And Back Again

Chapter 12

"You have reached the voicemail of 760..."

Zara huffed, tossing her phone onto the couch and turned her eyes back to the email she'd received from Bastian. He was inviting her, and Angel, to dinner but he was purposely keeping the reason vague. It was short notice, even Bastian admitted so in his email, but Zara was interested and willing to go even if she didn't get a hold of Angel.

The sound of a Harley sparked her excitement. She popped up from the table and hurried to the front door to see Angel parking right outside. She waved from the doorstep, a smile on her face, and welcomed him home with an enthusiastic hug.

"Hey," he chuckled, returning the hug. "You're in a good mood."

"I am," she nodded. "What's up?"

"I saw the traffic footage from Sunday," he said woefully. "Gabe was at the library meeting with two other guys, he wasn't lying, but we didn't see anyone who coulda been our guy."

Zara just nodded, having expected that outcome, before pulling him into the house with her. "So, Angel," she giggled.

"Christ," he groaned. "What now?"

"It's nothing bad, I swear!" Zara sat at the table and read the email to Angel. "I was hoping to discuss a proposition I've been spending quite a bit of time thinking over. Would you and Angel like to meet for dinner this evening? We can peruse the details over a nice meal and I can answer any questions you may have. Please, if you feel more comfortable coming alone or with someone else, don't hesitate. I'm just trying to make you feel more comfortable and involve Angel as I know he is a large part of your life. Give my assistant a call and we'll set a time and place."

"With that flowery language it's gotta be Bastian," he grunted.

Zara grimaced. "That's all you have to say?"

Angel shook his head. "What do you think it is?"

Shrugging, Zara replied, "I don't know. Maybe a job? What other proposition could he have for me?"

"Any other is gonna get him knocked the fuck out," Angel said gruffly.

"Yes, you're a badass, baby," she rolled her eyes but couldn't help the chuckle that left her lips. "Wanna go?"

"No," he said flatly, "But I will. For you." Her face lit up when he said it and Angel felt his heart skip. Still, after almost two years, Zara had that effect on him. "I love you, Z."

"I love you too," she beamed. "You think I should take it?"

"I dunno," he shook his head. "You wanna?"

"I want to work," she sighed.

"Guess it depends on what he offers," Angel said.

Zara nodded. "I'm getting ahead of myself."

"As usual," he smirked.

"You know me," she stood up. "I'm going to jump in the shower. You gonna join me?"

Angel smirked but shook his head. "Gotta make a call. Sorry."

"Your loss," she winked before jogging up the stairs.

Angel waited until the bathroom door shut and the water started before sitting and calling Bishop.

"Yeah?"

"Hey Bish," Angel sighed. "You got a minute?"

"For you, Angel," Bishop groaned, "I think I'm gonna need more than a minute."

"Yeah, probably," Angel scoffed. "Z thinks Bastian is gonna offer her a job. What direction do I push this in? What's safe with Galindo? I don't know how to navigate this shit, she's just as involved with him as we are she's just on a different side."