Violet Ashes: The Blood Ridge Alpha - Chapter 76: Chapter 76

It's been some time since I've come to the docks. It's been renovated. New street lamps and a new deck. The boats lining the dock we're on look a lot more expensive than I remember. This dock in particular, I know, belongs to the fishermen.
I glance back, seeing that the guys I met the other night are here with us. Sam smiles at me as she taps a pack of cigarettes on the palm of her hand.
"You've been paying the fishermen," I say quietly.
"Yeah," he confirms. "It's only right to pay those who are loyal."
Who am I to argue with that logic?
As we approach the bait shops at the end of the docks, whoever he's meeting comes into view. I press my lips together when I see that none other than Stanley Cruz, the son of one of the most notorious mules in the Crucito Cartel, is waiting for my dear mate and looks pissed.
"Arsenio," he growls as we approach.
I knew this was going to be fun, but I wasn't expecting this level of fun. I can't help the satisfied sound that comes out of me as I pull on Beverly's strength to guide me. He feels it because he glances back at me with a smirk.
"What are you doing here, Cruz?" he asks. I move to sit at one of the benches to watch.
"Quien es esa?" Cruz demands.
"She is none of your concern. Look in her direction again and I'll gauge your fucking eyes out," Arsenial growls lowly. "You're on my territory. Answer my fucking question."
"Bring him," Cruz demands in his thick Spanish accent.
I reach for my knives and stand up as Matty is dragged out from one of the Tahoes along with another boy. Arsenial holds his hand out to stop me.
"What the fuck is this?" he demands. "Do you know who the fuck that is?"
"Yes," he says as if it were no big deal. "Este chamaco es es el hermano del Alfa de la Cuidad de Majia. What do you think Vincent Wolfe will do to you if they find him dead on your territory?"
"You're not that fucking dumb. Give me the two kids and we'll pretend this never happened. I'll take him home myself."
"What makes you think you can demand of me?" Cruz scoffs.
"What do you want?" Arsenial asks, and the answer to me is more than clear. He wants to fucking die. My brother is not about to be used as a bargaining chip.
"There are twelve of them," I say out loud. "This one is not to be mutilated. I want to send him back to Emilio all pretty."
"Baby-"
"It's not up for negotiation. Do this or I will. You have ten seconds to decide," I step forward, meeting this asshole's gaze. He smiles as he comes closer to me.
"You don't look like one of his many cheap whores," he points at Arsenial. "Your hair is soft. It looks properly taken care of. You smell nice and your shoes alone cost more than all their outfits put together. You got a new master, Arsenio?" he laughs mockingly. "A new bitch-"
He doesn't finish that. My knife cuts through his bottom jaw and into his mouth. He shoves me, stumbling back.
"Jefe!" someone shouts.
"Fuck," Sam shouts from behind me.
"Get the boys!"
I follow Cruz in step with his stumbling until he hits a barrel. When he reaches back to catch himself, I rip the knife out of him and use the one in my left sleeve to go for his throat. Shots start to fly. I look back to see that Sam is pushing my brother and his friend towards the bikes.
"Get down," Arsenial shouts and tackles me.
I reach for my gun as he tries to cover me. I fire, hitting two guys right in the face. I push him off me and stand to help one of his guys. Everything is over in a matter of seconds. I move to the cars to make sure there aren't more of them.
"That just happened," one of the guys says as I go back to Cruz.
I remove my mask as I crouch down next to him. He's gasping for air, and the realization of why he's lying here, drowning in his own blood, makes him choke as he reaches out for me. I slap his hand away and pull out my phone. Roman answers immediately.
"You're out past your curfew," he laughs.
"Rome, I need a clean-up crew on Dock sixteen. Eleven bodies. I also need you to bring me my toolbox. The one on the bottom shelf in the garage pantry."
"I'm on my way."
"Vy?" my brother calls out to me.
"You were supposed to be with Pepper tonight. What the fuck are you doing out here?" I growl. He steps back, lowering his head.
"I was. These guys came out of nowhere, and I made her leave with a couple of my friends. I thought we could get rid of them," his lower lip trembles.
"Call her," I demand. He nods, pulling out his phone. "Speaker."
"Oh, my moon, Matty. Where the hell are you?" we both breathe out in relief at the sound of her voice.
"Did you get home?" he asks her gently.
"Yeah. Are you okay? Sandy said you and Harper were taken."
"I'm okay. I'll be home in a bit," he promises.
"That's the truth, right?" it sounds like she's crying. "I was about to tell Vince."
"No, don't tell him. I'll be home soon. I swear."
"Okay," she sniffles. "Hurry."
"What happened?" I ask him a little less agitated.
"We were at a bonfire, and these guys showed up and started trashing shit, so everyone started leaving. I told Pepper to go with some of the guys we're training with so we could get rid of them. I confronted the big one. Asshole had shades on, and he pulled a gun on us. They made me and Sully get in their truck," he looks back at the other boy.
"Are you okay?" I step closer to him. When I reach for him, his eyes go wide. I lower my hand.
"Did you kill him? Does Vince know? How did you find us?" he rushes out in a single breath.
"He's not dead yet. Vince doesn't know, and this is a coincidence. One that needs to stay between us."
"But-" Arsenial steps closer. Matt's eyes look between the two of us.
"Vince will kill you," he shakes his head. "What the fuck are you doing with him?"
"Alpha Barnes is a member of the alliance. He signed on because I asked him to. The man who attacked you tonight was using these docks to bring cocaine into he city, and because this is his territory, I asked Alpha Barnes for his assistance.
"I didn't clear it with Vince because I know how much he hates him. I didn't mean for you to get caught in the middle. And if you want to tell Vince, we can tell him together. You were breaking curfew and drinking with your friends. You put yourself and Pepper's life in danger. And I was out killing gangsters with the local psychopath. I'll take the backlash."
It's a low fucking blow, even for me. How far am I going to take this before it explodes in my face? I am blackmailing my seventeen-year-old brother into lying so that I don't have to face my reality.
"I'm standing right here," Alpha Barnes sneers at me. His guys laugh.
"I'm sorry," he says, lowering his head. "I won't say anything. I don't want you guys to fight again."
"I'm sorry too, Buddy." I hug him. I feel so guilty about this, but I can't have Vince getting in Arsen's face. My dad will get involved, and until I can get that mark off Vince, we can't kill him. I reach up to touch his busted lip. "You got mouthy?"
"Yeah," he whispers. "They hit my friend in the stomach."
"Stay back here. Wait for Roman. We're going to check the trucks. Don't touch anything." I wave him back.
"Okay," he nods and walks back toward his friend.
"Sam, stay with the kid," Arsenial orders.
I go back to Cruz who is still somehow alive. I crouch down next to him.
"You put your hands on my brother, asshole. I'm sending you back to your boss in pieces," I pull at his collar to see a mating mark. "I hope your kid is as strong as my brother. I am going to give him the same treatment you just gave Matty and his friends. I hope this teaches your people not to fuck with my family again."