A/N: here's chapter 28. Enjoy, people.
"So, what do we do with him?" David asked.
Iris arched a brow. "There's a we in this?"
"Not now, Iris." Damien sighed with an exhausted shake of his head.
She threw her arms up in mock surrender. "Fine, fine!"
"I've also informed DeLano about this," Lisa announced, sliding her phone back into her pocket. "He said he'll be here in fifteen minutes."
Iris flinched. "You informed Dad about this? Why? He- he doesn't need to know!"
"Yes, he does. You were incredibly reckless, Iris, and as one of your guardians, he deserves the right to know."
"I'm with Iris on this one." David scowled, crossing his arms. "There is no need to inform that arrogant man."
"Watch your tongue," Iris said sharply. "That's my father you're talking about."
"Would you two stop this?" Elijah cut in and everyone around him nodded. "Iris, I think we should clear up the matter on this boy here first."
"Oh, don't mind me." Alex grinned and lazily waved. His right eye was almost swollen shut and his face was mottled with dark bruises and the nasty gash on his forehead had been wiped and bandages, but he still managed to adopt a cheerful manner. "I'm really enjoying the show."
Iris scowled and pressed one of his wounds.
He yelped and pushed her away, but still maintained a smile. "Aw, don't be like that, Rainbow. Y'know, I can really see the similarities between you and that grumpy man over there. You have the same eyes—"
"Don't go there. You shouldn't antagonise the person who could easily kill you right now."
"Fair point," he admitted and glanced around the room, his steely gaze analysing and assessing the six siblings and their parents. "Hey, where's Mia- or rather, Mi Cha- and Eun-Woo?"
She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You really think I'm gonna put them in the same room as you? I've seen you take down someone armed with only a paperclip and a sock."
"Ah, yes. That was fun."
"Enough chatting," Will spoke up, twirling with the ends of his glasses- a habit he often did when he was either nervous or bored. "Iris, why don't you ask him the questions?"
"Right." Iris mentally slapped herself for almost getting sucked back into the easy banter. She took a deep breath. "Who are you working for?"
"None of your business."
"How did you survive that night?"
"Skill, prayer, and a hell load of luck."
"Why won't you let me find out who killed my mother?"
"Because I'm being paid to not let you find out that information."
"I thought you could make him talk." Julian scoffed from where he was leaning against the medicinal cabinet, mindlessly throwing and catching a pill bottle. "So far, he seems to be doing a good job at avoiding them."
"I know what I'm doing," Iris said without taking her eyes off Alex. "He lied on the last question, by the way."
Alex's right eye twitched and he laughed, scratching the thick white bandage. "W-what?"
Iris ducked down and grabbed his chin, forcing herself to stare into his dark brown gaze. "What is your name?"
"Eh?"
"Your name."
"A-Alex."
"Age?"
"Sixteen."
Iris hummed and her warm breath fanned over his face. She grinned and he was momentarily stunned. "C'mon, Al. You can tell us why you're being like this. There has to be a reason."
"Maybe he just betrayed you." Damien offered with a nonchalant shrug. "It's not unlikely."
Alex's hands curled into fists, nails digging bloody crescents into his palms, and the movement did not go unnoticed by Iris. As if driven by instinct, she brushed her fingers over his knuckles and he flinched, pressing his palm against the table.
"Look," Iris whispered, eyes filled with a tangible, fragile hope. "I know we didn't end on the best terms, but I still believe you have another reason. You were- are- my best friend. Remember that? We can go back to the old times. Please, please just tell me why."
Alex opened his mouth then closed it. His jaw set and he looked away, right knee bouncing up and down. Can I tell her? Can I do that? Can I- can we go back to how it was before?
The door burst open and everyone grabbed whatever weapon they could reach. Harry walked in, shoulders shaking with barely controlled rage as he zeroed in on Iris.
"You," he growled. "Are you trying to kill me?"
"Look like someone's in trouble," Alex sang quietly with an impish grin.
Iris nudged his head and stepped in front of him with a wide smile. "Hey, Dad!"
David cleared his throat pointedly, but everyone ignored him.
"Iris!" Harry strode across the room and shook her. "You idiot! After I warned you about- about getting killed and then after the whole fighting scene you- you go and do this? Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?"
Iris looked down and gripped the edge of her sleeves. "I'm sorry."
Harry sighed and pulled her into a tight hug, squeezing his eyes shut. "I'm just glad you're okay." He paused and looked at Alex. "Wait, didn't you die?"
"Yeah, well, it didn't stick."
Harry frowned and pushed Iris aside. He grabbed the front of Alex's shirt and pulled him up. "Did you hurt Iris?"
"What?"
"The bruises on her cheek and the scratches on her arms. Was that you?"
"He tried to shoot her." Elijah volunteered.
Crunch.
Everyone looked at Oscar who was chewing a mouthful of popcorn. He swallowed and shrugged. "Drama makes me hungry."
Iris pinched the bridge of her nose. "Dad, stop. I tried to shoot him too. We just- I think we all need to talk."
"Oh, so now you want to talk?" A new voice called and Jax stepped forwards with a hurt glare.
"What're you doing here?"
"Harry brought me. You want to talk now, Iris? What about earlier? I thought you had nothing to say?"
"It's different now. Alex knows who killed my mother."
"Okay, fine. But you've been dodging me all week and refusing to talk or even listen to what I have to say."
"You were hanging out with him! Have you forgotten what he's done?"
"Oh so it's different when you do it?"
"Didn't you hear me? He knows who killed my mother."
"So you didn't mean it earlier?" Alex asked, his voice strange and choked with pain. "You didn't mean it when you said you wanted to go back to how it was earlier?"
"N-no, I—" Iris took a deep breath and pressed her temples as the throbbing sharpened into almost blinding pain. The room was too small, everything was too loud and colours blurred together into dizzying swirls. "I- I don't—"
A reassuring hand dropped on her shoulder and she looked up to see David. He nodded, and pushed Iris behind him. "Boys, get out. You have no reason to be here and there are too many people in the room."
Brandon and Damien started to protest, but were silenced by David's harsh glare. They glanced back at Iris, brows furrowed with worry, but eventually all six of the West-Browns traipsed out of the room. Iris had no doubt that they would be pressed against the walls and doors trying to hear what was going on, but the thought didn't annoy her as much as it should have.
"Now." Lisa clapped her hands and sat down on a chair and levelled Alex with a steady look. "Let's all talk like civilised people."
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I hope you guys liked it!
Stay safe and thanks for reading :)