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was
Gonzalo, because he was madder than hell at him.  Never had he been so
angry at anyone.  Not even trying to flip Gonzalo out of the way like the
others, Ben punched him as hard as he could, and Gonzalo punched back with the
same wild fury to kill.  Five of the Sanchez boys jumped Ben just as
Gonzalo hit Ben’s right eye for the third time.  Not one had escaped Ben’s
bruising punches to the face, but Gonzalo had taken more.  While five
brothers held Ben down, Gonzalo walked up and kicked Ben in the groin, just as
the police drove up.
    The officers waded through the
crowd demanding to know what was going on and who was at fault.  Ben
rolled in a ball unable to catch his breath.  Gonzalo and several of his
brothers sat on the ground glaring at him but not saying a word.  Somehow
Mr. Sanchez convinced the officers it was just a family squabble which had
finally been settled, and the police drove off.
    But neighbors knew it wasn’t over
when they saw Ben’s eyes shoot to Gonzalo with hatred and Gonzalo glare back.
    “Come on son—” Mr. Sanchez tugged
at Gonzalo.
    “No Pop, I have to—”
    Ben groaned, rolled over and slowly
stood.  “Just you and me next time.”  Ben limped away.  “But
it’ll keep for a while.”  He had to find out something important first.
    Everyone watched as Ben staggered
right past his truck and down the block.  He could hardly see out of his
bloody eyes, and he could hardly walk the pain was so bad.  Mr. Sanchez
put his arm around Gonzalo, and they watched as Ben staggered around the corner
out of sight.
    “Come on son, it’s over now.” 
Mr. Sanchez pulled Gonzalo toward the house.  Gonzalo knew better. 
Ben’s threat had been serious.  Why?  Because he figured out what Ben
was up to?  Mrs. Sanchez looked up from doctoring Marco who was hunched at
the table.  Not one of her men had escaped being hurt.  She was
thinking he must be someone special to take on all ten of them—and all for
Melissa’s love?
    “Where’s Missy?”  Gonzalo
groaned and sat.
    “In her room.”
    “Got to see her.”
    “No, you’ll leave her alone.” 
Mrs. Sanchez’s voice was so quiet it sent chills through everyone. 
“You’ve done enough damage for one night.”
    “But he—”
    “He told her he wanted to marry
her.  He told he didn’t care if she’d been kidnapped.”  Mrs.
Sanchez’s face reddened with fury.  She picked up an iron skillet, shook
it threateningly and threw it back on the stove.  “You out there brawling—beating
him up when he’s been—he’s been so gentle—”  Tears came to her eyes. 
“Ten of you to him, and not a one of you is brave enough to face the
truth!  And you—”  She turned to Gonzalo.  “Are you so ashamed
of what happened you couldn’t warn him?  Couldn’t face his learning the
truth?  Furiously she untied her apron, threw it down and ran
upstairs.  Ten men alternately looked each other and then down at the
floor.
    “Pop, he’s using her.” 
Gonzalo shook his head.  “Charger—he’s not the kind who goes for girls
like Missy, and I know he’s just using her.”
    “Has he got some reason?  Did
he hear she came into the money?”  Mr. Sanchez touched his swollen eye.
    “Look Pop, I can’t explain it, but
I know he’s just using her and will hurt her in the end.”
    All Ben could think of as he limped
off was how he’d somehow hurt Missy and scared her like crazy when he’d touched
her and mentioned marriage.  And Gonzalo knew why.  The bastard
hadn’t told him everything.  Why had telling her he wanted to marry her
scared the hell out of her?  For an hour he just walked no longer feeling
the bruises, not feeling anything.  One day, one day soon he was going to
get Gonzalo for not telling him, for letting him hurt Missy.  First he’d
learn the truth.  Then he’d get Gonzalo.  The last thing in the world
he’d wanted to do was hurt her.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Gonzalo