Levi was sitting in his office, a glass of bourbon at his fingertips as he leaned back in his chair. He swirled the liquid around in his glass, thinking. His lip was still cut and his cheekbone bruised. He didnt feel any pain however, he learned to tolerate it.
A knock sounded throughout his office. Levi looked towards the door and placed the glass down. Isaac walked in, with Chrisopher Crudes trailing behind. Levi watched as the man looked around his grand office, eyes of approval. Levi looked towards Isaac, who gave him a silent nod. Isaac and Atlas had done a complete background check on the Crudes. They weren't gonna make the same mistake twice. Thankfully, the really didnt find anything to worry about, past the usual gang business. They also had Will and Scott give their input, trusting their word and they admitted they had heard no extensive worries from this man. They told Levi they remember him being quite loyal to his father years ago. He had great respect for him and his family.
"Mr. Crudes, it's a pleasure to see you again" Levi said, oozing confidence as he stood up straight and reached over his desk with an outstretched hand. Christopher looked towards Levi, scanning him head to toe. He really did look like his father, from the blue eyes to the suspenders and white shirt rolled up to his elbows. Christopher smiled at him.
"Please, I thought I told you to call me Christopher. The pleasure is mine." He said with a hearty chuckle, taking his hand in a firm shake. Levi loosened up and smiled back. He was so worried about having a repeat of Sebastian Knight, he didnt want to put his family in danger more than he already has. He wanted to avoid making any allies, but he knew he couldn't risk that either. He had to put his ego behind and carry out what he came her to do in the first place.
"Have a seat. Bourbon?" Levi offered, gesturing to one of the deep leather seats in front of his desk. Christopher took a seat and took up his offer. Levi made his way over to the little cart in the corner of his room and poured him a glass.
"I firstly wanted to acknowledge what happened with the Knights, I sincerely hope that Aurora is okay" Christopher said as Levi handed him the glass. Levi eyed him sceptically before taking his own seat again behind his desk.
"Thankfully she is. The safety of my family is the most important thing to me right now. I'm ashamed to admit it, but if it wasnt for that killer, I don't think she would be alive" Levi admitted sincerely. Christopher's eyes widened slightly. He had heard that it was him to save the King girl, but didn't believe it at first.
"The Punisher" Christopher confirmed. Levi furrowed his eyebrows at him, urging him to continue. "That is what people are calling him. After all, really what he is doing is punishing the people that deserves it" Levi nodded his head slowly in response, processing his words. He supposed it did suit him.
"Anyway" Levi began, sitting up in his seat "let's get started"
~*~
Aurora was sitting on the island, in between Axel and Atlas who were sitting on the stools. Axel had his back to the island while Atlas was turned, facing Aurora. Elijah was leaning against the counter beside Axel. All four siblings were staring at the siblings across from them.
The nephew and niece of Christooher Crudes were standing awkwardly against the wall in the kitchen opposite them. Truth be told, the Kings siblings were very intimidating. Their uncle had explained to them how important this meeting was. They had heard of the King family before, through their uncle and at different gala events, even before they made their existence known again only recently.
"We dont bite" Axel stated dumbly, finding this situation very weird. Atlas shot him a glare, though he didn't acknowledge it.
"Much" Elijah chimed in suggestively, smirking at the girl in front of him. She widened her eyes and looked up at her brother. His eyes flickered to Elijah. His brotherly instincts wanted to glare at him, but he didnt want to find out what would happen if he did.
Aurora hopped down off the counter and walked towards them, her yellow dress brushing against her legs. She stood in front of them with a frown, looking up at the two of them, seeing as she was quite short. The two siblings held their breath, until a huge grin embraced Auroras features.
"You look so scared! Don't be, all the weapons are kept downstairs anyway. Now, would ye like a cuppa tea, coffee?" She asked cheerfully turning on the balls of her feet back towards the counter. "You two, up" She snapped at Axel and Atlas. Axel got up begrudgingly rolling his eyes, while Atlas got and smiled at the girl who took his seat. Aurora went over to the opposite counter and stuck the kettle on while the two siblings sat bewildered.
"What's ye're names?" Elijah asked, sliding over to lean against the counter beside the girl. She looked at him.
"I'm Madison, that's Theo" She said, smiling and pointing at her brother.
"Cute, I'm-"
"We know" Theo cut Aurora from their introductions, obviously already knowing who all of them were.
"Creepy" Axel sang, leaning with his elbows on the counter, facing the siblings. Aurora smacked him, causing him to flinch and glare at her. She then turned to give Madison and Theo a sweet smile.
"So, is it true you were saved by the Punisher?" Theo asked with a mischievous grin. Madison's eyes widened and she quickly elbowed her brother, though he just brushed her off, too eager to know the real story. Everyone was talking about and he wanted to be the one to tell the real story, hearing it from Aurora King herself..
"Who's the Punisher" Atlas asked, speaking the minds of the rest of his confused siblings.
"The guy carrying out all these brutal killings" Theo explained. Quickly, it all clicked with the test if them.
"Oh, yeah, ya know, its whatever. Me and him, we're pretty tight" Aurora said coolly, popping the non existent collar on her dress. Theo grinned at the attitude, before shaking his head with a chuckle. Even madison smiled.
"Ya know, rumour has it he doesnt work alone. People think there a whole team behind these killings, being carried out by the one man. Have you ever noticed how the body is always removed? Pretty wild when ya think about it. You dont know who's in on it" Theo explained, shrugging at the end. This, the King siblings found interesting. Aurora nodded herself dead slowly and thoughtfully. Then she shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"Of course I already know that, that man was in love with me" Aurora exasperated before turning about and starting to make the tea. Theo looked at Atlas.
"Is she always like this?" He asked dubiously. Atlas shook his head in despair.
"This is her on an easy day" He said quietly back. Theos eyes widened and he shook his head. She certainly seemed like a handful, and not at all what he expected. None of them were what he expected to be honest.
Chatter made it's way into the room as Levi and Mr. Crudes entered the kitchen with serious expressions. Everyone turned to look at them, waiting to hear the outcome of the meeting but nothing was said.
"Well, we better take off. It was good seeing you again Levi, we'll talk soon" Mr. Crudes said, shaking Levi's hand then motioning to his niece and nephew to follow him. Isaac had made an appearance in the meantime, along with Alaric.
"I'll show you out" Isaac offered politely, earning a smile from Mr. Crudes. The room remained silent once they left as Levi leaned against the counter. Aurora continued making the tea before placing a cup beside him just as Isaac returned.
"Well?" He asked. Levi looked up with a grin.
"We got allies, baby!" He cheered, causing everyone to release their breaths they had been holding, along with cheers of their own.
"So it went well then?" Isaac asked, just to be sure.
"Obviously, idiot" Axel remarked, earning a shove from Atlas. Levi shook his head with a smile.
"Yeah it did, Christopher is a very honorable man, it seems. He was very honest about the ins and outs of his gang and what his intentions are. Something Sebastian Knight certainly wasn't. He and Sebastian also don't get along. They were allies but Sebastian stole from him so there has been a rivalry ever since. He said he would be more than satisfied about getting revenge. Of course I warned him we do revenge a little differently, but he partly guessed, seeing as who our father was" Levi explained to them all. The all listened attentively to their eldest brother, even Alaric, much to his surprise. "He also gave me a name for this killer, the-"
"Punisher, we know. Theo and Madison told us. Super hot, right? I could totally imagine moaning that in bed" Aurora said thoughtfully, taking a sip from her tea. Elijah looked at her proudly, nodding his head. Levi looked across at him, knowing where she got it from and glared at the smug bastard. Elijah merely shrugged innocently.
"Right, well we still have a lot to discuss so let's not get too ahead of ourselves. But hopefully everything is now going in the right direction"
~*~
Alaric was headed in the right direction of that pub. It was late that night and Alaric decided he needed a break. Or a drink. To Alaric, they meant the same thing. Funny enough, he decided to head towards Dunes.
He entered the rundown pub and pulled his hood up once again, just to be safe. Stopped for a minute, looking around the room. Everyone here looked so rough. He scoffed before making his way towards the bar, where he took a seat in one of the stools. Just as he sat down, a Captain Morgans, neat, was placed in front of him. Alaric looked at it, the followed the hand up to see Bruise glaring at him. Alaric rolled his eyes and grabbed the glass, taking a swig.
"Alaric King? You could have fucking warned us" Bruise said bitterly, though quietly.
"If I told ye, ya wouldn't have done it" Alaric said tiredly.
"And we would have had a good reason" Bruise argued.
"I came here to relax"
"Then you came to the wrong place" Bruise was obviously still very bitter about all this. Did he think it was very safe to behave this way with a King? Absolutely not, but his ego was too big at this stage. Alaric was bored of his behaviour. Maybe he should have told him, for his sake, but for his own and his familys sake, of course he wasnt gonna tell him. That was stupid.
Bruise carried on cleaning his glasses when he realised he wasn't gonna get a reaction out of Alaric, who casually enjoyed his drink. After a while, he glanced back up at him.
"I heard ya'll have formed some sort of an alliance with the Crudes" Bruise stated. Alaric suddenly became alert and more conscious of the people in the room.
"Where'd ya hear that?" He asked.
"Peopel talk in here. You'd be surprised by who some of my customers are" He shrugged. Alaric eyed him.
"I doubt that" He muttered slyly. Bruise smirked to himself at his response. "It was only settled this evening. We dont need any alliances, we're very much capable of protecting ourselves. It was just to look good, being involved with other gangs" He shrugged, trying to convey the illusion that his family are not at their weakest without protection. That's the last thing he wanted to get out.
"I doubt that" Bruise mocked slyly. Alaric looked up at him as Brusie gave him a side glance, head down looking at the glass in his hands. Alaric squinted his eyes at him before feeling the edges of his lips tilt up, despite him wanting to resist it.