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.
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Part 4
As soon as Angel left the coffeehouse she left to find her friend Lindsey. There was some damage control that needed to be done and Lindsey was the only person that worked for her she trusted with blind faith. Of course, Lindsey was also a friend with Alexia, but Angel was sure her friend would be loyal to her in this situation.
Lindsey was in her law office sitting behind her desk counseling one of her many clients when her secretary announced Angel's arrival. She looked over to the man sitting across from her and referred him to one of her many associates.
Angel was taken to Lindsey's office and then ushered in. Lindsey was sitting behind her desk waiting patiently for Angel to enter the room. This was an unexpected visit and usually unexpected visits were a bad thing.
The blonde woman took a seat across from her friend and relaxed deep into the chair. "I think I may have a problem."
"Of course you do. That's why you're here." Lindsey had already expected as much.
"I've gained part of the eastside of Henderson. The other half has gone to Lexi and I'll never know what she does with it." Angel let out a ragged breath and ran her hand through her hair. "You're never going to guess what she did."
"I won't have to guess because you're going to tell me." Lindsey stated as a matter of fact.
"She made a deal with Kelly Coletti. Tony is gone for good and Kelly takes his place while I get all of the eastside." Angel angrily stood up and began pacing the huge office. "Lexi's messing with my business and I don't have a damn clue as to why. She obviously wanted me to know about it."
"You just said you've got half of the eastside then but now you're saying Tony gave you it all?" The brunette tried to clarify.
Lindsey looked much different in her business attire then she had the previous night at the party. Now, she looked like an educated, intelligent young woman, who if provoked, could eat any attorney for lunch.
"Alexia wanted the eastside and we made a deal as to where she would take only half." Angel ran her hand through her hair again. "What am I going to do with part of the eastside?"
"Why did Alexia want the eastside?" Lindsey was just going to handle one problem at a time.
"Do you think she would ever tell me that? She never tells me anything." The blonde grumbled.
"So what is it you want me to do?" The question made Angel to stop pacing. Now wasn't the time for her to vent her frustrations. She needed to act quickly if everything was still going to work smoothly.
"I want you to pull every single investment we have in the Coletti family. Lexi's in charge of that now and I don't like messing in whatever business she's doing. Then we're going to figure out how Lexi got so close to my business this time without me knowing." Angel ran her hand through her hair. "There are people who are supposed to be watching for that."
"I have a meeting I must attend in a few minutes, but when I come back we can settle everything." Lindsey stood from behind her desk and grabbed the blazer that rested on the back of her chair. "Just remember Angel, Lexi is excellent at getting what she wants. Keeping her away from your family isn't an easy task." She explained as she put on her jacket and grabbed a file from her desk.
"Have you seen the new woman who works for Tony or actually the woman who used to work for Tony?"
"Yeah sure, she's a tall, dark haired, scary looking. I've seen her. What about her?" The brunette asked curiously.
"The woman's name is Casey and she's now working for Lexi. I think she'll keep her occupied enough so she won't interfere in my business anymore."
"Whatever you're thinking just hold that thought. I have to go to my meeting. We'll meet tonight and talk ok?" Lindsey didn't wait for Angel to answer and walked out the door not wanting to be late to the meeting with some of the associates of her laugh firm.
Angel watched Lindsey leave the room a little disappointed she couldn't have spoken to her friend a little longer. She didn't have long to dwell over not being able to talk though, because she had other business to attend to. Her next stop would have to be over to see Michael Lopez. He could straighten a few things out for her. Then, maybe she'd go over to the sporting goods store she owned to see how it was doing.
Casey drove up to the address she had been given. This was not the place she expected to find one of Alexia's associates. It was a run-down apartment building with more then one suspicious looking individual loitering around the property. The particular part of town Lopez lived wasn't the place many people would want to be at late at night.
Seeing where the man lived made Casey even more suspicious of what was in the envelope Alexia had given her. She had fought the urge the entire way over to over to this crummy place. Being an errand runner wasn't really a job she enjoyed and was something she hadn't done in a while. Casey couldn't help but wonder why she was so willingly to take the job now.
The dark haired woman took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. Casey just wanted to get this whole thing over with so she could return home and maybe get some sleep. She hadn't been able to the night before and who knew if she would ever be able to get any rest again since Alexia had taken control over her life.
Apartment 5B was on the second floor of the apartment building and Casey had to walk past one man who had passed out on the stairs, another man who insisted she pay tribute to him for letting her walk the stairs, and an old woman who told her she didn't much like the looks of her. The dark haired woman hoped more and more that the package she was delivering was so terribly vital that it would make her entire trip worth it.
Casey knocked on the door of apartment 5B and waited for some response. A few moments later a talk dark skinned man opened the door and looked down at Casey expecting some kind of response from the woman.
"Are you Michael Lopez?" She asked not the least bit intimidated by the man.
"Who's asking?" The man's voice was gruff and fit his height just perfectly. He had an accent that she couldn't readily identify.
"Alexia sent me." Casey said as way of explanation.
"Come on in." the man opened the door widely so Casey could step in. "I'll got get Michael."
The tall man walked into the apartment and disappeared down the hallway. He entered the third door to the left and moments later returned with a short Mexican man who had a thick mustache that engulfed his face. His hair was in disarray and he looked like he had just woken up.
"What does Alexia want?" The man asked immediately not bothering to exchange any of the common pleasantries of a first meeting, which didn't bother Casey one bit. She wasn't much for small talk.
Casey reached into her coat and pulled out the white envelope. "Alexia told me to give this to you and to tell you to not waste any time."
Michael took the envelope from Casey and tore it open. In it was a piece of paper along with a small stack of bills, which appeared to be hundreds. The man immediately read the piece of paper and looked back to Casey.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Casey." The dark haired woman answered flatly.
"Wait here a moment. I'll be right back." Michael walked back down the hallway and entered the second door on the left.
"You better take a seat or something. He's probably going to take a while." The tall burly man said. "He usually takes his time to make sure he doesn't make any mistakes with Alexia's business."
"What would she do if he did make a mistake?" Casey asked intrigued.
The man shrugged his wide shoulders. "Don't know. He's never made a mistake." He reached out his hand and offered it to Casey. "I'm Jerome."
Casey took the man's hand and wasn't all surprised when she found her own hand completely engulfed in the dark man's massive hand. "I'm Casey."
"I've never seen you before. How long have you been working for Alexia?"
"Long enough." She answered vaguely not very interested in talking with the giant of a man.
"When you see her again tell her to come say hello to her friend Jerome." The man smiled brightly his white teeth in huge contrast with his dark black skin.
"I didn't think Alexia could be told to do anything."
The man let out a deep belly laugh and slapped the back of Casey's shoulder. "Come sit with me. We will share a drink." He led the dark haired woman over to a brown leather couch where she immediately took a seat. Jerome disappeared into what Casey assumed to be the kitchen door and came out with a bottle of scotch and two shot glasses.
"So Casey, tell me how you met Alexia. I'm guessing for you to be working for her you really impressed her." Jerome set one of the shot glasses on the coffee table in front of Casey and filled the glass.
"I don't drink when I'm working Jerome." Casey pushed the glass away from her then sat back in the leather couch and crossed her legs.
"I can see now why Alexia would hire you." The man reached for the shot glass and gulped down the contents. "You're the one."
Casey uncrossed her legs and sat forward. "The one what?" She asked carefully.
Jerome let off yet another deep belly laugh and poured himself another shot of scotch. "If Alexia hasn't told you, then I'm certainly not going to." He drank the shot and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "You're not ready yet anyway."
"Do you work for her Jerome?" Casey asked not wanting to let her anger take over just yet.
The black man sat up proudly and puffed out his chest. "I serve her. I do not work for her."
"You would die for her then?"
"Ten times over."
"And what has she done to deserve such loyalty from you?" Casey's dark brow raised in challenge.
"What has she done to deserve such loyalty from you?" The big man laughed heartily at the shocked look on Casey's face and slapped her on her back. "I like you Casey. It will be nice working with you."
Before Casey could respond Michael walked back into the room. He was carrying a manila envelope, which he immediately handed over to Casey. The short man smoothed out his mustache and began rocking on his heels. "Um... tell Alexia I'm sorry but those files have been locked up. I've given you what I could."
The dark haired woman may not have known what at all was going on, but she did know Alexia would most likely not be happy her orders were carried out. Most likely her anger would be at the person who conveyed the news to who would feel the full brunt of her anger. Casey didn't much want to see Alexia angry, and for some odd reason she didn't want to let Alexia down on her first given task.
"Alexia, I'm sure, won't like to hear that Michael."
There was a knock at the door that prevented Michael from answering and he thanked God for the momentary break from the tall dark haired woman's gaze. He left to open the door and wasn't very happy to see who stood on the other side. His light brown eyes grew a few sizes and his palms began to sweet profusely.
"Angel." The short Mexican man smiled weakly and stepped out of the apartment so the blonde woman couldn't look inside. "What are you doing here?" He stuttered.
"What's wrong Michael?" Angel asked not in least happy about the prospect of playing another useless game.
"Wrong? Why would you ask if something is wrong?"
"Never mind Michael. Just let me inside so we can talk. I didn't drive all the way down here so you could fuck with me." The blonde pushed the now sweating man aside and walked into the apartment just barely able to keep the surprise from showing on her face when she saw Casey.
Michael walked in behind her and looked over at Casey then back at Angel. "I can explain." He held up his hands trying to forestall any explosion that might come from Angel.
"What does she know Michael?" Angel ground out.
"Who?" The man asked as innocently as possible.
"Don't fucking ask me who Michael. What does Alexia KNOW?!" Angel wasn't having a very good day and she couldn't keep her temper in check all the time.
"Listen here Angel." Jerome stopped Michael from answering. "No need to be yelling up a storm. Alexia respects your privacy she doesn't know anything." He explained his deep accent rolling over the words gently.
"And how do you know that Jerome?" Angel asked conversationally. "What business does she have with Michael then?"
"I've been organizing a shipment for her. She just wants to get a few things across the border." The Mexican man looked like he was close to tears. "Alexia doesn't know anything I swear."
"She knows you're working for me though, doesn't she?"
"She knows only what you want her to Angel."
Angel turned and looked into Casey's sapphire eyes, really for the first time since she had met the woman. It surprised her at how clear they were. They carried the same amount of emotion Alexia's did, only they were a different color.
"What does Jerome know then?" She asked still looking at the dark haired woman.
"I know only what you wish of me. Alexia doesn't allow me to mess in your business. She never has." The black man answered.
Jerome was a good guy in general. Angel didn't know how long or when Alexia had met him, but he always seemed to be there. He seemed to be one of the very few friends Alexia actually had. He never lied. He wasn't greedy and he was very loyal, but only very loyal to Alexia. Sometimes Angel would be jealous of Jerome because he knew Alexia. He knew a lot of her secrets, even if he didn't really know the person.
Angel walked down the hallway of the apartment and walked into the second door to the left Michael knew instinctively to follow her. He closed the door behind them and left Casey and Jerome alone in the living room.
"Can I even ask what that was all about?" Casey asked the black man lightly.
Jerome laughed again and again slapped her on the back. "I like you Casey."
The blue-eyed woman rolled her eyes. She barely kept herself from growling at the man. "What do I do now?"
"If I were you Casey, I'd let Angel tell Alexia about Michael not being able to do what she asked." He said seriously.
"Are you serious?" Casey asked slowly.
"Of course I'm serious. Alexia handles bad news from Angel the best." Jerome answered with a small hint of a grin showing on his face.
Casey blew out a breath suddenly feeling the onset of a headache. "I think I'll just tell her myself."
Alexia drove up to the Coletti house and even let herself in. No guard saw any need to stop her. Tony Coletti had already gotten on a plane for a place far away from Henderson. He promised to keep in touch with his sister and to make sure everything was doing all right, but Kelly wasn't going to hold her breath. Tony had gained his freedom, which was something he had always wanted.
Kelly was sitting in her brothers former office huddled over the desk. Alexia walked right in and sat in the chair she had occupied the previous night. She crossed her legs and leaned back, patiently waiting for Kelly to take notice of her.
Kelly Coletti didn't look a bit like her brother. She looked more like her father, a proud Italian man who often dealt with Alexia himself when he was alive. Kelly had the same dark eyes and dark hair. Her skin was olive toned and most called her a very beautiful young woman. Some even went so far as to call her innocent looking, but young Kelly was far from innocent. She was a viper with more ambition then her brother ever had. Yes, she was very much like her father.
After a few moments Kelly lifted her head and finally noticed she had a guest. She controlled the urge to jump in her chair from her surprise at seeing Alexia sitting across from her.
"I wondered when you would show up." She said casually her voice not betraying her hidden fear.
Alexia grinned at Kelly. She didn't need to hear the fear to know it was there. She could smell it like a hungry wolf could smell blood. Fear was often an emotion Alexia could deal with, even if it were her own.
"Kelly, how is everything going?" She asked, the grin never leaving her face.
"Tony has left and everybody in the family has been told about the change." Kelly fidgeted in her chair. "They want to meet you. They're not too happy about the change in power. They rather keep it all in the family."
"I'm not in control Kelly. You are." Alexia explained calmly yet coldly.
"A woman running the family is unheard of Alexia unless the woman is you."
"I will not take on the tedious task of running your family." The dark woman said annoyed. "You have the power. You wanted it. You asked for it so now it's yours. Figure out a way to handle it."
Kelly lowered her dark gray eyes to stare at the desktop. "I'll take care of it." She whispered sounding properly chastised.
Alexia stood from her seat and took off her black leather trench coat to reveal her leather tank top that zipped in the front. She threw the coat on the back of the chair and rolled her shoulders to loosen them. Kelly watched the display slack-jawed. She had never seen such raw power, except maybe for that woman who worked for her brother a short period of time.
The leather-clad woman, once she was done stretching out her arms, walked up to the desk and picked up a file that rested there. Alexia took no notice to Kelly's reaction to her, even though she was well aware of it. There was business that had to be attended to and playing with the Coletti woman wouldn't be on task.
"Since everything is set up I'm going to tell you what I want you to do." She said reading over the file carefully.
The sound of Alexia's voice brought Kelly back into reality and she quickly closed her mouth. She couldn't much help the blush that decided to cover her face.
"It's almost time for this all to come together and I don't want any screw-ups Kelly." Alexia pinned the other woman with her mahogany eyes letting there be no misunderstanding. "If you fuck up anything I will not hesitate to kill you and every single member of your family. I'll even track down that idiot you call a brother and will kill him too."
"You put me here to handle this for you Alexia, and I trust your judgment." Kelly answered trying to show she wasn't fazed by any of Alexia's threats. Even though what the woman said made her think again of why she got involved with the dark woman.
Alexia was surprised Kelly could show such bravery. The act pacified her worry that Kelly wasn't the right one for the job. "Good. I wouldn't want you second-guessing me now."
"Just tell me what you want me to do and it will be done." Kelly leaned back in her chair and satisfied she had given the right response to Alexia's threat.
"You have until Wednesday. Three days. That's all you get. Everything must be done in three days. If you're later then that then all my work will be for nothing and you'll be dead."
"You know this would go much easier if you stopped threatening me every time you spoke." Kelly smiled to defuse her words.
"Am I scaring you Kelly?" Alexia asked under breath.
A small trickle of fear and excitement ran down the gray-eyed woman's spine. She quickly decided she'd either be dead or really close to it when she was finished working with the dark woman. Kelly considered herself to have a lot of inner strength, but she realized her inner strength could never compare to Alexia's.
"I've never met a person who you haven't scared at least once." Kelly said letting her head drop into the palm of her hand. "That includes Angel."
Alexia snapped her head back and stared at Kelly for a long period of time, which made the other woman very uncomfortable. She was going to apologize for whatever she said that appeared to offend the woman, but Alexia began to speak.
"Tell me why every single time someone speaks of me, they also always speak of Angel?"
Kelly studied the dark woman carefully. She wasn't sure if she should actually answer the question or blow it off. If the question were answered the wrong way, Kelly was sure her life could quite possibly be forfeit.
Alexia often seemed to honor the truth the most, so Kelly decided on taking that avenue. "I don't know how to answer that."
"But you do have an answer." Alexia said quite positive she was correct. "So tell me it."
Kelly rubbed her forehead and let out a deep breath. "The reason why when everyone talks about you they also talk about Angel is the same reason why when everyone speaks of Angel they also speak of you. You two are a part of each other. No one understands your relationship, and I'm sure no one but you two will understand it."
Alexia seemed to think of Kelly's words for a moment. What she said made sense even if it really wasn't an explanation. She however didn't want to speak of the matter anymore.
"Let's get back to work." Alexia went over to her coat and pulled out a large manila envelope then gave it to Kelly. "These are your instructions. Follow them precisely."
Kelly took the envelope and took out the contents. Inside was a thin-stapled pile of papers. She began reading over the pages then suddenly her head shot up. "You're leaving?" She asked in surprise. "What the hell are you doing Alexia?"
Alexia narrowed her dark brown eyes and her face turned into a frightening scowl. "Never ask me that!" She pounded her fist on the desktop. "Never ask me anything like that! You are only told what you need to know!"
Not able to hold back the shaking that took over her body, Kelly nodded her head in understanding. She was not expecting the explosion but knew she had gotten too lackadaisical when dealing with the dark woman. Kelly had to remember she was dealing with a very dangerous, very deadly, woman who she had to be careful with at all times. Kelly had made a deal with the devil and now she had to make sure she didn't get burnt.
"I'm sorry." She quickly apologized. "You'll only tell me what I need to know."
The dark woman closed her eyes. She was somewhat disappointed with herself. Usually, she could hold her temper in check better then that. Maybe all the stress she was under was finally beginning to come down on her. Maybe all the talk of Angel was bothering her, or just maybe Alexia was scared and didn't know what the hell to do.
"Kelly I shouldn't have overreacted like that. If you're going to arrange this for me there are a few things you do need to know." Alexia ran her hand through her loose braids. She had decided not to tie them back this day. "If you need to know anything I don't want you to be afraid to ask me questions, but asking me to tell you what I'm doing isn't a question I'll ever answer."
'Jesus this woman runs hot and cold' Kelly though to herself. Alexia was suddenly reminding her of a ticking time bomb. The sooner her partnership with Alexia was up she was going to make sure she never saw the woman again. 'And who coulda thought the woman knew how to apologize' Kelly wondered about the absurdity of it all.
"I'll get what ever you need done. I'll ask you for help when I need it and I won't ask you what you're doing again." She said hoping to lighten the dark cloud that had fallen upon them.
Kelly began read the file Alexia had given her again. "I'll make sure everything is shipped and taken care of. It'll all be done within three days."
"Make sure none of this gets back to Angel either." Alexia said almost as if she regretted it. "She doesn't know anything." She added quickly then stepped away from the desk and back to her jacket.
The gray-eyed woman opted to remain silent about Alexia's order. Speaking candidly with Alexia had proven to have gotten her barked at once and she was almost sure doing it a second time would get her bit. Angel wouldn't hear a word of any of this.
Alexia put on her jacket and walked out of the office leaving without forgetting to remind Kelly she only had three days to accomplish her given task. Kelly just watched her go and when she was sure Alexia had stepped out of her house she laid down the file in her hand then fell heavily back in her chair. The tension in her shoulders had been growing exponentially as Alexia had been sitting in her office. If it took every last breath she had, Kelly would make sure she accomplished what Alexia had asked of her, or actually had ordered of her. Maybe it should actually be what Alexia had demanded of her. Whatever the term, Kelly was now working for the unknown factor Alexia. She now had three days to complete a list of tasks that made absolutely no sense to her. Kelly just had to tell herself to do the job and to thinking nothing of it. As soon as everything was over she'd be done with Alexia, and apparently Alexia would be gone for good.
As soon as Michael had shut the door to the room Angel launched an attack on him. It seemed that Alexia was getting too close to her business and she couldn't have that, at least not now. She has been working just too damn hard for it all to be wiped out now.
"I swear to you Michael, if Alexia has found anything out I will personally see to it you are taken care of." Angel waved her finger in the short man's face. "This is just too damn important."
"Angel I swear she knows nothing." Michael explained. "I wouldn't tell her anything. My work for her has nothing to do with you."
Angel looked at the man curiously. "And what work are you doing for her again?" She asked in her sweetest voice.
"Just as I will not tell Alexia your business, I will not tell you hers." The man stuck his chin out in defiance showing Angel for maybe the first time he actually had some guts.
"That's good to hear Michael. I wouldn't want you to be betraying my friend."
"I know how much you care for her Angel. I would never mistreat her." Michael said gravely.
A wave of guilt passed over Angel's normally gently heart. She was not used to keeping secrets from Alexia and never really wanted to start, but somehow it had happened. Suddenly the type of things that were happening around her had to be dealt with in a certain way if she was going to accomplish her goal. Normally Alexia was supportive. Normally Alexia was by her side no matter what. Normally Angel believed they would be friends no matter what. Normally... just normally things would be different. Unfortunately, the comfort of normalcy had been taken away.
"I just need three more days." Angel whispered not necessarily speaking to Michael, but to something or someone else, and the man knew this.
"What is it I can do for you Angel?" Michael asked hoping to bring the woman back from her thoughts.
"Alexia took control of the Coletti family. I need everyone I have working for the Coletti's pulled out." Angel blew out a frustrated breath. "I'm going to have to get to Kelly now. Tony's gone, so now everything I have on him is for fucking nothing."
"I'll make sure everything is taken care of Angel." Michael said trying to reassure the woman. He had never seen Angel act this way before and knew everything had to be getting to her now. Hell, it was even getting to him. He was surprised Angel had lasted as long as she had. All this keeping secrets business couldn't have been good for her.
"Make sure to talk to Lindsey as well. She already knows what's going on." Angel said absently then turned and walked out of the room. Her shoulders sagged and her head pounding. She kept on telling herself that all she needed was three more days. It would all be done in three days.
When Angel reached the living room she found Casey and Jerome just standing there, staring at each other. It wasn't an odd or uncomfortable silence that filled the room, but rather a comfortable one. It seemed like nothing more between them needed to be said.
Angel looked at Casey again and noticed the woman was holding some kind of package that she assumed would go to Alexia. Angel was sure she'd never be told what was in the package or what the contents pertained to. Alexia always was able to keep her business secret.
"Casey let's leave." Angel told the other woman and walked towards apartment's door. "Your business is done here."
Casey looked at Jerome and he nodded his head back. Casey looked at him a moment longer then mentally just shrugged her shoulders. Apparently since she was now working for Alexia, in some odd way that meant she was working for Angel as well.
So, Casey just followed Angel right out the door and forgot about talking with Michael again. She wanted to get out of the apartment anyway. The time she had spent with Jerome had almost made her to actually start liking the man, and of course she could have none of that.
"What time is it Casey?" Angel asked the woman she knew was following her towards the exit of the apartment building.
Casey looked at her watch. "It's a little past six."
Angel turned around abruptly. "It's that late already. No wonder I'm so hungry all of the sudden." Angel looked at Casey for a moment longer making a decision. "Come on." She grabbed the other woman's hand. "We're going to get something to eat. You're driving because I took a cab over here."
Casey was hungry. She hadn't really eaten anything since the breakfast Angel had cooked that morning. Alexia was out doing something, so there was no way she could contact her to give her the envelope Michael had given her. Of course, Casey wasn't too sure that spending one on one time with Angel would be that good of an idea. The very thought of it intrigued her and scared her.
Noticing the look of contemplation on Casey's face Angel let out a forceful breath. "Just take me out to dinner Garza. I'm not going to kill you."
Casey looked around them worried someone might have overheard Angel calling her Garza. She was sure she didn't know anyone who lived in this area, but she just couldn't take any chances. "Please don't use my name." She told Angel harshly.
"Fine. Just get me the hell out of here."
Casey led the woman to her car and even was nice enough to open the door for her. Which not only was slightly surprising to Angel, but also was extremely surprising to Casey. She hadn't opened a car door for anyone for a very long while. She wouldn't even open the door for Tony when she worked for him. Deciding to not overanalyze her actions, Casey got into her Porsche. She had a deep feeling within her gut the day was far from over.