Angel

Chapter 26

Corey

"Mr. Henshaw, Mr. Ramoz and his associate are in conference room two," Lydia whispered quickly. "I'm sorry, sir. I had no idea they were coming. Security said they'd been sitting in the lobby since the doors were unlocked."

I groaned under my breath, "Fuck." Handing my briefcase to Lydia, I quickly messaged the others.

Corey: Mr. Ramoz and associate showed up unannounced. Head to conference room two with the files.

Raven: On my way. I'll grab Kevin to take the notes.

Mattie: Brandon and I just pulled in. I'll swing by my office for my notes, then meet all of you there. Brandon says he'll come straight there.

Corey: Mattie you don't have to come, just drop off the files.

Mattie: I'll just pop in and out. 🙂

"Gentlemen, did I forget an appointment?" I asked, shaking their hands.

Mr. Ramoz shook his head, "No, no, we simply had a few questions and were in the area. I hope it's not an inconvenience." In the area my ass. This fucker knew what he was doing.

"Of course not. Just bear with me for a few moments while my paralegal retrieves the case files. Mr. Ravenstahl and Mr. Henshaw will be here momentarily as well, then we can get started. Would either of you care for something to drink while we wait - coffee, tea, water?" I asked, trying to stall. I know damn good and well they found out we had offered a termination settlement to Meadows and they were trying to find a way around it. What I don't understand is why they cared. He can still sell without our involvement, so why push? I handed them both the coffee they'd requested and then began to arrange the files Kevin had brought in. I looked up momentarily when Raven came in followed by Mattie and Brandon. Damn, she looked beautiful today. Everyone exchanged pleasantries then we got started as Mattie stepped back out into the hallway.

We'd been going back and forth with no progress for almost two hours when my phone buzzed. I checked the message and smiled to myself. Meadows had accepted our offer - the greedy bastard. I put my hand up, "Gentlemen, I apologize, but we need to end these negotiations immediately. I was just notified by Mr. Meadows's administrative assistant that our firm no longer represents him or any of his companies. I do apologize, but you will need to speak with him directly regarding this matter."

Ramoz's associate slapped the tabletop and hissed, "¡Esto es una mierda! Ellos saben."

Ramoz shot him a harsh glare, "¡Tranquilizarse! El ratoncito está escuchando." He looked directly at Mattie, who had opened the door as he spoke and I felt my stomach turn. What the fuck is he talking about. When I looked at her, she was visibly shaken and had paled.

"Gentlemen, Mr. Ravenstahl will escort you out," I said quickly and Raven stood immediately towering over the men and ushering them out. Once they were out of eyesight I turned to her. Brandon quickly moved to her side and pulled her close. "Little one, what did they say that upset you so?"

She looked up, her eyes fearful, "The first one said, 'This is fucking shit! They know,' then Mr. Ramoz told him, 'Be quiet! The little mouse is listening.'" I could see her hands shaking, "Corey, I don't know how, but they knew I could understand, and I think they also know we made the cartel connection." Her head fell into her hands as she began to sob, "What the fuck am I going to do?" Then her head shot up, "Oh my god - Violet!"

I was reaching for my phone the moment she said Violet's name. Marc answered on the first ring. "Hey, Corey, what's up?"

"Mattie needs you to pick up Violet from school immediately and take her to our house. Axel will be bringing her MawMaw too. Somehow, Ramoz put two and two together. Mattie is convinced he realized she knew about the cartel, and I think she might be right." I heard something crash in the background as he swore under his breath.

"Fuck!" he roared, before getting control again. "Fine, okay, I'm leaving now. Tell her I love her," he said.

"We'll be heading back to the house shortly and see all of you there," I told him before hanging up and calling Axel. I gave him the same information while Mattie used her phone to notify the school, then her grandmother. The old woman was a bit reluctant to come, but when Mattie mentioned the Palmas, she relented.

By the time Raven came back in, we had everything secured, only needing to get her purse from her small office. "Did they give you any problems as they left?" Brandon asked him.

"Nyet. They were having a full-blown conversation though." He gave a sly grin and reached into his breast pocket producing a small recorder. "I thought krolik might be able to translate when we get home."

I grabbed his face and kissed him soundly, "You, my love, are a fucking genius." He laughed and pulled me in for another kiss. We both looked at Mattie when we heard a soft sigh. Her pupils were slightly dilated, lips parted, and cheeks flushed. She didn't resist when Brandon moved behind her, wrapping his hands around her waist and nuzzling her exposed neck. Damn, for as much as I wanted to explore this moment, we needed to get going. Raven, however, seemed to have a different plan.

He walked toward her, nodded at Brandon, and then tugged her against him. "Krolik, I'm changing our plan. I want the world to know you are ours and we are yours. I will not hide," he growled and slammed his mouth to hers. She made a soft mewling sound as he lifted her by her ass, then instantly wrapped her legs around him. When the kiss broke, Brandon and I both were struggling to get our own hard-ons under control. I fully admit I can't wait to get her and Raven in bed at the same time again.

Raven kissed her nose as he placed her back on the floor, helping her stand as she regained her bearings with a sheepish grin. "Now, you and I are going to your office. At no time are you allowed out of my eyesight, krolik, understood?"

"Yes, sir," she said, wrapping her fingers around his as she took the hand he offered.

"Khorosho," he said confidently, then turned to us, "We'll meet you in the parking garage. We can take the Audi home. Better to stay together." We all agreed and they stepped out to gather her items.

****

By the time we reached the house, Axel had already returned with MawMaw and was helping her set up a few things in one of the spare bedrooms. Marc and Violet were in the kitchen making muffins and singing off-key. I stood in amazement for a few moments. This is what I want - all of us under one roof - a family.

Now all we have to do is protect them.

Author's Notes:  Time to go down the rabbit hole...

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