A True Queen

Paring: OC/James, Teresa/Guero

Summary: it isn't Teresa's future self that guides her; it's Concetta. A woman who's seen and endured some twisted shit. Concetta is the definition of a survivor and she'll protect Teresa with her life.

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EJERCICIO SIETE

El Hombre Pájaro

James stood beside Camila as they walked into the biker bar and easily found the man they were looking for. He was at a corner table with some blonde bimbo on his lap and a spread of cocaine and beer in front of him. James had always been accepting of the turns his life took with leading him to the cartel - after all, his military service had basically ensured he wouldn't never be able to be a regular citizen again. However, even a man like James didn't understand the appeal of being a biker... they were second rate criminals in his opinion.

"Camila Vargas" Travis drew out when he spotted them, "You're slumming it"

"You were only supposed to do business with me" Camila cut right to the point. "I asked you to wait 24 hours. You couldn't even honour that? You go to Birdman and take product from him?"

Travis sighed, "You're dry. Eric had product; you didn't. It's not personal... Besides, I'm not the first person Eric helped out. From what I hear, Allen's buying from him now too"

"You were one of my first customers" Camila stated shaking her head at Travis. "I expected more"

"It's just this one time" Travis assured Camila, or at least tried to.

Camila sighed, "It's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. I came here personally to let you know that I have everything under control"

James watched Travis and Camila stare down until Travis sighed and pushed the blonde out his lap. Travis nodded, "Let's talk when you get that load"

Shit!

James sighed inwardly knowing they couldn't bluff Travis right now since they didn't know when they'd be able to get a shipment in next. They'd been hoping that an in person visit would set the man straight. Cause even if they didn't have the product yet, they couldn't allow Birdman to take their customers in the meantime. That kind of loss would be hard to recover from and once Birdman's supply starts getting attention... it'll be even harder to stop.

Shit was hitting the fan quickly.

And none of it made any sense business wise.

"Estupido" Camila muttered when they walked out of the bar and back towards their car.

"You know, he's not the real problem - Eric is" James said and not for the first time since this whole mess started. They knew this was Birdman, and James was going to keep reminding Camila of that until she gives him the go ahead to kill the asshole.

Camila sighed and nodded.

James continued, "I had my guys buy a brick from him to test it. It was 90% pure. I mean, the best we could ever do and turn a profit is 80%. Makes no sense... he's losing money" James didn't get that, he didn't understand how Birdman was trying to get all this business knowing he wouldn't be able to sustain it.

"It's not about the money" Camila sighed, "It's about running me out of business. Once I'm out, prices go up, and product quality goes down"

James sighed and ran a hand down his face as he thought what she was saying through. When you thought about it that way, it did make sense strategically. Buyers would have no choice but to accept whatever quality Eric decided when there was only one source and plenty of buyers.

"This Eric problem can go away very quickly. I'm prepared for that" he told Camila opening the car door for her and letting her in the passenger seat. "Nothing would make me happier - Cause we can deal with the fallout, whatever that is"

They both knew it had to happen eventually...

Birdman's death was inevitable.

James shut the door and rounded the car over to the drivers seat. He drove in silence hoping that he was managing to convince Camila to act instead of worrying about some agreement that was already being violated.

"Pull the car over" Camila sighed after a while of silence and James did as instructed. He pulled the car over to a small clearing off the highway. Turning in his seat to look over at Camila as she pulled out her phone.

"Hello, my love" Epifanio answered, "I assume this is about your shipment."

"So now you read minds?" Camila sounded polite despite the irritated look on her face. "When is it coming?"

"Camila, I said it's coming. Do you want an exact minute?" Epifanio sighed almost sounding slightly amused by the situation.

"That would be helpful" Camila answered through clenched teeth.

"Well, you should be happy to hear that I dealt with the federales, and it's safely crossed the border last night. It should be at your meet point in a few hours" Epifanio sighed

"Well, that's good" Camila nodded, "But it's not the only reason I call you for"

"Sounds like you're having a bad day, my love" Epifanio said

"I need more" Camila ignored the comment getting straight to the matter at hand.

There was a long pause before Epifanio asked, "Why?"

"I need more because I need to cut purer" Camila answered simply before sighing and admitting, "It's Eric. He's continuing to be a problem, delivering quality I can't match"

"What do you mean?" Epifanio asked

"He's using my delays to take over Dallas. He's flaunting... and we cannot touch him" Camila explained angrily

Epifanio sighed, "We've already discussed Birdman, Camila. My hands are tied"

"I don't care what your treaty is" Camila snapped. "He's got to go. I don't ask you for anything. I'm asking for this... i want the green light to take him out today"

"Fine" Epifanio sighed, "I will call the Jimenez cartel and tell them to back off for you. As an official warning. Camila, concede! Admit that this Dallas adventure was a mistake and come back home where you belong"

Camila sighed and shook her head, "Well, when you concede to your rival for governor, then we'll talk" and with that she hung up.

James gave her a minute before he looked over at Camila wondering what that all meant for the Birdman hit?

Camila sighed, "I need you to escort that shipment personally to the warehouse. It's too important. You work well with Valentina, No?" she questioned with a raised brow

James frowned and shrugged, "I dunno, she does what she's told... seems to know about this type of shit, she's valuable" he supposed he did work alright with the woman.

Valentina was both infuriating and amusing at the same time, but she did seem to be in her element when they were working together. She's smart, strong and willing to get her hands dirty. He couldn't figure Valentina out no matter how hard he tried though...

Valentina had surprised him the other day when she turned back from him - no matter how much she denies doing so - he had seen it written all over Teresa's face. Somehow, he simply knew it had been Valentina's decision not Teresa's and he figured if it had been Teresa they would have said so. Especially after Teresa's little moral high ground shit.

He didn't trust anyone - but he suspected that Valentina would have his back if it came down to it.

James didn't know how to feel about that, so he chose not to feel anything on the matter yet. Though that was easier to do when he didn't have Camila questioning him on it and constantly sending them to work together on jobs.

"And Teresa?" Camila asked

"Teresa's smart, I guess - but she's not exactly the type to do the dirty work" James shrugged, "Annoying as shit too"

Camila chuckled and nodded, "All right. Well I want you to take them with you for this" she said.

James nodded in understanding as he got back on the highway and drove Camila to the club before heading for the warehouse.

Concetta was sitting on her mattress waiting for Teresa to get back from grabbing some medicine for the girl who'd gotten sick. As harsh as it was to say, Concetta didn't really care if the girl was sick or not. Pero Teresa liked playing white night and jumped at the chance to do something kind.

She didn't really mind either way.

Concetta was content to finally get a days rest and her body still ached from the constant running and falling and car crashes!

It was exhausting.

She stood and headed to the bathroom hoping a nice cold shower would relax her muscles and help her relax as much as she possibly could considering the situation. Concetta couldn't remember the last time she slept for more than an hour at a time... it had been so long. Honestly, Concetta was surprised she'd managed to stay this alert for so long. They'd been with Camila for a little while now already - it had to of been a month at least.

Maybe even longer?

She didn't really remember how many days had passed at this point.

Concetta stripped and stood under the cold water rolling her neck and sighing contently as all the bones in her back cracked. The pressure and strain on them had caused a permanent ache that she had gotten used to, and now small moments of relief were foreign.

"Valentina?!"

She heard a shout and stuck her head of the small shower section to see James storming into the bathroom. He looked kinda pissed off and she raised a brow expectantly.

James spotted her and froze slightly when he realised she was completely naked and in the middle of showering.

"Yeah?" Concetta prompted and had the feeling that even though she couldn't see his eyes that were concealed by his sunglasses, that he was checking her out.

"We're leaving. Get dressed, and hurry" James stated turning away slightly to give her a little privacy. "Where's Teresa?"

Concetta sighed and shut off the water of the shower, stepping out of the small stall completely unaffected by the fact she was naked. People had seen her in more compromising situations before anyway. "Teresa went to play hero for a little while" she hummed

"Hero?" James repeated frowning as he looked back at her while she pulled on her bra and panties. He was quick to look away again and she rolled her eyes.

This guy was a bigger prude than she thought!

"Uh-huh" Concetta pulled on jeans as she nodded. "Teresa went to get medicine for that girl who's sick or whatever. I dunno. I told her I wasn't interested in running around to play hero when I get a day to do nothing - I think she's still mad"

"Whatever, just hurry up we're going" James sighed

"I'm ready" she told him as she pulled on her shoes and nodded to him when he finally looked at her again.

"Good" James muttered and she followed after him as they walked out towards a truck in the warehouse parking lot.

Concetta didn't bother asking any questions about where they were going. She knew he'd tell her what she needed to know and that was enough. James held the door open for her and she noticed that there was already a guy in the truck. He had a gun in his hand and he raised a brow at her when she climbed in. Concetta shrugged in response and took a seat beside him, in the middle - she sighed knowing she'd be squished the entire time.

James drove in silence and Concetta was bored already.

She looked at the guns James had on the dashboard, "How come I don't get a gun?" she sighed pouting simply because she knew it would irritate James.

Concetta was rewarded by James famous sigh - the one that sounded like her entire existence was an inconvenience to him. She grinned widely in response and when he cast her a look, seeing her grin, James sighed again realising she'd done it for a reaction and he had given it.

"Are you going to annoy me the entire time?" James asked impatiently, his voice was harsh and unforgiving but Concetta wasn't fazed in the slightest.

"You really are in a bad mood today" Concetta mumbled more to herself than him, but in the close proximity both men heard her just fine. "Alright. I'm done, I'll be nice and all that shit" she agreed but then looked over at him again. "Seriously though, how come I'm not allowed to have a gun? Not even when we're out of the warehouse?"

"Do you even know how to use a gun, little girl?" the other man, to her right asked with a disbelieving raised brow.

Concetta scoffed, "I've been using a gun since I was 5 years old, 'mano. I'd bet I'm a better shot than you" she sneered

If she couldn't irritate James she'd settle for this asshole.

The pendejo snorted like he thought she was joking but at her blank stare he realised she was serious. "Whatever" he dismissed chuckling. "Just cause you can shoot doesn't mean you'd be able to pull the trigger and kill - it's a lot different than shooting cans and targets, chica"

"You wanna know if I can kill?" Concetta growled out, "How about I show you-"

"Valentina!" James grunted with irritation as he cut off her taunting threats and she looked at him with a sigh of her own.

"Ay! I get it" Concetta conceded backing down before he really did get pissed off at her. "I'm done. Pero just so you know, I have killed before and as long as nobodies asking me to burry any bodies I couldn't give a shit"

"Well nobodies asking you to bury any bodies" James said as he looked at her for a second before turning his eyes back on the road.

Concetta knew he was surprised by her revelation but she didn't care very much.

It was truth.

And the first time she had ever killed anyone she had been 5 years old - plenty of time to come to peace with what she had done. To accept what she was capable of and the lengths she was willing to go to in order to survive. It had been her or them... she wasn't going around killing innocent people or anything.

So there was no reason for guilt.

They rode in silence for a little while longer before James pulled out his phone and called someone. "Our business is in a white semi, Mexican plates" James announced to whoever he was talking to on the phone. "Should be ahead about a mile"

"Shit" The man beside Concetta muttered looking up at the side of the road ahead where they could see a white Semi surrounded by cops.

"Cops" she stated the obvious for no particular reason

"looks like our load got busted" the guy beside her stated shaking his head as he looked to James who pulled out his phone again.

James sighed, "Give me a second" he said to whoever was on the phone - Concetta now realised was likely the driver of the other car with them. "Shit. Go home" he said before they passed the cops and hung up the phone as Concetta pulled a blanket over the guns.

"Damn it" James hit the steering wheel driving them back to the warehouse in tense silence.

He really was having a bad day!

Concetta shook her head wondering what the hell was going on with two busts in the past three days. There wasn't any cocaine going out of the warehouse either, there hadn't been for a couple days in fact. She wondered what was gonna happen if Camila didn't get more product - because only a shortage would mean no deliveries.

This shit was bad!

When they pulled up to the warehouse she walked away from the car and back to her mattress with the other mules. She wanted to find Teresa and tell her all about what just went down. Teresa should be done playing hero already. However, when Concetta walked into the cages she didn't see Teresa anywhere and after checking everywhere she could think of, she finally stuck her head out the door only to see Teresa's car was still gone.

Shit!

Where the hell was Teresa?

Concetta went back to her mattress to wait knowing that Teresa would come back, she wouldn't have run. The only reason she could think of that Teresa wasn't back yet was Brenda and Tony. Brenda was always able to guilt Teresa into doing whatever she wanted. Concetta wouldn't be surprised if that's where she'd gone.

Sighing she sat back against the chain link fence and waited.

James sat down on the table behind Camila and Jaime, the head of distribution for the Colombians. He could hear their conversation but was far enough away for the illusion of privacy on the secluded rooftop restaurant. He really hoped that Camilla could pull this deal off because he was worried that all their work would be for nothing if they don't fix this. Other crews were already starting to move in on their territory!

"Jaime" Camilla greeted the man by shaking his hand before she sat down

"Camilla, buenes noches" Jaime nodded as he sat back down across from Camila.

"How was your flight?" Camila asked making pleasant conversation knowing she was about to ask for something big and couldn't piss the man off yet.

"Uneventful" Jaime shrugged, "I just heard you lost another shipment. One Mexican and one ours...without bad luck, you wouldn't have any luck at all"

"I don't know what's going on. Maybe the DEA is on me, or maybe, someone is not as loyal anymore" Camila admitted honestly and calmly. "So, yes. I am in trouble"

"Yeah, well, you know what they say... there's nothing like a good crisis to find out what loyalty is all about" Jaime nodded on a sigh as he sipped his wine. "Hmm?"

"But I'm losing respect" Camila stated. "I can't afford that. That's our currency, you know that. So I need another chance...I need another shipment"

"I wish I had your confidence" Jaime said looking surprised Camila was even asking for another shipment already.

Camila nodded, "I know you guys just delivered in Houston. I know you have some product in Amarillo as well. Maybe we can borrow from them until we replenish?"

Jaime frowned, "You owe me 5 million dollars... it's not our fault that you lost your shipment. Once those shipments get to America, they are your responsibility"

"I understand" Camila nodded, "But I know that you know I'm good for it, and let me remind you that three months ago, before you got this position - I was dealing directly with Reynaldo"

"Camila, if you don't think that Reynaldo knew that you had a built-in co-signer, you're sorely mistaken" Jaime said leaning forward across the table.

"What do you mean?" Camila asked

"Your husband is Epifanio Vargas. All you have to do is tell him to give me my money, and this will all be done" Jaime stated simply. "And you can have yourself another shipment. Call" he ordered pulling out a cell phone and sliding it over to Camila on the table.

Camila didn't even pick up the phone as she stared at Jaime refusing to involve her husband.

Why the Colombians ever thought Camila would involve Epifanio, was beyond James comprehension.

Jaime sighed, "I am vulnerable right now to the people I'm responsible too, all you have to do is pick up the phone. Call your husband, and get me my money... but you don't want to? Unless - he doesn't know about our dealings?"

"I've handled this myself. It's me you've been dealing with, and it's me you're gonna continue to deal with" Camila stated with confidence she really shouldn't have. "Because nothing has changed. He has nothing to do with this, and I want to keep it that way"

"5 million, nothing less" Jaime stated shaking his head slightly

Camila nodded and stood, "I'll get it"

"Three days" Jaime added before they could leave, "You have three days to get me my money, or I'll call Epifanio myself, and whatever fate is doing to you; it's going to finish it's job"

Camila smiled at Jaime, "Enjoy your dinner" and then walked away from the table.

James stood and following after her with a small sigh of his own. That meeting hadn't gone as they'd hoped it would. None of this shit was any good for them. Once they were out of earshot Camila sighed, "Go to the place. Take the cash" she instructed him much to his surprise.

"All 5 million? That's our entire reserve" James reminded her

Camila only nodded, "Everything, take it all. You know I'm gonna put every cent I have into this because I'm not gonna let it fall apart. I've lost too much of my life to this already. I want you with Valentina or Teresa - go with one, or both, I don't even care! We need to keep at least one of them close until we know what's going on"

James nodded as he walked the other way letting Camila take the car back to the club since he'd have to head to the warehouse.

When he got there he spotted Valentina easily and nodded for her to come with him. She raised a brow but followed without question. James was thankful because his day really hadn't been going that great and he wasn't in a good mood. Not to put with any shit from anyone.

Which was why he didn't bother inviting Teresa along - she was more a strategist anyway.

They got in the car and he drove in the dark roads silently. James could hear Valentina humming some Spanish song under her breath but they didn't talk.

They didn't really need to.

James guessed she was still bored without the deliveries and he didn't really mind her humming anyway. She didn't sound bad thankfully and he didn't really care enough about it to tell her to stop. Not that he really thought she'd listen if he did. They pulled into the cemetery and he nodded to the security guy who opened the gates for them.

"We're here. This is Camila's bank" he said

"A cemetery is a Camila's bank?" Valentina frowned confused

James nodded, "Dead bankers are the only bankers she trusts" he explained hearing her hum in surprise and approval.

He agreed - it was odd but smart.

James led them towards the fake grave with the flashlight lighting the way. The guys stayed in the other car while he and Valentina went to collect the money. He pried open the metal name plate from the tombstone. Revealing the duffels of money while Valentina held the light above him. "Always safe for a rainy day" he smiled in relief when all the money was still there. Grabbing both bags they headed for the car and James secured it in the boot of the car in front of them as he followed with Valentina. They were heading back to the club to deliver it to Camila.

"What's the money for?" Valentina asked once they were back on the road.

"We're gonna get it to Camila, and get out of this mess we're in right now" James said knowing she didn't really know what he was talking about, but he knew she was smart enough to figure it out on her own.

A bright light behind them caught his attention and he glanced in the mirror at the car that just turned onto the road flashing it's headlights on. "Ah, shit" he muttered.

That couldn't be good.

Before he could think of doing anything to ditch the tail they had picked up, another car came screeching out of nowhere blocking off the road in front of them. "Get down!" he yelled as the car spun in a circle with the abrupt stop. James quickly spotted men getting out of the car in front of them.

Shots were fired, shattering glass above their heads as they tried to duck for cover.

Men in masks - it could be anyone he thought with a sigh.

Thankfully James could hear his guys guns returning fire form the other car. He grabbed his gun from the console and started returning the fire as well. He was surprised to look over his shoulder and see that Valentina had taken the other gun in the glove department and shot one of the masked men running for his get away car.

He was impressed.

Valentina was a damn good shot too!

"They got one of the bags" Charger said on a sigh

James ran a hand down his face in frustration, "2.5 million gone! Great!"

"Who were they?" Valentina asked as she walked up to them, gun still in hand. She looked too comfortable with the gun to not be used to firing one.

James shrugged walking over to the guy she had shot. "He's dead" he sighed and looked at the tattoo on the fuckers arm not recognising it. "I don't know"

"Wait a second!" Valentina said quickly and crouched down in front of him looking at the tattoo on the guys hands. "That's the same one all of the guys at that party you sent me and Teresita to have... the bird guy or whatever his name was. Remember?" she looked at him

James didn't remember.

He hadn't gone inside, but if she was saying Birdman's guards all had that hand tattoo he believed her about it. It made sense and Valentina didn't have a reason to lie... not about this.

"Let's get out of here" James stood and sighed, holding his hand out for the gun as Valentina stood as well. She handed it to him and sighed following after them as they grabbed what was left of the money and got in the car that hadn't been shot to hell.

Once they got back to the warehouse James called in Camilla to update her on the situation. It was safe to say that Camila wasn't happy about it.

None of them were...

"Are you sure it was one of Birdman's men?" Camila demanded from Valentina

Valentina sighed, "I'm not saying I know who did this. All I'm saying is that I saw that same hand tattoo on all the security at the party" Valentina said, simply providing the limited knowledge she had of the situation.

James could appreciate that.

"This is an act or war" James said getting Camila's attention again. "You need to call Epifanio and tell him what happened"

"You realise I can't do that, right?" Camila snapped. "If he finds out I was trying to buy from the Colombians... we'll be at war with him too"

James sighed, "We're still 2.5 million short. So what do we do Camila?" He snapped

Camila only gave him an unimpressed look as she walked away. James sighed and slumped in the chair, peeling off his jacket and holding back a wince in pain. Glass had gotten through the jacket and into his shoulder - he was going to have to pull it out. Grabbing the tweezers from the table he groaned as he tried to reach the glass. Valentina sighed and pushed off the wall, moving to stand in front of him. James gave her a confused look as she snatched the tweezers from him.

"I'm bored" she shrugged a shoulder and started pulling the glass from his skin.

James had never really been able to read her that well, but he could see from the look in her eyes that boredom wasn't why she was helping. Although his own pride wouldn't let him acknowledge that fact. Because Valentina didn't need to know he was actually glad for the help.

He could have made due on his own if he'd had to - they both knew that much was true.

James was tiered at this point and all he wanted to do was go home and sleep. The feeling of Valentina's breath ticking his back or her hands soothing the skin she just aggravated wasn't helping. "Where's Teresa?" He asked needing the conversation to distract him.

Valentina hummed, "Sleeping"

James nodded unsure of what he had expected the answer to be. It was just that the only thing he really knew about Valentina; was that she cared for Teresa.

"Right" he nodded, "You should get some rest" he added quietly

"I don't sleep very much" Valentina told him, her voice quiet and casual enough to let him know she was used to that.

He still frowned though, it made him realise that he had never actually seen her sleeping. James was always the one Camila sent to come wake them up for a job. Even that time when the job was at 2am and he'd had to get them, she'd been awake.

Valentina had always been awake and he had never questioned it before now.

"Why?" He asked the reasonable question as he looked at her again. "What's got your mind so twisted up you can't sleep?" James didn't expect an answer but somehow we knew that it wasn't discomfort that stopped her sleeping - it was pain.

They stayed quiet for a while after that and he hadn't expected any different.

Valentina paused in front of him, her hand on his collarbone as she pulled out a piece of glass. James heard her suck in a sharp breath and he frowned. She wasn't looking at him as she spoke. "I know Camila looked into my past"

James wanted to ask how she knew that, but Valentina seemed to understand the Cartel life, so he figured she probably knew they did that with everyone.

"Which means you know that I erased my past from records" she met his eyes and James was taken aback by the utter pain reflecting back at him. "Pero I can't seem to erase it from my mind"

James wasn't sure what to say to that...

He understood?

Because he did, on a basic level, understand how viciously the past can haunt you even when you've done everything you can to run from it.

Instead, I'm a rare moment of kindness he squeezed her hip with a small understanding smile. Valentina gave him a nod - they didn't need words to know what the other was saying right now. And both were too proud, too stoic and too guarded, to voice the thoughts of understanding and even a little care for the other.

In this life things like that were seen as weaknesses ready to be exploited...

James stood and grabbed his jacket, moving to walk away, but he paused and slipped a small flute of whiskey out from his jacket pocket. "Get some sleep"

Valentina took the offered flute and gave him a sharp nod. James knew she didn't want him to know how badly she needed the alcohol right now - but it was written as clear as day in her eyes. She was too tiered and her calm composure was slipping.

In an odd way that unnerved him to see.

Despite the fact he knew it would be a clear way to understanding Valentina, exploiting that small falter in her shields, somehow it felt wrong. Valentina wasn't the type of woman to willingly show weakness or vulnerability and James didn't think it was right for that choice to be taken away because she hadn't slept in weeks.

James went to his car and chuckled a little as he peeled out of the parking lot.

Today had been one hell of a day, that's for sure!

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