Angel

Chapter 41

Nate

"Owen, can I talk to you?" I asked stepping into his study.

"Of course, Nate, what's on your mind," he asked.

I tapped my foot nervously, "Something is off. I mean, we've been digging for information everywhere we can, and well, I came across some stuff in Spanish about Mattie's father. Did you know he worked for the cartel?"

"Vivian indicated he owed them money, but never said exactly how," he replied.

"No Owen, he worked for them...her grandfather is Alberto Cortez. Her dad is Ricardo Cortez."

"Holy shit," he muttered. "Why the hell would the Academy keep this quiet?"

"That's what I'm wondering too. I mean, shit, Cardoza isn't wrong by calling her the Princesa. She's fucking cartel royalty, man." I hesitated, "So now what? I don't think I trust Vivian to be honest, but would Phil be?"

Owen's eyes widened. "Oh hell, now I know why she hid it. Violet. After Mattie, she's heir to the Cortez cartel." He slammed his hand on the desk, "She's fucking sacrificing Mattie for Violet."

I ran my hand over my face, groaning, "If Mattie and Cardoza have a kid, then Violet is a non-issue. Their kid becomes the heir to both cartels. Shit, Owen, that's fucking cold." We both sat in stunned silence for a few moments until I said, "Do we tell them?"

"We have to. I think she's part of the reason we keep hitting roadblocks," he said. "The only question now is do I trust Phil?"

"Trust Phil about what?" Sean asked as he came into the room. We both exchanged looks and filled him in. He sat with a horrified expression. "What the fuck is wrong with these people?" he muttered, then added, "Let me feel out Phil. I'll ask without asking." We agreed to wait until Sean had done his digging to determine our next move.

Sean

Phil and I sat at Uncle's diner enjoying a late lunch. "How are the guys holding up," he asked me.

Putting down my glass I said, "How would you feel if you lost the love of your life, Phil? Not to mention, that poor little girl has lost her mother."

I saw him visibly shift in discomfort and pushed a bit. "It's just so damn frustrating. I mean, every time we think we have something, it vanishes or ends up a dead end. How is that even possible, Phil? I mean we've done this for years." I took a long drink and muttered, "It's like someone out there doesn't want us to bring her back."

Phil's fork dropped to his plate. "You know," he groaned. "Fuck."

I feigned innocence. "Know what? Damn, Phil, you look like you've seen a ghost."

"You can't get her out, Sean, but I'm assuming you've already figured that out, haven't you?" he said firmly.

"Exactly why can't we get her out?" I asked, knowing full well that Victor was eavesdropping on our conversation. "What aren't you telling us?"

"Mattie isn't who you think she is. Hell, she isn't even who she thinks she is," he gave a remorseful half-laugh. "I don't know how you figured it out, but all you need to focus on is keeping Violet safe. She's all that matters now, Sean."

My cup slammed onto the table, "That simply isn't an option, Doctor Roberts. I never thought I'd see the day that the Academy would blatantly sacrifice an innocent person, but then again after the way you treated Sang, I guess we should have listened to her."

"Sean, don't do this. You can't get her out. She's safe where she is. No, it isn't the life she wanted, but he won't hurt her. If anything, he'll protect her far more than we can," Phil tried to explain. I heard cursing and yelling in the earpiece, then saw the door to the back office swing open.

Raven looked like a thunderhead as he stormed toward the table and slammed his fist into Phil's jaw, sending him reeling backward as Raven swore, "You son of a bitch! We trusted you, came to you for help and you handed her over to him! I'll fucking kill you!"

Phil started to get up, "You don't understand, none of you understand," he kept saying.

"Then make us understand," Owen yelled, "because as far as we are concerned, this is our official resignation from the Academy."

"You idiots will get yourselves and that little girl killed!" Phil yelled.

Marc stepped closer, grabbing Phil's shirt collar, "Stay the fuck away from my daughter! That goes for Vivian as well. Mattie and I already had all parental rights switched long before you all decided to fuck us over. If one hair on her head is touched by anyone even remotely associated with the Academy, I'll burn every single one of you to the ground." He shoved Phil back, once again making him land on his ass.

"The resignation includes mine," Uncle added. "Ours as well," Harry Anderson said with Lily beside him.

Phil looked like he was going to have a stroke right there as he sputtered. "You can leave now," Uncle told him, "and let the Academy know my business is off limits as of this moment forward."

Once Phil was escorted out, Uncle turned the sign and locked the doors then came over, "Okay, now let's figure out how to get the girl home in one piece," he said. As the teams made plans I could see a glimmer of hope return to the eyes of each Toma member.

Maybe we can bring her home.

Author's Notes:  So the Academy isn't quite as honorable as they thought...but what about MawMaw?

Things are going to get really 'unclear' for a bit.  This story won't stay in the light nor the dark - more like the grey.

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