The Gang Lords Florist

CH.18 Feds

Chapter 18 Feds

Gaby P.O.V.

I was so happy with life right now. I was walking around on cloud nine. My girlfriends decided to move into the mansion with Miles and Jacob. It was so nice to see them everyday at mealtime and lounging around the house. Trina and Nina still left to work at the flower shop, but John decided to stay and live in my old flat. It was still wonderful feeling the house turn into a home with all the people I love under one roof. One big happy family that I can see growing bigger, maybe with a few little one running around. I was still vigilant though. We haven’t heard from Santos in months. I was going out on my own more with Jacob hovering over me. Every now and then I would feel like someone was watching me. I mentioned it to Jacob just in case, but nothing ever seemed out of place.

Jacob and I were walking around the waterfront just admiring the various boats docked and out on the water. We decide to take the shopping ally down to the parking garage to get back home. I suddenly had that feeling again that someone was watching us. I pause and ask Jacob to go into the spices store with me. I pretend to look at spices and as I walk behind a shelf towards to side of the shop that give me a view to the entrance, I see a suspicious looking man. I decide that I do not buy anything and ask Jacob if he wanted a Starbucks. I would look through every mirrored object that I passed to see if that man was still following, and sure enough he was tailing us. I notice that Jacob is giving me a quizzical look and I just shrug. When we finally made it to the nearest Starbucks, we grab some coffee’s and sit.

“So what is up with you? You seem like your hiding something?” Jacob asks.

“It took you long enough to notice.” I say casually as I take a sip of my coffee. “We are being followed so remain cool.” I say smiling and sipping my coffee.

“What does he look like?” He asks.

“Hispanic scruffy fellow. He is wearing a Seattle logo grey sweatshirt and mirrored aviators. He is grabbing a coffee right now.” I say then begin to laugh and shake my head. As the strange man walks past us, I continue to converse with Jacob. “I don’t know if I want a spring or summer wedding. I know that I don’t want a winter wedding, I would hate to make any of my guest cold. I always wanted an outdoor ceremony in the sun.” I pretend to glance up and picture my wedding only to glance at all the people in the coffee shop.

“I see, well I know Drake will do whatever you want, he is that in love with you. Maybe you should talk to him about it. You know I am not the right person to talk to about this.” He glances at his phone as he places it on top of the table. “Its still early, do you want to leave now and go back home or somewhere else? Cause if you are not ready to go back home I would have to call Drake.” He asks, I knew he was trying to find a nonchalant way of letting Drake know of our situation.

“I’m not ready to go home just yet. Lets go see the water again and then we can go.” I say. Jacob then dials Drakes number and holds his phone to his ear. I motion for him to get up with me and leave.

“Hey Drake… So Gaby and I are still out and making another stop. But I wish there were not any pigeons around to s**t all over the place. It’s like they need more bread to clog their system.” Jacob winks at me. I knew that what he said must be code for something.  

“Ok we will head over there, and I will show her. Thanks boss.” Jacob finally says and hangs up the phone.    

“Show me what?” I ask curious as to what the plan is.

“Drake has this special place that he like to people watch from a distance. I am sure you would like it just as much as we do.” He smirks at me and I know to be ready. I just nod and follow him.

We head to the waterfront towards this beaten looking dock. It had a warehouse looking structure on top. We walk in and I see some cars parked inside. It looked like this was a parking structure for tourists. I look around taking in my surroundings. I glance towards the side of the building and see the suspicious man. I stop to look at a car pretending to admire it. I look at the side mirror and see more suspicious men approach. I stand and look at Jacob and see a couple more men approach from the other end of the building. We were surrounded, but we had time. I reach for Jacobs arm and squeeze it. We both know what is going to happen. We go back to back and count how many strange men we see before we both duck in between the cars. I hear footstep quickly approach us. Both Jacob and I grab our guns and prepare for the battle we are about to face.

“We just have to hold them off until back up comes. Shoot to kill, we will cover it up.” Jacob says to me I nod back just before all hell broke loose. Jacob covered the north end and I covered the south end. I shot down two men while Jacob shot two more. We were still crouch down between the cars until I hear sirens and the cops. s**t! Last thing we needed were the feds in our business.

“Freeze, drop your weapon and put your hands up!” I hear from the entrance.

“s**t!” I whisper loudly.

“Gaby don’t worry we got this ok, put your gun away and let me do all the talking.” I just nod and do as I am told. He stands up with hands in the air.

“Marshall… I am so glade to see you.” He greets cheerfully. He then motions for me to stand up. I do and see that there where cops everywhere. I was so confused at the situation begore me.

“Jacob, I am glade I came in time to save this beauty.” He approached and gave Jacob a hand shake and nod.

“Drake appreciates your help in this matter. Are we safe to go now.” Jacob says

“Yes of course I will handle everything. It was nice to meet you Mrs. Cartellini.” He bows and motions for us to leave.

“Thank you” I say still confused. Jacob and I make our way back to our SUV to go home. During our ride I had to ask.

“What was all that Jacob?”

“Drake ‘supports’ some of the law enforcement and Marshall happens to be a FBI agent tasked to handle Santos. Lucky for us he was also following some of Santos men around town. He is one of our many informants and he helps cover some of our more brutal business engagements. If you know what I mean?” He says. I all clicks in my head now.

“O…ok, good to know now. But how does he know me. Plus, he called me Mrs. Cartellini, I am not married to Drake yet?”

“You are engaged to Drake, practically his wife, everyone that works for us already knows you’re his woman and to protect and support you no matter what.”

“Wow…um… ok. Good to know now.”

We continued the drive in comfortable silence until we reached the house. There waiting for us at the front door was Drake.

Drake P.O.V.

I was in my study going through paperwork when I heard my cell ring. I look to see Jacob’s name on the caller ID. I go to answer and immediately knew that something was up.

“Hey Drake… So Gaby and I are still out and making another stop. But I wish there were not any pigeons around to s**t all over the place. It’s like they need more bread to clog their system.” He said very nonchalant. I knew exactly what was happening now. Someone was following them.

“Ok take Gaby to the Warehouse and I will call for back up. I am bringing in Marshall for cover up.” That was all I said before I hung up to make the call to Marshall.

“Drake?” Marshall answered on the other line.

“Marshall…go to my warehouse at the waterfront. Jacob and my lady are being under attack.”

“On it.” Was all he said before hanging up. I just had to wait now and hope that my Gaby made it out unharmed.

An hour later and I get a text from Marshall that everything was all clear and Jacob and Gaby were on their way back home. I sighed heavily in relief. I clean up my desk and made my way to greet them out front. I saw their SUV pull in and my heart starts to flutter. Gaby comes out second before the car is parked and runs into my arms. I held her tightly to me thanking God that she was ok.

“So what happened?” I asked still holding her in my embrace. I didn’t care who told me the details at this point.

“Let us go inside and sit, I am drained and need a breather.” Gaby said while taking my hand and escorting me to the formal living room with Jacob right behind us. The three of us sit and I see Gaby take a deep breath and relax herself in the cushion.

“I felt someone follow us and played it cool until I can confirm my suspicion. I didn’t make Jacob aware of the fact until we got to Starbucks. That is when I pointed the man out to Jacob and we both decided to call you.” She said before Jacob chimed in.

“We made it to the warehouse and I was ‘showing her the cars’, and that’s when we both noticed more suspicious men slowly surrounding us. I am so glade that Gaby played it cool the whole time and was prepared because the minute we went on the defensive that’s when they all rushed in and began to shoot.” Jacob said rubbing his forehead with his hand.

“I think we both took down four of the men, but I did count eight men…What about you Jacob?” Gaby said

“I counted the same, and yea we took down four. Luckily, Marshall arrived just in time to gather the four other men and clear us.” Jacob finished saying.

“I am so glade you weren’t hurt Gaby. This was a close one.” I say to her and she looks at me and smiles.

“We were prepared this time, lets hope they are as stupid and incompetent the next time too.” She smiles and then rests her head against the back of the couch. “By the way, when did you involve yourself with law enforcement?” She asked clearly curious.

“Marshall is the highest-ranking law official in my arsenal, he happens to be working on a case against Santos and I am happily obliging him. But he is certainly not cheap. I am just glade he is on my side. So, don’t worry. If you are ever in trouble, there are plenty of law enforcement officials that will take good care of you for me.” I said winking at her. She just chuckles and says, “Good to know, now I am heading upstairs for a shower and to decompress. This day was insane.” With that she gets up and leaves.

“You two make quite the team.” I say to Jacob.

“Yea she clearly has a knack for this s**t. She happened to have spotted him first. I only noticed the change in her behavior. I need to be more vigilant next time. Sorry Drake.” He was clearly beating himself up for not noticing sooner which could have easily prevented this.

“I don’t blame you for anything Jacob, you did well, and she is back home unharmed. That’s all I can ask for. Plus, she does have experience with this s**t and I am so dam proud of her. She can truly handle herself, but you are still in charge of her protection. I will always feel better is she is not alone to defend herself.” I sternly say to him.  

“No problem man, I am happy to protect her, she is basically my little sister.” He smirks. “She s great, and I am always amazed by her skills, she almost put some of our men to shame.” He giggles and shakes his head.

“Then we might have to unleash RED on them during training. She will definitely whip them into shape.” I smirk.