Angel

Chapter 8

Raven

"Ms. Theriot, can you meet us in conference room one, please," I asked over the intercom. We had all agreed that within the firm, we would keep our conduct professional.

"Yes, sir," she said quietly. A few moments later she walked in carrying a few files and notebooks. "You wanted to see me, sirs?"

"Yes, we wanted to discuss the things you've found as well as your encounter with Axel yesterday if you don't mind," Corey explained. "Let's get the business out of the way first."

She outlined the possible errors and alternatives she'd found then listed the options to terminate the contract. None would be a clean break, but a penalty fee might be better than getting in bed with the cartels.

Once that was finished, Brandon asked her, "Mattie, why didn't you mention your daughter to us?"

"Well sirs, I guess I really wasn't sure if I should," she replied. "Violet is very young, and I don't socialize much. Okay, that's a misstatement. I don't socialize at all. I don't go out to bars or parties, not even when I was in college. My whole world revolves around her. And when we first met, it was strictly a working relationship so why would I mention her? Do you know about the family lives of all your employees?" Well, she had a good point there.

"What about now, krolik?" I asked. "Do you not want us to meet zaychik (baby bunny)?"

She pulled at the hem of her shirt, "I...I don't know. I mean, I don't know what this is. I've kissed Brandon, and you both flirt with me. Axel was flirting with me, and all of you say things that make my damn toes curl, but what does it mean? Am I some sort of competition to see which one of you can win me over?" She looked up and I saw tears in her eyes. Her hand lifted to her neck and she tugged at a pendant just below the neckline of her blouse. "I know that sounds harsh, but I can't allow Violet to get hurt like that. It's one thing if I make a poor decision, but if my decisions impact her, well that's not something I can accept."

Brandon and I looked at Corey, who just nodded. He walked to the door and locked it, then made sure all the blinds were secure. Finally, he knelt in front of her chair. "Mattie, are you familiar with the term polyamory?" She nodded her head. "Little one, you aren't a competition. True, Brandon met you first, but one by one you have won over our hearts. We all want to date you. We wanted to introduce you to Axel and Marc and see if there was any chemistry before talking with you about this, but when Axel came home and told us about your daughter, we knew we needed to be upfront with you."

"But, you're my bosses, how will that even work? And what if it doesn't? That's not fair to Violet." Her voice shook as she spoke. "I...I don't even know how to have a normal relationship, let alone one with multiple men."

"All we are asking for is one dinner. Come to our house and meet Marc. Give us a chance to get to know each other better. We want you to bring Violet and your grandmother if you want as well. If there isn't any chemistry, then it was just dinner with your friends. Because no matter what, Mattie, we are your friends first. This has no bearing on your employment or your relationship with us. We will always be your friends."

Her shoulders began to shake as tears slid down her cheeks, "O...okay."

He pulled her into his arms and ran his hands along her back, "Shh, little one, it will be okay, I promise."

Her sobs slowly subsided. Corey gave her a tissue to dry her face. "Can you come tonight?" I asked. "Zaychik won't have school tomorrow and we don't have work."

Mattie smiled, "I think that would be nice. Um, I'll need the address though."

"Nope," Brandon said, "If you don't mind, I'll just drive you home and wait for you to be ready. That way I know you are safe."

"Oh, okay, that would work," she smiled. "Thank you all for being so patient," she whispered as she gathered her things. "I'll see you at five."

"Why don't you and Brandon head out early, say three?" Corey suggested. "That will give you some time to talk with your grandmother and daughter. I don't want anyone to feel rushed."

She grinned and thanked us again before heading back to her office.

"So, what are we fixing for dinner that a six-year-old will eat," I chuckled. "I think wine is off the menu."

Corey chuckled, "I'll leave that to Marc. I'm sure he'll figure out something." He typed on his phone and I felt my pocket vibrate.

Corey: Mattie is coming to dinner tonight with her family. We need a kid-friendly meal plan.

Marc: Any restrictions?

Corey: Not for Mattie, I don't know otherwise.

Axel: Well, loop the girl in and ask.

Brandon: Mattie, welcome to the family group chat - Do you have dinner suggestions? Any allergies we need to know about?

Mattie: Um, thanks for the chat invite... Violet will eat almost anything especially if it has cheese and/or bacon. MawMaw is Creole - if you can catch it, you can eat it basically sums up her food motto.

Raven: Will you eat what you catch, krolik? If da, you can catch me

Mattie: Skazhesh' tak pri moyey docheri, i ya vymoyu tebe rot s mylom, Reyven (Talk like that in front of my daughter, and I'll wash out your mouth with soap, Raven).

Raven: sorry

Mattie: khoroshiy mal'chik (good boy)

Axel: Did she just threaten him in Russian, then call him a good boy?

Raven: Da, and it was sexy as hell 🔥

Mattie: 🙄 you're making me question my judgment...

Marc: I don't even know you yet, but you're already my hero!

Mattie: 😊 thank you, Marc, I try. I need to get back to work gentlemen. Trish has been looking for me apparently.

Brandon: Why? You aren't in the contracts pool anymore.

Mattie: No clue... 🤷

Corey: Let us know after you talk to her. I'm not sure what it could possibly be about.

Mattie: Yes sir

Raven: *groans* Does she even realize what that does to us???

Brandon: 😏 she does for me...it's how I got my first kiss

Axel: But is it intentional?

Mattie: It wasn't before...but now I'm making plans 😇 P.S. You should probably either remove me from this chat or start a new one unless you want me to learn all your secrets...

Marc: Yep...definitely my new hero!

Author's Notes:  I'm a fan of chat banter if you hadn't noticed.  Some of the conversations sound like the ones I have with mine.