Chapter 29

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Angel and EZ weren't in the mood to drink or gamble when they arrived at the casino. It was in line with everyone else's mood though. No one knew who was going to be in the meeting or what the main topic would be so they were all a little on edge. When Miguel brought Adelita into the room though Angel's head was about to explode.

"You know about this?" Angel asked EZ.

EZ shook his head, as did Coco and Gilly.

The entire meeting was lost on Angel. He was already deep into planning or attempting to plan, the murder of Lincoln Potter. It wouldn't solve all his problems, he was now concerned about Adelita and their contentious end. Would she out him? Would she hold it over his head?

Before Angel knew it, everyone was shaking hands and Adelita was coming toward him. She smiled timidly and extended her hand.

"I'm Luisa," she introduced herself.

"Angel," he said coolly as they shook hands.

"It's nice to meet you," she smiled.

Adelita then turned to EZ, Coco, and Gilly and introduced herself again, with Angel slipping away undetected. He wasn't alone for long though. Before he even finished his cigarette EZ was coming out the double doors.

"Is this bad?"

"It feels bad," Angel grumbled. "Just depends on how pissed she is."

"And Potter?" He asked. "That's the route we're taking?"

Angel nodded although he was embarrassingly uncertain. "Can't kill her, can't sell her out, it's too risky."

"They're two different problems," EZ told him.

"They are," Angel exhaled a large puff of smoke, "You gotta figure out where she is with me, what her plans are for this shit."

"Yeah," EZ nodded. "I can do that."

"Good, cause I'm going home," Angel spat. "I can't deal with this shit. Not now."

Despite knowing how tense their relationship was and how angry, and hurt, Angel was EZ hugged his brother.

"We'll handle it," he said supportively. "You want me with you on the way back?"

Angel shook his head. "I'm good."

"Have a safe ride," EZ said. "I'll see you back home."

When Angel arrived home he found Carrie awake on the sofa, the glow of the TV illuminating her face. She turned to him, a smile on her face, and got to her feet. "Hey, I didn't think you'd be home so soon."

"Couldn't wait to get out of there," he admitted. "Can't sleep?"

"Nope," she frowned. "Mari won't stop moving around, she's so far up I can't breathe. It's not just her though," Carrie admitted. "I heard you and EZ earlier."

He looked at her with a dumbfounded expression. "You were probably dreamin', babe."

"Oh, no, I was not," she laughed. "I was dozing but I know what I heard."

"What did you hear?"

"You want to kill Lincoln Potter," she said calmly. "He's threatening your family, you, the club, and the only way you think you can deal with it is killing him."

Angel's eyebrows arched high and he huffed, annoyed with himself. "The info he wants is too risky."

"And you're not a rat," she said with disappointment, "No matter who they want to nail down. Right?"

"Yeah," he admitted.

"You'd rather kill a man than sell out that woman?"

Angel knew she was upset by that, maybe even horrified, but he couldn't lie. Carrie knew him too well for him to lie and get away with it. "It's too dangerous," he explained. "If the club or Galindo found out they'd do more than the government ever could."

That was something Carrie understood. "Okay."

"I'm sorry, Car," he whinnied. Crossing the room, he knelt in front of her as she lounged on the couch. "You know this is who  I am."

"I know," she huffed. Sitting up straight now. "I mean, I love the loyalty," she shrugged.

"Me and E are gonna deal with it. Don't worry."

"Oh, Angel, baby, I am always worried," she admitted. Carrie parted her legs and pulled him between her legs, as close as possible. "But I trust you and I want to help you."

"No." He said flatly.

"Listen, wait," she pressed her palms against his chest, "I'm not going to pull the trigger but maybe I can help. Maybe I can provide a distraction or help get him somewhere you need him to be."

"No," he said snapped. "I mean it, Carrie, stay out of this shit."

She hesitated. "You need a level head."

"Not the level head of my pregnant fianceé," he said angrily. "I mean it, the only way you can help is by keeping yourself, Joey, and Mari safe." 

"Angel," she protested.

"Stop. The last thing I need is to worry about you," he said authoritatively.

Carrie backed off, figuratively and literally. "Okay. You run this ship, I just want to know the plans. Give me that much."

"When I figure it the fuck out I will," he said with frustration. "That's the problem right now."

"Do you think people know he's threatening you?" She asked, rubbing her fingers through his messy hair. Carrie loved when he was at eye level, her on the couch with him kneeling between her legs. She never felt more equal to him, in every way, than when he was on his knees in front of her.

"I don't think so," he sighed. "I don't think anything he does is above board."

"So if he meets with you it probably won't be documented, that's a plus."

Angel nodded before burying his face in her breasts. "I just wanna suffocate right here," he mumbled, "Best way to die."

"Shut up," she laughed. "Let's brainstorm this."

"I'm tired," he whined.

"Yeah, so am I but if I can't sleep you can't sleep," she said, only half kidding. "Wait, easy solution, set him up. Have him go meet you somewhere a nerdy white guy shouldn't be. Like, I don't know, some nasty bar or something."

Angel pulled his head from her chest and looked at her, his eyes brighter than before. "Yo, I like that."

Carrie fluttered her eyelashes and smiled. "I'm more than just a pretty face."

"You're amazing," he cooed. "I know exactly what I'm gonna do," Angel said, getting to his feet.

"Wait, now?" She said, standing up as well.

"Yeah, I got some whispers so spread around," he winked at her. "I love you, mi dulce," Angel said as he kissed her, "And you, chiquita," he added, pressing his hand to her belly.

"Be careful," Carrie called out as he headed for the door.

Angel smiled and nodded. "Always. I'll be home soon."

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