It turns out that if you want to become a major player in the drugs operation in LA then having the FBI as a silent player makes it go so much easier. Who knew? Distressingly to Brian it felt like it was almost effortless really, and there was simply no fun in that.
Over a lazy weekend filled with even more sex, Brian and Carter had studied a folder on all the major players in the area supplied by the FBI. They had handed the evidence over reluctantly but Brian had managed to reasonably point out that if the FBI wanted them to be taken seriously then this was the only way. However wanting to get into place quickly, Brian knew that they had act quickly so they picked the targets who already had the largest evidence folders compiled against them.
Once they had picked their target, Brian had phoned Stasiak and Penning and let them do the dirty work for him. Adam De'Winters had the second biggest share of the drug market in LA, and was promptly picked up by the FBI and several things were discussed. It was pointed out that if he left town while the charges were being processed that they would spend a long time weighing up all the evidence. However Penning had left him under no illusion of just how much evidence there was and just how much it was in his interest to do what he wanted.
Funnily enough De'Winters saw reason and needing to get out of town fast - He accepted Carter's bid for his business interests in the area. Carter had already finished buying his nightclub so his interests were complete. A few of De'Winters lieutenants' had expressed dismay over the change in leadership. However a pointed conversation here and there where Carter had explained the perils of disrespect soon quashed that.
Carter though was waiting for his favourite moment. It had been three days since the operation was started up and by now all of his employees; both legal and illegal had seen Brian. He was well aware of what they thought of Brian - And his Corazon was only too happy to encourage that perception. It suited Brian to be seen as only the arm candy all the better to under-estimate him and not see him strike when he wanted.
The irony was one of his new runners, Eli, seemed to be under the impression that he would end up his second. He was mistaken - Brian was the only one who Carter could even think of fulfilling that position. Still he personally felt that his lover should be left the joy of settling that misconception. Carter was pretty sure that right now it would be settled. He could see Brian bubbling with the energy he only got from racing, so he asked, "You have fun?"
Brian smirked, "Took a look around Harry's and I got my invite to the race tonight."
There were several chairs in the room but Brian decided to sit in Carter's lap for no other reason than he wanted to. "So how was your day?"
Carter shrugged, "Eli seems to think that I should be worried by Braga."
Brian snorted, "And that is why he is a runner and not you."
Eli was surprised by the acid and the sudden turn in the pretty boy's mood. He could see too late that the pretty boy had claws. "Sir with all due respect De'Winters used to pay him a cut."
Carter rolled his eyes - it was probably for the best that he took the business off the idiot. It was not a good business model to pay someone for something that offered you no value. "You can leave Braga to Brian and I Eli and do what you're paid to - race."
Eli looked uncomfortable, and bitter, "I'm not sure that your boy's charms will be enough."
Carter was furious and it was taking everything in him not kick his ass, but Brian despite being pretty was not a princess that needed rescuing. He had to stay back as Carter knew that Brian needed to settle this in his own way. Calmly, almost as if he had seemingly ignored the insult. "Did he just call me a whore?"
Carter didn't hide his anger, "It was implied."
Brian showed the most disrespect he could to the driver - he turned his back. It was a clear message that Brian didn't consider him a threat. "That's rude. You don't need to pay me."
"In his defence... you are rather pretty." Carter added. He was less murderous seeing what his lover was aiming to achieve.
Brian smirked, "True but I have killed for less. And I haven't killed anyone in so long."
The last bit was said almost wistfully making Carter want to crack up. He was reminded that Brian was a star UC agent and he could see why. His reputation when Eli left the room would grow and he would be some mythical 'left-hand' enforcer soon enough. Carter feigned confusion, "You said Tran Jnr was your last enemy."
Brian pouted, "He blew up my car!"
Eli remembered the rumours about a pretty blonde that had run with Toretto's crew before it all went south. The reason for the gossip was no one was too sure just what the relationship was between the pair. The juiciest rumour was the one where the icy blonde had killed Tran for putting his hands where they didn't belong. It seemed though that there was more to the rumours than he thought.
He was a smart boy though and when two very dangerous people were giving you looks like they seriously wouldn't mind seeing you six feet under - you backtrack and apologise.
"I will just leave and get on that delivery."
Carter was smirking but his attention was no longer on Eli, "You do that."
Eli practically bolted out of the room. He waited until the door was shut before he had his mini freak-out. Jesus, he thought. He was in no way prepared to work for a man like Carter Verone. He knew one thing - he wouldn't cross his new bosses and he was damn sure that LA was not ready for them.
In fact the City of Angels would not know what hit it.Unaware of all the new drama unfolding in LA there was an old acquaintance of Brian's who was getting the worst phone call he had in quite a while. The garage was in no way as the same as the one in Echo park - it had not even a tenth of the equipment. Still, it was his fault and if his team didn't blame or bitch about it then he sure as hell wasn't about to be the one to start.
Leon was the one who answered the phone on the grounds that he was the least wanted of all of them. Dom snorted when he read the minimal rap sheet. In fact he was pretty sure that the only reason he was wanted was because he was friends with Dom. "Dom it's Mi'"
Dom rushed to the phone as he knew just how much this phone call would be costing his sister. Each time she made one of these calls it was with a fresh burner cell with prepaid minutes and trashed immediately. It was an expensive form of communication so they used it sparingly.
"What's up Mi'?" His sister was struggling to speak and he only knew that to happen when she was extremely upset. He hated that he couldn't comfort her in person, "What is it Mia?"
"It is Letty, Dom."
Dom froze as he hadn't seen Letty in a while. They had done a job in the Dominican Republic jacking an oil truck of its cargo. It was risky and Letty had scared the shit out of him. She had said nothing to him about it at that time but she had seemed quiet that night. Dom had remembered thinking it was odd. Letty was always hyper after a jacking so to be so quiet it had been unusual. She had left in the night with only a note on the bed.
You can't live like this
and I won't rest until we're home
Love you always
Papi.
It had been short and sweet and so heartbreakingly Letty that Dom whilst sad couldn't be angry. He had no idea what she was doing as she hadn't contacted him since. "How is she?"
Mia's voice hitched as if she was trying to bite back tears. It was alarming Dom more and more. Just what was so bad that Mia could barely bite back her sobs on the phone? "Mia what is it?"
"She's dead Dom." And that was it ... he heard his sister start to sob again.
He had never hated his exile more than he did right now. It was incomprehensible that Letty could be dead, more importantly how? "How?"
Dom couldn't quite sort through all of his feelings right now, but if she'd been murdered then warrants or no warrants he was going to hunt down her killers. And no Law would get in his way until he was done.
"She was working with the FBI to bring you home, posing as a runner for Braga."
Brian was having such a nice day that he should have realised that something would ruin it.His meeting with Giselle had gone off without a hitch. She had wanted to see Carter but Brian had made it clear that if she got through him, then and only then would they both meet with Giselle and Campos. He was just about to get home which was all he wanted to do. No that wasn't all Brian wanted to do if he was being honest. He wanted Carter to sex him up and make him forget about all the roles he was currently playing. There was only one he was interested in playing right now and that was Carter's lover.
His mobile phone ringing interrupted his mental plans, "O'Conner." Brian froze in the hallway. He was listening to what Penning was saying but he didn't really comprehend it. Letty was always so full of life the idea that she could be dead was just not computing. "What happened?"
Penning wasn't pulling any punches. "She contacted us before you were brought in. She wanted a deal. She would go in as one of Braga's driving in return for the cases against Toretto's team being dropped."
Brian sighed knowing that the FBI desperate to get someone close and knowing that any agent that got too close would be burnt no doubt jumped at the chance. "She got too close."
Penning's voice was pained. He regretted now allowing Stasiak to run her as an asset but he'd had little choice. "Stasiak was her contact."
Brian understood now why he thought he'd seen Dom earlier in the day. Well he supposed joining forces would ensure that they got Braga - Only he wasn't too sure that Braga would be alive. He would help Dom get revenge if that was what he needed. He wasn't sure revenge would be best for him in the long run - but their meeting now made a lot more sense in context.
"Toretto will come to town." Brian warned. It was not like he didn't know it to be true. Still if there was one thing that he could do for his old friend was give him a few hours to get info before the authorities started sniffing.
Penning was a smart man, and knew what Brian was not asking, "Well unless it is brought to my attention I can do nothing."
Brian smiled- Penning as a boss wasn't bad. It was too bad that his second was such a dick - but such was life. You can't have everything. "I understand. We will have our meet in the next few days... Oh and keep Stasiak well away from me."
It went without saying - if Brian saw him then he would try and break his nose again.Next up: Dom and Brian finally talk face to face.
