𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 || 𝘈 𝘓𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴

"HOW DO YOU LIKE YOUR BUSINESS SO FAR, CHRIS?" Hiram inquired. Watching the boy standing near the fireplace with a cigarette resting gently between his chapped lips. He seemed distant, far from the meeting that would take place in Hiram's office.

But Chris heard the man's voice and pulled the cigarette from his lips. Looking to the man as he exhaled. "I'm sorry about my father's outburst," he said. "I never expected the old man to come here with threats. Same with Fred Andrew's."

Hiram shrugged. "It is men protecting their sons," he explained. "You will do the same for Cassy, just as I have always done for 'Ronnie."

The mention of Chris' daughter made him hum. He swears he could hear her in the living room with Hermione, laughing and giggling. Yet, those sounds didn't occur until he was in here, within the locked doors that divided him from the salvation he seemed to always chase.

Those wants and needs would have to be pushed to the back of his mind as the doors to the office unlocked with Claudius and Penelope Blossom stepping inside. Chris wouldn't lie to say that he did try to convince Hiram that the idea of him being locked in a room with two Blossom is a mixture of chaos. But the man had reassured him nothing would happen, so Chris moved to the corner of the room, scanning the pair.

They had noticed him the moment they walked in, but there was little to no reaction. Claudius didn't know the boy and Penelope gave a simple smile. Although it bewildered him, it did not change how he saw the Blossoms and how he kept the reminder of the gun in the back of his pants in the front of his mind. Blossoms were an unnatural type of animal for Chris. They were unpredictable and he didn't like that. Chris preferred control and they were always resilient in giving it.

But the last addition, Olivia Blossom, had caused his blank expression to flare in confusion. Glancing at Hiram and already catching the man's gaze focused on him. This was a test, no doubt about it. Why else have him here when he was doing small business for this enterprise? Olivia saw him, and her expression almost did the same as Chris'. But living in a household like Penelope's, she was taught to control that. So, she had control over herself before Chris could. Creating the question; was this a test for both young adults?

"Hiram, a pleasure to see you," Penelope greeted. "Where is your brother? I heard he's come to stay in Riverdale."

"He's out handling other business with our lower associates. But, we must talk about the current business at hand." He motioned for the pair to take their place in the leather chairs in front of the fireplace. Chris stayed where he was as his gaze followed Olivia to the other side of the room, opposite to him. She was doing a good job hiding her interest or anger for him and he was impressed. Olivia had a trigger finger for her emotions.

After pouring themselves drinks, the two older Blossoms took their seat. "I'm sure you've heard, Hiram, the Sisters of Quiet Mercy estate is up for auction," Penelope spoke up as the Lodge walked toward's Chris, offering him a glass of whiskey. Chris took it, silently beaming with joy that he wouldn't have to go through this meeting sober. Nothing a bit of alcohol can't do to loosen up the tension.

"Appears to be a competitive situation with multiple bidders, including the Farm, coming in with strong offers," Claudius added.

Hiram nodded. "I have other plans for that property."

That caused Penelope to sit up, a hint of a devilish smile on her lips. "For my brothel?"

"The Sisters will not be turned into a brothel, Madame Blossom," Hiram stated.

Penelope sighed. "So, then why did you summon us here, Hiram?"

"Because we need a new sheriff," he said. "Someone who'll allow us our various enterprises to continue without scrutiny. And I'm nominating you, Claudius."

Claudius couldn't hide the fact that he nearly choked on his own tongue. Looking up at Hiram like he was some sort of phantom. "The last sheriff, Minette, was found decapitated."

"Could've suffered worse," Chris said in a bleak and gruff tone, sipping from his glass. The three Blossoms glared at him, meanwhile, Hiram smiled faintly.

"You're out of your mind, Hiram," Claudius told him.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Hiram began to step towards the man. "Did I make it seem as if you had a choice in the matter, Claudius? It's where I want you. It's not a request."

The sheer amount of dominance Hiram radiated had made Claudius lean back in his chair. It was amusing, to say the least. Right when Chris believed a Blossom couldn't be taken their control, he was proven wrong. What made it worse, it was proven by a man he was despising more and more each day.

Stepping back, Hiram then smiled. "On our final piece of business, Chris, Olivia, welcome to the company," he said. "I know you, Olivia, have been a great asset in finding us women for Penelope's brothel and getting drugs to the Gargoyles. And Chris, you have been excellent with dealing with trafficking drugs and dealing with unpaid debts. So, welcome."

Chris said nothing, only glancing at his ex, who did the same. Both continued to follow Hiram with their gaze as he moved to his desk. "I have acquired some property in town to make these jobs far easier, but Olivia will be now migrating into Chris' department."

And for the first time, Chris saw the twitch of anger on Olivia's face. He expected it sooner or later; a slap with it. But he kept quiet as Hiram continued. "I do not care who'll handle the books, the monthly payments from our buyers, or trafficking the drugs. All I care about is getting our money."

"CAN YOU CHECK THE GPS AGAIN?" Betty mused, glancing at Jughead, who sighed in slight annoyance towards the red-haired boy. This had been the third time they had circled the same block, but never found the address that Chris had sent them out of the blue. All the text was an address that didn't seem to be anywhere in Riverdale with the addition of them needing to wear their Serpent jackets. They guessed it had been for an emergency considering they had to call a rain check on their drinks with Veronica and Archie.

Jughead looked at the map on his phone, shaking his head as the directions stopped right ahead of him. "Just pull to the side of the road," he grumbled.

"You think he just did it for shits and giggles?" Archie leaned between the seats, Veronica peeking over as well. They had been just as insistent on seeing Chris as Betty and Jughead had seemed to be. He had been silent for a little bit and they were all growing weary of that. It was never good when Chris was silent, there was always trouble brewing when that was the case.

"Nah, my brother doesn't do something without a purpose," he said, glancing at the pair behind him. "He always has a purpose to his decisions."

Veronica wanted to speak, tell Jughead that wasn't the case 'cause Chris had waved a gun around in front of her and Reggie because of some old lost feelings. But that would also end up spilling things with Archie, which seemed to be recovering rather nicely.

A knock at the window caused the four to turn and see the familiar face of Malcolm. Betty, hesitantly, rolled down her window. Allowing the man to crouch down and look inside the vehicle silently. Jughead was the first to speak. "Malcolm, where's Chris?"

The older man hummed. "Inside. Shut the car off and give me your keys." He opened his hand, awaiting the key. Betty glanced at Jughead, who nodded.

After giving the keys, Malcolm backed up and allowed the group to step out of Betty's car. Sniffling, Malcolm motioned for them to follow, which they did. From the darkness of the night, it was hard for them to keep track of where they were going. And they were quickly beginning to pick up on the fact that Malcolm was making it hard for them to discover which building Chris was inside.

But soon, he stopped in front of a door and pulled it open, motioning for them to step inside. Archie decided to take the lead, glancing at the others that followed him inside. Once inside, Malcolm flipped a light switch to reveal a long corridor with a door at the end. Glancing back, Archie looked to Malcolm, who once again motioned for them to go.

There was the faint sound of machinery working and voices masked beneath it. It was faint but well enough to be differentiated. So, they walked towards the noise until they pulled the final door open.

They were immediately greeted by the sudden lights of lamps hung from the ceiling, lighting the entirety of the room. But they also took notice of the multiple trucks and cars that were being worked over. Men with half their bodies inside the engine chassis and other vehicles suspended with jack stands, allowing people to crawl under and work. Smoke choking up their lungs from cigarettes that idly burned between a few people's lips. The dastardly scent of spray paint filled their sense as a man wearing a breather, spraying a restored car.

"What the hell?" Jughead muttered, taking in the entire room.

"So, this is what he's been up to since we last saw him," Archie mused. "I can't say I am surprised."

"I can," Veronica spoke. "Where the hell did he get the money to do this?"

"It's Chris, V. He has his way's that none of us care to ask." Betty was right in that fact. But they were unbeknownst to the fact that the boy they were referring to was working for Hiram. One of the newest key players inside the business was growing each and every day. For all they knew, he could've just started saving up his money when he was back with his mom. Making a plan to have a legitimate business in Riverdale and to live a safe lifestyle.

"He's in his office upstairs." Malcolm point to the large structure at the other end of the warehouse. Stairs to the left led up to said office with windows that overlooked the entire floor. But they were shut with two faint shadows able to be seen inside.

So, the group of four cautiously made their way across the floor. Avoiding the sparks of grinders moving across the fenders of a few trucks or men wheeling carts around with crates on top. Moving up the stairs, they could hear the sound of shouting within the thin wooden walls of the office. Only growing curiosity in the teenager's minds.

Pushing open the door, they caused Chris and Olivia to turn to them. But now, the idea of Chris having his own sort of business was the least of their concerns. Their confusion now lies towards the pair that they never thought would be seen together.

"What the fuck are you guys doing here?" Olivia barked, staring at the four that unsteadily stepped inside.

"Chris sent Betty and Jughead a text for them to come," Archie said. "We decided to come as well- Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?" He asked aloud, looking between the two.

Olivia glanced at Chris, walking around the desk he had his hands braced against. Hissing, "You are going to get us in serious shit for inviting them here."

"But that's if you don't tell, 'Liv." He smiled, pissing the girl off enough that she pushed away from him and made her way toward the door. "I'll be in my office. Tell me when these rats aren't here." And without so much as another word, she slammed the door on her way out.

A heavy silence filled the air as Chris grabbed his lighter and a cigarette off his desk. Lighting in and opening the blinds to see the floor where all his crew members were working tirelessly. He'd hoped they would work like this with the incentive that they'd get paid for it by the end of the night. But they were going far and beyond for that early paycheque.

"Chris," Jughead began, letting out a laugh. "What the fuck is all this, man?"

Chris collapsed in his large leather chair. "A legitimate business, Jug," he said, sorting the paperwork and placing it in one of the drawers. "I realized, when I came back, that all charges for my previous crimes had been lifted, with a hefty lump of cash taking their place. So, I did what any man would." He motioned with his arms around him. "I cashed in."

"Wait," Betty laughed. "You're saying that the death of Jason's murder is not being looked into anymore? You aren't fighting for your innocents?"

"What is there to fight for, Betty?" Chris said, gruffly. "If they stopped looking into it and I'm not being looked at to be taken to prison, there is nothing else to say. And with the growing partnership I have with the Serpents, I have enough income to keep afloat and keep my business running- I mean, look that all those cars. Those are from all the customers that want work done for them."

"Do you really expect us to believe that?" Veronica asked. "I mean, really, Chris? The Blossoms wouldn't just stop after what you did. Olivia hate's your guts."

"Well, you aren't wrong about that. Still, she is as uptight as the first time I met her," he said bitterly. "But we're business associates. Nothing more and nothing less."

They didn't know how to react to this. He was being too casual, and that said something about Chris. He was known for being chill and for his random outbursts, but he shed nothing of the sort. Although it may be believable, and all fell into the right places, Veronica thought otherwise. Blossoms wouldn't drop such charge's for his capture and just give him money. It didn't seem right.

"But forget that. There is another piece of business to discuss." He stood to his feet, grabbing two black patches and passing them to Betty and Jughead. "That-" he pointed at the patches the pair inspected closely. "-is the Copper Horn's logo. Get that stitched on and we'll be officially under your banner, but operate on our own projects. If you need us, we will be there, Jug-"

Before he could finish, Veronica exclaimed, "Enough, Chris!"

The room fell ill with silence as Chris casually sipped from his whiskey. Almost as if he hadn't heard her yell that shook the walls of the office. Or her eyes that could set the world ablaze in a blink. He heard, yet, he didn't care.

"You've been gone years, CJ. Why care so much about this and not about the things that matter?" She questioned. "You go dark for days and then show up again with all of this? You may not intend to, but you are making yourself seem suspicious."

Chris swallowed the smooth liquor, sighing as he placed his cigarette in the ashtray where it burned slowly. A thin line of smoke radiates off the tip and into the already thick air that the tension created.

"School is no longer my concern, 'Ronnie," he said. "If you thought that after all the bullshit I've been through that I could go back there, you are more dense-minded than I ever realized." Tapping a finger to the desk, he said, "But this is where my expertise lies. This is where I am at my best and the most good I can do for this town. So, if you have a problem with that, get the fuck out and close the door on your way."

His harsh tone, yet, casual expression surprised them all. A new side of Chris was blossoming and they couldn't figure out if that was good or bad. But was he lying in what he was saying? The other sure didn't think so, as this was all he could do. No sane human being would hire him with his background and history. It didn't give them a good look and it only created problems for the people that he did his job for. So, if this was all he could offer, so be it. It was better than nothing.

When Veronica didn't move, Chris sniffled and sat in his chair. "Get those patches stitched on and we'll be in partnership, brother," he said, turning his undivided attention to a few papers resting on the side of his desk that he began to read. "Now, Malcolm will escort the four of you so you can get ready for the SATs tomorrow. Best of luck with that."

They stood there for a moment, expecting a bit more, but found nothing from Chris. So, they silently stepped out with Malcolm leading them out of the warehouse. Leaving Chris to look at a few documents related to vehicle parts and tools needed to keep his side of things going.

"Did they take the bait?" Olivia mused, grabbing Chris' attention as she stood by the door with her arms crossed.

He placed the papers down and grabbed his cigarette. A hint of a smile on his lips as he shrugged.

"Why wouldn't they?"