Angel

Chapter 71

Raven

The room was filled with dozens of gang leaders, as well as members of the Cortez and Cardoza cartels. My father has sent a few representatives from the Russian mafia to support us also. Emilio sat alongside Alberto at the head of the table with Mattie while we flanked them causing several mutterings.

"Gentlemen, most of you are already aware that my former second, Carlos Sanchez, has declared war. We have already responded by hitting several of his warehouses and safe houses, but this is far from over. I do not tolerate betrayal. I want his head," Emilio growled across the room.

"Who are they?" one of the gang leaders asked.

"This is my brother, Marcus, and our family - Axel Toma, Brandon and Corey Henshaw, and Raven Ravenstahl."

"When the fuck did you get a brother?" another demanded.

Emilio placed his gun on the table and stood straight. "He was taken from us at a young age. Luckily he found our Reina first and now we are all bound to her."

"Can't handle your woman, boss?" another member sassed.

I yelled, "Dostatochno!"

Mattie stood and looked at the man, "¿Te gustaría desafiarme? (Would you like to challenge me?)" He scoffed and elbowed his friends as he said something too low for me to hear, but a whirring sound had him shouting.

"¡Perra loca!" he shouted at her as he cradled his shoulder that had a blade protruding from it.

The six of us stood and took a step forward as the Blackbourne men came from the edges of the room as well. Mattie laughed, "Is that all you have? Hollow words, slurs, and no spine? This cartel has supported you, fed you, sheltered you and now you snivel over whose bed I share? Please let me know who is the VP in your gang. I'm sure they could run things far better than you," she snapped. "Look around, men. Your livelihood, your brotherhood stands at the precipice. Are you going to allow traitors like Carlos Sanchez to steal what you have worked for?"

The room filled with mumbles as Rico stepped forward. "The Palmas pledge support to the Rey y Reina." He looked directly at her, then bowed his head. I saw her eyes water as she understood his apology.

"Thank you, Rico," both she and Emilio said. His declaration started a domino effect that went around the room. With that, the leaders quickly came to the table and we began planning our strategy.

I noticed Gabe hovering near the leader Mattie had thrown the knife at. In all the years I'd known him, I would never have suspected him to have the ability to kill. Sure, he'd seen his share of loss, but he always seemed so flamboyant and happy. But right now, the look he had in his eyes was pure predator. Without a word, the man lifted his hand and prepared to launch the same knife back at her. By the time I had even yelled, his hand was pinned to the table with one knife in it and another at his throat.

All eyes focused on Gabe as he held the man's hair, a knife pressed to his throat with beads of blood forming. "The last man who disrespected her in my presence had his throat slit. Would you care to join him," Gabe growled. "You see, they may be forgiving, but I'm not, so make your decision carefully."

"I...I'm sorry," the man gasped. "Please."

Gabe looked at us, waiting for our decision. Krolik simply nodded her head and with a swift movement, Gabriel slit his throat, letting him fall gurgling to the floor.

"Any more challengers?" She asked, scanning the room. "Good, now get that traitor out of here." Gabe came to stand closer to her and she whispered, "Thank you."

"Always, ma douce. I am here when you need me," he said and gave a wicked smirk. I had a whole new level of respect for this man, now.

****

It was late when the discussions concluded. I gripped her around the waist, whispering in her ear, "You are mine tonight, krolik." I picked her up and quickly made my way to an empty guest bedroom. She gasped when I gently tossed her on the bed and began to strip. "That was the hottest thing I've ever seen, my beautiful wife. It was all I could do to keep from taking you right then and there," I growled. I crawled across the bed to her and yanked on the front of her dress, tearing it off her. "My fierce krolik," I said then crashed our mouths together. She whined as I pinned her arms above her head, pushing her legs apart with my knees. I slammed into her, needing to feel her warmth. This wasn't gentle, it was raw and passionate. She cried out and begged me to go harder as I lifted her leg around my waist and my mouth covered her nipple. I bit and tugged as she began to shiver, her orgasm ripping through her body, but I was just getting started.

I flipped her over, tugging her hips back as I slammed into her again. I grabbed a handful of hair and yanked, driving as deep as I could while she screamed. Her tits bounced with each thrust as her back bowed. "You were l'vitsa today (a lioness)," I grunted, "Show me your claws, my lioness." In seconds, we had flipped positions and she was riding me, her nails sinking into my chest as she took control of our pace.

"Raven," she moaned, as I felt her begin to tighten around me again.

"Cum for me, moya zhena (my wife)," I groaned as we both became lost in our orgasms. She fell onto my chest panting as I held her, placing kisses on the top of her head.

Her fingers trailed along my tattoos as she asked, "Did I do the right thing today?"

I instantly knew what she was referring to. Sliding out of her, I rolled us over until we were facing each other. "Krolik, you are in a different world now. As you already know, it can be cruel and dangerous. The only way to protect yourself is to surround yourself with those you can trust. You couldn't trust that man. He only apologized because Gabe had a knife to his throat. Had you let him live, he would have gone after you sooner or later."

"I feel guilty for asking Gabe to do that," she whispered.

"You didn't ask him to do anything, krolik," I told her. "He made that choice the moment he stopped him. I've known Gabe for a long time, and he never does anything he doesn't want to. He's loyal to you and will protect you, just like we all will."

She nodded and leaned in, kissing me softly as she snuggled into my chest, letting sleep overtake us.

Author's Notes:  Video at top: Diana Ankudinova – The Day You... (Official Lyric Video).  That sums up Raven and Mattie for me.

War is coming...