~ And They All Come Falling Down ~
by Eveh


Disclaimer: Ok so I really don't like doing this because I'm never sure what to put here. These characters are mine even though they may resemble a certain duo. Oh yeah and this is an Uber and the city is made up and the people are made up completely by my own mind.

Language/Violence Disclaimer: There is violence here. There is also some heavy language here. If this bothers you I suggest you don't read this.

Love/Sex Disclaimer: There is same sex relationship here between two consenting adult women. If this offends you or if you are under age please don't read this.

Please send feedback to XenGab01@aol.com


Part 10

"I'll be in the back of the restaurant waiting to approach the table when they get here." Alexia informed her husband as she pointed to the spot against the wall she would soon take.

"Are you sure Angel's gonna' show up with Casey?" Daniel asked not sure if the plan his wife came up with would work. Alexia had everything planned and the time was getting closer for everything to actually play out. The real test of how talented a strategist Alexia was would finally be proven.

Alexia reached into the pocket of her leather trench coat and pulled out her golden wedding band. Daniel took it from her and carefully slid it on her ring finger. "If Angel is the same person she was last night and if Casey got that visit from Patrick's partner, she should be here." She informed her husband choosing not to comment on his hand covering her own.

"Ok then. I guess this is the real test." Daniel rolled his shoulders and popped his neck. "You nervous?" He smiled at his wife.

Alexia playfully shoved Daniel away. "I have nerves of steal." She held out her hand and shook it violently. "I never get nervous."

Daniel grabbed Alexia's hand and pulled his wife closer to him. Looking down into her deep mahogany eyes, he suddenly had the urge to kiss her, but suppressed it. Alexia hardly joked around with him, but when she did Daniel found her most irresistible. When she was in a joking mood some part of her was actually happy, and Daniel found that prospect most attractive.

As a rule, Alexia withheld any emotion that could be considered joyous. The fact that she was willing to show anything but her normal stoic demeanor spoke volumes. Daniel could tell his wife was actually relaxed or at least as close to relaxed as Alexia could be. He quickly chose to accredit her behavior to being under less stress now that everything was coming together.

The dark woman slowly withdrew from her husband's arms. "They'll be her soon." Her stoic mask fell back into place shadowing any mirth previously shown in her eyes. "You know where I'll be and you know what to do."

The dark man nodded his head and silently mourned the loss of the sparkle that had fled his wife's eyes. "I love you." He told her just because he needed to say it.

Alexia's eyes momentarily softened. "I know you do." She brushed her hand against his arm gently. "I'll be over there waiting." She indicated the spot against the wall again and walked over to it. Immediately Alexia was lost in the crowd of the other patrons frequenting the restaurant. It was as if she had never been standing next to the handsome tall muscled black man now standing alone in the middle of the busy restaurant.

Daniel moved over to the table Alexia had chose and took a seat. The waiter came and took his drink then quickly disappeared. Five minutes later, the waiter returned and laid Daniel's sweetened ice tea in front of him. Daniel would not be drinking alcohol this night especially with Alexia looking on. He needed to have all his senses fully intact. He didn't much trust Casey as much as Alexia seemed to.

Daniel sat alone for another fifteen minutes until Angel showed up with Casey, as expected, by her side. Acting properly surprised by the dark haired woman's presence, Daniel greeted the short blonde woman looking curiously at her dark haired companion. "Angel, I didn't know you felt it necessary to have a bodyguard when meeting with me."

"Clyde, you know better then to think that." Angel feigned hurt. "I wouldn't be putting my business in your hands if I didn't trust you."

Daniel looked skeptically at Casey. "Then why the shadow?" He directed to Angel not taking his deep brown eyes from Casey.

"Her names Victoria Garza and we need to talk about a few things with you." Angel told him as she took a seat.

"You want me to talk to a dead woman?" Daniel said casually as he took a seat across from Angel.

Angel looked expectantly at Casey until the tall woman took a seat then answered the man she knew as Clyde. "You don't have a problem with that do you?"

Daniel leaned back in his chair and looked at each woman carefully. "How's Alexia doing?" He asked with severe insincerity.

"She's the same way she's always been." Angel answered carefully. "Why?"

Daniel shrugged his shoulders. "I just heard she's been busy lately."

"Now, is that a good thing or a bad thing for you?" Casey finally spoke up.

The man spared a brief look at Casey, but completely ignored her question. He turned his attention fully to Angel. "I hear she was getting involved with your business affairs, which now happen to be my business affairs." Daniel leaned forward on the table. "Is this something I should be worried about?"

"It's nothing you should worry about." Angel answered without hesitation.

Daniel nodded his head seemingly satisfied. "You look a little unhappy. I figure you'd be jumping around for joy after what you've just accomplished. What's the matter?"

"I need your help Clyde."

"You know if I can help you I will." Daniel responded sincerely. "What is it you need?"

Angel took a deep breath and closed her eyes. When she released it and opened her eyes once again her face showed nothing but conviction for what she was about to say. "Alexia must fall."

Daniel quickly looked over at Casey then back to Angel. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Angel didn't answer she just stared at him. "You're serious." He said incredulously. "You're actually going to try and take down Alexia?"

"We need your help." The blonde told him gently.

"Who's 'we'?"

"Us." Angel motioned between herself and Casey.

"And what is it you and the dead woman expect me to do?"

Before Angel could answer she noticed Alexia's form emerging from the crowd and her heart stopped. Casey saw the dark woman approach the table about the same time Angel had spotted her and quickly stood. Daniel jumped up right after Casey seemingly having expected the dark haired woman to attack him. Once he noticed her eyes were focused behind him, he turned around and locked eyes with Alexia.

Alexia smiled at the trio and continued on her slow cadence towards the table.

"You all are looking very guilty." She announced as soon as she was close enough for them all to hear her without having to shout.

"Looks can be deceiving." Daniel was supposedly the one to recover first from Alexia's sudden appearance.

Alexia narrowed her dark eyes. "Clyde, haven't seen you in a while. Can't really say I've missed you."

Daniel smiled wildly. "I bear the same sentiment."

"Now that is a surprise," Alexia manufactured a stunned façade. "Considering that every time you do see me you try to get me into your bed."

"It's purely curiosity." Daniel crossed his arms over his muscled chest. "I've never been with a common whore. I wonder what it's like."

Alexia was now only a few feet away from Daniel and whispered lowly just loud enough for everyone at the table to hear it. "Fuck you."

"Come now Alexia, you can do better then that." He leaned forward. "Say it again with some feeling."

The dark woman chose to ignore his comment and looked to Angel. Before she could say anything Daniel snapped his fingers as if a sudden idea had come to him. "That's right." He said. "I forgot you don't have any feelings, you being the spawn of Satan and all."

Alexia wouldn't deny the comment. "It's nice you can recognize your own kind."

"Alexia, what are you doing here?" Angel decided to intervene before any more insults could be thrown around.

Dark eyes turned to her and Angel thought the dark woman would now begin yelling at her. She was surprised when Alexia just took a deep breath then walked over the table and sat down. Her dark brown eyes met up with each of her companions until they each took a seat.

"I'm here because I needed to talk to Clyde." Alexia looked pointedly at Daniel. "His associates failed to tell me that he'd be meeting with you."

"You could have just called me on my cell." Daniel said. "There is no reason why you need to be calling any person who works for me."

Alexia leaned on the table and looked intently and Daniel smirking gently. "I wanted to surprise you."

Daniel made a big point of pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm surprised. So what is it you want?" He asked impatiently. "I would much rather be speaking with Angel."

Alexia gave Angel a brief look then turned her attention back to Daniel. "I think we might need to speak at another time."

Casey noticed for the first time that Alexia looked slightly uncomfortable. She had come in and taken over the situation without and problems, but when she had walked over to the table she looked surprised. Her eyes revealed her uneasiness at having seen Angel talking with Clyde. The dark haired woman decided to inform Angel of what she had noticed as soon as they left, that is if Angel hadn't noticed Alexia's uneasiness herself.

"You mean you won't speak candidly in front of your very best friend?" Daniel feigned surprise. "It must be something really important."

Angel knew not to be offended by Alexia's request. It wasn't the first time the dark woman hadn't wanted to speak about any type of business matter in front of her. Alexia had actually gone to a lot of trouble to keep Angel away from knowing her business affairs. Angel had learned long ago not to allow herself to care about this particular aspect of Alexia's personality.

"I'll be in touch with you later." The Alexia told the man standing from her chair.

"How long have you been married?" Daniel asked pointing to the wedding ring he had placed on her finger earlier.

Alexia allowed shock to show on her normally stoic face but quickly covered it up. "What's it to you?" She asked forcing herself to not look at Angel.

Daniel crossed his arms triumphantly. "I just figured you'd invite me to the wedding."

"What is he talking about?" Angel finally spoke up.

The dark woman turned to face the shorter blonde woman and looked at her as if knowing she was just noticing Angel's presence for the first time. "He doesn't know what he's talking about."

"Come now Alexia," Daniel chastised. "You must give me more credit then that."

Alexia shook her head. "I'm leaving." She began walking away from the table when Angel reached out and grabbed her arm. "What's he talking about?" The shorter woman demanded.

Alexia ripped her hand out of her friend's grasp and took a step away from the angry blonde. "Don't touch me."

Angel stared at her friend trying to formulate a response. She couldn't come up with one. It had been years since Alexia had denied her touch.

The dark woman waited for Angel to say something but turned her attention away when there was no immediate response. She instead turned her attention to Casey. "I'm not going to ask you why you're here talking with Clyde and Angel. That's your business and I don't really find it necessary for me to become involved with that. Just remember you are working for me." She looked over to Daniel. "Clyde should remember that as well."

"What are you going to do to me Alexia? Kill me." Daniel challenged. "You couldn't. I'm too important to you."

Alexia shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe you are." She said easily then smirked. "But remember things change." She waved her left hand in his hand displaying the wedding band that wrapped around her ring finger. "You may become obsolete."

Daniel stared into her dark eyes then turned away conceding this particular battle to the dark woman.

"We'll talk later Clyde." Alexia informed Daniel not leaving any room for question in her tone. She then turned to the still silent Angel. "I wanted to tell you this later, but now seems like it would be a good time." She took a deep breath. "Today I got married. It's for pure business reasons of course. I find that now you're gaining your freedom by giving everything away to Clyde, I might need some protection."

"How did you know its Clyde I'm handing everything over to?" Angel asked having finally found her voice.

The question caused Alexia to laugh. "Don't you know by now Angel?" She reached out and caressed her friend's cheek. "I know everything."

Angel pulled back out of Alexia's reach, but chose not to respond to her friend's words.

"I'll call you later Casey." Alexia turned and told the woman who had been staring a hole through her back. "I've decided it's time you finally receive your revenge."

With that Alexia walked away and didn't take one look back at the three she had left gawking at her for three different reasons.

Once the Alexia's imposing presence was gone the three at the table took their seats again but remained in their own silent thoughts. Daniel hoping, of course, that his acting had been believable. It wasn't always sure if he could successful portray hating Alexia how Clyde was supposed to hate her. If his performance hadn't been believable then they might as well call the whole thing off, because from here on out everything depended on the actions Casey and Angel would take.

He turned his attention to Angel who looked rather pale. He couldn't help but feel sympathize with the blonde because he knew what it was like for Alexia to walk in and change everything you ever believed in. Daniel knew what it was like to want to just reach out and strangle the woman, but know you didn't have the power or the will to really do it. Within a five minute conversation Alexia could show you everything you thought you knew about her was a lie. The woman would reveal to you just another side of her multi-facated personality and would leave you wondering her was real and what part was just playing a part in one of her mind games.

Daniel could remember the first time Alexia had approached him. She acted as if she could be his best friend in the whole world. She made him trust her within the first few minutes of their first encounter. Every doubt that had been implanted in his mind about the woman had suddenly disappeared. If she had never showed him that part of her he was sure he wouldn't have ever followed her. Most likely, he would have reported her betrayal to her father.

"Did you know about her marriage?" Angel's voice brought him out of his thoughts.

Daniel shook his head. "No." He responded softly. "Most likely whatever deal she just made sealed the last few nails in my coffin."

"What do you mean?" Casey asked worried. It was her understanding that Clyde was their only hope in fighting Alexia.

"I've pushed my luck one too many times with that woman." He explained. "As soon as she possibly can she's going to get rid of me, and she should. I've been a thorn in that woman's side ever since she arrived here." He rubbed his forehead in a show of trying to rub away the tension. "She wants your business Angel and I'm the only one standing in the way."

"She's not going to get it." Angel responded harshly. "My father never wanted her to have it."

'If only you really knew everything.' Daniel thought to himself. 'You would have given it to her a long time ago'. Aloud he said, "I understand that Angel and I'll do my best to keep it away from her. She's already too strong." He reached out and took Angel's hand. "But please tell me why you just didn't give it to her to begin with. Were you two ever friends?"

Casey leaned forward in her seat awaiting Angel's answer. She had wondered the exact question more then once. The way they seemed to always treat each other anyone could tell they cared for one another, but were they really ever friends? They always looked like the perfect couple, but was that for real or was it all just for show?

Angel leaned her weight onto arms on the table. "I never trusted her with it." She answered. "As much as I loved her, I just could never hand anymore power of to her because I didn't know what she would do with it."

Daniel accepted the answer hoping it would be enough for his wife. She had asked him to ask Angel that because it was something the great Alexia never really understood. Angel certainly would have made Alexia's life a whole lot easier if she had just handed everything over to Alexia in the very beginning. That was the reason she had ever come into Angel's life. It was the deal Alexia's father had made with Angel's.

Angel's father had promised Alexia long ago that when he died everything would go to her, but he just happened to change his mind. Then Alexia was forced to take quick action in order to change all her plans now that Angel was actually going to take over. The dark woman had found herself delaying all her plans until she had enough money, weapons, and power to go back home.

By Angel taking all the actions she had, without even knowing it, she had changed Alexia's life. Alexia now needed to become the cold-hearted killer she was trained to be. She was forced to make deals with people who had less then honorable intentions. Alexia had been beaten and torn down because of one old man's wish he had made on his deathbed.

Daniel had seen Alexia stagger out of her father's office after she had told him about the change of events. The woman was hardly able to walk. Her clothes were covered in dry blood and not one person-including him-thought of offering her help. She had failed and that was the cost of failure.

Alexia had never failed again.

"So if you're planning on taking her out you better move quickly." Daniel told his companions still fully entrenched in his memories.

Angel gasped. "I don't want to kill her."

"Well that's the only way you're going to stop her." He responded then looked over at Casey for support.

"He's right." Casey added solemnly. "Alexia can only be stopped in death."

"And how do you know that?" Angel asked the dark headed woman harshly. "You don't even know her."

"Neither do you." Casey responded evenly.

Angel closed her eyes and retreated. After a few tense silent moments she opened them again having come to a decision. "If Alexia must die, then that is what we must arrange."

Both Casey and Daniel nodded their heads in silent agreement.

"What about you Victoria?" Daniel asked after a moment. "You work for her. You'd be able to get closer to her now then either of us. Besides, didn't she say she'd be calling you later?"

"No," Angel quickly spoke up. "Believe it or not, I am the one who knows Alexia the best here. If we're going to do this we'll do it together." She turned her attention to Casey. "After she calls you tonight tell me where you're going to be. Clyde and I will make the arrangements then." She turned back to Daniel. "We," She indicated Daniel and herself, "Just have to make sure that we don't go tip off one of her friends. Lord knows she has them everywhere."

"What about the DEA?" Casey asked. "If she's taking me to the Santiago's like she hinted at then they're going to be waiting for me to complete my assignment."

"You're working for the government?" Daniel asked shocked.

Casey nodded her head. "Then this is never going to work." He replied pushing his chair away from the table. "Alexia has close ties with every government agency I've ever heard of. She'll know what we're planning before we do."

"Then that's just the chance we're going to have to take." Angel responded evenly.

"We'll either end up dead or arrested and believe me if we're arrested then we'll be convicted and thrown away in some federal prison to never be heard from again." Daniel rushed out. "You know that." He spat at Angel.

"Then that's just the chance we're going to have to take." Angel repeated slowly. "Look Clyde, we're pretty much dead anyway. What does it matter now?"

"She'd never kill you Angel." Daniel told the blonde with more conviction then he probably should have.

"How do you know that?" Casey asked not missing Daniel's certainty.

"If there is one thing we can rely on," Daniel held up his forefinger. "It is that Alexia does not want Angel dead." He turned to Angel. "You know it's true. Look how many times she has protected you and made sure you were ok. No one's ever even thought of laying a hand on you because we all know Alexia would soon have us all killed." Daniel leaned as close to Angel as the table would allow. "Alexia would never kill you, Angel."

"Even after she finds out I betray her?" Angel whispered.

Daniel cursed himself for ever opening his mouth. Alexia would never kill Angel because she the blonde woman was never betraying Alexia. Actually Angel was just doing what Alexia wanted her to. For the dark woman it was nothing personal. If anything Angel should be the one speaking of her own betrayal. Alexia should be the one fearing for her life. However, that's not how everything had worked out in the end. Angel was a very loyal friend and she had to face betraying her own personal hero.

"Alexia betrays people all the time." Daniel chose his words carefully. "She plays games and she might decide that killing you would be too easy a punishment for your betrayal." He shrugged he shoulders and leaned back in his chair. "Who's to say what she would do."

"So then," Angel sighed. "We all take our chances."

Daniel slowly stood from his seat. "I have to go. Call me when Alexia contacts the dead woman." He waved his hand in Casey's direction. "Just make sure she doesn't find anything out until the last moment." He looked to Angel and softened his gaze. "I'll make all the arrangements I can. Just take care of yourself until then." He leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on Angel's forehead then walked out of the restaurant.

"Are you sure we can trust him?" Casey asked her companion immediately after the tall black man had left.

"I don't know who Alexia married and I don't know what deal she made, but whatever it was probably gave her enough power to separate from her alliance with Clyde." Angel answered.

"Did you notice how nervous Alexia was when she first caught us all together?" Casey asked remembering the dark woman's face as she had approached their table.

"Yes." Angel responded shortly.

Casey waited a moment for Angel to elaborate but when the blonde failed to do so she decided to just ask another question. "Why do you suppose that was?"

"She never likes seeing me around Clyde." The blonde explained. "I guess she always thought we were planning her destruction." She couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of the situation.

"What made her think that?"

Angel shrugged her shoulders. "Paranoia."

*************************

Daniel exited the restaurant and hurriedly walked over to his car. He started the engine and raced over to where he was supposed to meet his wife. Within fifteen minutes he found himself standing outside of the unmarked government building. Gathering all the courage he had he approached the building and made his way up to the top floor.

Soon he found himself outside of George McKenzie's office, the director of the DEA. Daniel had only met the man once, but he didn't much like him then and he didn't find himself gaining sudden affection for him now.

Daniel rolled his neck from side to side willing the tension to roll away. Having to deal with Angel and Casey had been stressful. He particularly didn't like the part where he was throwing insults at his wife.

Without knocking he walked on into the office surprising the big man sitting behind the desk, but not shocking the woman who sat in the guest chair at all. Daniel smiled at the director and made his way over to his wife. He leaned down and gave her a passionate kiss as greeting.

It was just time for them to put on another show.

*************************

Angel and Casey left the restaurant shortly after Daniel had left. They had decided to go back to Angel's home and wait for Alexia's call to the dark haired woman. There really wasn't anything they could do but wait now.

They were walking towards Casey car when her cell began to ring. She picked it up expecting it to be Alexia on the other end but was surprised when her brother's ex-partner was on the other end.

"What the hell are you doing calling me?" She yelled at the man not even bothering to walk away from Angel. Casey didn't see any reason to hide anything from the woman now.

"I told you, you shouldn't have gotten involved with Alexia!!" The man's voice yelled from the other end. "She was here today, along with her husband, talking to the director."

That information instantly grabbed Casey's attention. "You've met her new husband?"

"Yes," The voice sounded annoyed. "I've met him. He's just about as dangerous as she is. George said something to Alexia that man didn't like and he threw him across the room. George hit the wall so hard he broke his arm."

"What was Alexia doing there?" Casey asked not feeling particularly bad that George McKenzie now had a broken arm.

"I couldn't find out." The voice on the other side said obviously disappointed in himself. "She did have you pulled off the Santiago case though." The voice informed her. "But I don't believe for a moment that's the only reason her giant of a husband and she showed up. "

"Where did she find the authority to pull me off?" The dark haired woman asked angrily.

"Were you not listening when I told you that George now has a broken arm?" The voice asked sarcastically.

Casey rubbed her forehead. "I don't believe this."

"Well believe it. And you should also believe that there's now a warrant out for your arrest."

"What?!"

"I told you not to mess with her Victoria."

"Can I still count on you being there for me?"

There was a long silence on the other end. "Can I still count on you?" Casey asked again.

"I'll do it for Patrick." The voice said solemnly.

"Fine. Then I'll talk to you later." Casey responded then flipped her phone shut harshly. "Damn it!" She yelled to the sky.

"What happened?" Angel asked calmly. She had just listened to the one side of the conversation silently. The news had obviously been bad and most likely had involved Alexia, and she couldn't find it within herself to be surprised.

"There's a warrant out for my arrest." Casey answered shortly. "And I'm off the fucking Santiago case!"

Angel just shrugged her shoulders. "She'll make it so that you don't and can't work for anyone else besides her. I kind of thought she'd do this sooner."

Casey spun around and grabbed Angel's shoulder roughly. "You knew she'd do this? Why didn't you tell me?"

Calm green eyes just looked tiredly into frantic blue. "I suspected she might do this, but that never mattered before because you work for her." Casey loosened her grip and Angel moved away. "She'll take away your cartel too."

Casey couldn't help but think where'd she be at this moment if she had never chased the woman down as she left Tony Coletti's residence. If she had never gotten into the woman's car and had never told her who she was, thing would have been so much different. Was it only three days since she had met the dark woman?

"Then just like that." Casey snapped her fingers. "Alexia has control of my life?"

"No," Angel shook her head. "It's just like that," She snapped her fingers. "That Alexia has control of all our lives."

"Then I guess it's a good thing we're trying to stop her."

"No," Angel shook her head again. "It's only a good thing if we stop her."

Casey nodded her head in understanding. It seemed like failure wouldn't be an option in this situation.

"Alexia showed up at the DEA with her husband." She changed the subject. "He apparently broke the director's arm by throwing him against the wall."

"I still can't believe she got married." Angel said to herself. "She must have been really worried about Clyde being in charge of my business." She announced louder.

"She'd have to be if she agreed to be in a loveless marriage." Casey agreed.

"I'd never do that." Angel replied.

"What? Get married?" Casey asked curious. One of her first impressions of Angel was that the blonde seemed like the type of person who would settle down and try to have a somewhat ordinary life.

"I wouldn't be in a loveless marriage." Angel clarified. "I figure that's a good way to ruin part of your soul."

"Alexia's soul is already ruined." Casey responded without thinking. "I don't see how one loveless marriage is going to affect her that much."

Angel flinched at Casey's words but could not deny them. Alexia was a lost cause when it came to saving her soul. Angel had been faced with that fact too many times to deny it anymore.

"So, would you do it?" The blonde asked shifting the conversation from Alexia. "Would you enter a loveless marriage?"

"I've never really even thought about entering a marriage." The taller woman answered truthfully. "Nonetheless a loveless one."

"You never want to marry?" Angel asked curious.

"I never believed I could." Casey answered looking away from the blonde. "I thought I'd be dead before I'd ever get the chance to, and I shouldn't forget to mention the fact that I'm a murderer. Potential life partners tend to shy away from that kind of thing."

"Then those potential life partners aren't the ones you're supposed to be with."

Casey turned back around and looked into Angel's brilliant green eyes. "Then who am I supposed to be with?" She challenged.

"A person who can accept you as you are and as you were."

"Yeah well," Casey sighed. "I don't have much hope of that."

"Neither do I." Angel whispered not knowing she had said it loud enough for Casey to hear.

*************************

As soon as the man had hung up the phone with Casey he turned around to make sure what he had said had been to Alexia's approval.

"The broken arm was a bit much." She criticized.

"She bought it though." The man responded hurriedly. "It was just what she needed to hear in order to really rile her up. I know Victoria." He boasted. "Trust me."

Alexia sprung from her seat like a cat and had the man around the throat. "I don't trust anyone." She yelled at him then threw him back to the ground.

"What about him?" The man asked nodding his heads towards the silent man standing at the door as he grabbed in now aching throat.

"Oh I trust him." Alexia smirked. "But as I said, I don't trust anyone."

"Then who's he?" The man tried to stand from his position on the floor but Alexia kicked him back down again.

"I'm," The imposing figure standing in the back of the room stepped forward. "I'm the one who gets the pleasure of killing you."

Quickly the man looked from Alexia's emotionless face to that of the smirking figure in the back. "I did what you asked of me!" He whined to the tall woman. "I've done everything you wanted. Please," He begged. "I don't deserve this."

"You don't deserve this?" Alexia asked surprised. "Honey," she turned to Daniel who had suddenly begun to approach them. "He says he doesn't deserve this?"

Daniel just shrugged his shoulders and continued to advance on the man pleading with his wife.

Alexia knelt down and lifted the man's chin so that he was looking into her eyes. "If I'm not mistaken Alan, you're the one who got your partner killed."

"You had as much to do with that as I did!" The crumpled man on the floor yelled in his defense. "Patrick wouldn't have died if it weren't for you."

Alexia narrowed her eyes and yanked on the man's face. "Don't lie Alan. It's a nasty habit. You should especially try not to lie to the one person who knows the truth." She snarled at the excuse for the man in front of her. "You are the one who told Santiago to kill Patrick. You are the one who went against my orders."

Alan's blue eyes widened in shock. "Bet you didn't know I knew that huh?" Alexia asked sweetly. "I bet you also didn't know that you're the one who recruited Victoria because you thought she'd be able to get Santiago out of the way so you could finally take over." There was no response from the sweating man beneath her. "It's really too bad she's not going to be able to get the chance to kill you, but unfortunately I can't let you live that long."

"No." The man began pleaded. "God no. I'll do anything you ask of me."

Alexia stood and shoved the man away from her with a kick to the man's chest. "Alan. There's not one damn thing I want from you or of you." She turned around and walked to towards the door of the closed off room.

Daniel pulled out his gun from his jacket and pointed it directly at the man's head.

"Why can't you just kill me yourself?" Alan yelled at the retreating woman. "Are you just too chicken to do your own dirty work like you've always been."

Alexia's figure paused at the door. Alan thought he had actually gotten to the tall woman. "You've always had other people doing all your work for you. You've got everyone thinking you're some dangerous fuck when you're nothing but a pussy." He laughed. "You're nothing but a common whore who has a bunch of men doing her work for her."

"Are you insane?" Daniel whispered to the man seriously.

"Yeah I'm crazy," Alan yelled. "I'm fucking crazy for ever following that bitch and you are too."

Before Alan could realize what was happening he find himself laying on the ground bleeding from where Alexia had hit him in the face with the barrel of Daniel's gun. The pain was so intense he thought he might pass out.

It took a moment for him to gather his bearings once again but once he did he looked up and found Alexia pointing Daniel's gun directly at his chest. "I don't like you." Alexia said and then pulled the trigger.

Alan looked down at the hole in his chest unbelieving.

Alexia recognized the look in Alan's eyes when he realized the enormous mistake he had just made. He had played with fire and got burnt. She leaned down so she was almost directly in Alan's face, being careful to not get that much blood on her clothes. "Now you die." She whispered into his ear.

She turned to look over at Daniel who stood there with no flicker of emotion on his handsome features. She threw him his gun back to him then got up and walked out of the room. Daniel walked up to the dying man shaking his head. "You're a fucking idiot."

He then turned and followed his wife out of the room. Some one would be by later to clean up their mess.

To be concluded in Part 11…



The Athenaeum's Scroll Archive