you should see me in a crown

gabriela lozano. 35. bookkeeper for the cortazar cartel. she/her. dependent muse for worldburnrp

[gabrielalozano]

— BASICS

Name: Iris Gabriela Lozano Age / D.O.B.: 35 / October 27, 1988 Gender, Pronouns & Sexuality: Cis woman, She/her, & Pansexual Hometown: New York City, New York Affiliation: The Cortázar Cartel Job position: Bookkeeper Education: Bachelors in Accounting from the University of Southern California, CPA certification for the state of New York Relationship status: Single Children: None Positive traits: Clever, Diplomatic, Loyal, Determined, Charismatic Negative traits: Cocky, Resentful, Possessive, Jealous, Obsessive

— BIOGRAPHY TW: Kidnapping, hostage situation, parental death

Iris Gabriela Lozano was the light of her father’s life, even if she didn’t take his last name. He insisted, for her protection, because he had enemies in high places and he would do anything in his power to protect his child, his precious flower. Her parents were never married, never even really together other than their shared love for Gabriela. It made it easier to hide her out of harm’s way, to become less of a target to those who might try and retaliate against her father.

Gabriela grew up tangentially to the gang life. She was aware of what her father did, even if he never discussed it when he took her out to dinner or spent the day with her. She was fourteen when she learned how deeply her father’s involvement with The Brotherhood ran. Someone figured out the connection between Gabriela and her father and picked her up out of her school. She spent 39 hours huddled in the basement of an abandoned house while a man tried to ransom her off to her father. When the ordeal was finally over, Gabriela and her mother were sent to Arizona, to stay far away from the city and away from the life he was involved in. After that point, Gabriela had very little contact with him, and she begins to go by Gabriela instead of Iris.

She only learns years later that three years after she leaves the city, he finally takes his revenge against the person behind her kidnapping, a fellow gang member who felt threatened by his rise within the ranks of the Brotherhood. The result is his expulsion from the gang, and the creation of the Cortázar Cartel.

Gabriela has no knowledge of any of this, and she spends her teenage years living a very normal and boring life. She goes to public high school and gets accepted into a great university. She rushes a sorority and has her heart broken by her first serious boyfriend after college. She graduates and accepts a job at one of the Big Four accounting firms, auditing and reviewing the financial records of some of the biggest companies in the world. It should be perfect. It’s boring.

Gabriela lasts in that life for almost 8 years, going to work every day and coming home to her cat in the evening. She fits in disturbingly well but feels like she’s living a shadow of a life. The charade breaks in 2019 when she hears of her father for the first time in almost twenty years. Gabriela returns to New York to attend his funeral. She listens to the story of his life, how he was pushed out of the Brotherhood for doing what any man would do when his family is threatened, and how he decided to form his own gang instead. She learns about the Cartel, and instantly finds the connection that she’s been craving for so long. A family and a home that feels real.

Gabriela returns to her hometown and joins the Cartel, starting from the bottom ranks and working her way up. She keeps her heritage quiet, and she wants no favors or handouts, looking to understand her father’s organization how it is meant to be. Gabriela has held various positions within the Cartel, but her training made her the logical fit to handle the gang’s books. She manages the Cartel’s finances from its various revenue sources, both legitimate and illegal, and does what she can to keep the organization afloat. She is watching and biding her time to see how the Cartel grows, determined to ensure that her father’s legacy remains intact.

— WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS CARTEL ASSOCIATES - Anyone who is Cartel or Cartel-affiliated. Gabriela can be pretty stingy with the pocketbook and while she enjoys the extravagance associated with the Cartel, she also doesn’t believe in frivolous spending. That’s probably annoying to the people who just want to party without a budget. Friends, rivals, acquaintances, and everything in between. The only important thing to note is that none of these people would know who her father is unless she reveals it directly to them (which I will communicate ooc).

FROM ANOTHER LIFE - People that Gabriela knew when she was in the “normal” phase of her life as she likes to call it. People she might have known in college or through working at a major accounting firm with big businesses and clients. As far as they know, she stopped updating her LinkedIn and moved on from the white-collar world. But New York is a big city and a major travel hub, so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility to run into someone who knew her in her professional days. SIDE GIGS - She helps out people in the community with their taxes, not only just those affiliated with the Cartel. She primarily does this work for the Latin communities or anyone low-income who may need assistance. She’ll try and save them every cent they have and she doesn’t give a shit about fudging the records a little to get a good deal.

HOOKUPS / FRIENDS - The most meaningful relationship Gabriela has is with her cat, Nico. This isn’t for lack of trying, but it’s hard when she’s part of a gang and also hiding who she really is from said gang. However, it doesn’t stop her from going out and enjoying life however she can. She currently enjoys the anonymity that she has, and would rather people get to know her as herself before making assumptions based on who her father is. She is always one of the first to agree to an adventure (so long as it’s within budget) and isn’t shy about expressing her interest.

THE PAST - People who knew Gabriela when she was known as Iris, before she moved away at fourteen. Again, these people wouldn’t know who she actually is until she reveals it to them. These could include childhood friends she lost touch with, older Brotherhood members who have been around since before the split, someone related to or associated with the Brotherhood member that kidnapped her as a child, etc.

[raffa-ledesma]

It had been one of the major selling points for him. The Cartel had made him promises and kept them about leaving his family out of the business. Raffa didn't believe that the Brotherhood would have done the same. He could feel the small vibration of her leg under the table. And he understood the impulse. She spoke and he nodded. Still stung. Because the description wasn't wrong. He picked at his food as he let Gab work through the insanity of it on her own. And what it probably meant.

Lies. Secrets. Hypocrisy. Punishing a Father for protecting his children and enacting the Justice that the system wouldn't have given him. But those details were apparently no longer important to the Brotherhood. Anything that didn't fit their narrative. Raffa shrugged at her question. It was one he'd been asking himself too "I don't know. I didn't know he spent anytime with any of them. I woulda warned him." He didn't add that he should have known. Because he knew that he should have. But it was done now. He nodded at the condolences. "Thanks Gab." He shrugged, "Yeah he did. And if that's who he wants to be then they can have him." Harsh words that he hoped he would believe more over time. He nodded, "I do too. And they are getting cockier." He paused thinking for a moment about things that could be done to knock them down a few pegs. When she mentioned the weather he finally smirked just a little, "Summer in the City... People get a little crazy with all the heat." He took a drink of his soda, "At least people will be looking for jobs. Since I've gotta do some hiring."

[gabrielalozano]

She wonders if the new members of the Brotherhood even know about their organization's dirty history. Hell, she's sure there's plenty she may not know about the innermost workings of the Cartel but in her mind, she has always maintained that the difference is that they didn't go around touting that they were going to change the world. That was a goal of theirs, but what the fuck did that even mean? Change the world for who? It was such a vague concept that anyone could co-opt it.

Gabriela shakes her head, lamenting the loss of someone who could have helped, but there's no use crying over spilled milk. "Cocky's one word for it," she grimaced. Cocky isn't what killed Andrea. That was intent, and it made her clench her teeth. Just another example of the other gang saying one thing and doing another. "Oh, you know it. Wouldn't surprise me if we start hearing about some mess as the temperature gets higher." Maybe something they could take advantage of if necessary. "I'll put some feelers out for people, let me know if you want to run anyone by me."

Talking business was easier than talking about anything else, and Gabriela jumped in her seat as someone at another table dropped a glass, sending shards scattering across the floor and her fingers wrapped around her work with a white-knuckled grip. "Fuck... sorry. That scared the crap out of me."

[felixsecada]

Fine leaves a lot to be desired, so he watches her carefully. June's hard for them both - more so her, than him. But he wants to make sure she's alright. Make sure she's not going to spiral. "Glad no one's botherin' ya. But you know you can tell me whatever." He hopes she knows.

There are.. plenty of things to worry about these days. Being the leader has brought its fair share of new things, too. "Always, Gab." A slight laugh. "But I'm not here to dump my shit all over ya."

[gabrielalozano]

He knows and she's grateful he does without having to explain it to him. Every loud noise, every unexpected movement leaves her more unnerved than the last, but she also doesn't know how to talk about it without feeling like some kind of fraud. She didn't really grow up in the city, not like the rest of them. She'd gotten a second chance, a new life and opportunities that most of them would never get. What right does she have to break down when her life has been better than most?

"It's not dumping if I ask," she points out, but she doesn't press. Part of it is to protect her, a story she is more than familiar with. She trusts Felix unconditionally, the last bit of family she has these days. "It's what family does." Cartel family and blood family. "You're not doing this just for you, and you're not doing it alone. Me, Ez, Raf, everyone. We're behind you 100%."

[gabrielalozano]

location: outside the berkeley campaign office who: @lararivkin

She hasn't been able to get a full night's sleep in more than a week, either tossing and turning and unable to settle, or waking up in a cold sweat mere hours after she'd fallen asleep in the first place. Tonight is the former, too restless to stay cooped up in her apartment so she decides to go for a walk. She says it's fine as long as she stays on Cartel turf, but when she starts walking, she just keeps going, lost in her thoughts and letting her feet make the decisions. She gets on the A train and keeps going until she ends up miles from her apartment. She doesn't notice the slumped over body at first, but it's the copper scent of blood that makes Gabriela's spine go ramrod straight. At first she thinks it's in her head, a residual trauma response, but then she hears the woman groaning and she snaps into action. "Dios mio, hang on," she chokes out as she pulls her phone out of her pocket, but she sees the lit up screen in the woman's hand, still on the line with 911. For half a second, she considers calling Ezra or Felix instead, but one glance at the woman's face and Gabriela already knows that she needs a hospital. She should go, before the sirens in the distance reach them, but she doesn't move an inch. "Help's on the way. Just stay awake and look at me, okay? Don't try to talk. I'm Gabriela, I'm going to stay with you. You're not alone."

[gabrielalozano]

🍓 Have they ever fallen for someone straight?

Sadly..... I feel like Gabriela was the "straight" friend that someone fell for. Gabriela has never had a same-sex relationship, not that it's anything she's opposed to, she's just never had anything more than a few random hookups (yes, fine, some of them were in college but it still counts!) She's had a few passing crushes on some women, but nothing to the point of "falling" for them.

[raffa-ledesma]

Raffa had been more aware of turf lines in the last few weeks. Not that he ever really forgot which places he could and shouldn't be in. That was just a fact of life and had been for a long time. It had been good to hear from Gab. Not unexpected the ripples were still moving through the Cartel. But after his conversation with Felix Raffa had put his head back down and gone back to work. But he wasn't over it. Didn't change the shit he still needed to get done. He ate in comfortable silence. At least the silence was comfortable for him. And the flautas were really good. He looked up at Gab at the question swallowing his mouthful of food. He took a drink of the soda before the second question came. He shook his head, "Nah. There's always something going on but no." He wiped his hands with a cheap napkin, crumpling between his hands. "They-" He didn't think he needed to elaborate on who they were. Didn't want to waste air saying The Brotherhood, also the name was a bad joke. "-You remember the kid, Ricardo from TopWash?- Anyway, he's with them now." He paused knowing that she would probably remember that the guy had basically lived at TopWash, "And the lies I know they probably told burn me." Part of it. Also the fact that he hadn't been able to tell the truth. Because loyalty to the Cartel and keeping their secrets went above everything else. He shrugged, "Sucks. But that's the way it is." Until it isn't. One day. He gave Gab a small hopefully reassuring look, thought it probably was just a little less of a scowl, "What's been keepin you so busy?"

[gabrielalozano]

Gabriela continued to slowly pick through her food, most of her attention shifted to her companion now. She didn't know much about Raffa's relationship with his siblings, other than he was entirely devoted to them, and that was the important part anyways. But when he started talking about the Brotherhood, Gabriela's leg began to bounce slightly under the table, even as she tried to force it still. "Ricardo... sure. Tall, constantly following you and Ez around like a puppy." She frowned when she imagined his face alongside their rivals. Even if he hadn't known about their ties to the Cartel, she found it hard to believe that someone who had been so integrated at TopWash turned on a dime so quickly.

But the Brotherhood dealt in lies and secrets, the very reason why her father had pulled away in the first place, and all anyone ever remembered now was his so-called betrayal, and not the act that spurred it in the first place. "How'd they even get their claws into him in the first place without us noticing?" Not that it really mattered, but she could tell that it was eating Raffa up inside. "I'm sorry, Raf. I know y'all were close. Sucks that he didn't even come talk to you about it. You were just trying to keep himsafe and he basically threw it in your face." She tried not to let the anger and agitation bubble over into this unrelated event. "I just hate them." She scowls into her drink. "Same old on my end. Just kinda hate this month. Weather gets all gross and humid."

[bulletpro0f]

Ezra knows it's okay, and still, he feels guilty. He knows Nick is okay with it too -- his calls are rare during nights like these, only begging Gabriela after a bad nightmare. And Ezra always answers, always makes sure to have a minute. Nick is smart -- he understands he is important, just not quite in what way. And due to that, he's sure that he wants the boy out of crime. Wants him to do something nice, and calm. Maybe something hard to become, like a doctor, or whatnot, if he wants and likes.

Ezra downs the water -- it's been an exhausting night, awfully busy. Awfully long, and he hated it. Ever since Andrea, things have been rough. More complicated. Underboss still feels new. Strange. A lot. Then Caleb's re-appearance, and more. He needs a good night of sleep.

"I wish I could shut my phone off for one night.", Ezra hums softly, "Thank you. I promise you that nice dinner. We'll set a date. Friday's fine? Or Monday?"

[gabrielalozano]

The nights when Nick has nightmares are the worst, and it's often like staring into a mirror when the little boy shakes awake. Even if he doesn't know the details of what his father does for work, kids always have a gut feeling. At least, she knows now that the sick curl in her stomach she used to get was exactly that.

It's hard to raise a kid in this world, especially with shit as awful as it is now. It feels like every time Gabriela turns around, there's something worse going on in the world that they have to contend with. More gentrification squeezing people out of the neighborhoods they'd lived in for years. It brought new meaning to the phrase of "live fast, die young".

"Tell Felix you need a night off," she says with a shrug. She's pretty sure her uncle would agree to it, but also has a feeling that Ezra would never ask. "If it'd make you feel better, you can tell him it's for me. Friday's good, and I don't mind if Nick tags along. So you don't need to get a sitter."

[gabrielalozano]

💑 What are my muse’s requirements for a potential partner?

"Dude, I don't even know honestly? Hasn't really been at the top of my list if I'm being real. But beyond the typical, don't be an asshole to me, have general hygiene habits, and be an adult and all that? They have to be cool with cats because Nico was here first. And we can't be one of those clingy couples who do everything together. I need my space and at least some part of my life to remain completely mine."

[felixsecada]

closed: @gabrielalozano where: gab's apartment

He'd already made himself at home, pouring himself some water - nothing heavy, always needing a clear head. Felix sits into one of the chairs and heaves a sigh after taking a sip. "Ain't had much time to catch up lately, eh?"

He gestures for her to sit, too. "How's life? You need money? Anyone causin' ya trouble?"

[gabrielalozano]

Her apartment is a mostly private place, with only a few truly having a run of the place. Her tio is one of them, and despite their relatively new relationship and huge gap of years in between, there's no one in the city that she trusts more. And he's one of the only ones who understands what the month of June brings for her.

She sits and Nico immediately hops onto her lap with purrs. He's been her permanent shadow over the last week, picking up on the old anxieties that trauma left behind. "Fine," she says faintly. "No one bothers little ol' me," she says, and that's how they both prefer it. "What about you? Things to worry about?"

[gabrielalozano]

location: local mexican restaurant within the cartel neighborhood who: @raffa-ledesma

Gabriela purposely chooses a place firmly nestled within Cartel lines, just for her own peace of mind, and also because she absolutely believes this place has the best flautas in the city. It's been a minute since she'd seen Raffa, hasn't had the opportunity to go by Top Wash in a few weeks, and she's heard some rumblings of another shakeup with the Brotherhood, but not any details. Just mention of the other gang is enough to make her grit her teeth but she takes out her emotions on the plate of food in front of her. Gabriela feels better once half of it is gone. "¿Qué pasa?" she asks finally, deciding to be the one to take the plunge because knowing Raffa, they could sit there in silence for an hour. "Is it your brother again?"

[josiahmaxwell]

He was familiar with her tantrums by now. It was why he focused his attention on the pack of smokes in his palm, eyes averting from Gabriela. There was nothing she could say that would surprise him.

Yeah, yeah, yeah — he nodded his head along her words.

Her question was also left hanging — unanswered, the click of his lighter heared when he lit his cigarette. "You're welcome, by the way." a bitter sound. "Next time you wanna act reckless, make sure it's not on my shift."

Luis took a drag; long and deep. His eyes meeting hers for a brief momemt. He cared for her — it was why he tried to look out for her; an impossible task, when she was so difficult to look after.

[gabrielalozano]

He refuses her peace offering wordlessly and she simply tucks the lighter back into her purse. "Thanks or whatever," she replies, trying not to snap back. She knows that she's given Luis a headache but she stands by the fact that she never asked him to step in. If she felt like picking a fight with the biggest knucklehead in the room, that was up to her. "Tell me when you're off and I'll make sure to swing by."

There's an itch under her skin because she hates when people look at her in the way Luis is looking at her now. Like she's some stray kitten that needs to be rescued. Or maybe that's just projection on her part. It's not like she can blame him either, especially since she had been asking for it.

"Sorry," she says after a beat, begrudging and quiet but sincere. It's been a rough week, and that usually led to Gabriela making reckless and stupid decisions. She reaches into her bag again and pulls out a handful of chips, amounting to a few hundred dollars, and holds it out for Luis to take. "I already cashed everything else out and it's not like I can go back in there now."

[gabrielalozano]

38: Is this year the best year of your life?

"Sure we can call it that. Don't know how half the year got away from me while I was blinking, but no time like the present, right? Things have been moving in the right direction for the first time in a while."

[bulletpro0f]

"Yeah." Ezra quickly takes off his shoes and his jacket, just to let himself breathe for a moment. "Someone cut their pay short. I took Raffa to solve it. Next time, I'll leave the kid with Veri. Just so that you get a break." There it is, the deep breath he needed, pressure and stress falling off his shoulders, once he knows that Nick is okay.

"He's like a cat, sometimes.", Ezra smiles, "Thank you for taking care of him. I'll take you out for dinner, or anything you like." It's been a lot all at once recently -- with Nick's mother getting into a big car accident, him stepping up the ladder, Felix becoming boss, and having to take care of the kid a 100% of the time, and not just fifty. It's not going to be much longer until Isla gets back up on her feet, though. And then things will get easier. Or at least he hopes so.

"Do you have some water?", the man asks, "Just a glass." Ezra follows her inside, to where Nick is silently snoring on the couch, and he sits down slowly, to not immediately wake him up -- which of course, doesn't work. "Dad?", is muffled into the pillows, "Is that you?" "Mhm.", Ezra replies, smiling softly at the kid -- it's wild, the comparison between this Ezra, and the Ezra that solves problems. This Ezra is just a normal Dad. "We'll be gone in a second.", he says in Gabriela's direction, "One minute."

[gabrielalozano]

"It's honestly okay." Gabriela was Nick, a million lifetimes ago. She remembers being handed off to various adults, tios and tias who always treated her kindly and smuggled her treats when they shouldn't have. Looking back now, she can recognize those people for who they were, likely members of the Brotherhood who watched her when her father couldn't, or people who at least knew of that connection. Maybe that's why she doesn't mind looking after Nick so much, knowing that this is what being part of the community is, helping each other when needed. "But you know I'll never say no to dinner. Pupusas next week?" she offers up.

Crossing over to her kitchen, Gabriela pulls out a glass and fills it with water from the refrigerator, handing it over to the man before he heads over to wake his son. She lingers in the kitchen, watching from over the bartop to give Ezra and Nick some space. These moments always felt a little sacred to her, and she didn't want to intrude the time Nick had with his father.

"Take your time, Ezra. I'm in no rush." Nico chirps as he hops up onto the counter for some headrubs, having been woken from his vigil by Nick's head when Ezra stepped toward the couch. "Hi buddy," she greets him softly. He purrs as she takes him into her arms and cradles him close. "I'll go grab Nick's stuff from the other room."

[kimxsuho]

"Oh!" Suho replied, smiling as the cat meowed. It was enough for him to know this person was truly the rightful owner of the ball of fur. "Did you run away?" He asked the cat, before handing it back to the stranger. "He likes adventure. There's a pet friendly coffee shop nearby, would you be interested in a coffee?" He offered.

It was hard for him to be sociable, but he tried. "Not at all, he kept me warm. I guess we all got caught by surprise. But really, no need for apologies." He reassure the stranger, just in case.

[gabrielalozano]

The fact that Nico was even allowing himself to be held by a total stranger told Gabriela that, at least at first glance, this man wasn't an immediate threat. She trusts his judgment more than any other man's. She takes the cat back into her arms and chuckles in fond exasperation as he starts to purr and nuzzle into her neck. "Ah ah, sucking up to me now isn't going to help you, buster."

She's surprised when the man invites her to get a coffee, and the weather is still miserable enough that she could absolutely go for something warm and caffeinated. "Sure, that sounds nice and I don't have anywhere to be. I'll pay, since you were the one to catch the menace and made sure I didn't have to go searching through alleys in this mess."

[josiahmaxwell]

Loud noises, so early into his shift, meant nothing good. There was a legend, that everybody believed in — if your shift started out with a fight, it was probably going to end with one too. He was mentally preparing for whatever chaos awaited him, when the noise wasn't just loud anymore, but also quite familiar. Turning around, he was met with the scene — an angry woman almost gouging some guy's eyes out.

For fuck's sake, Gabriela.

And off his shoulder she went next, with absolutely no disregard for his own eyes (he knew she was capable of way more than that.)

He remained quiet, until they were no longer within earshot of his co-workers. "Yup, I did. It's probably because you robbed them." Luis spoke, as he carefully placed her on the ground again. "What the hell are you doing here, Gabby? What do you want me to do? My hands are tied, down here, you know that."

His fingers fished for the pack of cigarettes in his pocket, concern evident upon his features, as he traced his eyes over her frame, "Are you okay?"

[gabrielalozano]

She wants to bare her teeth at Luis like an enraged cat but she knows that Luis is just doing his job, and he probably saved her from a lot more trouble. But Gabriela says none of that and instead pouts like a petulant child. "I didn't ask you to step in," she said with a huff, crossing her arms over her chest. "I was doing just fine without." She wasn't, and likely would've been yanked away had Luis not intervened but she won't admit that either.

Gabriela rolls her neck and shoulders, searching for any injuries but finds nothing to complain about. "I'm fine. They didn't touch me." Which is probably for the best. She's learned how to throw a punch since joining the Cartel but she's certainly not a brawler. She fishes through her own purse for her vape pen and produces a lighter alongside it. "Need a light?"

[kimxsuho]

Location: Nearby Gabriela's place Time: Daytime Who: @gabrielalozano

The sudden rain had taken everyone by surprise; especially with how freezing it been. Suho had been lucky enough to find a small space by a story to find shelter and he had every intention of staying there until the rain had cleared. Then he'd find a quiet coffee shop and warm himself up before going back home.

The florist almost jumped out of his skin when something rubbed against his leg. His head snapped down and he saw a cat. Poor thing was quite wet and seemed a bit cold. Suho leaned down and carefully picked it up. "You got caught too right. I'll keep you warn if that's alright with you?" He spoke to the cat like he was expecting a response as he scratched the furry thing behind the ear with his three-fingered hand. A couple minutes later, he spotted someone approaching where he stood. There was enough space for two people, but it would be a tight fit and he wasn't sure how comfortable he'd be in such close proximity with someone he didn't know. "Are you trying to get out of the rain too?" He greeted softly.

[gabrielalozano]

Getting a cat was supposed to be good for her mental health or something like that, but Nico is the most talented escape artist she's ever met, and she thinks this is doing the opposite of what it was supposed to do. Cats being outside was something bad for both the cat and the environment, not that Nico seemed to give a rat's ass. He was nowhere to be found when she returned to her apartment, damp and disgruntled from getting caught in the storm.

Fortunately, he never seemed to wander far, and she spotted his sleek form in the arms of a stranger. He seemed content as is, and Gabriela shook her head as she approached, half-ducking under the awning and covering her eyes with her hand. "Hey, actually, I was looking for that little asshole," she says, pointing over to Nico. The cat meowed cheerfully as though it wasn't downpouring. "Sorry about that. Hope he didn't bother you too much."

[bulletpro0f]

@gabrielalozano -- Gabriela's apartment, late

When his driver, Marco, drops him off close to Gabriela's apartment, it's one hour later than he expected, and two hours later than he told her it would be. Not that he's a liar, no -- he simply didn't get the chance to look at a clock until back in the car again, and then he made sure to send a quick text, letting her know that he's alive, and coming now.

Three quick rings on her doorbell and one I'm here text, and he's relieved when she opens the door. Not that he hadn't expected this, and all the other work that came with being a second in command, an underboss. Not that he hadn't technically prepared for it all his life. It was just that when it came to Nick, the feeling of stress was ten times worse.

"Gracias.", he breathes out, "Thank you so much, Gabriela. I owe you." Again, and again -- it's almost a pattern by now, or at least has been for a few weeks. "Is he okay? Are you?"

[gabrielalozano]

She doesn't mind when Ezra asks her to watch Nick on occasion, usually finding time to spend with the younger boy and answer all his questions. Or just sit him in front of the TV while she deals with numbers all day. It might not seem like it, but that was still a core part of the Cartel. Taking care of their own. What they do might be dangerous, and there's always the concern that something permanent could happen, but she didn't see that as a reason to just steadfastly ignore what goes on around them.

It's starting to get late though, later than she had expected. She rummages up some mac and cheese to feed to Nick, lets him talk her ear off about his bird and pretty soon he's curled up on the couch like a cat waiting for his father, with Nico watching over him with sage yellow eyes.

The buzzing of her doorbell interrupts her last-minute calculations, and she casts a quick eye to make sure Nick is okay before peering through the peephole in the door. It's the man she's expecting, so she opens the door and smiles at him. "Seriously, don't worry about it, Ez," she tells him, stepping back to let him into the apartment. "He's way more fun to hang out with than accountants. He's been fed, sleeping now, but I'm sure he'll wake up as soon as he realizes you're here."

She pauses before looking at Ezra a little more closely. "Everything okay?" Gabriela never asks for the details of what others do within the Cartel, knowing it's for everyone's safety, but when there's a kid involved, she likes to make sure.