Chapter 15: The Plan

*Gray*

As I was entering my apartment, I saw Josh with some clothes in their hands headed to the guest room. Quickly they came to a sudden halt when they saw me, they smiled "Hey boss, Angel is ready for you." I nodded taking off my jacket as I stepped further in, "I'll be there soon," I then went up the spiral stairs and into my room where I laid my jacket down across my bed. Then I quickly changed into one of my tank tops so that It would be easier to bathe Angel without having to worry about getting my shirt wet if it were long-sleeved. Soon I made it back down the spiral stairs and headed straight for the guest room.

"Is everything ready?" I watched Angel who had looked at Mira with her swollen eyes. Mira who had been talking to Angel who could hardly speak herself looked up at me and gave me one of the gentle smiles she was giving Angel previously. "Yeah, everything is ready, her bath water, washcloth, towel, and clothes to change into are all over here." Mira gestured to each one where they were placed as she stood from her seat before leaving. I thanked both Josh and Mira then closed the door.

Then I walked over to the side of the bed where Angel lay, her eyes landing on me. "You don't mind do you.." I asked cautiously pulling the blanket that covered her back. I had never thought that my first time undressing her would be to give her a bath by hand, undressing her and seeing all sorts of fresh bruises that have yet to heal fast enough for me. It pained me to see someone so dear to me in this situation, I was so ready to gut anyone out for her just to keep her safe. Angel shook her head barely, indicating that she was fine with me touching her and removing her clothes for her.

I inhaled deeply as if to keep myself calm before first pulling off the short skirt she wore, she was still in her work attire so she hardly looked any different from when she was carried through the front door of my penthouse. Then very carefully, I pulled her work shirt up to her chest first by the hem so I wouldn't have to lift her as much if I were to just slide it off. Then I finally pulled it off over her head, she barely had to move thankfully so I doubted I caused her too much pain in all this. Now she was just in a black thong and bra set, still looking as beautiful as ever even with all the bruises that are trying to diminish her beauty. I felt the urge to kiss all over her curves and stomach, her curvy body was so sexy I had the urge to do it on day one of meeting her.

But I kept my composure and did what I was here to do. I removed her bra first then pulled her thong down her legs and put them away along with the rest of her work attire. I then finally bathed her by hand with the provided washcloth and warm water. Once I was finished, I went into the dresser of the guest room and grabbed a pair of my boxers and put them on her instead of the panties that Josh provided, wanting her to feel as comfortable as possible. Now she lay in bed wearing one of my large shirts and a pair of gym shorts.

"There, you're all set princess," I looked at Angel wearing a small smile on my lips. She looked up at me, a small smile of her own on her lips. I leaned over her and gave her a gentle kiss on her forehead. For the next few weeks, this would be our daily routine until she could do it for herself again.

I retreated out of the guest room, leaving Angel to get the rest she very much needs right now. These next few weeks are sure to be long-lasting, and I had shit I needed to get done while I didn't have to worry too much about Angel being in the way since she would be here in the penthouse resting. I now stood in the kitchen, a small glass of tequila in my hand as I stood on one side of the island table in the middle of my kitchen. Mira, Josh, Smiley, And Quartez stood on the opposite side. Mira our short peurtorican with a feisty temper stood on one of the bar stools while the other three stood.

Quartez, Miras significant other whos 6 ft with a few tattoos. They aren't of the Hispanic race like most of my men and members of my mafia, they hail from Africa and have that thick accent that Mira just so happened to fall head over heels for. Their hair was styled in long thick dreads, pulled back into a ponytail. "So, what's the plan boss?" He asked, bringing his own glass of tequila up to his lips and taking a sip from it. The other three also looked at me with intent, eager to figure out my plans.

"We have to find Cayla and take her out for good. Even if it means destroying one of the mafias. The problem though is...I doubt Angel would be ok with me bringing down an entire family when it's only one person causing us trouble, especially since Caylas' father was so kind to her." I leaned down on the counter and looked each of them in the eyes for a split second. "What makes you think she won't be ok with it? I mean, most if not all of the women you've dated didn't give a damn about what you did to who." Josh spoke out, their phone in hand as they looked up Angels' personal information.

"She isn't like the other women I have dated Josh. She wasn't born into a family power let alone a wealthy one, she's never been involved with someone like me whos involved with a mafia. She's different, you gotta think about that." Even though I said those words out loud, those were a few things that seemed a bit too hard to work around. And right now, the easiest way to deal with Cayla and get her out of hiding would be to take her family hostage or some shit like that.

But, I don't want to upset Angel by doing that. And I'm sure if I did do that and didn't keep her in the loops of things like I have been for this long she would probably get upset with me either way. So it didn't really sound like a good idea even though it was an easy one. "Quick question boss.." Mira began, tapping her hand on the surface of the island table to grab my attention. "So, is Angel going to be the one?" Her eyebrows raised in curiosity, and at first I didn't understand wht she was getting at until she made a gesture at the penthouse in full.

"Maybe, I've been considering it. Especially since staying here doesn't seem all that safe. But, if I did do that She'd lose all contact with her friends and family if she has any here so It's hard to make a decision." I downed the rest of the tequila that had been relaxing in my glass, then I pushed it to the side just a little with my fingers. "Anyway, I think I might have an idea boss," Josh chimes in with their own thought.

I looked at them, ready to listen with open ears. "Instead of actually endangering the entire family, why not just buy them into the idea of them being held hostage by us? They can just play along so we can get Cayla to come out." I brought one of my hands up, rubbing my chin as I got lost in thought about Josh's idea. Sure it was a good one, but the thought that Caylas' father might have been lying to me when he told me he knew nothing about where was still stands. I don't trust anyone from any of the other mafias, we all have our rivalries and we definitely aren't friends.

There isn't any room for friendship with other gangs and mafias in this business since we all compete for the same thing, money. It's the root of all evil like my mother used to say. It can tear a family apart from the inside out in just seconds without a care in the world since it's only a material object. "You are failing to think about everything right now Josh, Caylas' family could be protecting her right now, they could be providing her with the men and whatever else she might be asking for. She could have weapons in her arsenal."