Angel

Chapter 70

Mattie

"So Lorna, what would you like to have for lunch?" The young girl Victor had brought home was actually just a few weeks shy of eighteen. She'd been so neglected that it had stunted her growth according to Sean. She hadn't spoken for the first month she was here.

"I'd love some fresh fruit," she grinned as I handed her some sliced strawberries, grapes, and bananas. "Thank you," she mumbled through a mouth of food.

"You're welcome. Um, I needed to talk to you about some things going on here," I said and relaxed a bit as Tori came in. "There are some people coming to the compound and well, I'd prefer if you avoided wandering alone. Not all of them are like the man who brought you here. Some are more like the ones who were trafficking you." Her eyes went wide and she stopped eating - mid-bite. "I'm sorry if I'm scaring you, but you need to remember that you are in the middle of a Mexican cartel compound. Not everyone is nice."

"Y...yes ma'am," she said. "Can I go in the garden?"

I sighed, suddenly feeling very old, and nodded, "Yes, just keep Luca with you." I motioned for the guard to follow her and he gave a single nod in affirmation.

"Aww, look at you being a good mama," Tori teased as she sat down next to me.

"Shut it, woman," I sassed. "I'm too damn young for this."

She leaned her head on my shoulder, "We all are Mattie. In one way or another, we all had our childhoods stolen from us, but we can't change it now. Now we just have to find happiness where we can."

"What turned you into such a sage?" I chuckled. "I thought Confucius was Chinese?"

She snorted, "Yeah, that stuffy old dude didn't know shit. The world according to Tori is far more accurate. Hey, I should start a cult!" I rolled my eyes, this girl...

"Hey babygirl," North said, as he gave her a peck on the head.

She blushed, "Hi, North." I smiled to myself. The Blackbourne guys were all head over heels for her, and I couldn't be happier. They would make sure she was loved and safe.

"Did you girls eat?" he asked as he grabbed ingredients out of the fridge.

"I ate, but Tori hasn't," I grinned as she shot me a glare. "I need to find Emilio. You two have fun."

"Oh, hey, Rico and some of his crew are coming in today. I thought you might want a heads-up. He, um, wanted to speak with you," North said. I felt the knot in my stomach and nodded, then quickly went in search of my husbands.

Emilio

Despite the worried expression she wore, Mattie looked like a goddess walking into the room. The slight swell of her stomach was accentuated by her rather tight dress. "How are you this morning, little mouse?"

"Don't you little mouse, me Emilio Luis Cardoza!" Oh, shit, I'm in trouble. Marcus snickered next to me. "You're in trouble too, Marcus Rafel Cardoza Weiland." He gave me a panicked look as I just shrugged my shoulders.

"What have we done mi Reina?" I asked her, hoping for at least a clue.

"Why didn't anyone tell me the Palmas were coming here...that Rico was coming here?" Her hands twisted and I saw the fear in her eyes as she fought back tears.

Marcus gave me a look and my shoulders sagged. "Mattie, come please, sit." She came and fell into my lap as she started to shake. "Love, he won't harm you. To be honest, he feels guilty about it. He was part of the reason we found you. When he heard you'd been taken, he was willing to help, no payment. He said he owed you for how he'd treated you."

"I...I don't want to be alone with him, please," she sniffled.

"Angel, what exactly did he do to you?" Marcus asked. She buried her face in my chest and muttered softly.

I stroked her hair and in a low voice explained, "Trish had Tori deliver her to the Palmas when she first arrived. Rico and his second drugged her, then sexually assaulted her. He wanted her as his old lady and thought when she was brought there it was as a gift."

"Vivian had hoped he would take me back to the gang and get me pregnant. She just wanted me out of the picture," Mattie whispered. "I don't remember much. I was hazy from the drugs, but...then you..." she cringed and started to cry again.

"I know mi amore, and I would go back in time and change that night if only I could," I whispered, kissing her head. I saw his fists clench as realization dawned on him. "You don't have to see him, love."

She leaned up, "Yes, I do. I just can't do it alone. North says he wants to speak with me. I'm Reina. How will it look if I can't speak with the gang leaders?"

I shook my head, but it was my brother that answered, "Then you speak with us present. He's the damn King and we're your husbands. No one expects you to do anything alone." She climbed out of my lap and into his nodding her agreement as he soothed her. It was odd, but also comforting to watch them together. While the poly situation was still new to me and sometimes I felt like a third wheel, she was thriving.

Author's Notes:  Short transition (oh the scene with Tori and North...it's in the next book, hehehe).