Chapter 79.5 Information from the strangest places

A/N: This was a one-shot request, but I’d planned for this in the story also. So, thank you to Roscommon for the prompt! It made writing this chapter much easier.

Ram’s POV—Monday Afternoon

Another day, another schedule. I wonder if Hector has a program to do this automatically. Again, staffing is tight. Hal planned to hire an entire class of RangeMan recruits today, but Junior and I will do it later this week.

This op has to end soon. As soon as we get our men back, they leave again. I understand Hal’s frustration now. We have the crown. We have to keep the crown and not having our leadership here is killing us. Continue reading →

Chapter 79: Orders and Reprieves

Steph’s POV

Diego’s jaw is tight. He keeps swallowing hard and he hasn’t taken his eyes off the road.

“Diego?” I speak softly. I recognize this face. This is the ‘I fucked up beyond all comprehension’ face. “Diego?” He looks over at me and I smile. “This is not your fault. This is not Maria’s fault. This is my crap luck coming back to bite us all.”

He gives me a tight smile and we pull into the garage. Maria’s there, in tears.

“Stephanie!” she rushes forward and hugs me tight. “Oh, Stephanie! I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry.” She’s sobbing and hugging me so tightly I can’t breathe. I pat her back awkwardly. Continue reading →

I Live in His Shadow

A/N: Because Les has gotten so little love from me, his one-shot will have two parts!
All conversations among the family are in Spanish.

“Being his real brother I could feel I live in his shadows . . . “

Les’s POV—Age 6

“It’s easy, Ric. I’ll sneak in and put the forks in the fridge. Then I’ll grab the flan from the countertop and come back here. You go grab Kool-Aid for both of us and get the forks from the fridge and come back.”

Ric is looking at me in confusion. “And this will work because?”

“Because Papa comes home every day at 5 :00. Mamí and Abuela will be more interested in talking to him than paying attention to us . The flan will be ours. All they’ll remember is that we both got something from the fridge.”

“Dinner’s at 6 :00,” Ric points out. “We could just wait until then.” Continue reading →

Chapter 78: Close Calls

A/N: Trying something new here. We’re moving backwards in time. 😀

Danilo’s POV—2 am

I hate downtown duty, and downtown duty watching the local ICE office is the worst. It’s boring and demeaning and I shouldn’t have to do this shit. I’m a Don, not a soldier. I should be home, coordinating shit since Piman is in ATL. Instead, I’ve been sitting in the same fucking spot, in this car, for the past three hours thinking of ways to kill Piman. If I didn’t love him and trust his judgment like I do, I’d kill the bastard.

He got me to agree to this because he said he felt, in his soul, that I needed to be at ICE tonight. When Piman feels things, in his soul, I shut up and obey.

All Reyes in Miami are on alert tonight. He called an hour ago. Hector’s viciousness has reached a new level, but Piman’s getting word that el Tigre’s woman may have been kidnapped. Everyone is to stay alert and ready for action.

Still, this is boring. Next time, I wanna pull duty on the Cub. Continue reading →

Chapter 77.5 Unpleasant Duties, Part II

A/N: Tank’s POVs take place during the first week of Steph’s Miami trip.

Tank’s POV

This is probably the hardest apology I’m going to issue but I’m determined. I just wish I could get the nasty taste out of my mouth.

“Sir. Welcome to Boston.”

Mark has his blank face on but I detect confusion. Good. I nod and toss my bags in the back seat. I climb in and we travel to RM Boston in silence. We arrive and I note the silence on the floor. Everyone is confused. Good. I travel up to Les’s apartment, stash my bags, then head downstairs. I get off the elevator at 5 and walk to Mark’s office.

“Bring the results of Steph’s report with you.” Continue reading →

Chapter 77.3: We Woo, Part II

A/N: Mike is the man Danny has recommended as an XO candidate. Since there’s no real way for you to meet him during the Boston trip, this is your chance to get to know him.

Mike’s POV—Monday

The CO’s just left the gym and every man is quiet.

She holds our lives in her hands.

She holds Mark’s life in her hands.

She holds Pat’s and Rod’s lives in her hands.

And she knows nothing good about this branch. That’s a huge problem. Continue reading →

Chapter 77: Off With a Warning

Mark’s POV

Stephanie’s just given us the final report and I’m leafing through it. Danny was right; this is comprehensive. She took a look at my building, spoke to my men, and discussed our offerings and their viability with the Core Team. This report indicates we’re doing a good job, business wise, but we could be doing much better. That alone is humbling. This has always been considered the best run branch in the company. Now we’re being told that we’re just OK.

Leadership? Resounding failure. Continue reading →

Chapter 76.7 Unpleasant Duties, Part I

A/N: Bobby POV take place during Steph’s Boston trip.

Bobby’s POV

I’m not known as a cold, vindictive person. That’s good. It means I’m constantly underestimated. I have my moments. I feel rage and anger like the next person, but my default is peace and happy. I’ve seen enough blood, guts, and gore in the world. I don’t need to live in that. I usually rid myself of those feelings quickly and return to my normal state of calm amusement.

Unfortunately, I’m also capable of holding a grudge. A long, detailed, unforgiving one. A harsh one if you piss me off.

I’m pissed off. I have a former subordinate still walking the face of this earth without proper punishment. Continue reading →

I Resist the Pressure

A/N: All errors are mine. One shot prompt from Yllyn and Carol. Hope I did it justice. A special thanks to taniadanoff for providing the French translations used in this one-shot.

I want to wake up every day and do whatever comes in my mind and not feel pressure or obligations to do anything else in my life.—Michael Jordan

Bobby’s POV—Age 17

“And, of course, once Robert finishes Morehouse, he’ll continue to Wharton to obtain an MBA. We expect him to take over Wall Street before he’s thirty.”

I’m slumped in the chair. Fuck that. Are you kidding me? So I can work the same ridiculous hours you and Dad do? I’d actually like to attend my son’s birthday parties. His basketball games. Have some fucking time for him.

I’m stuck in the house with Jacqueline and Geneviève while Mom has her monthly Links committee meeting. My sisters are reading quietly, poking each other on occasion. Each time it’s about to spiral out of control, I clear my throat and glare. They stop poking each other and resume reading. The meeting is over and these biddies still haven’t left. I wish they’d go. I need to talk to the folks and they’re holding up progress. Continue reading →

Chapter 76.5: I’m not the same person

Armando’s POV—Wednesday

Tank and I are reviewing the third option the Atlanta guys have chosen for a Charlotte headquarters. The first two were busts. Tank didn’t like the locations or the setup inside. This building is more promising, but the longer we walk it, the more flaws I point out. Tank merely nods in agreement. The listing agent is looking at me as if he’d like to choke me now.

“Mr. Cortes, for the needs of your company, this is the perfect setup. Centrally located, priced to sell with excellent potential. This place is perfect.”

My back stiffens. I’ve had enough condescension to last a lifetime. I turn my coldest look on the real estate agent, who goes pale.

“Mr. Law, are you in security?” Head shake. “Have you ever worked with a security company before?” Another no. “Then please explain to me how you know what is perfect for the needs of our company?” Continue reading →