So it took a bit to figure out the next chapter. I hope it's ok, and as always thank you to those who read, review, fav, and follow. It's awesome to see that.
Her body feels as if it's made of lead, every step she takes is heavy and tiring. It's been a rough day, and sadly she won't be spending the night in a five star hotel on a plush mattress with soft sheets. No such luck, this job is tough and she'll be spending the night with Lucy and Meg in an old warehouse, their makeshift HQ.
She feels grimy, the sweat and dried blood sticking to her clothes and skin and all she wants to do is soak in a tub for a few hours with a bottle of wine. Unfortunately she has to add that to the list of things that won't be happening tonight. Instead she'll just wash up as best as she can in the small shower Meg put up when they first arrived two days ago, and hopefully she'll get a good night's rest. It's doubtful though, she knows it's a slim chance that she'll get a full night of sleep. How can she with the current job on her mind?
When she'd been told her and her team were needed for a very important job it had irritated her. It's not that she didn't love her work because she did, but because she'd been with Luke and hadn't wanted to part so soon. Once she actually received the file on the job, well that had changed her mind. She really hadn't wanted to go, but knew her and her girls were the best shot they had at getting this done.
She stands under the low pressured cold water, it does nothing to soothe her sore body but at least she'll be clean. She watches the water swirl down the ground, red and brown, all the dirt and blood of the day. They knew this job wouldn't be a cake walk, but she wasn't prepared for this. The Intel they'd been given had informed them of a plan to put together a weapon, piece by piece. It seemed simple enough find the pieces and stop them from falling into the hands of the people trying to buy/steal them.
The files also informed them of a team of at least 5 people, 3 of which had been identified. Dossiers on those 3 men were included in the Intel and they had recognized them immediately. John McNulty, Acilde Marquet, and Leo Sweeney. Three soldiers who had been dishonorably discharged and since then have become Mercs, working for anyone who throws a few bucks their way. They should be simple enough to take care of, but what had taken her and her girls by surprise were the other two men involved, Malachai Mordu, and Ares Devereaux.
They're easily two of the most evil, sadistic sons of bitches that ever roamed the face of the Earth. They were both highly decorated Army veterans; once they retired they had also become mercenaries and were highly sought after. She'd come across them once or twice when they were still in the military, even training with Ares a few weeks. They were men who lived for war, gun fights, and bloodshed. She's not sure if they were behind the whole plan, but it was definitely a possibility.
The three simpletons didn't provide too much trouble, and they'd also managed to capture John and intercept whatever files they had on the weapon but just as they were gonna make a run for it shit got messy. Malachai and Ares made their presence known, quickly turning the tide in their favor. They were skilled with any weapon, and fighting against them hand to hand was not an easy feat. They'd managed to escape with their lives, though injured and without any of the intel. Lucy had managed to plant a tracer on Acilde during a scuffle, but it was found and destroyed about 2 hours ago. They tracked it to an old factory about an hour away.
They hadn't gotten a chance to really review the intel that they'd had, but she had managed to catch a glimpse of some sketches, and the word 'Nightshade' written on a few pages. They'd contacted their boss and mentioned their findings, he was surprised to find that Malachai and Ares were involved and expressed his concern for their safety. Unfortunately there was no other team available for assistance so they were on their own.
She wasn't frightened, just concerned. Not for herself of coarse, but for her team. Meg and Lucy were like her sisters, and though she didn't want to involve anyone else in this job from hell she wasn't keen on taking this further without calling for some back up.
So...call they did. Michael and Gabriel, Navy Seals and extraordinary men capable of handling anything thrown at them. If anyone could help them out, it'd be them. She can trust them, and has done so before. She had Lucy place the call on their way back and they should be here within a few hours.
She finishes cleaning up and shuts off the shower. The warehouse is cold and damp, so she dresses quickly but can already feel a chill settling in her bones. Meg and Lucy are sitting on the small cots drinking some water and chatting, they grow silent as soon as they see her come near.
"You two should wash up and sleep while ya can, as soon as the guys get here we're headin' out." They just nod their heads and Meg heads to the shower, Lucy stands and walks towards her.
"You ok?"
Angel notices the look of concern on her face, "I'm fine." she says trying to sound reassuring. She can tell it doesn't convince her by the look she gets in return.
"You took the brunt of a few bad blows, I saw." Lucy says quietly. Angel had put herself at risk, pushing her out of the way to fight off Malachai and she could see now the results of that fight. Angel was sporting one hell of a shiner which had begun blossoming on her cheek. Her lip was split, not too swollen and the bleeding had stopped but still noticeable. She could only imagine what bruising lie beneath Angel's shirt and pants, possibly even some bruised or cracked ribs. Hopefully nothing broken or too serious, but if anything was serious Angel would never tell.
"I'm fine." She repeats, this time sounding a little more convincing. It's taking all of her energy right now to stand completely straight and not slouch from the pain she's feeling in her abdomen. Her ribs are definitely injured, at least cracked if not broken after the horrible blow Malachai landed. Not to mention being thrown into the wall by Ares. She'd taken a beating, no doubt about that, but her team can't know because she's the Captain and she has to be strong so they can continue with the job at hand.
Lucy studies her friend closely knowing that she's hiding something from her, but its fine because she has a secret too. "Why don't you get some rest, and I'll let you know when the boys get here." She says with a smile.
Angel nods her head and walks away, knowing it would be futile to lie down at this point. She decides instead to take a walk up the stairs through the other floor of the warehouse. Maybe her mind would clear then, and finally allow her some rest.
An hour later Lucy finds herself greeting the men as they come carrying a few cases. "Ooooh, new toys?" she says smiling. Michael nods his head, and puts his case down against the wall as he walks towards her and hugs her tightly. They've always been good friends and she's glad to see him even if it is under these circumstances.
Gabriel places his cases down and just smiles at her with a nod of his head. He's always been the shyer of the two, but they still consider him a good friend. Then Lucy sees him, Hobbs, as he brings in the remaining large crate and puts it down by the table.
Luke nods his head in hello to Lucy, and glances at the far wall where Meg is laying curled up and snoring lightly. He glances around the large room quickly, "Where is she?"
Lucy points a finger at the ceiling, "Went for a walk." Angel had gone up there almost two hours ago and hadn't come back down. She leaves Michael and Gabriel behind as she follows the large man to the stair case. She grabs his arm to catch his attention, "She's a little banged up." she decides to warn him, she knows Angel won't listen to her or check herself thoroughly so she hands him one of their med kits and pats him on the back. "Don't make me regret calling you." she says as he takes the steps two at a time.
He glances around the large floor, nothing but stone columns and boarded up windows. A little bit of moonlight peaks through the boards and onto the floor, casting a blue glow and he finally sees her. She's all the way at the end of the room, perched onto the small alcove by a window. As he gets closer he realizes she's not sitting there, but has actually fallen asleep. He can't help but smile at the sight, a smile which is quickly replaced with a frown when he steps even closer and looks at her.
Even in the dim light he can notice the dark bruise on her cheek. He then notices the cut on her lip, and feels the anger welling up inside him. He moves his hand, brushing a stray curl away from her face. He doesn't want to wake her, not when she's had such a rough day, and another one sure to come. So instead he puts the med kit on the ground and sits beside her deciding he'll wait till she wakes on her own to check her thoroughly.
Lucy said they had at least 3 hours before they would have to make their move, so she'll at least get another hour of sleep. She seems to be in a deep sleep because she doesn't wake up; instead she seems to be drawn to the warmth his body provides. She moves closer, laying her head on his shoulder and her arms going around his. She sighs contently and continues sleeping. He wraps an arm around her, knowing it'll be numb soon from her sleeping on it but he doesn't mind. He's curious to see how she'll act when she wakes and finds him here.
Lucy had explained to him on the call that she didn't know he was being invited. Both he and Lucy know she won't be happy that he's here in the middle of a dangerous assignment. Luke finds her concern sweet, but unnecessary. He can handle himself just fine, and Lucy seems to think so too. So she had no problem calling him, knowing that if he was here he'd help keep Angel safe since Michael nor Gabriel are able to reign her in. Lucy's idea was that maybe he could.
He looks down at her as she sleeps peacefully; a small scurrying sound catches his attention by the stairs. Lucy pokes her head up and smiles, "That's so cute." she whispers. He clenches his jaw in slight irritation; cute is not a word to be used with him.
Lucy notices the look on his face and turns to walk away quickly. She had just wanted to check on them since it'd been a few minutes and Angel hadn't come down to strangle her. Once her friend wakes up and sees what she's done she'll no doubt run down the stairs and berate her for it. She's willing to take her irritation though because she knows he'll keep her safe and help them with their mission and that makes it all worth it at the end of the day.
Well...as always, reviews or helpful hints/criticisms are always welcome. Thank you for reading.
