Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

That was fast. I thought I would have more time to myself before Perry would tell them about me. Eloise Lockwood and I have never met in person, and for that, we should both be grateful. There wasn't a single thing that I could do to stop what happened when she surfaced. It was supposed to be a temporary solution, but she took full advantage of it. It doesn't feel good when what I do happens to someone I care about, particularly my idiot brother.
"Confirm. Thank you, Ed. Make sure that meeting doesn't make it to Mr. Thorne's ears,"
"Yes, Alpha," he bows and excuses himself.
I guess my next stop is talking to my father. I couldn't do it this morning, but it looks like I can't put it off after all. I gather my things and head over to the elevator. When the doors ping, Riley walks out without even glancing up.
"Slow down," I say before she slams into me.
"Violetta," she gasps.
"Riley," I greet her politely. Immediately, I sense eyes on us. The quiet chatter is entirely silent.
"Did you get your car back?" she tries to straighten up better, even squares her chin. Her tiny nose flares.
"I have another one. You should make use of it," I hold up my keys.
"I don't like being anyone's charity case," she says, looking away. I drop my hand and look her over. "You can say it."
"Say what?"
"That I look like one. Just like the other girl said," she whispers that last part.
I hold my arm out to stop the doors from shutting, grab her arm, and pull her into the elevator with me. I release her and hit the lobby button.
"I told you this wasn't going to be easy. Nothing worth anything is easy, Riley. This isn't charity. I'm trying to help you. My boss is upset that his girlfriend was mugged and that she's too prideful to accept a solution."
"Everyone is going to see it as one anyway," humans and their pathetic excuses.
"Why do you think they're saying those things to you? They're fucking jealous. They wouldn't hesitate to be in your position. It wasn't easy getting here for me either and I just work here," I take her hand and place the keys in it before closing her fingers. "Everyone is always going to have something to say. Those other girls here, his mother, and the rest of his family. Let it get to you, and all of this is over. For whatever reason, you're here. Poof, up in smoke,"
"You threatened me at the coffee shop," she says when I let go.
"You took it as a threat. It was a good guess. I was in a mood. I meant it as a warning. Make up your mind. Who do you want to be at his side? Just stop stressing him out so he doesn't stress me. I have my own shit going on. I don't need yours, too," the doors ping when we get to the lobby. "And wash my car. Go to the carwash on Moody and one-eleventh. Ask for Benny and don't touch my toys,"
She nods and scrambles for her messenger bag to take her phone out.
"Benny," she repeats back to me as she taps out what I said.
"Are you setting a reminder?" I shake my head.
"I'm going up there alone, okay? Back off," she shoots back. I laugh, and her "fierce" glare turns guilty. "Too far? I'm sorry,"
"Don't fucking apologize, Riley. Once it's out of your mouth, the only way it becomes a lie is if you're discredited. Stand your ground. There's a shopping bag in my trunk. Inside, there's a purse and a wallet. Use it. I see that ugly thing on your shoulder again, and I will burn it off your body."
"Stop! " The elevator gives its final warning and starts to shut. I smile, knowing she won't be able to protest. "This isn't over!"
"He is going to fuck you up, Sweetness," I shake my head and make my way to my car.
I sit here for a while thinking of what my next move will be. I need to call Her Majesty and ask her what exactly she said to Eloise. This could be about the company and the rest of the shares under our name. I would be okay with that. She is, after all, the one who owns the majority. I'll fucking punch her in the mouth if she asks us to give them up. Over my dead fucking body.
Deciding I can't chicken out again, I call my brother and head to the pack house. Blood Ridge is right smack in the middle of Old Town. It used to be respectable—the most historical part of the city and the wealthiest. Many founding families have abandoned their mansions and fled the city. After my father went feral, not a lot more could be done. It became a warzone after he started targeting packs that wronged my mother before she got herself killed.
"Yo," Vince's tired voice answers.
"Still asleep?"
"I've been up a while. I've got a shit ton of deltas out of commission with the recent rogue attacks. Our best doctor is out of town, and she sent in replacements from the Royal Practice. It's not enough," he sighs.
"Okay, I'm on my way. Is Dad there?"
"If you're coming for a fight-"
"He requested my audience, and we have to talk. Alpha Lockwood wants a meeting."
"Fuck. What the fuck does she want?" he growls.
"I was hoping you could fill me in on it. You're the one running Wolfe Tech Tower."
"Shit. How far out are you? I'll call for him."
"Six minutes,"
"Got it," he hangs up.
I come to a stop at the red light and look around before reaching for my phone to find Perry's number. Before I can tap the dashboard Alpha Barnes' name comes up on the screen. My mouth fills with saliva as my wolf reminds me of how good he smells. I smile and answer.
"Two rings, were you expecting my call?" he teases.
"I'm driving," I roll my eyes. "Is everything okay?"
"I can't just call?"
"You can, but with the day I'm having, it's only natural to be skeptical. I apologize,"
"Don't," he clears his throat. "Because you're right. I wanted to give you a heads-up. The alphas of the city are calling a meeting tonight."
"Are you fucking kidding? No one and I mean no one ever wants to meet face to face but now that I'm home everyone wants an audience, This is bullshit,"
"Welcome back to Magique City, Princess," he chuckles. "You can't stay under the radar here. That's the price of power,"
"Can you send me the location? I'm headed to the pack house anyway,"
"Bring your brother. I'd like to see how the two of you handle the situation myself. I expect my allies to show me what it is I've gotten myself into," he says. "I'm very enthusiastic to see you in action, Violetta."
The way he says my name makes me shiver.
"I bet you are," I grin. "I'll let you know what's decided. And thank you, Alpha Barnes. You didn't have to do this for me."
"As I said, I'd like to see you two in action," he repeats. "I'll see you tonight. Wear something black for me,"
Before I tell him to fuck off he hangs up. My chest is tight with excitement, and my face feels very hot. I crank up the AC and take a couple of calming breaths. No one talks to me like that. I've never allowed it. What can I really say to him? No, doesn't seem like an option I care to use just yet. He's going to hate it when I do, and I'm probably going to love his reaction.