Hi guys! I just recently discovered Queen of the South and absolutely fell in love with the show and of course James Valdez! He's so dreamy! I had to write a story for this show and give James a new love interest! I hope you guys like what I've written so far! I'd love to keep writing for this, so please let me know in the reviews how I'm doing and if you like it and would like me Edited: May 25th 2020, this is a disclaimer. I own nothing but my original characters and original storylines. Everything else belongs to their respected owners. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 1: Pilot Part One
Quinn's Point of View
Sinaloa, Mexico
One Year Ago
When I was a little girl I always wanted a horse of my own. I remembered watching the wild horses running through the mountains not far from our home and wanting to be just like them. Wild and free. My father said I'd never own a horse. He also said I'd never amount to anything, just like my brother Guero. He wasn't even Guero's real father. We were step siblings, but it's never felt like that a day in our life.
I snorted, if only he could see him now.
If you would have asked me the kind of life I'd have when I was ten years old, I would have probably said I would be working in some shitty cafe for shit pay, letting estúpido's grab my ass for better tips like my mother did before she died. I would have told you my father was right. I never would have imagined I'd be standing in a brand new horse stable that was built specifically for me.
Guero spared no expense, even though I told him not to. I didn't need anything extremely extravagant, I never have. He went all out though. Not that I'm complaining. The barn was beautiful. I could have lived in it, that's how luxurious my horses had it. White paint so pure it was like a fresh snow fall come winter covered the shiplap on the walls. The soft musty scent of hay filled your nose the moment you stepped close to the horses. I'd placed a few couches inside the barn to give it a more rustic homey feel, which always made me wish I could just move my bed in and sleep there instead of the house. The last time Brenda had visited we had placed potted plants all through the barn with the hopes to add splashes of color against the pure white of the paint and it had tremendously. Little pink and purple flowers overflowed the hanging baskets.
There were six stalls total and each one housed a beautiful Arabian horse. I'd told Guero three would have been more then enough to keep me happy, but six horses were unloaded from the trailer when the man came. Needless to say, I was extremely excited.
My brother promised me when we were younger things wouldn't always be the way they were. And they certainly weren't that way now. We grew up poor. We lived week to week. Sometimes Guero went without food, so I could eat dinner. That's who he was. My protector. At least he tried to be. Some things though you just can't be protected from. Like my father. While Guero was out trying to earn some way or another I became the target of his drunken rages before he ultimately bailed on us both altogether.
I'd covered the cigarette burns my father had graciously give me on my right lower forearm by my wrist with a tattoo that read, 'How sweet the sound,' in black curving ink. It was from the song Amazing Grace. It was one of the only things I really remember about my mother. She used to rock me to sleep, singing that song. That was always my favorite line, because her voice was such a sweet sound.
"How's that feel, Lucy Goose." I let the cool water running out of the water hose pour over Lucy Goose's back. It was an odd name for a horse, but I liked it.
I smiled, listening to the other horses in their stalls stomping around and neighing. I rubbed Lucy's back and felt her nudge the side of my face with her nose. "You're so beautiful!" I cooed, kissing her snout. Anyone who could hear me would think I was crazy for standing out here talking to a horse, but I didn't care.
I loved animals, because no matter their past, they still had the capacity to love. Even after being hurt.
It was late in the evening, the sun was beginning to set. I'd finished riding and taking care of all the horses when I got home from class. I was going to college to become a Equine Veterinary. While Guero was more then capable of taking care of us both in his line of work, I didn't want to rely on him forever. My brother was a drug runner. One of the best in Sinaloa, I might add. He flew shipments of cocaine to and from for the notorious Vargas Cartel that was run by Guero's godfather, Don Epifanio.
"Quincy! You out here?" Guero called, already knowing the answer. I peeked over Lucy to see him waltzing into the barn. "There you are! I've been looking all over for you?"
"Where'd you check, the kitchen?" I eyed the sandwich in his hand. He took a huge bite and grinned at me.
I rolled my eyes and kept cooling down Lucy. She had a good run today and needed it.
"Come on, stop playing My Little Pony and go get dressed. Something nice. I wanna go out." Guero ordered, sitting down on the love seat as I led Lucy into her stall. I shut and locked the gate.
"So go out." I shrugged my shoulders. Partying, while it was fun, wasn't exactly my thing. I enjoyed being in nature more then in some stuffy club wearing a dress three sizes too small.
"You're coming too. You spend to much time with these damn horses. It's getting a little creepy, Quincy." Guero smirked, dropping lettuce from his sandwich onto the floor.
I pointed at the mess. "You are worse then the damn horses, you know that? And don't call me Quincy. It's Quinn. Okay, Quinn!" I grumbled, hating being called by my full name. It was so formal and made me feel like I was getting reprimanded when I heard it. It reminded me of my father and I hated it.
I was just simply Quinn.
"Brenda and Chino are inside, waiting. Let's go!" Guero ordered, standing up snapping his fingers repeatedly. "Vamonos, vamanos, vamanos."
Chino was our cousin and Brenda was his lively and vivacious wife. I loved her to pieces. They were probably jumping each other's bones on the couch though. They were still in that honey moon phase of their relationship.
"Fine!" I laughed, "but can I just wear this?" I glanced down at my jean shorts and red and black plaid button up.
"I mean you could, but your clothes are a little wet looking." Guero smirked. He grabbed the hose off the ground and squirted me with it, sending me squealing and laughing running out of the barn towards the house. Guero ran after me soaking me from behind even more.
Once I was out of the reach of the hose and on the back patio, I flipped him the finger. "You're such an asshole!"
"It's my brotherly duty!" Guero called out across the yard.
•••••••
"You said we were going out, not changing money." I told my brother, making sure he could hear the annoyance in my tone.
Guero and I were leaning against his Dodge Charger. Little Market was packed with cars and people all here doing the same thing. Taking the dirty money they had earned one way or another and trading it for pesos. Brenda and Chino were making out in the car behind us. I could hear Brenda laughing and squealing.
One day I hoped to have something like what Chino and Brenda had. A loving, passionate, crazy relationship. But with hawk eye as my brother I doubted that would ever happen.
"We ain't gonna be here long, promise." Guero tossed his arm around me, protectively, scaring away any potential guys that may want to dance with me to the beat and bass of the music flowing from the cars blocking the street.
I sighed and rolled my eyes.
"I'm gonna go dance." I spun out from under his arm and smirked at him. Guero liked to think he could control me and most of the time I was fine with letting him think that, but not tonight.
"Not in that dress." Guero snapped, stepping forward as if he could stop me. When we got into it it was like two bulls locking horns. We were both stubborn and irrational and fearless. Well, I tried to be fearless.
"You're the one who told me to wear something nice." I shot back with a smirk. Throwing it in his face. I was wearing a nice mini embroidered lace dress. Its simple silhouette was accented by beautiful hand embroidered flowers that contrasted its black foundation perfectly. It went well with my tan skin too, plus, it had just enough of a plunging neckline to annoy my over protective ass of a brother.
Brenda stuck her head out of the car window. "Relax, let the girl show off her tetas! She's got em, might as well flaunt them, girl!" Brenda smiled and winked at me. She was already a little buzzed and coked up.
I laughed and high five'd her through the window. I could always count on Brenda to have my back when it came to my brother.
"Aww, man. Brenda, why'd you have to go and talk about my sisters tetas." Guero shuddered like a ghost ran through him.
Brenda and I burst out laughing at how uncomfortable this was making Guero.
There was a guy eyeing me a few feet away, so I walked over and took his hand, pulling him out where everyone else was dancing. His hands found my hips and my arms went up in the air as I swayed and twirled around in front of the guy, slightly grinding against him. My blonde hair was pulled to the side by the guy, exposing my neck. I felt his lips touch my neck and whipped around, glaring at him.
"We're just dancing." I smiled, continuing to move along with him to the beat of the song.
"Come on, baby, we can dance all the way back to my place." He leaned in, smelling of tequila, whispering against my ear. I felt his hands slip down over my ass and shoved the palms of my hands into his chest.
"Not interested." I shot out.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Guero snapped, stepping in before I could even defend my own honor. "Huh?" He shoved the guy, making him run for the hills.
"I was handling it!" I snapped at him, heading back to the car. I slumped against it and watch my brother slink back over towards me.
He ran a hand through his hair and glanced at me as he slumped next to me against his car.
"You know you're the reason that I'm twenty two years old and have never been kissed, right."
"You want that douchbag to be your first kiss."
"No. Of course not. I'm just saying. It isn't easy having you as a brother."
"Well, it isn't easy having a pain in the ass little sister either." Guero smirked at me.
I shoved his face away from me with the palm of my hand playfully.
A young woman, probably only a few years older then myself, approached us hesitantly. "Hola. Do you need money changed?" She asked, sweetly. Her long brunette hair fell down around her face in beach waves.
"Watching you change money is enough." Guero smirked, putting the charm on thick for this poor girls benefit.
I couldn't help but snort back a laugh. "Real smooth, Romeo."
The girl grinned, flattered that Guero was flirting with her.
"How much?" She said, getting things back to business.
Guero reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash that could have easily been two or three grand and handed it to the girl, never breaking eye contact with her.
"What's taking so long!" Brenda poured, sticking her head back out the window beside me. She spotted the girl standing in front of Guero and smiled brightly. "Oh my god! Look how pretty you are!" She smacked Chino and made him look out the window at her. "Chino, look how pretty she is? Look at those legs! She is way to gorgeous to be working here!"
"Yeah, she's pretty! You two could be twins!" Chin laughed, pulling Brenda back inside the car onto his lap, kissing her.
"I'm sorry for them." I half laughed, looking at the girl Guero couldn't take his eyes off.
"It's okay." She smiled, handing Guero back his changed money.
An older man, maybe in his early forties sidled up behind the brunette girl, pressing himself up against her ass, squeezing her hip. The action was clearly uninvited. "I'm paying you to change money…not flirt." Her smile faded and the look on her face told me she was less then comfortable with this situation.
I wanted to punch the asshole in the face and if he wasn't twice my size, I probably would have. Men looked at women like objects and I hated it.
Before I knew what was happening Guero had the guy by the scruff of his shirt, yanking over and slamming his face into the hood of his car, hard. He did it again, and again. "You ever touch a woman like that again, I'll kill you!"
The brunette girl moved towards me, slightly taken aback that my brother had taken up for her. A hint of a smile ghosted across her lips as Guero slammed the asshole into the hood again. "You're gonna wish you never looked her way! You ever come near her again and I'll make your life a god damn nightmare."
"Guero! Come on!" I yelled, not wanting this to escalate anymore then it already has.
Guero slung the guy off to the side, panting, seething. He glanced at me and the girl standing beside me. She remained quiet, watching my brothers every movement.
With blood dripping down the side of his face the girls boss pointed at her. "You're fired, puta!"
"Get outta here!" Guero snapped, stepping toward the guy, making him walk off rather quickly.
Guero let out a pent up sigh and ran his hands through his sandy blonde hair, slicking it back. He waltzed over towards the girl he'd just defended, lighting up a cigarette in the process. "So now that you're out of a job. You comin' with us or what?"
She seemed puzzled, but contemplating Guero's offer.
"I'm Quinn. This knight in shining armor is my brother, Guero." I introduced ourselves. I'd never seen my brother go off on anyone who wasn't giving me a hard time before. This was weird on so many levels.
"Teresa. Teresa Mendoza." She introduced herself, smiling at Guero. It irritated me that my brother knew he was good looking and used it to his advantage. He was such a cocky asshole sometimes, but girls flocked to him. When I was in high school girls befriended me just to get to him.
"So what do you say, Teresita." Guero offered her his hand. Teresa smiled, clearly smitten already, and took my brothers hand.
••••••
We'd all ended up at the El Dorado, it was a dancing spot we frequented. The music blaring through the club rattled the bathroom mirrors it was so loud. I loved it though. Loud music had a way of making you feel so god damn alive. Teresa handled Brenda's constant questions the entire ride over here. So far I've learned that Teresa didn't have many friends or family and she grew up here in Sinaloa. We were all crammed into the clubs tiny female bathroom with a few other ladies, primping in the mirror.
Brenda was loaning Teresa some make up from her bag, while I tried and failed miserably to make my eyes look smokey. Growing up without a mother or any real girlfriends fucked me in the girly stuff department. Guero certainly couldn't teach me how to put on makeup. And if I asked him he'd say I didn't need it anyway.
"I can tell Guero really likes you! I know these things, I'm kinda like a witch like that." Brenda winked, applying a light layer of lipstick to Teresa's lips for her.
"A sexy Mexicana witch though." I added with a smile.
"You're too sweet, Quinny." Brenda smiled back, scrunching up her nose at me.
"What do you think about Chino? He's so cute, huh? He's not the brightest, but he's not complicated." Brenda went on, not letting Teresa get a word in edge wise. She made Teresa blot her lips on a paper towel and grinned, happy with the light makeup she'd applied to her face in under sixty seconds.
Teresa ripped the bottom of her pink tank top and tied it in a knot above her belly button. Brenda pulled a small vile of Coke out of her purse and a small sampling spoon. She snorted a bit up her nose before offering it to Teresa. She took it and snorted a small amount.
Teresa was about to hand it to me next, when Brenda stopped her. "No, no. None for this one. Guero finds out I got her high, he'd skin me alive. Although, she'd be doing me a favor. I think I might be pregnant again."
"Seriously?" I asked Brenda, excitedly. Brenda and Chino had one son, Tony. I still remember when he was born. So small and beautiful. It reminded me that there was still good in this world.
"Congratulations!" Teresa beamed.
"Aye, thank you!" Brenda smiled, before sashaying out of the bathroom, leaving me alone with Teresa and a few other girls.
"She's a bit much to take in at first, but you get used to her." I laughed referring to Brenda. "She's got a big heart."
"She seems great, you all do." Teresa said, sincerely. She turned to me and opened her mouth to say something, but stopped herself. I had a feeling she wanted to ask me about my brother and why he'd done what he'd done for her tonight.
"Listen, my brothers one of the good ones." I assured her and he was, despite his profession. "I've never actually seen him go off on anyone that wasn't hassling me. I'm kinda surprised as you are."
"He seems a little…" Teresa searched for the right word.
"Intense? You have no idea." I laughed, shaking my head.
"I can fix that…" Teresa pointed towards my failed attempt at a smokey eye look. I handed her my clutch purse and let her do her thing. When she was done it looked incredible.
"You know my brother might just be distracted by you enough tonight that I can have a little fun." I grinned, wiggling my eyebrows.
Teresa laughed. "Well, I'm happy to be of help."
••••••
Six Months Ago
Teresa had become a part of our family in a short six months. She became the sister I wished Guero always was. If she wasn't with Guero she was with me. Shopping. Binge watching shows on Netflix. Helping me study for classes. We rode together. I'd never seen my brother so happy before. Teresa learned quickly that Guero earned his money running drugs, but it didn't matter to her. She understood that you had to do whatever it took to make it in this world.
Sometimes I thought Guero should get out of the cartel business. We had more then enough money and a home. We had enough. We would be okay. Part of me wanted him out of the life before he ended up getting himself killed. But I'd never say it out loud to his face. This was his world, his life. It's what he wanted and with him taking care of me, I wasn't going to pressure him into doing something he didn't want to do or pressure him into becoming something he didn't want to be.
It was Christmas time. Teresa's first Christmas with us. Guero's godfather had invited us all to his home for his annual Christmas party. It was weird, Guero was his god son, but I'd hardly ever spoken to Don Epifanio before. He regarded me as Guero's half sister and that was it. He was pleasant, but the distrust was evident.
The stretch hummer Epifanio had sent to pick us up came to a stop and the door opened. Guero and Teresa climbed out of the hummer and I followed suit, taking in the beautiful hacienda ranch style home all lit up in red Christmas lights. The sight took my breath away.
Christmas was my favorite holiday, for some unknown reason. The lights and the trees and the decorations all mesmerized me. I smoothed out my deep purple Sunvary Mini Chiffon Cocktail dress and played with one of my Diane Kordas dangling earrings as we headed inside the multimillion dollar home, trying not to think about the fact that I had a four thousand dollar pair of earrings on. They were a gift from Guero.
The place was packed with people I didn't recognize, other then Brenda and Chino. Waiters floated around handing out shimmering glasses of champagne to guests. A mariachi band was playing in the living room, while other Christmas music was blaring over the homes audio system.
It was all a little overwhelming. I snagged a glass of champagne off one of the passing waiters trays and sipped it hoping it would calm my nerves a bit.
Teresa and I were following Guero into the party more, arms looped together. We accidentally bumped in to a man and Teresa turned around to apologize. "I'm so sorry!"
The two men, decked out in their cowboy hats eyed us before spotting Guero, who had circled back to see why we weren't behind him. I didn't know the men standing in front of me, but I did slightly recognize them. I'd seen them talking to Guero in the driveway before. I think their names were Pote and Gato, but I wasn't one hundred percent sure.
"Don Epifanio is looking for your Guero." One of them said, not taking his eyes off of me and Teresa. "You too, cabrón." He gestured towards Chino.
The two burly men disappeared into the crowd of guests. Guero kissed Teresa on the lips and held her face in his hands. "I'll just be a minute. You two don't get lost out here." He eyed me, giving me a wink.
Teresa and I started to roam around alongside Brenda while the guys were off talking business I'm sure. Somehow Brenda had led us away from the party down a stone corridor. The music was fading the further we walked. Now that should tell you how huge this house is.
"Oh my god, look at this place." Brenda squealed, as if her own home weren't just as extravagant and luxurious. "I wanna live here!"
"It's like a Spanish Romania castle." I chimed in, admiring all of the stone and staccato work in the archways.
"We should head back to the party. I don't like snooping around." Teresa said, hesitant to keep pushing forward more. I was slightly buzzed on the champagne I'd drank and wanted to keep going even though a part of me knew we shouldn't.
"Relax, rich people love when you snoop around." Brenda said nonchalantly. I was already a little wobbly in my silver heels, but when Brenda jerked me by the arm down a side corridor leading into one of the bedrooms I almost fell. "Look at those shoes!"
It looked like we were in a spare closet or dressing room of some sort. "Let's go!" I whispered, stepping back out into the hallway with Teresa. It was one thing to walk around, but I didn't wanna be caught in a room we weren't supposed to be in.
"They're just sitting here. If there's a size six, I'm stealing them!" Brenda whispered, picking up a pair of red Gucci heels, smiling.
"Don't touch anything!" Teresa whisper yelled at Brenda.
Brenda sighed and sat the shoes back down in their rightful place. "You two are no fun! I have to pee! Can I do that?" She said, annoyed, slipping into the bathroom off of the room.
Teresa and I stood in the hallway keeping watch.
We could hear two people talking, well more like arguing, down the hall. Teresa slowly tiptoed towards the sound of the voices and I followed. "Teresa!" I whispered, but it was no use. I paused in the middle of the corridor, standing there like an idiot before going after Teresa.
I found her standing outside of a door that was ajar. Epifanio and his wife Camilla were inside. Camilla was clearly upset that Epifanio wanted her to play the part of a dutiful house wife while he ran for governor of Sinaloa. She didn't want to give up the 'family' business.
"We're expanding to Texas. I'll take Texas and be completely away from you and your election." Camilla snapped, glaring across the room at her husband.
He half laughed. "You'll take Texas?"
"Think of it as alimony. And you'll provide the product I need. It's nonnegotiable, Epifanio. Maria has instructions to finish packing my things. I'll call you when I get settled. Don't come looking for me." Camilla replied, calmly.
Camilla was at the door before Teresa and I could scurry away. She glared at us, knowing we'd been listening in on their private conversation. She stuck her nose up in the air and continued walking down the corridor.
Epifanio walked out next, eyeing us a little less suspiciously then Camilla just had.
"We were just looking for the bathroom." Teresa quickly tried to cover out asses.
"It's okay. It's not your fault. It's her fault. Let's blame her. I'm good with that." Epifanio smiled at us, but his smile left me feeling uneasy. "You are the girl Guero has been talking about so much."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Teresa smiled curtly.
"Quincy." Epifanio took my hand and squeezed it. "You both look lovely. Go join in on the party. I'll be out shortly."
And that was our cue to leave and we did. As we walked down the hallway I glanced back over my shoulder to see Epifanio staring at the both of us. Trusting people was hard for me, and Don Epifanio was not a man I trusted.
After overhearing Camilla and Epifanio conversation I felt uneasy and even more uncomfortable at this party. I stepped outside onto the patio that was basically deserted safe for a few older men enjoying a cigar or cigarette. I found myself wondering over towards the twelve foot Christmas tree that was centered on the patio. It's clear lights glistening in the night. I ran my fingers over the fresh pine needles gently, careful not to knock off an ornament. The air was cool, but not cold, but even so I felt goosebumps rising on my skin. I hugged myself and looked the tree up and down, mariachi music wafting outside.
"Shouldn't you be inside enjoying the festivities." A voice sounded off behind me, startling me.
I looked over my shoulder to see that I was virtually alone now. The lit cherry of a cigarette captured my attention and I assumed that's where the voice had come from. A silhouette appeared out of the darkness and a guy came into my line of sight.
He was tall and decked out in an expensive suit. His hair was slicked back, all except a piece that fell forward onto his forehead slightly. I couldn't help but think about running my fingers through it and tousling it around. Where the hell did that come from, Quinn? Within a few strides he was standing next to me by the Christmas tree. He put his cigarette to his lips, making me notice his beard that was neatly trimmed, but still with that bad boy allure.
"Shouldn't you?" I shot back. Two could play this game.
A soft grin formed on his face, but faded quickly. "Touché."
He tossed his cigarette on the ground and stubbed it out with his loafers. He glanced at me and our eyes met and I felt my heart literally skip a beat at the site of his eyes. They were so deep and brooding. Trouble. This guy had trouble written all over him. I quickly looked back at the Christmas tree.
I expected him to walk away after a moment. But he didn't. He stayed. He gazed at the tree and I caught him gazing at me quite a few times as well. It was weird, but I felt comfortable in his presence.
"You know it's funny, growing up, my brother and I were lucky to have one Christmas tree. They have nine." I blurted out without thinking. "I don't know why I just said that." I half laughed, shaking my head, making an ass out of myself.
"I never had one growing up. Not once." He said, staring at the lights with as much admiration as I did. "Which makes it weird, because Christmas is my favorite holiday."
"It's mine too." I smiled softly.
"Why?" He asked, surprising me. "Why is it your favorite?"
"I don't know. I've never been able to explain it. I just love the essence of what it means. Love. Family. Then again maybe I'm just a sucker for pretty sparkly lights." I grinned, looking down at my feet. I rubbed my hands up and down my arms, trying to get rid of the goosebumps that were still crawling up my arms. Something told me it had more to do with the kind sexy as hell guy standing beside me.
"Here…" He shrugged his suit jacket off.
"No…no…no…I'm okay." I tried to stop him, but he was already draping it over my shoulders.
I breathed him in as he stood in my personal space and felt a shudder run down my spine. He smelled like cigarettes and hint of Dolce & Gabbana. He stepped back, giving me my space once again and I wished he wouldn't have.
"Thank you." I replied, politely.
"James." He extended his hand out for my own to take. "James Valdez."
I slipped my hand into his. It was warm and larger than my own, the palm of his hand scratched against my own, telling me he was a hard worker if he had callouses. He squeezed it gently, rubbing his thumb over the top of my hand gently.
"I'm Qu…." I was interrupted by the patio door swinging open. I glanced over to see Teresa and Brenda.
"Where have you been! Let's go!" Teresa smiled, taking notice of my hand in Jame's. I instantly let go and stepped back.
I was about to give him his jacket back, but he placed his hand on my shoulder. "Keep it. I hate wearing the damn thing anyway."
I couldn't help but laugh a little and smile. "Thank you. Merry Christmas."
I turned on my heel and headed towards Teresa and Brenda, feeling his eyes on me as I went.
"Wait!" He called out, stopping me in my tracks. I found my heart pounding in my chest as I glanced over my shoulder at him. "What's your name?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." I smirked.
"Merry Christmas, whoever you are." He said, his voice deep and smooth at the same time. His Spanish accent was hardly noticeable, which told me he must not be from around here.
I smiled walking back inside with Brenda and Teresa.