Angel

Chapter 24

Mattie

I was confused when Nova and I pulled into the driveway to find the rest of the guys there. "MawMaw," I hollered, rushing into the house. I rounded the corner to find them all in the kitchen sipping sweet tea and laughing.

She looked up and smiled, "Come on in, Cher. I was just telling your beaus some stories from when you were a young'un." I instantly blushed at all the stories she could tell.

"Sorry little one, this is kinda my fault. I came to talk with your grandmother and we made a rather interesting discovery together," Corey said, winking at my MawMaw. "She asked to explain to all of us at once, so here we are."

"Don't look at us, we're just as in the dark as you are, Dove," Axel grinned. "She made us wait until you three got here."

"Bebe, why don't you go watch some cartoons for a bit while we have grown-up talk? You can help me with supper after," she told Violet, who happily skipped away with a cookie to watch Bluey. "Well sit down, Cher. I ain't getting any younger."

Nova pulled out a chair for me, then sat down as she began. "As your Corey just learned, I used to be with the Academy. I guess I should have known when they mentioned being a chosen family, but it's been a long time since I left, well before Violet was born."

"No way," Brandon gaped. "You...you were Academy? Were you on a team?"

She chuckled, "Sometimes, but not always. I came up in the days before birds were common. Rose and I were young back then. I got out when I had your mother, then came back for a bit after my George died." She got a far-off look in her eyes then began again. "See Cher, I had to go back in. Your father made some very poor choices when you were young and instead of finding a way out, he dove in deeper with the cartel. You asked once if I knew about your parents moving, and yes I did."

"Why didn't you tell me? How was my father involved with the cartel?" I demanded. I felt Nova's hand tighten on my knee, trying to calm me, but I wanted answers.

She frowned, "Cher, he was working for the Cardozas. Your mama was terrified they would take you and your baby as payment for his debt so she sent you to me. She finally convinced him to run, but we had to cut ties after a while. Once the cartel claims you, the only way out is death or to keep running." I saw the tears streaming down her face that most likely matched my own.

Corey's face was sheet white as he asked, "Did you know Mattie was a runner for the Palmas when you took her in?" I felt my own heart beginning to race.

She nodded, "I did. That's one of the reasons I took her. She was young enough to fly under the radar. The Academy helped me get her here. They bought the house and set up enough money to keep us afloat, but not extravagant. Rose said I'd earned a bit of retirement."

"Ma'am, I think we need to let you in on a situation at work that involves the Academy...and the Palmas," he stuttered, then launched into explaining the case that I had made the connections on.

"MawMaw!" I yelled as she started grabbing at her chest and wheezing. I ran to the cabinet and grabbed her inhaler as Nova began taking her pulse. She took a few puffs from the inhaler but still looked pale and shaky. "Raven, bring her into her room," I told him. With a glare from her, he gently lifted her and carried her into her bed.

Once Nova was content with her heart rate, she spoke, "I don't care how you do it, but keep her away from those people - all of you. If they find her..." her voice trailed off.

"If who finds me, MawMaw?" I asked quietly. "You said they thought I was just a runner."

She sighed, "Cher, your parents are dead, have been since Bebe was two. They died protecting you. Your father had no idea until they ran, but Emilio Cardoza already had his eye on you. He wants you something fierce child. Thankfully, he didn't know about Violet. Your parents convinced him you'd run off with one of the gang boys and they didn't know where you were. I'm sure they thought your beau was working for him when he tried to find you back then. Sadly that didn't stop the cartel from killing them anyway"

Everything sounded like it was in a vacuum as she continued to explain that Cardoza had gone so far as to put a price on me. That's why my and Violet's last names were not those of my parents. Apparently, the Academy had even altered my birth certificate to cut connections with my parents. Oh shit, birth certificates...

"Nova," I said, "Will Owen's motions trigger anything?"

He looked to Corey, Brandon, and Raven, who shook their heads, "Oh thank goodness."

We spent the remainder of the night with MawMaw filling in details about the cartel, my parents, and her life in the Academy.

Raven

Krolik had been shaken up last night and when I saw her in the copier room, silently crying my heart broke. She had refused to take the day off, saying it would be even worse to be alone with her thoughts. I quietly slipped into the room and locked the door behind me. With a quick flip of a switch, all the blinds sealed and I wrapped my arms around her waist.

"Krolik," I whispered in her ear as she let her body sag into my embrace. She didn't say a word as I held her. When my mouth trailed along her neck, she moaned softly. I gave her a firm swat on her bottom. "Quiet, bunny, wouldn't want anyone to come to investigate why the copy room is locked on a Monday afternoon." She turned her head to me, eyes widening. I just chuckled and pressed my finger against her lips. When they parted, I pressed deeper, gently pushing them down her throat until she almost gagged. "Good girl," I whispered as I pulled them back. "Now, I'm going to make you feel good, but stay quiet, or I'll stop. Nod if you understand."

She nodded and I moved her to the counter. She watched my every move as I pulled my belt off and placed it around her hands, palms down on the countertop. I then took the buckle and looped it around the hooks on the wall. "Not a sound, bunny, or I'll have to gag that pretty mouth." She nodded, her eyes filling with desire. I quickly ran my hands down her waist, inching up her skirt, then pulling her panties down. She soundlessly stepped out of them. As my hands traveled back up her thighs, I felt her damp center, just begging to be fucked. Unbuttoning my slacks, I leaned against her body, caging her against the cold counter. "What did your doctor say? You may answer out loud."

"Everything is good. The level I was on is safe," she whispered.

I nipped at her ear, "Good, because I want to feel your dripping pussy tight around my cock with nothing between us." She shivered and I chuckled, "Now be a good bunny and take what I give you without a sound." I didn't give her a chance to respond before I slammed inside of her. A small gasp escaped her lips as she struggled to stay standing. My thrusts were so hard I was lifting her off her feet. She made small noises and I corrected her, "Tut, tut, krolik. I said no sounds, now open." Her lips parted and I shoved her panties in her mouth as she looked at me frantically. "Good girl."

Gripping her hips, I began bucking inside of her once again, driving deep inside as her body shook and responded so beautifully. She looked beautiful as tears streamed down her cheeks. Her face was pure abandon as she gave in to me. I felt myself getting close and gripping her tightly, I growled, "Cum for me." Her hips pressed back as she trembled, a muffled moan caught in her throat. I bit down on her shoulder to keep myself from crying out as I spilled inside of her.

Panting, I pressed soft kisses to her shoulders and head, "Look up, bunny." I gently removed the panties, slipping them into my pocket. "See that little red light?" Her cheeks flushed with realization. "Corey and Brandon have been watching this entire time. You were such a good girl, krolik. I'm so proud of you."

"May I have my panties back?" she asked while I undid the belt, and massaged her wrists, kissing them gently.

"No. I'll be keeping those," I chuckled as I cleaned her up with a handkerchief. "I'll be driving you home today. Be in my office at five promptly." I reached down and pulled her mouth to mine, our tongues exploring. With a last kiss to her forehead, I whispered, "Such a good girl," then left her blushing at her document copies.

Author's Notes:  A little Raven stress relief...