Author's Note: This story was edited by Tim413413. His work was embarrassingly difficult. I actually think he spent more time on this than I did. Thank you sir!
*****
"Alejandro!" The voice was a strong female alto. It came from outside the boat and was followed by a string of Spanish words that sounded angry. The well-dressed man rattled off a command in Spanish and every gun quickly disappeared into a jacket. The sound of loud heels echoed off the deck and the female's Spanish words began to sound meaner as she approached the sliding glass doors.
In walked a buxom raven-haired Spanish beauty. Her curly hair flowed across her light brown shoulders. She was dressed to kill in a dark red dress that did little to hide her curvaceous figure. Her legs were made taut by a set of four-inch red pumps that looked like they were designed for the dress. Behind her followed a very contrite man trying not to look at the well-dressed leader.
"Alejandro...!" The woman in red went into a Spanish tirade as she moved, in a very threatening manner, closer to the well-dressed Alejandro. She was pointing everywhere and yelling about 'bebes' and 'familia.' Jayden recognized the 'no hay sexo' imbedded in the yelling. The contrite man was trying to avoid the daggers shooting from Alejandro's eyes.
Alejandro and the woman argued for a few minutes. It was obvious to Jayden who was winning. The woman never backed away and almost had Alejandro leaning backward. A few of the soldiers were desperately trying not to smile. It finally ended with the woman tapping her beautiful pump on the floor.
"It seems I was a bit hasty targeting the child and the mother," Alejandro said begrudgingly," it sets a precedent that puts my own family at risk." The woman kept tapping her foot and signaled him to continue. "You two are retired and free to go." Alejandro obviously had a very difficult time getting that out. The woman spilled more vicious Spanish, pointing at Beverly and Jayden. Alejandro's shoulders sagged.
"Thank you for saving the child." Alejandro looked at the woman with pleading eyes as he spoke. Her pump tapping continued, "Is there something I can do in return?" Alejandro's teeth were clenched as the last part leaked out. The woman smiled and grabbed Alejandro's face and kissed him deeply. It looked like there would be 'sexo' tonight.
"No, we're good," Beverly slurred and started to pull Jayden out of the room. Jayden pulled back. He smiled at Alejandro and staggered toward him. Beverly wasn't sure if she should be concerned. She was feeling no pain, but thought they should be leaving. She spotted the SUV keys on the floor and nearly toppled over picking them up. It took her three tries before she had a firm grasp on the ring. When she brought her head up the boat began to spin a bit.
"And that's what I want," Jayden said with just a bit of spittle and way too much emphasis. The woman gave Alejandro a severe look and he relented.
"Okay, but, I never want to see either of you two again," Alejandro stated ominously, "you don't work for anyone, understand?" Jayden staggered backward.
"Okay, it's a deal then." Jayden pointed at Beverly a couple of times. "We'll be leaving now." He had a little trouble turning around and had to readjust his aim at the door. "Come on Bev, we got to go."
"I thought I was Beverly," she said with a small frown while trying to grab his hand.
"That's right!" Jayden overstated, "cause you're so damned pretty. My pretty Beverly." Beverly smiled and they helped each other out the door. Getting down to the dock was a bit more difficult. Miraculously, they made it to the car without falling into the Gulf.
"You're going to have..to have...drive to," Jayden mumbled. It took Beverly four tries to find the right button to unlock the doors. She had to close the back hatch manually when she couldn't figure out what button would close it again. It was just too dark and the closest light seemed too far away.
"Sleep...then drive," Beverly slurred as she pulled open the back door. Jayden climbed into the middle and Beverly pushed until he was on the left side. She climbed in herself and lay down, using Jayden's thigh as a pillow.
"Love you," Jayden mumbled as he absently stroked her hair. The car was spinning a bit as he lay his head in the nook between the window and seat back. "Damn...gonna have...hangover," Jayden drooled out as blackness invaded his mind. Beverly was already snoring.
<<<<<>>>>>
Jayden and Beverly partially regretted their survival. The early morning Sun was burning holes into their bloodshot eyes and the sound of traffic tore at their eardrums. Beverly was concentrating on not vomiting again. Jayden was cursing the world for the pain throbbing through his head. It felt better to close his eyes, but that made driving a bit risky. He settled for long blinks.
Jayden pulled into a Super Center. They hobbled to the restrooms and tried to rinse the night off. It didn't help much. Jayden purchased a case of bottled water and they headed back into the laser-like Sun. Jayden felt like he was wading through waist-deep water. It didn't help that the parking lot was radiating the tropical Sun. He threw the case into the back seat and brought four bottles up front. They climbed into the SUV and Jayden handed a bottle to Beverly. Beverly looked up with bloodshot eyes and a sickly, pale complexion as she took the bottle.
"No offense, but I'm not attracted to you right now," Jayden said sardonically.
"Puke does kind of ruin the romance," Beverly said with a weak grin. Jayden uncapped the water bottle and gulped down half. It was followed by a burp that tasted like scotch. Beverly waved her hand in front of her face. "Open a window when you do that."
