Angel

Chapter 74

Kota

Reports had started pouring in about activity at several of Carlos's locations. Even with Raven's father sending reinforcements along with Alberto's men, we were spread too thin.

"This whole thing seems off," Nate scowled.

"Not if it's a ruse," Gabe suggested. "What better way to plan an attack than to divide and conquer us? This guy was second for over a decade. He knows exactly how Emilio runs his cartel. He knows how he responds to threats as well."

"I think you're both right. I think he wants us to split up, but why?" I asked.

"Mattie." Nate said flatly. "He wants to take out the Queen once and for all. If we go off chasing all of these leads, she's here with a skeleton crew. He has no options left so he's going for a full frontal assault."

"Do you really think he's crazy enough to do that?" Victor gaped, "And what about Vivian? Is she prepared to kill Mattie?"

"She was more than happy to watch me whip her, and sell her for profit," Gabe growled. "That bitch isn't family."

"Then what do we do? If Nate's right, he's coming here, but if he's wrong, all those other poor bastards are sitting ducks," North said.

"Have the gangs send in decoy crews," Rico suggested, "Enough to make it look like we're fighting back, but not enough to abandon the compound. We tell all of them it's a potential suicide mission and look for volunteers. You might be surprised how many takers you get."

I looked around the room at the others waiting for another idea. It was odd how much Rico had changed and how close he'd gotten to our group. The Toma guys still kept their distance except Raven, but my family had taken him and Lorna under our wings essentially. He was trying to do the right thing for a change.

"Rico's plan is sound," Mattie said, coming into the room with Owen and Marc. She gave him a smile and he nodded his head. "So how do we make it look like I'm basically unguarded?"

"For one, we need to get you and the other girls out of here," Marc said. "We have no idea how he'll attack."

She looked at him like he'd grown a second head, "And what if that's exactly what he wants? Nova, I'm just as safe here as anywhere else, not to mention, if you think I'm leaving all of you alone, you've lost your damn mind."

"You're pregnant, Angel! I know you can handle a weapon, but this isn't just about you anymore," he growled. Brandon, Axel, and Corey echoed his comments. Only Emilio and Raven didn't speak.

She turned to them, "You two are awfully quiet."

"Krolik has claws. You won't listen if we say hide, so better to know where you are and stay near," Raven grinned.

Emilio laughed, "What he said." She grinned at both of them and promptly walked over giving them both kisses. They shot the others a gloating look. "So now that our Reina has spoken, what's the plan? Gabe's right, I need to stay out of the planning. Carlos knows how I think far too well."

"Okay, let's do this," Rico said with a huge grin.

Tori

Mattie, Lorna, and I sat in the study next to Mattie's room. "You realize he's coming for us, don't you?" I asked her.

She gave me a hard smile, "Of course I do. That's why I wanted us to stay here. At least this is known territory. If they had sent us somewhere else, we would be scrambling to find higher ground if you catch my meaning."

"So what is the plan?" Lorna asked. "I won't be taken again."

Mattie unlocked a small cabinet and pulled out a duffel bag. She began placing knives, guns, brass knuckles, and more onto the coffee table. "The plan is to be prepared." She placed bands on the table as well that could be strapped to legs or arms to hold various weapons. "Carlos or Vivian one will come directly for me and probably Tori. They don't know about you Lorna, so you're our runner."

"No, I won't run anymore," she gritted out.

"That's not what I mean. If they make it in the room, you are to take the side door and find the guys." Mattie stood and showed her the small closet-looking door that led to Sean and Owen's room. "I know the guys have their rooms wired. If you so much as enter or talk, all the Blackbourne team will know."

I started picking up several throwing knives and a small pistol. Mattie just laughed as I tucked them into various places. "What?"

"I love you so much, Tori! You've been the sister I never had," she grinned, "Albeit the crazy sister, but still..."

"Bitch, that sounds way too much like a goodbye. We ain't dying here today," I told her firmly.

She took my hand, "I don't plan on it, but I also don't want things left unsaid."

"Rico asked me to come with him when this is all over," Lorna whispered. "He says he loves me."

I grinned at her, "He's crazy about you, girl! Any fool can see he loves you."

"She's right. He's a better man with you. I say go for it," Mattie grinned.

Before we could say anything else, a loud explosion ripped through the compound shaking the walls and sending us crashing to the floor for cover.

Brandon

A series of explosions ripped through the compound followed by rounds of automatic weapons. I quickly searched the room trying to find everyone. A large portion of a wall had collapsed and I heard groaning. Crawling across the floor, I saw Silas's unmoving form under a section of wall. North was next to him groaning softly. "North, man, can you hear me?" I asked him.

"Yeah, yeah, I can hear you, Brandon. My back is pinned," he said, coughing.

"Hang on, I'm gonna try and get something to wedge up the debris," I told him and started looking for anything. Raven came running in and I shouted, "Over here, North and Silas are trapped!"

"Yebat'!" he swore as we began to move the debris. North was able to crawl out and then we pulled Silas clear. He wasn't conscious, but he was breathing. "Get to an interior area, we need to find Mattie," Raven said. "Carlos and Vivian are here. They've got fucking mortars."

Our heads turned toward the door as a series of screams and gunfire erupted and Luke came crashing in followed by Gabe. They were both covered in dust and blood. "We need to move, now!" Gabe said decisively. "Kota and his group are pinned closer to Mattie's wing. I need to get behind Carlos's men."

"Da," Raven said, pulling out his own knife. "Time to hunt."

"Brandon, help North get Silas somewhere safer for now, okay?" Luke asked.

"Yeah," I agreed, then quickly hugged Raven. "Keep the others safe, eh?"

"Da," he grunted and the three left out the opposite doorway. I had a horrible feeling that I wasn't going to see him again but shook it off as North and I lifted Silas and began dragging him toward the Palmas hallway. It was one of the most secure spots in the compound.

Author's Notes: ...