Marc

"Hey, are you and Violet busy this weekend?" I asked Angel as we worked together to fix dinner.

She shook her head as she chopped peppers. "No, what's up?" Damn, I hope she doesn't get mad.

"Well, after our conversation at the coffee shop, I reached out to a friend about Flower's birth certificate. I hope I'm not pushing too fast," I paused.

Leaning over, she kissed my cheek, "Nova, I want this. No matter what, you are her father. But why didn't you just have one of the guys do it?"

"Owen asked the same thing," I chuckled. "Um, well, see Owen's a family law attorney, so it makes more sense. That and, well, I want to change my will as well. Since he's the executor of the estate, it just makes sense to have him do all of it."

She paused for a moment, then shrugged, "Okay, but you realize I don't want your money, right?"

This woman. Washing my hands, I took the knife from her and wrapped her in my arms. "I've missed six years of her life and six years without these arms around me, Angel. Life treated me well after I got out of the gangs, and I want to share that with you. I'm not trying to force you to take money or buy your love, but understand, I want to spoil both of you rotten. I don't want either of you, or your MawMaw for that matter to worry about money ever again - none of us do." She started to protest, but I quickly crushed my lips against hers. When our kiss broke, we both were panting. "Owen and Sean will be here for the weekend and then get a court date scheduled on Monday."

Her eyes were slightly glazed and she simply nodded, making me chuckle softly.

"Did I hear that right, Owen and Sean are coming in?" Axel said as he came into the kitchen.

"Yeah, I asked him for help with the Flower's birth certificate. He suggested they come up for the weekend and then he'll get a court date. I figured we had the room," I chuckled.

"Sounds good to me. We haven't seen the Blackbournes in years. Any of the others coming?" he asked, snagging a pepper as Angel swatted at his hand, giving him a reprimanding look.

"Nah, just those two. I'm sure they'll use it as a romantic getaway," I grinned.

"Violet and I can stay home to give you all time with your friends," Angel said.

"No way, Dove. We want you here, and if Owen's coming to work on legal stuff for the two of you, then he'll want you here as well," Axel grinned and gave her a quick kiss.

"Okay, I just don't want to intrude," she sighed.

"Baby, if we had anything to say about it, you, princess, and your MawMaw would already be living here," he told her, making her blush and shake her head as she went back to prepping the veggies.

Mattie

Corey and Brandon had made me take the next day off to spend with Violet and MawMaw. I'd explained everything to MawMaw who sat stoically. I have a sneaking feeling she's gonna take the wooden spoon to Corey when she sees him next. Violet was over the moon at the idea of spending the weekend with the guys again. She had spent all night planning out what toys to take with her as well as outfits. Of course, MawMaw once again declined the invitation - stubborn woman.

Now I found myself clock-watching as the end of the workday drew closer. I jumped in my seat when the intercom buzzed with Lydia's voice. "Mr. Ravenstahl is requesting you come to his office, Ms. Theriot. He asked you to bring the Meadows files."

"Thanks," I said and grabbed my files, then scurried down the hall. Ironically, there was the hidden door I had been unaware of that linked our offices, but for appearance's sake, we hadn't used it other than the one day with Corey. I knocked and hearing his familiar gruff to enter, I slipped into the room. Two rather large-built men were in the room and stood as I entered. "You wanted to see me?"

"Da krolik, come," he said, reaching out for me. "These are old friends from the Academy. They have information for us about our case. Silas and West, meet Mattie" Raven grumbled as the men stretched out their hands in greeting.

"I think Crow misspoke," one of them said, his dark eyes shooting a glare at Raven.

"Crow?" I asked.

The other man laughed, "Ignore them, agapiménos. They always fight like this. I'm Silas Korba and this is my friend North Taylor."

I giggled, catching onto the joke. "Crow, huh?" I teased Raven.

"YA otshlepayu etu yarko-krasnuyu zadnitsu, yesli ty snova nazovesh' menya tak, krolik. (I spank that ass bright red if you call me that again bunny.)" he growled.

I blushed, "Da, ser." Clearing my throat, "So, um, what did you have for me?"

The two men stared at me, mouths slightly agape before North spoke up. "Damn, well, um, we found some connections with various accounts, but I'm not sure if they will help. Corey had given Victor a few locations to look at and this is what he found."

I started flipping through the pages, then stood and made three copies of the documents. Without my asking, Raven handed me several Post-it notes and grinned as I began sifting through the information. I think they kept talking to themselves, but I was focused on the pages before me. "Shit," I muttered.

"What's wrong, krolik?" Raven asked.

"Um, can you call Nova? I need him to see this," I said hesitantly. He nodded and I felt my phone vibrate, knowing he'd sent a group text. I didn't even bother to read it, but instead nervously tapped my pen against the page.

"What did you find, Mattie?" North asked. "We couldn't make heads or tails out of that stuff."

"It's a code, not accounts. A runner's code to be specific. Do you know how your friend found this and did he completely cover his tracks? This information is deadly if they catch him." They all looked uncomfortable now.

"Yeah, Victor's top-notch. Corey trained him, so he won't have any traces attached," Silas said. "Do we need to call a meeting?"

Just then, Marc walked through the door, "Angel, what's going on?"

"Red runs," I said softly and he sucked in a breath.

"Oh fuck! Are you sure?" I saw the trace of fear that crossed his face, knowing it was mirrored on my own. I simply nodded and handed him the page. He went pale the more he read and shakily sat in a chair. "This is bad," he muttered.

"What the fuck is a red run and how the hell do you know about gangs?" North boomed.

I shot him a harsh glare. "I know because Nova and I were runners for the Palmas when we were kids." His eyes widened, but I continued. "The codes your friend found are called red runs. They are coordinates for abductions, usually women."

"Are you telling me Victor located human trafficking coordinates?" Silas gaped and I nodded.

"Krolik, can you tell if they are past, present, or future runs?" Raven asked, but it was Nova that answered.

"A mix." He placed the paper on the table and then grabbed my notes. "See, this is a date, then this is the longitude and latitude. Two codes have already expired, but these three are upcoming." All three swore under their breath.

"We are definitely going to need that meeting now," North said.

"Da, I'll get the others, you get Victor on the line," Raven said as he sent the message.

"Hey, are you okay?" Nova asked, coming to kneel before me. He took my hand and rubbed gentle circles with his thumb over my skin.

I sighed, "Yeah, this is just getting a bit scary. I thought I'd gotten away from it all, you know?"

"Me too, Angel. Part of my escape involved giving up info on the gangs. I thought it would all end there, but here I am years later still getting dragged into it," he groaned.

Raven: New developments with Meadows. My office immediately.

Corey: On my way

Brandon: On my way

Silas: Victor, we need you on the feed.

Victor: Give me five to set up a secure line.

Brandon: Is Mattie already there?

Mattie: I'm here, so is Nova.

North: Who the fuck is Nova?

Mattie: I'm sitting right here, silly. You could just ask - and it's Marc BTW - long story.

North: 😏 Yeah, this is more fun.

Raven: overgrown child 🙄

North: Shut up, Crow 🐦‍⬛

"I swear it's like being back in team-building camp with you two," Brandon laughed as he opened the door, then embraced North. "Good to see you, brother! How is everyone?"

North slapped his back and grinned, "Same as always, busy on missions. That's what brought us to you."

Next, he and Silas exchanged hugs as well as handshakes with Corey. Soon a handsome face appeared on the screen next to Raven's desk. "Hey Victor, good to see you," Corey said with a glowing smile. "I've been meaning to reach out."

The man chuckled, "Yeah, me too. Life just seems to get away from us. Um, not to be rude, but is she..."

Nova took my hand, "Guys, I'd like you to meet Mattie, my Angel. She's not Academy, but trust me when I say she has more than enough knowledge to be involved."

I blushed, "Um, hello Victor."

"Pleased to meet you, Mattie. So Raven, what's so urgent?"

Raven turned toward me. "Actually, I think bunny and Marc should take over this meeting. They have some info that may be useful for your mission and our case."

I swear my cheeks were going to burn up as Nova whispered, "Go ahead, Angel. You've got this."

I cleared my throat, "Okay, well if you look at page four, sixth line down, you will see a series of numbers and letters. These are what the Palmas call red run IDs. They show the dates and locations of human trafficking pickups or exchanges. If you look at page six, you can see the cargo lists." I started to explain but my voice hitched at what I was reading. Nova rubbed my hand and took over.

"The number is obviously how many and then the codes break down what type of cargo. PP is a child under ten, SW is females eleven to twenty-five, and, well, you get the idea. Victor, how did you find this?" he asked, still holding my hand.

"Fuck," Victor muttered, running a hand down his face. "Luke managed to break into some offices connected to the gang and when I pulled their server, I got these. I don't mean to be offensive, but how the hell do you two know all this?"

Corey spoke up, "The Palmas are the same gang the Academy pulled Marc out of, and Mattie was his girlfriend when they were teens. She was a part of the gang as well before getting out."

Silas made a choking sound, "Wait, you're his Angel - the Angel." He looked at Nova, "How did you find her? You never stopped talking about her in training."

I felt tears threatening to fall at Silas's words. I know Nova had said he searched, but to know that even others knew how much he tried to find me made me emotional. Nova chuckled, "She found us actually. She started working for the guys a few months ago and one thing led to another. Imagine my surprise when they brought her home for dinner."

"Yeah, I seem to remember passing out when Violet screamed," I giggled.

"Who's Violet?" North asked.

"Baby bunny," Raven beamed. North gave him an even more confused look.

"Violet is my daughter," Nova said proudly, "Mine and Angel's daughter. I didn't know she was pregnant when the Academy pulled me out. Her parents sent her here and that's why I couldn't find her when I went back." I leaned into his chest as he spoke, realizing just how lucky we really were. The odds of us finding one another again really were astronomical.

"You have a kid?" Victor sputtered. "Wow, um, well congratulations, man!"

Nova laughed, "Yeah, I was going to tell you all after Owen finished the paperwork, but, um, surprise!" Everyone chuckled a bit.

"Not to be a downer, but what about this new information?" Brandon interjected.

"Well, we need to update the Council and see what Phil wants us to do. How exactly are you all mixed up with them? I mean, you're not even active Academy these days," Victor asked.

Corey grimaced, "Yeah, but it keeps finding us. We have a client who wanted to sell off some warehouses in south California. I got suspicious when a buyer offered almost three times the asking price. Normally it wouldn't hit our desks, but with the current tenant contracts, we had to do some legal work for the client. I had Marc doing surveillance when we realized it was tied to the Palmas and the Cardoza cartel." He leaned over and rubbed my cheek tenderly. "Little one here is fluent in Spanish and picked up on some information at a meeting we had. Since then she's been instrumental in trying to find us a way out of the deal. I'm treading softly so we don't tip off the cartel that we know who they are."

Silas gave me a wink when he saw the way Corey touched and talked about me. I blushed and turned towards Nova's shoulder, trying to hide, but he wouldn't let me. "Hey Angel, don't get embarrassed. They won't judge you, matter of fact they used to share a girl as well. It's been a while, and sadly it didn't work, but they understand." I nodded and did my best to not hide.

"Well, it's a huge breakthrough for us, but I doubt it helps your matter much," Victor sighed. "We'll keep you guys posted." They spoke a few moments longer, then wrapped up the meeting.

I stood to go put up my files, when Brandon stopped me, "Hey beautiful, why don't you come and get dinner with us? We can go pick up precious, then meet them at the restaurant."

"I don't want to intrude," I said softly.

He kissed my forehead. "None of that beautiful girl. You are a part of our lives now and we want you to know our friends. Besides, I like showing you and Violet off," he chuckled.

"Okay, I'll see if Nova will run me home and we'll meet you at the restaurant. Just nothing too fancy okay?" I relented. He chuckled again and agreed.  

Author's Notes:  No, this won't be an all-14.  However, this will lead to a spin-off/overlap story with the Blackbournes - Little Broken Bird.

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