Chapter 13: Blown Away

~Ariah~

There's always so many weird things going on in this place she thought to herself getting up. I need some air this week is going to be so long. Getting dressed she decided to head out to the garden. After sitting down on the bench for a bit of spill after a little while she started hearing some banging and some weird noises as a car was pooling around and shut off. Getting up she went to look at the scene happening in front of her. "Liam? LIAM!" She yelled out as she saw the limp body the two men were carrying out. "PUT HIM DOWN! PUT HIM DOWN NOW!" Tears were now running over her face. "Mrs. Medina are you alright?" "That is not my name and what the fuck happened? You know what forget that just get the hell away from him!" She shoved Tobias back. Travis texting Reaper. 'Boss you got a problem out in the garden.' 'Well deal with it.' 'Sir you're really needed out here. I don't think were the right person to handle this.' 'What the hell is so damn important that I got to come clean up?' 'Well sir we were cleaning up Joker coming out the garden when we got ambushed.' 'Ambushed by who?!' 'The queen boss.' There was silence for a few minutes. 'We'll be right there. Is she armed?' 'Not that I'm aware of sir.' 'Then you should be fine. Just stay out of her swing zone you'll be fine.' Taking a deep breath Travis just pulled on Tobias's shirt a few steps away from her.

"Oh my God Liam." Ari was hovered over him or at least what was left of him in an unrecognizable form but still she knew by the friendship bracelet he made them. Her cries were loud and heart breaking and it was just soul destroying to hear. Xavier and the others coming up stopping in their tracks looking at her so broken brought them physical pain. "Officer Aldermen I know how close you were too him but he was a bad man. One time while stuck in his torture room he actually raped a woman anally in front of her husband until she bled out then when they got all they needed he shot both of them in the back of the head. Sometimes I can still hear her even though I couldn't help her it was hard to move with broken arm, and leg." "I know what kind of man he was. I know what kind of horrors they did. I think how quick you forget I've even had to come collect some of the victims bodies of their handy work. YOU honestly think I don't know what kind of monster he was in society?!" She snapped at poor Tre'. "No ma'am I know."

"You know what else he was? He was good to me, he was my friend. He was there for me. I know he was a horrid monster but he was still my friend." She cried holding him close to her crying hard over him. Standing up turning to face the men in front of her. "Trying to comfort me by telling me how bad of a person he is, is the worst argument you can make because if you want to start pulling those cards then please explain to what the FUCK AM I DOING HERE WITH YOU PEOPLE?! Do you also not do horrible tortuous things to people whether their guilty or not. Who here hasn't done at least three horrible things upon someone else? So does that mean none of you are worthy of having a friend love you either?" "Ari?" Xavier told her walking up slowly behind her. "Did you do all of this?" "Most of it. I'm not sorry so I won't say it. I am sorry that you're hurting and you have every right to grieve and be mad." "Mad you think I'm just mad? You had him this whole time. Did you ever dawn on you to at least let me say goodbye? I know damn well how this is really all going to end, but you knew I had a friendship with him you could have let me have a last moment with him or something Reaper. Take him." Ariah told him sounded defeated.

"Ariah I know your hurt but." "DON"T! Just Don't Reaper." Ariah pushed past him storming into the house. "Maybe you should let her cool off bro." Axel told him grabbing his shoulder back. Xavier stopped feeling his heart break after seeing her face the hurt, the disappointment. "Do you hear that?" Ryder asked them as they saw her car take off out the gate. "FUCK!" Xavier yelled out. "Wait, don't get a hold of your self Xav. We got a problem." Hunter told him as he saw his phone going off from the station. "Are those OUR Warehouses?" Axel asked him. "Yes they are. However is hitting them up is going off old information because we had those cleaned out for months there was nothing in them." Hunter told them after looking up the addresses. "How many were hit?" Xavier asked as he was already texting his men on the force to make sure they were no traces of anything left in the places.

Xavier's phone ringing. 'What?' 'Reaper, you got a problem.' ' What is it Dean?' 'Well a few of the men and I got to some of the bombed up warehouses and they said they were supposed to be emptied out however that doesn't explain why we found a couple pounds of various drugs inside them on the side, where the fires haven't spread yet. Its looking like someone is trying to set you up boss.' 'Did you find anything else?' 'No not even a freaking hair. However being the petty soul I am I got Dylan hacking in to the real estate system so everything will show in Liam's name for the past at least five years I mean it's not like they can question him about it. Also as the beneficiary in case of anything happens to him to go to Phoenix Moretti.' There was a quick silence as the guys all looked at each other. 'You did all this in an hour?' 'Yes, sir we did.' 'Talk to J you guys getting a bonus.' Xavier told him as they hung up.

"It's got to be Gunner trying to fuck with us. He's just sending us a message." Enzo spoke to them running his hands on his face. "What's the message, I'm running off bad information because I have no other way to take you down?" Ryder asked with a chuckle. "He did though. He did hit us though." Axel said looking up to Xavier who was starring at him lost. "Think about it bro. He knows damn well he can get your woman whenever he wants." Axel said getting up grabbing his keys and some guns. "Going to need a little more man." Ryder told him following suit so was the other men. "Bro, he knows damn well how to get to you because you both have the same fucking weakness and that's Ari. Ari's weakness is her job dude all he has to do is create enough of a problem to get her attention and one of these days that's how he's going to get her. Think about how many of those places are out in the middle of forests and woods an easy damn grab with no damn traces. We can't find his ass now if he gets ahold of her. It's over and done." Axel told them as they went out to the furthest warehouse away from the town.

"Where is Ari now?" "Well since she knows I'm with you she is not telling me all she said was to tell that fucking twat wit that she's working." Hunter sighed sadly. "Man when she finds out about Dean, Dylan, and Kane also working for you she's going to shoot all of us." Hunter added shaking his head. Xavier knew he was right. Man he really fucked up tonight. He could have let her say good bye to her friend. "Ariah was right tonight." Xavier said out of no where. "She normally is but which part exactly?" Enzo asked him. "When she pointed out how it's no difference of her being hurt losing Liam. I mean he was a terrible person who did terrible things, yet he was good to and maybe even for her. We are no different in that area. Of course our terrible things aren't on innocent people, I still do things that haunt grown men in their dreams and sleep just fine. Yet I'm too much of a selfish bastard to let her go. What did I honestly expect from her though when she found out." Xavier told her. "Man I thought it was bad enough when she watched Killian die on her, you know she's going to blame herself for their deaths for like ever right?" Axel added letting out another sigh. "Our girls never had to see or go through anything like that, I mean they know what we do but they never had to see it first hand not anything even close to what Ariah does. Even if it wasn't her job she's seen more than she probably should have." Ryder spoke up scratching the back of his head as they got out of the car as his men in police uniforms.

After the guys looked around Keith came up to him. "She aint here sir. This was though." He said holding a note. 'I'm sorry for any and every hurt me, or my name has brought to you my sweet angel. I know though that you will understand everything soon though. Just be patient my love.' Ripping it up and chucking it on the ground. "That didn't do a lot of good boss there was similar notes left at each place only our men and officer Alderman understand what they are she took them and convinced everyone that they were probably just letters from people in the past left behind like trash. Everyone believes it though since none of them say anything that can link anything to the fire." Dean added. "Dean which one is Ariah at." "She is back at the office sir. We got a tip on a possible bombing she got to it right when it went off. She's not hurt to bad I haven't heard anything else. She sent every one home except Jace. As far as I know they are both still in the office with the night shift. We're finally done here so were supposed to be clocked off and going home. Ariah was already in a pist off mood when she came in so I'm not going to make her anymore mad. No offense Reaper she scares me way more then you could ever could. Alright y'all wrap it up and go home." Dean shrugged, shivered and hollered to the teams. Looking at each other the men grew even more angry.

~Ariah~

(Hours before)

Walking away from the group of hypocrites I needed to get far fucking away from him, from them right now. I know they were right about him, but I was too. I know what kind of people I am dealing with. I know what type of work and business they are into. After spending so much time invested into them separately as actual people learning the other sides of who they were just makes it hurt that much more. What we do isn't who we are. People run so much more deeper then that even if we only show who we truly are to certain people, I am going to miss the Liam I knew, the side he didn't let others then who he trusted see. A side that was taunted or corrupted by the mafia, hate, or families. The Liam who was free when he was with me just as I carry the same thoughts of Killian. I needed to be away from all this just for awhile. Away from a man who wanted to keep things from so many times over I was starting to only see him as a thief for the rest of the night. After packing a bag with a few things I got in the car and drove off.

My phone going off the Bluetooth speaker. "Officer Alderman your needed on scene. We have one warehouse on fire and a tip on another possible hit on another we need you down the warehouse were sending you the location now." "Officer Alderman copy. On my way." After that I got ahold of Jace who was just fifteen minutes away behind me. There were a few of my men arriving nothing seemed amiss, it was just quiet. My hair on the back of my neck stood up. "Detective Alderman there is no signs of any tampering with the building everything seems to be empty." A man told her trying to keep her away from the back end of the building. "Is that so? SO those packages back there are what abandoned random drugs you're trying to hide from me?" Ariah asked him. "No ma'am this building was supposed to be empty. That is new to us." The guy stopped himself realizing his mistake. "How long have you been working for the mafia Officer Greg? Better yet the reports show this building belongs to that can't be right. This, has to be a mistake. Greg you've been working for Moretti?" Ariah asked heart broke a little.

"No, no, no you don't understand I work for Reaper. It's Gunners men hitting the targets." "Shh.. do you hear that?" Ariah asked him. "I hear nothing." Greg brought to her attention. "Exactly Greg were in the forest and there is nothing no crickets, no owls, no nothing." Ariah told him as they heard a click out of no where. The next thing she knew she was being pushed away by the powerful force form the bomb as half of the warehouse was now shoved on top of her. "Holy FUCK! Ari! ARI!" "JACE!" Turning around and picking up the a huge part of the concrete wall of her. Pulling a metal rod out of her leg. "Maybe you should start leaving things like huge metal rods in place until the paramedics come." Jace teased her. "Give me your belt I'll be fine." Shaking his head he took it off and tightened it around her leg. Getting up hobbled over to the door left standing on the other side there was a note taped to it that read 'For Her'. Taking it down and reading it quickly she shoved it in her pocket. "Jace we need to get back to my office." "No you need to come talk to Chris and get checked out." He told her walking up to their friend and paramedic. "Can't ever leave your ass alone girl." "Yeah mama siempre estás causando problemas. Como un faro para los problemas. Sabes que tengo algo para las chicas malas." (you're always causing problems. Like a beacon for trouble. You know I have something for bad girls). "Well thank you for the love there Jose but my boyfriend would rip your ass apart." She teased. "Ah, la misma triste historia de todos los grandes que se están tomando." (Ah, the same sad story of all the greats they are taking.) Jose added holding a hand over his heart making her shake her head as Chris gave her some quick stitches.

Walking in the office doors after telling Russo she was fine convincing him and having three other officers convince him she is perfectly fine. He backed off and continued the scene on the first explosion, doing research on where the possible suspects who did it were. "Is there anything I can get you boss? Maybe give that Billionaire boyfriend a call or something?" Jace teased. "No, don't call him. I could use a soda." "Cherry Coke?" "You know me so well." She told him playfully as he winked to her. Taking out the note she gave it a second look.

'I knew you would come here first. I know you so much better then you think sweet Ari. I know how furious you must be at me. I know how hurt you are as I am over the loss of Killian and now I know Liam. I know no one around you can comfort you in the way you need because they weren't their friends like we were. I know how hurt you must feel being in the middle of all this. I wish I could comfort you and explain things better and soon enough I will. I have been doing the decent thing to give you space and time to think everything over. Something that thing you're with knows very little about. When you're ready, come to our spot. Don't keep me waiting too long now. The world is a crazy place, never know what crazy thing will happen next.'

Love Nix.

Anger was seething through her. The things this man has done. Was his evil any less then Xavier's she was starting to wonder. Knowing Phoenix hurt innocents while Xavier didn't changed a lot of things. Looking up all the good Xavier has done finding missing people, taking down both international and domestic terrorist and so much more from fighting the human and sex trafficking, while Moretti handled and sold to the trafficking. Xavier was a twisted demented psychotic man. He was a lot of things. Her heart still loved him, because he was so much more then all that. Does that mean that Phoenix was? The door opened up and the air thinned. The aura was strong almost suffocating yet warm and welcoming, safe. Smiling to herself she could feel who it was before she even turned around. "Did Maddie send you?" She asked turning around looking up to the huge man standing in front of her desk.

"She didn't need to. I was going to come no matter what. I was thinking of going over to Xavier's place but something told me this would be my best bet." "Well Uncle Angie what can I do for you this fine evening?" "You can start by how the hell you got them stitches and why you got blood stains somewhere on your leg I'm betting. Yup you can smell it strong when you enter in here it's faint but there." "I think we both know, you know how I got it which is why you're really here." She told him with a smile. "I know what I was told, I want to know what happened from you." Angelo told her as he sat down in the chair in front of her. "I was talking to a fellow officer and then I noticed how quiet it was like no cricket in the woods quiet. Then the bomb went off. It had to be on a timer or remote detonated. The person who did it couldn't have gotten far they were smart to leave a clear path not foot print around for miles. The wall blew off and went right through me. Jace got me out else I'd probably still stuck the other men got knocked out and I don't they are awake the hospital said they have broken arms and legs and have been sedated for the night. It could have been worse for me I guess I got lucky." She shrugged.

"Why didn't you get a doctor to check you out?" "My friends are paramedics and even I knew I just needed stitches. I'll be bruised and sore and I can still move around just fine just a little slower is Angie." Dylan walked in looking shocked and still let a breath out. "I was worried about you for a minute there boss no other officer on scene two came back. Their all busted up at the hospital. Scene three everything was burned down before any officer even got there." "That's because the person responsible knew the exact one which I would go to." Ariah said looking at Angelo giving him her note. Watching his face get tight. "Dylan while you're texting Reaper do your best to keep your nose back in your business and remember you're my soldier first or do you not want your job?" Ariah warned him. "Yes ma'am." He told her putting the phone away as it kept beeping. "Dylan if that phone dings one more time I'll shoot you myself, just tell him his daddy told him to stop." Angelo snapped to him.

"Dylan explain to me about the warehouses and why they are in Liam's name? Was that Reapers men?" "Yeah, the drugs found in it belonged to Gunners men so we attached to Liam." "Since no one will be able to find him right?" She asked tears flowing out of her eyes. "So is Phoenix the next to inherit the properties. So you can lure him better dangling his dead best friends name on a property he had blown into me? Were you guys ever going to tell me you and Kane were apart of Reaper's men?" "Ariah I wanted to. I." "That's enough Dylan I need you to walk away from me right now and go to Jace for any other work he doesn't know about anything and I want it to stay that way. I've also had my fill of disappointment for one night. I hope you understand." She told him in an firm emotionless tone. "Yes ma'am. I am sorry for whatever it is worth." He said as ducked out. "You know it isn't that poor boys fault now don't you love?" "That boy has a mouth and what comes out of it or stays with in in his choice. He deceived me by not letting me in. Tell me Angelo how would you feel if Maddie held so much back from you, and each and every time you found out in painful ways. Are you just going to forgive just instantly?" She asked him in a sarcastic tone.

"I know you're hurting baby girl I know you are. I know you are doing everything in your power to stay as strong as we all know you are. I know you are going to have faith and trust issues because of my son. As much as I love my boy darling you have to understand some of this is my fault because despite as much as he's going to try sweetheart. HE comes from a long, LONG line of stupid ass men when it comes to you women. We don't handle anything to well. I am proud to say he has not made mistakes as bad as I did. SO there is hope with every new generation they do due a little bit better. His mother forgave me for all my wrong doings which by the grace of God took more strength and courage then anyone should have to muster. Just as my grandmother and her mother before her and her mother before her. You are just as strong hell even stronger then the women before you. You will overcome this and you two will become stronger together. You need to remember when you hurt child, he hurts the same. That is the also something he gets from the long line o disappointing men. Our heart and soul is connected to you. When you are mad and hurt, it hurts us as well. There is no punishment you can ever do to him that he isn't already doing to himself, especially in his own head. Then to find out you were involved in a huge explosion with your whole team in a hospital and you no where to be found, no man giving word on how you are. That is the most cruelest thing you have ever done to him. Not even a text from you that is so heartless Ariah." Angelo told her shaking his head.

"If this was him he would be doing everything he could do get back to you, which I know he is. His mind his inner beast needs to see you to smell you to feel you to know your are ok to hear your voice even if it is just to yell at him. You would be so heartbroken if you couldn't get to him and you knew he had gotten hurt. No matter how mad you are this is the worse thing you could ever do to him. You are better then this Ariah don't take your anger and hurt out this way. Not tonight put it all aside for night you can still be pissed tomorrow." "I couldn't text him even if I wanted my phone got destroyed. I can't remember the last two numbers I hit my head pretty hard." She told him honestly. Grabbing a pen and paper he wrote it down. "You can read ok yeah?" Nodding her head slowly as Jace came in with her drink and some aspirin. "Oh sorry I didn't realize you had company." "Please give that to her. She needs it." "Detective Jace Morgan is there anything I can help you with sir my colleague here has had rather a long night." "I am here for her. Angelo Medina." "Oh hello sir it's nice to meet you." "Thank you for coming uncle Angie but please go home I'll be just fine." She got up to hug him as he left. "Jace please walk him out, then go home." "I can't just leave you Ari." He told her sadly. "You can and you better I'm leaving soon. I won't be in the office tomorrow but I will see you soon. Jace. Thank you for everything." She told him with a sweet big smile. Picking up the phone after being left alone in her office. She dialed the number. 'What?' She heard a defeated voice on the phone, taking a deep breath. 'Is this a bad time?'.

~Xavier~

(Before)

"Xavier!" Hunter came rushing in. "The second scene she… she was at the second scene it was her crew that's on the news." Hunter was trying to catch his breath. "Turn on the radio." Axel ordered a man near the car. "If you're just joining us this evening three random warehouses have been victims of arson tonight as one of the scenes a police team was sent off as a tip and as soon as they arrive the building exploded leaving the team going into the hospitals we have gotten word that at least every single officer was injured in many different ways form some skin burns and mostly just broken limps from arms and legs from." "Tun it off. Let's go someone get me to the fucking hospital. Also someone get me anyone Dylan anyone else that came from the scene. I want to know where she is. I want to know now!" Xavier roared to his men.

After arriving at the hospital he was growling at the staff. "What the hell do you mean you can't find here. Did the officer team come in here or not?" "Nnoo. Sir. The whole team came in. They are sedated and accounted for. "Then where the hell is their boss?" "Sir if she was with the team then she signed off with the paramedics in refusal to come because she did not come through those doors Mr. Medina." The receptionist choked out in fear. "Dylan stopped answering back except that your daddy said to stop." Hunter told him. "My Dad?!" He walked out side hands in his hair when his phone went off to an unfamiliar number. 'WHAT?!' He snapped after a few minutes of silence. 'Is this a bad time?' He felt his whole world and heart stop and start beating again. 'Ariah! God baby tell me you're ok. Why the hell aren't you here getting checked by the doctors? DO you have any idea how worried we have been? You haven't answered your phone.' 'XAVIER!' Cutting him off. 'I'm fine. My phone got destroyed when I got blown back by the bomb. I got checked out by the paramedics Chris took great care of me even though he encouraged me to go in we both know that I'm fine. He stitched my leg up and my head. I am fine the bomb blew the wall into me, and the metal rod decided to give around my thigh a little piercing it's not at bad as it sounds. Your dad just left my office and I am trying to get of here too. I am still severely pist off at you but I was wondering if maybe George would be willing to bring me home. It's been a long night and I would like to clean up and get some sleep.' 'I'll be right there stay put. You are sure you don't need to get checked out?' His mind going a miles a minute and moving faster then he ever did. "George, Ariahs office." 'No I'm fine I just need to go home. See you soon.' She hung up on him.

~No One's P.O.V.~

Ariah was already standing outside when George pulled up. Getting out the car and looking at her deeply the bruises all over the cuts the blood he felt like he couldn't breathe. "It looks worse than it is I swear I'm fine." He could only nod to her as he picked her up bridal style as he noticed her hoping. Getting her in the car he refused to let her off his lap as he cradled her to him breathing her in. "I was scared." He whispered to her lowly in her ear. "I've never been scared before. The only thing running through my mind was how I would burn this town to the ground to find you. The only thing stayed in my mind was your broken hearted face the hurt you held in your face walking away from me." He choked out a little. "I should have contacted you. That was wrong. I just. I just needed to get my head on right before I could do that. Then I realized I hit my head a lot harder then I though because I couldn't remember the last two digits of your phone number your dad gave it to me after he set me straight. I know you're new to the relationship thing. But you constantly keeping thigs from me like the whole Dylan, and Kane thing and I am assuming Dean now since he's been acting different. The not letting me say goodbye to Liam. Xavier if you keep putting these obstacles of not telling me things we're never going to make it. You're going to sink us. Every time you hold back from is another time you're showing me you just don't trust me the way I need you too." Ariah told him making him look into her eyes.

"I know that. I know I keep failing you in this way. I know that you want to keep work life and personal life separate so that's why I don't tell you about things like how many men are actually working for me and for you. So that's not me holding back from you that's me trying to respect your boundaries. I don't know how to approach that area unless you tell me something different. I could have handled Liam better, and I should have. I was so. I just was upset he tried to take you from me and he could have been successful had we not been there. His men hurt you Ari. I got lost between me and anger and my fear of something happening to you. I know with your job this will always be a possibility but I mean look at you baby. Phoenix has crossed the line and I know you thought of him as your friend but baby this needs to end. It's time. I will take him out and you need to know that. Out of everything he's done. I will not allow this." Pushing her finger to his lips. "I did a lot of thinking in my office. I know my job is to stop the crime in this town. I also know that this war between the two of you will have to be finished by the two if you. You need to know there are things that I need to finish with Nix as well. This is not just about you two and some war anymore Xav. You're not the only one who needs this. The only one who is hurt you have hundreds of soldiers under your belt who are just as angered as you who needs him to stop. I'm not naïve you know I know there is only going to be one way to end this. It's just you got to be honest with me. I can't keep doing this game of secrets with you and I won't. I had a bag packed to spend a few days away from you, but that wasn't going to solve anything. I did need some space from you." She told him looking back up to him to see his eyes glisten a little bit.

Giving him the note Nix left her. He read it quickly growing angry. "I may have needed sometime away from you, but when that door went through me and I was flown back a few feet away. I just couldn't stand the thought of coming around to what happened I hated the face the last thought I would of have us is me walking away from you. I can't promise I won't pack a bag every now and then to go calm myself down when I'm mad at you until I am ready to talk about whatever problems we are facing. I know and understand that you are trying but I need you to understand when I say no more secrets what that means." "I swear I am trying. I will do better. You can't keep away from me when things like tonight happen though Ariah. I won't be held responsible for what I do. You were hurt tonight and I don't give a flying fuck how mad you get at me. You don't ever keep radio silence when things like this happen to you. You tell me." He held her chin as he made his point. She knew how right he was. "I promise I will always find my way to you, or at least make sure you can get to me." "I know I hurt you. I want you to know I am sorry I hurt you. I love you Ariah with all I got in me I can't lose you." "I know Xavier. I love you too. It's going to be hard but we can do this Xavier." He just nodded as he kissed her passionately as George opened the door for them as they arrived home. "Thank you my sweet George." Ari told hi as he leaned in to kiss her forehead. "I'm happy you're still all in one piece Ari." Xavier carried her into their room, cleaned her up and kept her close to him as they fell asleep.

It was early morning when he awoke and noticed the empty cold spot next to him. Wondering how long has she been gone. Rubbing his face he got up and got ready and dressed after he left the bathroom to look down at the note Phoenix left her. Angry at the little fuck twad who thought he could call out his woman. He is the reason why she's banged up. Until he noticed there was a circle on the note that wasn't there last night. Circled right around the part that told her to meet him at their spot. Leaving him the clue of where she is he grew angry throwing the door open. Axel and Leah looking at him confused. "Get Keith and have him track Ariahs matching wolf necklace NOW! Then you get me some men this shit ends tonight!!!" Axels eyes grew wide and only nodded pulling out his phone and getting to work as Leah started make some calls of her own. Xavier walked into the weapons room looking through everything form the doorway. Chief Russo and his dad was standing in front of him cocking the guns back starring at him. Tonight there will only be one family left standing and he'll be damned if he bows down to anyone but Ariah. Years of war finally ends tonight.