The Angel Trumpet

15.

Going inside and seeing Jorge didn't lighten my mood one bit. He had me sit and tell me that the warehouse he was housing our product got broken into last night, therefore the customers couldn't get what they wanted leaving me without my money. "Did you have security? Were they playing with their balls when the stuff was stolen? I'm not understanding." I say already on edge for several reasons. "There were too many of them and a little less of my men. You do the math Aleya." I scoffed pushing away from his desk licking my bottom lip calming my running thoughts. "Tell me you IDed them on the security footage." I say almost yelling but keeping my professionalism.

"Only one, take a look." I walked over looking at the big monitor seeing the image enhanced seeing Tobias. "That son of a bitch." I turn the monitor back around shaking my head. "Where was it taken?" I keep looking at the wall having my back towards Jorge. "We don't know. We lost them after they took my men out." I nod silently conducting an ambush for tonight in my head. "I'll get it back. Have our customers on standby. And Jorge," I take his stapler that's on his desk grabbing his tie stapling it to his desk almost up to his neck, "Get better men." I slam the object down making my way back down to my car pissed off.

I sit there for a minute then make my way back to the hotel where Leo and Pito are. 

Both are chilling by the pool taking in the sun. I drag the metal chair that's there, sitting then facing them breaking their tanning session up.

"Tobias and Fernando's men stole our product from Jorge's warehouse last night. We're going to ambush them and get it back so we can get our money and put a dent in his damn pocket." They both nod and while they do I reach into Pito's pocket grabbing his phone calling Misty, "Could've asked me to hand it to you!" Pito says as I'm already off the chair and walking off.

Misty and I keep talking for hours until she gives me the green light to head over to Fernando's private property. She already time looped his security feed and blocked out a cell tower close by in case he feels like calling backup. "I owe you." I breathe into the phone as I zip up my boots then standing to zip up my body suit that's all black and leather. I'm having trouble but feel someone's hands glide it up.

"If I make it out alive I'll make sure to call you so we can get you down here." Misty laughs but turns serious saying, "Be safe, a esta vida y la proxima mi hermana." I smile low, "To this life and the next my sister, always." I say repeating what she said hanging up turning to Pito.

"I didn't need you to help with my zipper."

His nods and raises his hands up backing away leaning on the door frame.

"Just trying to help, jefa." He says knowing I was distracted just not knowing by what.

Flashes of Conor's face come to mind but I blinked them away knowing it was just a moment of weakness from seeing him earlier.

"If Tobias is there you know we have to take care of him indefinitely."

Pito says seriously understanding the damage our new enemy has done.

"I know."

He looks down hating that I'm blocking him out then looks back up to me.

"What is it Aleya?"

I can't tell him...I can't even admit it to myself that I've fallen in love when it's forbidden. So I just say something to stop the concerned looks he's been giving me.

"Just tired of losing so many people close to me."

Which was true. I lost my parents. Grandpa Louie. Tobias. Conor.

"You have me, Leo and Misty, and God forbid we forget Xavier. He'll have a heart attack if we ever separate you two."

That's true, Xavier is like the big brother I never had, always having my back no matter how big the issue is. 

"Let's go handle business." I pat his shoulder on the way out and he follows behind.

We leave getting into the car driving out thirty minutes into the night. Fernando's private property is heavily guarded as expected but we came prepared. Jorge lent us a few of his men and Xavier decided to take a vacation just to join in. As we're all geared up we separate knowing where to hit and to hit fast. I called dibs on Fernando even if it was a slim chance he'll actually be there. We move in taking out a few men already dodging bullets that come flying our way. I take one out running inside the house itself spotting two with machetes. I pick up a vase by throwing it at one the men's head, I take another chucking it to the second but he jumps out the way. I take my switch blade out but put my face covering on as I throw a tear gas grenade towards them. Payback. They run covering their mouths but I make it upstairs kicking the door open seeing Fernando.

He was sitting in his office chair like I imagined, cigar in his mouth, smiling, taunting me with just the way he was relaxed and wore that cocky smile.

"I knew you would take the bait."

He huffs out putting his cigar out in his ash tray next to him.

"Bait? What bait?" I say tightening my grip on my switch blade ripping my face cover off.

He folds his arms grinning, "I hope you said goodbye to your friends. They don't stand a chance since Jorge's men are under my control." He leans forward motioning me to come closer but I don't. "Fine suit yourself. Just know," He waves his finger at me, "It's best to show some type of respect to your jefe no?" I grit my teeth. "You're not my boss." He stands walking to me dropping his mask showing the real him.

"No?" He grabs my throat but I slash his arm making him jolt back.

I go to cut him again but he knocks the blade out my hand grabbing my arm twisting it to my back. "Why do you think I only played cat and mouse and never actually killed you? Hm?" He whispers in my ear causing me to push him off me but he tightens his grip more, "You're my golden ticket Aleya," still trying to get out his grip he holds me even tighter and I know I'm fucked.