Angel

Chapter 5:

Brandon

Corey's going to kill me. I sat staring at the garage door for at least ten minutes before I worked up the courage to go inside.

Axel saw me first, "What took you so long? I was starting to get worried."

Well here goes nothing. "I, um, I gave Mattie a ride home."

Raven's head popped up, "You gave krolik a ride and didn't invite me, I'm hurt." I chuckled as he grinned knowingly, but Corey's look wasn't so forgiving.

"Bran, we talked about this. She's an employee for fucks sake. Not to mention, she's brilliant and if shit goes south, she'd own the fucking firm in about ten minutes flat," he groaned.

I couldn't help the laugh, because he was right. She may not have been to law school, but she's amazing. "I know, I know, and I didn't mean to, but she was sitting out front all alone. We made her miss her taxi with that damn interrogation. I wasn't going to leave her sitting alone in the middle of town waiting for another one."

"Shit," he swore, "I mean, I guess I didn't realize she didn't have a car. Damn, she pays to ride every day from Hahnville? That's got to be costing her a fortune," he groaned.

I nodded, "Yeah, I thought the same thing, and, um, offered to give her a ride in the morning too." He frowned and started to say something, but I decided to go for broke and blurted, "I also kissed her."

Corey groaned in frustration, Raven groaned in envy while Axel and Marc just watched like it was a movie. "Damn, and here I thought working at the aquarium was interesting," Axel joked.

"Yeah, my target hasn't done shit except watch porn for days, and not even good porn," Marc snorted. "Sounds like I should visit the office more often."

"Ahem," Raven cleared his throat. "I need to know one thing. Are krolik's lips as soft and sweet as they look?"

"Raven!" Corey snapped, slapping his chest.

The big Russian wrapped his arms around my brother and kissed him then grinned, "Argue all you want malen'koye solnyshko, but you were fascinated too. We saw how you looked when she was explaining the case." Corey huffed but didn't deny it and Raven turned back to me, "Well?"

With a Chesire grin, I simply nodded.

"Yebat' (Fuck), we need shower," he said and threw Corey over his shoulder heading down the hall.

Axel turned back to me and chuckled, "So, three for dinner?"

Mattie

"Mama look!" Violet squealed as she shoved a slip of blue paper in my face. "Can I go, please? Can you come too, Mama?"

"Woah, Bebe, slow down. Let Mama read it first, please," I laughed as she danced around, nibbling a piece of bacon. I skimmed the permission form and smiled. Her kindergarten class was taking a trip to the local aquarium. She'd love it. I pulled out my planner and checked the date. I think I can go, well that is if Trish doesn't refuse the request. I really have no idea what the fuck that woman's problem is with me. "I'll sign for you to go, love, but I have to talk to work about taking the day off. I'll try my best, Violet."

She frowned for a moment, then smiled, "Okay, Mama. I know you'll try, cause you always try hard." She ran up and pressed a greasy kiss to my cheek before darting upstairs to get dressed with the blue paper firmly gripped in her chubby fingers.

"Did you call for your taxi, Cher?" MawMaw asked as she cleaned up the dishes.

"Um, actually Brandon is giving me a ride this morning," I blushed. She just gave a snort, grinned, and kept washing dishes. I shook my head when I looked at the clock. Oh shoot, he'd be here any minute. I scrambled to grab my bag and tennis shoes. Heels and bikes aren't a good combination. "Violet, Bebe, come give Mama a kiss, my ride is almost here," I hollered up the stairs.