Angel

Chapter 46

Brandon

"I know you don't want me here, but you need to know about this!" Doc Roberts roared from the front door.

"Get the fuck out," Sean shouted at him.

"She knows," Phil said flatly. "Mattie knows everything – things you don't know, things I didn't know," he sputtered.

I tapped Sean's shoulder and he relented. "You've got ten minutes," I told him as he followed us to the main room. He looked tired and very nervous as he clenched a large envelope in his hand.

"What the fuck is he doing here?" Raven growled, jumping to his feet.

"That's what we need to find out," I explained. "He claims Mattie knows and with Kota and Victor headed to Mexico, we need to hear what he knows. I won't have them getting killed if Cardoza is on the lookout for them."

The room was filled with harsh glares and mutterings. Luckily, Violet was at the Anderson ranch for a day of baking and horseback riding with her new aunt and uncles, so she wouldn't hear anything he had to say.

"Your ten minutes are running out Doc. Get to it," I snapped sitting next to Axel and Marc, their hands instantly wrapping around mine.

He blew out a haggard breath, "Trish Quire is dead."

"And..." Corey said.

"And this came with her severed head that was delivered to the Academy base in Mexico City," he laid a photo of a bloody letter on the table.

Those who betray family will pay the ultimate price. Any actions against Violet Theriot Weiland will be considered an act of war.

El Rey y la Reina

Emilio & Matilda Cardoza

Alberto Cortez

"What the fuck did you do, Phil?" Axel hissed between gritted teeth. "Why would they kill Trish and what the hell does it have to do with our daughter or the Academy?"

Phil's face was pale. "I need you to believe me when I say I didn't know, boys. I only knew what Vivian claimed all those years ago, that she was trying to save both of them. I had no knowledge of what was really going on at the Academy."

"You have less than five minutes to give us every detail or I'll shoot you before Raven even gets the chance," Corey snapped.

"Trish was apparently Academy once and had done missions with Mattie's grandmother. When Vivian found out Cardoza was sniffing around, she located Trish and gave her a tip that Mattie was the missing Princess. Trish knew everything - who Mattie's grandfather was, that her parents aren't dead, everything." The room erupted into chaos with everyone shouting and yelling.

"Shut up!" Owen's voice boomed, making us all stop in our tracks. "Phil, are you saying Vivian had this Trish woman tell Cardoza who Mattie was?

He nodded, "Yes, and apparently, Vivian also gave details about the Tomas coming to Charleston. Yes, Mattie's purse was bugged, but they already knew who would be in the cars and where you were heading. Trish was the contact inside the compound as well."

"Fuck," Kota muttered. "Did Trish know about us?"

"Not that I'm aware of, but I'm not sure now what Vivian really knew or who else she's been working with. She's gone rogue, boys," he finally said.

"Is she even sick?" Marc asked.

"I doubt it," Phil admitted. "She's one of the Academy's original birds. Her training is through the roof, and despite her appearance, she can handle herself." He took another large breath and then said, "That's not all though. According to every source in both cartels, Mattie is the one who dealt the death blow to Trish, it was her first act as Queen of the Cortez and Cardoza cartels. I realize you don't want to hear this and have no reason to believe me, but she's with her family now. She may not even want to return."

I felt Marc's hand clench and I spoke, "She wants to, Phil. She just doesn't know how to or if she even can. Mattie is a survivor. Whatever she's done or does is in an effort to survive. We haven't experienced what she's living through, so I won't judge her actions or decisions. She also knows we would just as easily kill anyone who tried to harm our daughter."

He choked, "You're kidding me. She's the fucking head of the cartel - she murdered a woman and you still want to pursue this? You're all insane, completely fucking insane!"

"From what we've been learning about thousands of missions, Phil, I'm beginning to think the Academy isn't much different than the cartels and mafias. You deal in lives just like them. You manipulate and twist relationships and for what to stop crime, when you readily perpetuate your own? It sounds more like the Academy is simply trying to thin its competition," Sean spat.

"I think you should leave," Marc said simply. "We appreciate the information, but we've made it fairly clear, we don't want or need any assistance from the Academy. I for one, don't want anything to do with it ever again. Oh, and one more thing, Phil. I agree with the note they sent. Anyone who betrays this family will be considered an enemy, and if anyone tries to harm my child, I'll declare my own war on them."

Phil looked around the room receiving nothing but confirmation that he was no longer welcome and definitely not considered a friend, let alone family here. "You can keep those. Maybe one of you will come to your senses," he scowled, then left with Silas and North escorting him to the door.

Victor looked at us, "Do we still go?"

"She won't betray you," Corey said quietly. "She knows we didn't have anything to do with this or any of you. Even if she is married to that bastard, she knows we are her family."

"What are the options?" Luke asked.

"What do you mean," Axel replied.

"I mean, if she has taken her place as a Cortez and Cardoza, what are the options? Can she really leave - ever? And if she can't, where does that leave all of you and Violet? Are you willing to become part of that life to be with her? I'm not saying the guys shouldn't go, and I'm not saying give up, but I am saying to consider all of your options." He let out a sigh, "Because it sounds like the situation may not be a basic rescue anymore."

"Then we adjust," Raven said. "I'm Russian. Sean's right - Academy and mafia are really no different, just better disguise."

I noticed Marc's face darken as he stood and left the room without a word.  I heard something break as I followed him down the hall, slowly opening the door.  He threw a vase across the room, and swore, "Mierda!" I cleared my throat and he turned, his tear-filled eyes meeting mine.  "Why can't I escape, Brandon?  And now...now she's trapped because of me!"  I didn't say a word as I stepped forward to embrace the man I love.

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