A Cappuccino, hold the assassins

Demi beamed at Janie, her attempt at a warm smile softening immediately into a look of genuine affection. She might not be the best at portraying emotion when she was thinking about it, but when she let herself show the reality, it was abundantly clear. It was written all over her face how pleased she was to see Janie again.

She let herself be kissed on the cheek and returned the gesture.

When Gabby spoke up, Demi immediately noted that her stutter was out in full force. They were making her nervous. Oddly, she felt a bit guilty for that. Normally, she enjoyed making people a little uncomfortable with her presence.

"I'm Demi, and this is one of my dearest friends, Janie. The third woman you might have tried to call is Nisha, but I'm afraid she's not able to answer calls, where she is currently."

Demi reached out, taking one of the younger woman's hands off her smoothie so that she could squeeze it gently.

"Your mother was our boss, for a while, but she's also our friend. She sent you to us because she trusts us. Which means you can do the same, I promise. Think of us like family." She released Gabby's hand, not wanting to make her more upset, and took a sip of her latte instead. "What I mean to say is--no thanks are necessary. We're here because we want to be."

Gabby's brown eyes flickered between the two women as the blonde, now named Demi, introduced them. At the sound of Nisha's name, her eyes grew larger, and any doubt she had about who these women were faded away. Mama had mentioned a Nisha during her last phone call, it had to be the same one right?

She quickly looked down as Demi took her hand. The touch was simple, and yet she'd be lying if she didn't say it it made her comfortable. She squeezed her hand back a bit tighter as she felt that nervous tension start to leave her shoulders, before she released her hand.

If Gabby was a jealous woman, she might have resented the two women across from her. They knew a side to Maria Ortiz that Gabby didn't, and likely would not know. Her mother had been absent, even if she tried not to be, in her life. Busy saving the world and keeping it safe as she called it, but that didn't mean Gabby didn't miss her. After Papa died, she did get better, but to hear that these two women thought of her mother as family? And Gabby didn't even know them? It made her sad.

She found herself nodding slowly, offering a small smile to both women as felt the sting of tears begin to prick at her eyes, as a sense of relief swept over her. At least for now, she knew she would have help. She didn't have to be alone. "Mama mentioned Nisha," She said quickly, reaching for the tote bag she had with her. She opened it up and pulled out a manilla package that had been opened. Gabby's name and address were on it, and inside was a stack of folders rubber banded together as well as the usb drive. Gabby hadn't really known what any of it was. There had been a letter that said if Gabby was receiving this, then Maria was in trouble, and to call the Diosas. She was even told there was a good chance that men would come after her and with a list of instructions on what to do, and so far....Gabby had found nothing wrong on that list. Men had come after her, and she'd followed it like the bible to ensure her safety until she could be in this moment. 

She looked between Demi and Janie as she held the package out for them to take. "Mama and I talk once a week, sometimes twice. She's in the US the majority of the time because of work, so I haven't seen her in m-months." She started. Her stutter having calmed down a fraction now that she had relaxed a bit and there was something to focus on. 

"The last time we s-spoke she talked about work, and she doesn't normally do it, but she was v-very e-exctied." Gabby went on to say. Maria never spoke to Gabby about work for obvious reasons. Her mother was in the CIA, and her work was highly confidential. "She said that she'd finally found a lead on a "him"?" She said, her brows furrowing closer. "And that there was something that could get a Nisha out." She said with a nod of her head. Looking hopeful at the two in hopes of what she said would mean something to the two of them. "She didn't say much after that, but that was the last time I spoke to her. She didn't call the week following or the week after that." She went on to say.

She started to chew on her bottom lip nervously, and flinched at the sting that erupted through it. Reminding her that she had a split lip. She took a quick drink of her smooth and then took another deep breath. "On the third week, I received that, and a few days later I was approached by a s-strange man at work that w-wanted to know what my Mama had told me. H-he," She closed her eyes trying to focus on the words so the stutter wouldn't worsen. "R-roughed me up." She told them. "I w-was s-scared, M-m-mama said if I was in any t-trouble to call Las Diosas." She said looking between the two of them again. That hopeful look returning. "I-I'm afraid they'll c-come for me." She murmured, as her dark eyes looked to the front door of the shop. Afraid she'd summon them if she talked about them too much. 

Demi smiled slowly at the girls' confusion. She had a plan, although she had a feeling that Gabby wouldn't be particularly fond of it. Still, it was a step for all of them in the right direction. Then she'd have to call in a few favors to get them a safe house nearby, but not too close. Maybe the next town over?

First things first. She glanced around once more, then leaned forward onto the table with her latte in both hands and its lid against her lips, trying to make the movement casual.

"I want the two of you to go into the bathroom and trade clothes," she instructed quietly, barely moving her lips. "Then we'll have Janie stop by your apartment and pack you a bag." She took a sip of her latte and smiled, turning her attention to Janie. "That'll let you get eyes on any surveillance lurking, too. Give us a better idea what we're dealing with."

She sat up, leaning lazily back in her chair. "Of course I'd do it myself, dolly, but have you seen me?' she asked at a normal volume, laughing. "I stick out like a sore thumb in this kind of place."