Angel

Chapter 51

Trigger Warning: self-harm

Tori

It had been a week since the Gala, and every day had me more worried about Mattie. After I delivered the response from Kota and Victor, she cried and mirrored Victor's sentiments. I watched the light in my friend's eyes begin to fade as she mourned the loss of her daughter and her lovers. Emilio and her grandfather had been equally worried as she stopped joining them for meals and even refused to eat most days.

I knocked on the door lightly but she didn't answer. I pushed the door open and heard the shower running so I left quietly.

"Is she awake?" Emilio asked as he almost ran into me.

"I assume so, I heard the shower running, so I left," I said. He gave me a weak smile and then headed down the hall. I had made it to the bottom of the stairs when I heard him screaming for help and for someone to call the doctor.

I ran back up the stairs, bursting into the room, and pushed down a scream. He was cradling her in his arms, trying to stop the bleeding from her wrists as she lay dripping wet and unconscious. "Get help, now!" he roared.

"Move," Carlos yelled as he pulled Doc into the room.

I stumbled to the side, not able or even willing to leave. Why didn't I see how depressed she'd become? If those damn men just hadn't come.

Owen

The report from Kota had not gone over well. For the past week, the Toma men had nearly shut down. Lilly had been speaking with them since their arrival, but now, they closed her out as well. A knock at my office door jolted me from my thoughts. Looking up I saw North's panicked expression. "What's happened?" I demanded.

He came in, his body shaking, "I...I just got an update from Rico sort of. He sent out a widespread message that the compound was off-limits due to a family emergency with the Reina. I don't know what it means."

"Do we know anyone that might be able to get us answers?" I asked, my head spinning. This entire situation seemed so hopeless. How do you save someone who doesn't want to be saved?

North cringed, "Phil?"

I hissed, "Son of a bitch!" I knew he was right, but at what cost? Would Sean even be willing to talk to him or should I? No, I'll do it. Sean's been hurt enough. I nodded for North to sit and picked up a burner phone. It rang twice, picked up, and then went silent. "Tomatoes."

"Penguins," his voice responded. "Owen is that you?"

"Yes, but this isn't a social call," I said in a curt tone. "I need to know..."

He cut me off, "She's in a hospital, but no one is saying what happened." I drew in a sharp breath as he continued. "It happened within the last twenty-four hours. Cardoza has shut down the entire compound and her grandfather is staying there for now. I don't know anything else, Owen, but I will contact you if I find out more."

"Thank you, Phil," I said and hung up the phone. I looked at North, "Call a family meeting and see if Lilly can watch Violet." He got up and headed out. I quickly sent a text to Sean. I needed to run my idea by him first. Hell, I didn't even know if I could make it happen.

"Owen, what's wrong? That text didn't sound good," he said coming into the room. I didn't even answer him as I crossed the room and took him into my arms, pressing our mouths together. Our arms wrapped around each other as we deepened the kiss until we ran out of breath. "Woah, not that I'm complaining, but what was that for?" he chuckled.