. She needed to pee and use the dilators as well take some antibiotics and pain pills for her stomach wound.
By the time, Renata gets down with the dilators, Jesse walks in with Zoe behind her with their lunch. Zoe sets their lunch on the small table in their room and leaves afterwards.
Don Juan Carlos got in late after coming from his meeting with Jack down in Mexico. Jack had sent him pictures showing the death of the Cartel leader and the destruction of his crops, building and everything else he had. He even showed the picture of his head on a stake right where the road went into the cartels compound. Juan leans back in his chair and thinks about how he wanted to explain to his daughter how he didn’t know about her till recently. He had one more thing to do before he turned in for the night.
Renata had woken-up from a nightmare she had. Jesse was facing the other way. She gets out of bed and slips her night robe on. She slips her feet into her slippers and quietly walk out of her bedroom. She has come to love this place. Renata heads down to the kitchen to grab some juice. She forgot to tell Zoe that she would like to keep some upstairs in her room in a mini-fridge.
As Renata walks into the kitchen, she notices a man she hadn’t seen before in there.
“Hello, I didn’t think anyone else was awake.”
Don Juan had been surprised to see Renata in the kitchen. He had seen pictures of her, but she looked better in real life.
“I just got in and decided to fix myself something. I’m Carlos by the way.” He extends his hand out to her.
“I’m Renata. Nice to met you.” She shakes his hand.
“Carlos” He returns the handshake.
“So, why are you up?” Carlos had finish making his sandwich.
“Would you like one?”
“No thank you. I would like a juice if you don’t mind.”
Renata watches as Carlos puts the fixing for the sandwich away.
Carlos grabs a juice and hands it to her.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Renata takes a sip of her juice.
“About a year ago I was almost killed. Just recently I was shot as well. The first time I was shot, I was lucky that a dead body fell on top of
me and covered me up so the people who did the shooting thought I was dead. The second time I was shot was because someone was doing a drive by shooting and got me at the same time as their intended target. In total I have been shot three times.” Renata shivers when she thinks about it.
“When was the third time?” Don Carlos wanted to know.
“Actually, it was the second time. The drive by was my third. I was kidnapped along with Jesse by some Cartel thugs and on the way to their headquarters or compound. They came under attack and while Jesse and I were trying to escape. A bullet whizzed by my arm and gave me a flesh wound, instead of how I was shot the other two times.”
Renata takes another sip of her juice.
“Sounds like you have had a hard life.”
“It’s had its ups and downs. I just wish I didn’t had to go in hiding like I am. Don’t get me wrong, I love this place. The problem is, now I don’t have my career. Jesse doesn’t have his job anymore and we have to be careful when we leave the property.”
“What do your parents think about all this?” Carlos wanted to see what Renata knew.
“My parents don’t want to have anything to do with me. They don’t agree with my life style. Heck, my father who my mom tries to get me to say is my father isn’t. I wish I knew who my real father is.”
Renata didn’t know why she was telling this man her life story.
“Maybe one day you’ll met him and the two of you can build a friendship together. He might not know that you exist.”
“Maybe, but I would like to know what happen and why he doesn’t. Was it my mother’s doing or did he not want me?” Renata would like to know that answer.
“I can’t image any father not wanting to know he has children. Especially, if that child is his very first child. Maybe, your mother hide your birth from him, because she had cheated on him with another man. He might not have believed you were his at first. However, looking at you I bet he would realize you were his. I also bet he would do everything he could to make sure you were safe. Even if it meant taking care of that Cartel guy that wants you dead. I know if you were my daughter, I would want you to be part of my life now.”
Renata looks at Carlos and wonders if he knows her.
“If I was your child and you found out I was transgender. How would you feel?”
“If you were my child, I wouldn’t care. I have visited a lot of different places in my life and met a lot of different people. I would never try to judge any one’s life style or choice. I wouldn’t judge my own child’s choice. I would just make sure they were sure of their choice.”
Renata was watching his facial features to see if he was lying. Something was telling her he knew something about her.
“Do you have any children of your own?”
“I didn’t know I had a child till recently.”
Don Juan was wondering if Renata has caught on yet.
“How recently?”
“I think you already the answer to that question Renata. I didn’t know you existed till a month ago. I saw a picture of you on the web from a
gay bar website that you sung at. I started digging into your past and discover that your mother was pregnant with you when she left me for the guy who is your step-father.”
“You mean you’re my father? My real father?” Renata was surprised.
“Yes, I Don Juan Carlos am your father, your real father. Come with me to my office Renata.”
Don Juan Carlos escorts Renata to his office. The one room Renata saw the door never open at all since she has been here. As she walks in, she notices the room had an old-world Spanish charm to it.
“Please sits down.” Carlos motions to the huge leather chairs in front of his desk.
He walks around and sits down behind the desk.
“I was kind of hoping to wait till morning to speak to you about this, but now is just as good.”
“So, you didn’t know you had a child? My mother never told you she had been pregnant with me when she left you?”
“None. Like I said, it wasn’t till a month ago I found out about you. Yes, I know you use to be a male, but didn’t feel you had been born in the right body. It doesn’t matter to me. I think your happier as a woman. You have a boyfriend that loves you and wants to marry you. Which I believe congratulations are in order. I also want you to know that you have nothing to fear about that Cartel leader bothering you ever again.
A friend of mine took care of him personally. That same Cartel leader made the mistake of threatening his family and him. So, he delivered a message so the rest of them know not to bother to avenge him.”
“Sounds like your friend is someone not to mess with.”
“He isn’t someone to toy with or mess with. He takes things personal and he never backs down. He will continue to come after you till he kills you. As a friend, he is the most loyal person you can ask for and he will do anything for you.”
“I would like to meet him one day.”
“You can invite him to your wedding.”
“I’ll think about it. Now getting back to us. Why, didn’t my mother tell me you were my father?”
“Because if she did. She knew I would file to take you away from her. You come from one branch of the Spanish Royal Family. As a matter of fact, you look just like your great grandma. I’m surprised you didn’t notice the picture hanging in the main library.”
“I didn’t explore it like some of the other rooms.”
“Well, that was the reason she didn’t want you to be taken. Also, I think she was hoping that the man who became your step-father was your father and not me. As you got older, I bet she notice you didn’t take after him at all, but your sister and brother did, didn’t they?”
“Yes sir. My little brother and my sister both look like our step-father.”
“All I have done is to give you a new start for your new life. I would like you and your husband to be to stay here and help run the ranch if you’re interested. Also, you can continue your music career if you want to.”
“Can I think about it and talk with Jesse?” Renata covers a yawn up.
“I think that’s a reasonable request. Why don’t you head back to bed and we’ll talk more in the morning?”
“Okay”
Renata gets up and walks around the desk and gives Don Juan a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you, Daddy.”
Don Juan just smirks as he watches Renata leave his office. He waits a few minutes and then heads to bed himself.
Renata couldn’t believe it. Her wedding day was finally here. It had been three months since Jesse had asked her to marry him. She had accepted her fathers of her and Jesse staying here on the ranch to run it. The mess her little brother had gotten in had been taken care of thanks to Jesse and some of his friends intervening. Her brother was in the care of one of Jesse’s friend working on his cattle ranch.
Her birth father had her new birth certificate amended to having his name on it as her true father. Her father pulled a few strings and she had dual citizenship with Spain and America. She was also listed as being part of the royal line as his daughter. It would take a lot of people ahead of her to die before she could take the throne.
Renata had invited all her friends from the different drag clubs and the restaurant she had worked at. If they couldn’t afford to come, she paid for them. Her father had put several of his private Lear jets at her disposal to transport her friends. She had flown on one to pick her sister and brother up and bring them back them back to the ranch personally. She had invited her mother and step-father, but they turned down the request.
Her father had asked if he could invite a friend of his that helped in her freedom and she had agreed. The only reason he asked was this was her day and he wanted her to enjoy it. He had asked Jack to come to his daughter’s wedding. Which Jack accepted and had informed him he would be bring his daughters and his wife to be.
Renata had contacted the guy that had left her his card and they were setting up a date she would make a record for him. He was putting together a group for her that she would met and sing with. Renata couldn’t believe she was getting her wish after all these years. Who knew two years ago she would have the surgery, met a guy who loved her for her and find her biology father? Her father could be poor and on the street and she would call him father and love him like she does now.
She was impress when she met her father’s friend. She could see that this wasn’t a person you messed around with. He may look like an ordinary guy, but she could tell from working at the bars and the restaurant that this guy was very dangerous. His daughters on the other hand were pleasant and nice. She did notice that they were never too far from their father or their mother to be. She liked the wolf head necklaces they wore. They looked to have been hand crafted after actual wolves, which she learned later were their personal wolves.
Jesse had invited his family and a few friends from the Texas Rangers. He was being ribbed about having the good life now and a smart and caring wife and felt sorry for her ending up with him. Renata met Jesse’s mother, father and both grandparents she also met his sisters and his younger brother. They had become impress with Renata after meeting her and her father. She had given them a tour of the ranch and answer any questions they had. She had also learned a lot about Jesse’s family as well.
Renata spent time with Jesse’s mother and grandmothers they all knew this was a fast marriage, but she had finally found the man she loved and didn’t want to live without him. They could see the love in her eyes for Jesse. She wanted him to be happy and they wanted a lot of grandchildren. She knew she couldn’t give them, but maybe they could adopt children that needed good parents. She’ll have to talk with Jesse later and her father about that. She didn’t know how that worked when you were a member of the royal line.
Her father’s winery had supplied all the wine and champagne they needed for the wedding and the food had been cooked here at the main house which she helped with and several whole cows and pigs had been roasted along with some chickens.
All her friends from the drag scene had showed up and some of them looked like that they might be teaming up with some of the single men that had come. Her friends were impress with the place. They teased her about it and at the reception really teased her and got her blushing with some of their comments. It wasn’t just her friends that did it, but a few of Jesse’s friends as well. Renata did know that the two first days they were on their honeymoon no one was leaving the room. She didn’t care how sore she was she wanted to keep at it till she had to crawl on her hands and knees. She wanted for one time in her life enjoy herself and her husband.
Her father had rented them a beach house in Hawaii for their honeymoon. She had been wanting to go there. So, her father rented the beach house for two weeks. Everything they needed would be taken care of by him. Her father was flying them to Hawaii on one of the Lear Jets he owned, so they didn’t have to worry about the airport and when they arrived, a rental car was waiting for them.
Renata hated that she couldn’t drive, but she didn’t mind that Jesse was doing all the driving for them. She couldn’t wait to get her license. Her father promise to buy her whatever car she wanted within reason. He wasn’t going to buy her a Ferrari or Porsche. Something reasonable for a young lady with a new license. During the first few days, Jesse did keep her up most of the night trying out different positions in a Kama sutra book a friend gave them.
Two months have passed by since Renata and Jesse returned from their honeymoon in Hawaii. Renata was sitting back stage at a concert hall in Richmond, Va. Her manager managed to get her a spot at a benefit concert for abused women. Her and the band her manager had put together had practiced everyday up to just a few days ago. Her husband was handling security for their equipment and their people. Her father had arranged all the transportation for them. This would get her name out there and give her a giant step of into the business.
Renata waited her turned to step onto the stage. She had butterflies in her stomach and had been unable to eat. Her father steps up behind her.
“You’re going to do fine sweetie. I’ve heard you sing and you sounded like an angel. I know you will impress a lot of people.”
“Hey squirt, where do you think you’re going?”
Renata and Don Juan turn around and notice a platinum blonde teenage girl wearing a silvery Roman style dress. The way she was dress made her look like something out of mythology. Stopping and turning around to talk with a guy that looked like he stepped out of a deck of playing cards.
“Mom’s not here yet and we’re supposed to go on after Spanish Flower. I was going to see if she had checked in with Dusk.”
“Make it quick. Siren is looking for you. She wants to go over a piece that we’re introducing tonight.” Jack hated when Siren did this, but she was the lead singer of the band.
Rose turns around and accidentally bumps into Renata and Don Juan.
“Sorry sir, ma’am”
“No problem. By the way. What band are you with?” Renata was amazed at how Rose looked.
“We’re Siren. I’m one of the singers. My mom plays the guitar and does all our special effects. There she is now.” Rose had spotted her mom walking towards them. She was dress in her normal fiery outfit that produce real and holographic flames.
Sasha had spotted her daughter talking with a Spanish couple. The girl was wearing a nice Spanish gown that showed off her heritage. The gentleman was older and wore a tailored suit.
Sasha walks up to Renata “Hi, I’m Wildfire.”
“I’m Don Joan Carlos and this is my daughter Renata Carlos.” Don Juan shakes Sasha’s hand.
"Is this your first concert.” Sasha notice how nervous Renata looked.
“I have just the thing. There’s nothing up my sleeve.” Sasha slides her sleeves up to show them.
A ball of fire appears in her hand. She blows on it, causing the flames to go out and sitting in her hand was a Spanish Flower a yellow pedal flower appears in her hands.
“This flower is guaranteed to bring you good luck.” Sasha tucks the flower in Renata’s hair.
Don Juan smiles as he watches Wild Fires attics.
“Thank you.” Renata gives her a hug.
“You’re welcome, now get out there and bring the ceiling down.” Sasha gives Renata a little push.
Renata walks out onto the stage and her band starts immediately.
Rose had quietly watched Sasha as she helped the girl. She was impress with how her mother did things.
“Thank you.” Don Juan looks towards Sasha.
“Don’t mention it. I’ve been in her shoes before. Come on Imp, let’s go and torture our band mates.”
Don Juan just watches as the two women walk off. He notices that the flames on Wild Fire costume dances as her body moved. He’ll have to invite her band to perform next time at the city festival.
Don Juan listens as Renata and her band play. He was watching her and feeling proud by what he was seeing. His little girl was out there putting on a class act show. He had seen recording of her performances, but this took his breath away. She was moving and singing her heart and soul out on stage. Her music was like an angel singing to him.
When Renata finishes, she couldn’t believe the applause that followed her performance. The applause was so loud that it could lift the ceiling off the place. He couldn’t believe how well she had done. She comes back stage and jumps right into Jesses’ arms. Then she leaps out of his arms and hugs her father.
Don Juan and Jesse could see the happiness on Renata’s face. She was so excited and giggly.
Renata just looks at the two men in her life that meant so much and realize that they would always be by her side.
A fiery image appears before all of them “see I told you that you would bring the house down and you did.”
The image shoots up into the air and explodes into a burst of fireworks.