8. Bloodshed

He was already on his way to her the moment he saw her falling down the stairs.

It was hard reaching her through the absolute chaos and the raining of the bullets at random. This was not how things were supposed to go damn it!

The moment he'd responded to the brainless attack by the idiotic Donatello heir, Jordan Villin had stood up trying to leave.

Xander had stopped him of course, by shooting him in his leg. He would've shot his fucking head off if he hadn't been suddenly attacked by the other idiots.

It had taken quite a while to kill them all. He would've taken even longer, making sure they suffered for it if he hadn't been in the hurry of catching upto Jordan Villin.

He had thrown a grenade over their bodies just for good measure to make sure they're dead...but he hadn't known about the fucking explosives piled on the sides. The moment he stepped out, the explosion shook the room, crumbling down the walls and the ceiling.

Xander was lucky he had gotten to the elevator in time or else he would've been caught in the explosion as well.

But a weird thing had happened the moment he'd made it out. People were going crazy with panic and the top part of the building was in flames. The next instant, another loud explosion collapsed the foundation of the building entirely, bringing the building to the ground.

After a brief silence, two more explosions happened on the nearby buildings and the bullets began raining down.

It was then he saw her.

She was crouching beside a car, her hands covering her ears tightly. A scream left her throat as a bullet zipped past her head.

He had felt as if his heart had stopped beating. Never had he felt that much horror and fear. Never in his life he had recklessly rushed in to save someone, much less since it wasn't for his own benefit.

When she was about to get up, he reached her. Placing his hands on the car behind her, he leaned over her, his back to the attacker. He'd have to get through him to get to her. Luckily he still had his bulletproof vest on.

She looked up with tears trailing down her cheek, fear evident in her beautiful eyes. He wanted nothing more than to brush those away and comfort her. Another bullet zipped past his ear.

He extended his hand. "Come with me." Good thing he had worn his mask or it would've been hard to explain what he was doing here.

Thankfully, she took it.

He pulled her up, encircling his hand around her waist. "Are you hurt?" He raked his eyes over her form in panic, stopping at her knees. Hot blazing fury burned his chest seeing the blood on her jeans. Whoever was responsible for this, he would make them pay ten folds. That's a promise.

"N-no."

Giving her hand a light squeeze, he ran. He called Liam over his ear piece.

"Where are you?"

"Oh thank god you called. Alexandra's here somewhere-"

"I found her."

"Of course you did." He muttered, "I'll come pick her up. Aunt Sophia's getting worried."

"You know where I'm right?"

"Yup. Be there in a minute."

When he glanced down at her, just realising that he was still holding her hand, he found her studying his tattoo that was peeking out from his sleeve.

Shit.

He pulled her along out of their hiding place. Just in time, Liam's car came to a stop befor them.

"I promise it's safe." He said to her, removing his hand from hers. "He'll take you to your mom."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "How do you know where my mom is? And who are you?"

I wish I could tell you. "I can't tell you that." He said instead, taking a step back. "I'm the most dangerous guy you'll have the displeasure of meeting with."

Where was the lie in that? He put her in danger today. Hell she'll be in constant danger from now on if word gets out that he fucking risked his own life to save her.

He clenched his jaw. Someone was definitely gonna die tonight. And that bloodshed was the only thing that would make him feel in control. Man his life was so fucked up.

"You've kept me safe so far." Her steady voice subsided those murderous thoughts. "I think I'd like to take the risk."

Damn. Did she even know what she was saying? Did she know what effect those words hold?

They ignited an already burning spark.

Thankfully Liam cleared his throat. "As much I'd hate to interrupt you two, we're kind of running low on time here."

Stepping back, he bowed his head a little at Alexandra and then he ran.

He couldn't bring himself to go far though. He climbed the building and leaned over the edge, watching the car become smaller and smaller, just like that spark inside his heart.

It shouldn't have been there in the first place. It would just bring her harm. Clenching his fists tightly, he punched the wall beside him. This was not how things were supposed to work out.

His phone rang.

Releasing a deep breath, he answered the call.

"Tell me you're not in the Madison avenue." Blake's familiar voice demanded, obviously dreading his answer.

After a few seconds of silence, Xander said. "... I'm completely fine."

"Ah fuck." Blake cursed, which followed the sound of something breaking.

"Dude seriously I'm fine." Xander began descending down the building after connecting Blake to his ear piece. "Just a few scratches, that's all."

It was more than a few scratches. His leg was bleeding and throbbing like hell from the cut wound that he got while fighting. He was sure there were more injuries that would hurt like hell after the adrenaline wears off.

"Do you need me to come over?" Blake asked, "Or have you already hunted down those fuckers with a death wish?"

Xander grunted. "Not all of them. Jordan fucking Villin got away! And after firing at his fucking niece! I swear to god-"

"His niece?"

Oh yeah he hadn't told Blake yet. "Are you free now?" He asked, mentally preparing himself for the lecture he was gonna receive not just from him but also from his uncle.

"Yeah." Blake answered.

"Meet me at Red Wolf. I have so much shit to tell you."

Before that, he had a really impulsive task in mind.

Walking in his home, he found his dad pacinf in the hallway yelling at someone on the phone and his mom on the couch with her head in her hands. That sight did nothing but irate him further.

"When the FUCK were you gonna tell me Jordan fucking Villin was in town?!" He demanded straight away, ripping the mask off his face.

His eyes had hardened like a wall, hot burning anger glaring at his dad. His chest heaved up and down, his fists shaking by his side. He wasn't even bothering to control himself. The moment her trembling form passed in his mind, he had broken the thin thread connecting his sanity and anger.

"You didn't need to know."

Xander closed his eyes, inhaling a sharp intake of breath. "Don't." He raised his hand, unclenching it, "Don't fucking test me or so help me god I will storm right in your fucking office and find the answers myself."

"Xander mind your tone." His mom chided, her tone sharp. It just pissed him off more, bringing forth the memories he'd tried hard to repress.

When he ignored her and glared expectantly at his dad, she touched his arm, only to be shook off by him roughly.

"Xander." Ethan's voice had a warning in it, telling him to calm down. But he wouldn't. Not today.

"Fine." His fingers dug in the sharp edges of his mask, drawing blood. "I'll go interrogate your so called best friend. George fucking Villin, is that right?"

Ethan's blood drained from his face, his phone dropping to the ground."How do you know that?"

Twitching his lips up in a sneer, Xander turned to leave. "Xander wait!" Ethan grabbed his arm, at the same place where his sleeve was wet with blood.

Staring at the red staining his hand in horror, Ethan finally took a good glance at his son.

"No." The pained whisper left Amelia's lips, her eyes glistening with tears. She immediately rushed to him, shaking her head in denial as if she was trying to chase away a nightmare. As if she couldn't believe her worst feat had come true.

She raised her hands, afraid to touch him. "What did you do?" She asked, her voice breaking. "Someone bring the first aid kit!"

Xander's grip on his mask tightened even more, his skin digging in the blade like edges. Liam had disapproved of that mask the moment he saw it but Xander rather liked it.

It was made of light metal, sharpened like a blade at every edge and corner. He had to be careful not to press it too much on his face, or it would leave a light gash on his skin. He liked it because no one could remove it from the front without hurting their hand.

It could also be a lethal weapon if used properly.

"There's no need for that." He said through gritted teeth, not even looking at his mom. "The only reason I'm even here is for my fucking answers. Since you're not telling me, I'll use my own ways to get them."

As he was about to storm off, Ethan spoke. "I'll tell you if you let us help you."

This shit again.

If he weren't in a hurry to get to Red Wolf, to find that bastard, to interrogate those traitors' families and...to see her safe and sound, he would've turned away right this instant or do something like harm himself more just for the heck of it.

Clenching his jaw, he removed his hoodie and threw it to the ground, revealing a nasty cut on his bicep. He sat on the couch and tore open the cloth of his jeans where he was stabbed.

"I'm waiting." He crossed his arms on his chest, placing his mask beside him.

Amelia immediately began to clean his wounds while Ethan sat on the couch opposite to him with a sigh.

"He wasn't trying to harm us," Ethan began, "As you might have found out, he is George's brother. He visits him often-"

"Often?! You let this fucking happen often?!" For how long was Alexandra forced to interact with that bastard? He had no doubt he was the father of Alexandra's bitch of a cousin. For how long has his Alexandra suffered?

Wait his?

Ethan gave him a stern look. "I know what I'm doing, you don't need to be concerned about it-"

"He fucking held a meeting with the people under your control and then blew up three fucking bombs in the Madison avenue and you're telling I shouldn't be concerned?!"

"What meeting?" Ethan asked, completely confused.

Xander tilted his head back in annoyance, brushing his good hand through his hair. "This is why you should fucking listen to me instead of those fucking underbosses who don't know how to do their fucking job."

Before Ethan could ask more questions or fucking scold him for talking that way, Xander stated,"Deal with that shit later, tell me about Jordan Villin."

If it was anyone else, even Liam, they would've faced severe consequences of blatantly defying Ethan Knight and talking to him disrespectfully. That was how much the leader of the empire was supposed to be respected.

But with Xander, this rule completely went out the window since they didn't want to trigger his impulsive anger that would no doubt get whatever he wanted done despite the heavy consequences. Especially since if it was about something he believed he was right about or that he had the right to know.

"It's a really long, complicated story. All I can tell you is that he's the reason George left the Villins and started a new life in hiding. Jordan found him after a few years and decided to keep mum about it as George going back would make him loose his position as the successor."

Ethan stood up, a look of anger crossing his face. "George assured me he wouldn't do anything to harm us that's why I was quiet without investigating it. It seems i was wrong."

No shit.

"Does she know?" Xander asked, closing his eyes.

Ethan shared a look with Amelia. "Alexandra? No."

That was all he needed.

__________

The first thing Xander saw after entering their secret meeting place was a man tied up on the floor.

He was kneeling on the floor with his hands cuffed behind his back and bleeding from the side of his face.

Liam and Blake shared a look of uncertainty before pushing the man towards Xander's feet.

"It's him." Blake said, "The one who started firing."

The one who made her cry. The one who made her scared for her fucking life. The one who almost killed her.

The one who almost killed her.

"Uncuff him."

The words spoken through gritted teeth made the man feel a worse fear. Surely this person wasn't who he thought he was right?!

Exchanging yet another look with Liam, Blake uncuffed the man.

Xander pointed his gun at his head, cocking his head to the side as if in deep thought. Then he suddenly shot at his hands.

A pained scream left the man's mouth before he could even react. The next instant, Xander threw the gun aside, surprising Liam and Blake, and grabbed the man by his shirt.

He dragged the struggling man to the wall and pinned him. "Who ordered you to fucking shoot?"

It wasn't a question, it was a demand. An order.

"J-Jordan Villin!" The man screamed.

Liam, who was recording his voice stopped the recorder. They'd gotten what they wanted. Now all that's left was for them to give the man a quick death. When he was about to turn off the camera recording the man's confession, he heard Xander's voice dripping with barely concealed anger.

"Why did you shoot at his her?

Her?

Blake's eyes widened. He glanced at Liam for confirmation. When Liam nodded, Blake put his hand on his mouth, his eyes back at Xander.

"I-I was ordered to!"

That really didn't matter to him. It should have if he had any ounce of humanity left in him. It would've for any other sane person. But not to him. The moment her scared face appeared in his mind like a taunt, he saw red.

He punched him. Again. And again. He didn't care that he was hurting himself more as his freshly bandaged hand started bleeding. Nor did he care about the pain seeping through it. He would take it a hundred times more if it meant he wouldn't have to see her that way again.

Blood splattered on his already red mask but he didn't stop.

The painful cries and moans of the man came to an abrupt halt but he didn't stop. He was way too enraged, way too out of control.

The image of her crying in fear kept flashing in his mind and he continued to punch the dying man below him, as if it could stop those images from flooding his mind, as if it could stop him from drowning.

He felt someone pulling him back, yelling at him to stop, to snap out of it. But he couldn't. Not when the person who dared to harm her didn't get what he deserved.

Blake and Liam knew something was wrong the moment Xander threw his gun down. He never did that. Especially after a successful interrogation.

The moment Xander threw the first punch, they heard a sickening crack followed by the scream of the man.

Then another punch and another. He continued his assault as if he couldn't stop himself. He looked murderous, especially with the blood splattering on his already bloody mask.

"You dare." Xander gritted out, "you dare try to harm her."

He had never sounded this way, completely consumed by rage. It was like he couldn't see anything except the fact that someone tried to harm her, like that mere thought sent him into a frenzy.

Just how much did this girl mean to him that he had completely lost his control over himself?

"Xander stop." Liam called out, his voice tense.

Blake took a step towards him, "Xan, that's enough."

It was like he had gone deaf to their words. There wasn't even a slight indication that he heard them.

Sweat dripped down his face mixing with the blood. His knuckles were bleeding, and his chest heaved as he panted like a person deprived of water.

Blake gently grabbed his shoulder. "Xan let go."

Liam stared at his brother with his eyes wide. His fear of his twin loosing himself in anger had come true to haunt him, to mock him of his incompetence at protecting him, to slap him in the face the fact that he could've prevented all this from happening if only he hadn't been so fucking blind.

And now his brother had snapped. He had turned into someone Liam didn't know. Someone who haunted Liam's dreams ever since that incident.

Blake tried to stop Xander, to pull him back from the disshapen face of the man. "Xander stop! He's dead!"

"Liam help me!" Blake yelled, too focused on keeping Xander from hurting himself to notice Liam's horror.

Blake tried to grab Xander's hands without hurting them but Xander pushex him away.

Liam finally snapped out of his daze, Blake's shouts getting more louder and panicked.

Rushing to them, Liam grabbed Xander's shoulders and pulled him back with Blake's help. "Xan snap out of it! Xan!" He crawled Infront of Xander, blocking the view of the corpse. "Xan! Look at me! Xander!"

Xander felt two arms wrap around his shoulder, pulling him in someone's warmth. His brother.

He shut his eyes, too tired to push him away.

-----------------------

The sunlight shining through the window woke him up.

He had been sitting with his back leaned on his bed all night, unable to get a wink of sleep, the documents and files scattered beside him.

Brushing his fingers back in his hair, he stood up, wincing as his hand throbbed with pain.

He looked at the freshly wrapped bandages in confusion. Liam must've done them after he fell asleep.

Liam.

Xander sighed. He probably scared Liam. No traumatized him. He should go talk to him and go see her. He immediately ran to his bathroom, the same feelings of worry like last night rising in his heart. The same feelings that didn't let him sleep.

He would've rushed straight to her home if his dad hadn't told him about Jordan Villin leaving thei house.

As he made his way out of his room, he came face to face with Liam pacing by the stairs. He was wearing his painting clothes -a t shirt filled with different colours and old sweats.

"Liam?"

He whirled at Xander, his hair sticking in different directions and of course, with a blotch of paint at the side.

He blinked at Xander, his steele blue eyes scanning his face. "Are you okay?" Xander asked.

"Am I okay?!" Liam yelled suddenly, an expression of disbelief on his face. "You...you fucking traumatized me!" Xander winced as Liam continued to yell. "What the hell was that?! Do you know how scared I was?!" Then Liam's eyes softened at his twin. "Don't ever do that again."

"Not like I can control it." Xander muttered, eyeing Liam's clothes with a weird look. "Don't you have college?"

Liam huffed, crossing his paint covered hands on his chest. "I have to take care of some shit."

Xander raised his eyebrow in question. Ignoring him, Liam retrieved a gun from his waistband and put it in Xander's hand. "You threw this."

Oh yeah he did that. Speaking of which, "Did she get home okay? Did she say anything? She wasn't hurt badly, was she?"

Liam was completely taken back by the amount of concern in his brother's eyes and words. He looked desperate to know she was okay.

Last night as well, because of her...

Was this simply just a crush?

When Xander continued to look at him impatiently, as if he would storm off to her house this instant if he didn't answer, Liam finally said, "She was fine. Just really confused. She asked who we were, I gave her my code name. Then I followed her and her mom to make sure they were safe."

Xander looked relieved but there was still worry evident in his eyes. "Did she look scared?"

"You mean as in traumatized?"

Xander nodded.

Liam frowned. "She actually looked pretty calm. She didn't even ask about the bombing." His eyes widened in suspicion. "You don't think she knew?"

Xander gave him a glare that made him step back in surrender. "It was a good doubt. But you're probably right, she didn't know... anything."

Liam watched him with a thoughtful look on his face as Xander practically ran downstairs. Alexandra White huh? So she was his brother's type? More importantly, was she good for him?

Xander didn't even bother going to his study to finish off whatever reports there were left. He just had to see her. He trusted Liam, he really did. But for some reason he felt a weird uneasiness that could only be gone if h saw her in person.

But before he could even get on his bike, Amelia's voice stopped him. "You should rest today. Don't over exhaust yourself."

He closed his eyes, the grip onhis helmet tightening. "And you should ignore me like you always did. I don't need you nor your sympathy."

He knew every word hurt her, it prickled her heart like a thorn. That's why he didn't look back at her, he didn't look back at her beautiful eyes that were probably shedding tears right now. After everything that happened, he still hated that look on her face, even if he couldn't bring himself to forgive her.

He heard her sniffle. "I'm your mother Xan-"

"...are you?" He put on his helmet, ignoring the sobs of his mother. As he was about to start his bike, Liam ran in, looking pissed as hell.

"Dad wants to see you. Now." When Liam gave him an apologetic look, conveying that he had no choice, Xander threw the helmet down in anger, startling Amelia.

Liam wrapped his arm around Amelia's shoulder, comforting her as he watched Xander walk away, completely ticked off.

Liam grimaced. His brother was not going to have a good day.