Never An Angel

Fourth

        The back room of the bar was occupied by Magdalen and anyone she considered top level and who knew who she was. She didn't usually check up on everyone at once- that was asking for a raid- but she put protections in place and needed everyone so she could speak to them face-to-face and know they understood her clearly.

     George from the auto shop gave her updates on his doings, their imports and exports, and she nodded at him. The main man she kept at the docks gave her a quick, succinct rundown of times of deliveries, leaving it open that she could be there if she so desired. The manager of the bar simply handed over bills and anything that pertained to upkeep of the business. The men she kept at the gentleman's club she owned updated her on how well- or poorly, she thought sourly- the place was doing. She wasn't sure about the club being a source of income because of how trashy the building was, but she refused to sell it on the off chance that a new owner would be a sleeze and treat the workers like garbage.

     Lastly, she received the money from the guys she kept on the streets, digitally, of course. Though there was some cash, which she wanted. With all of that taken care of, she stood and waited for everyone to quiet and settle down. It took mere seconds.

     "Alright," she said, taking her seat once more. She noticed how nervous everyone was. "I've got a little announcement. It's nothing bad so you can calm down. Kist, knock that off before I pull out all your teeth." He stilled in his fidgeting, no longer picking at his arms. She pointed to the wet bar and he shuffled over. There was an extra bottle of his meds there and she stared at him until he took a dose. "Right then. I just wanted you all to know that there is a new member in our family."

     Buck perked up.

     Magdalen ignored him. "My girl, Petra, the girl I was with at the party, is going to be a bigger part of my life. Her presence will be noted and you all better treat her with some fucking respect or I swear I'll have your dicks on a platter. Her unhappiness brings attention to me, and I don't want that."

     Everyone stood silently, nodding their understanding. They all knew the severity.

     "I'll be happy to show her around the shop," George piped up. "What's she going to be doing? Working here at the bar? Or are you giving her a branch?" The others look for answers as well.

     "She doesn't know anything about what we do, and I plan to keep it that way. I'm telling you about her now so that when you see her around you'll look out for her. Make sure she thinks this city is a heaven. Treat her better than you treat me. She's human, you understand?"

     They all nodded seriously. No magic, no transformation, no shop talk. Nothing while Petra was present. They, too, understood the importance of appearing normal. A few of them had humans of their own for that purpose.

     "She's mine. My human, my alibi, my excuse. Mine. I need her in the clear so I'm in the clear." She tapped at the poker table for a moment. "Oh, and I need a few of you to help me move some things."

     Kist and Declan, predictably, spoke up. The guys from the docks, Ian and Hotch, raised their hands as well. They most likely wanted to get out of the cold for once and Magdalen wasn't going to deny them that. Buck was the last to offer his help. Five guys seemed enough so she dismissed everyone else, handing out bonuses as they left. Then she gave the run down to those that remained.

     Kist scratched the back of his head when he understood the situation. "No way. Already? That's quick. This woman must be a great piece of ass."

     Magdalen hit his face open palmed with enough force to jerk his face to the side. She would have hit him with claws but, frankly, the blow was unexpected even to herself. "Go ahead," she challenged him. "Talk shit again. I dare you."