𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐄𝐍 || 𝘈 𝘞𝘢𝘳

"OLIVIA, WITH HIRAM IN THE HOSPITAL, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO EXPAND HIS REACH. Not fund whatever the fuck you have planned for your personal gain." Chris doesn't know how long he'd been fighting with the Blossom on this matter. It's felt like hours, but in all actuality, it's only been 2 minutes. Olivia had grown a tendency to irk a headache for the boy and he wasn't particularly in the mood for it.

The girl sat on the other side of his desk clenched her jaw. "This is a legitimate business I'm talking about, Chris," she stated. "A front that we both can use instead of this warehouse. People are talking and already suggesting what we may be doing."

Chris took a puff off his cigarette and stared at the girl emotionlessly. "So let them." He shrugged, flicking the ash off the tip of the cigarette. "We continue the business that Hiram has gifted us and expand to further customers in neighbouring towns. How hard is this for you to understand?"

"It's not. It's the fact that you clearly can't tell that I am in charge of keeping this looking like a working establishment whilst you deal with trafficking the drugs." Olivia sighed, standing to her feet and moving around the desk and to his side. Placing a paper in front of him that had percentages and a whole lot of numbers Chris wasn't in the mood to read. Not when his mind is focused on his boss and Harry who had yet to show his face to anyone. "Read this."

Staring at the paper for a moment, Chris grunted as he sat up with his cigarette resting lazily in the corner of his lips. Taking the crinkled paper between his calloused fingertips and read it over. Percentages, costs, investments. There was a whole lot of money that had to be spent and a lot of it wasn't in their bank.

"And how do you expect we pay for all of this?" He inquired, placing his cigarette in his ashtray.

"Hermione," Olivia said. "I can call her and ask to make a few phone calls. Once they hear that the Blossoms are making a Whiskey, they'll all jump on board with investments into the company.  Which then create's our money problem. I would just need your signature for it."

Defeated, Chris grabbed a pen and messily wrote his signature across the dotted line. "There." He handed the paper to her. "Now, fuck off."

Olivia was surprised by the outburst as she watched Chris pinch the bridge of his nose. The faintest of shakes in his hands. Which he clenched tightly in an attempt to steady himself. But whatever form of shock passed over Olivia soon disappeared into anger. "You know, Chris? You haven't changed. You will never fucking change!"

She stomped out of the room, swinging the door open and marching away to her office. Now, planning the brewery that Hiram would likely have his neck for.

But Olivia was right in her observation. He hadn't changed. He simply traded one evil for another. It wasn't right, and he knew that. So, did that make him an evil person with the knowledge that he wasn't okay? Or was he kidding himself? Either way, he would wait to meet his match and see if they could best him. And when that day came, that would be his last day on Earth.

He didn't have to look far as a knock at his door alerted him. Finding Malcolm standing at the door with an annoyed expression. One that Chris knew all to well and found it rather hard for the man to replicate in simple annoying acts. "Someone's here to see you, CJ."

Without giving the go-ahead, a man stepped inside and Chris sighed. "Elio Grande, I presume." Standing to his feet, he greeted the boy, who smiled.

"The pleasure is all mine, Chris Jones." They shook hands and Chris felt how soft the boy's palms were. Giving a smile that was more of mockery than a greeting, Yet, Elio didn't pick up on it.

"Close the door, Malcolm. Mr. Grande has some business to discuss I believe." Once the door was shut, Chris moved around his desk and grabbed his cigarette. "So, what is it you would like from me?"

Elio sighed, crossing one leg over the other, hands clasping together as he smiled. "There have been whispers of your connection with Hiram Lodge's business," he began. "And after he was shot, I've come to warn you that these men that have gunned for the man won't stop until it is finished." He sighed, glancing around the office. "With you in connection with his business, they'll swoop down and attempt to steal his territory. Meaning, you lose your warehouse and everything else with it."

Humming, Chris took a puff of his cigarette and dabbed the flames out. Inhaling deeply as he crushed the bud before exhaling the cloud. "Does that mean you know the shooters?" He inquired gruffly.

"Very powerful men - But that is beside the point," Elio chuckled as he shook his head. "You are out of your depth, Chris. How far do you think you can fight before they gun for you?"

This a very good question for the up-and-coming criminal. But Chris merely stared at the man, stuffing his hands in his slacks. Looking toward the clock and humming softly. "Three, two, one. Boom."

An explosion in the distance could be heard, causing Elio to flinch, looking around in panic before his gaze landed on Chris' nonchalant expression. About to question Chris as to what it was, but was interrupted by the said boy. Eyes hollow of any amount of remorse as to what Elio had guessed had just happened. "How far do you think your reach has, Mr. Grande?" He inquired. "Because by the sound of it, two of your men just died because of your arrogance."

"What the fuck did you-"

"I had one of my lackeys plant a bomb in your car - See, Elio, I have been researching you," Chris said. "I am impressed by a lot of what you've been able to accomplish. But I can tell you haven't experienced a hard day in your life, considering the texture of your hands, and all the money from your parents. A friend told me that you can see someone's entire story in their palms. And yours are terribly soft."

Elio had nothing to say, only a shocked stare as Chris sat down in his chair with a grunt. "I've also learned that you hired two of Hiram's last guards, who tipped me off of your dealings," he explained, sighing in annoyance. "You got them to try and convince Ronnie to forward the money to your family. But I also know that you have contacts within my own men. Some who I knew would take the bait and display just what happens when you try to interrupt my business."

Looking past Chris, Elio was shown the sight of Malcolm and another unseen face with four of his hired insiders. They all wore bags over his heads, a small amount of mercy that Chris was willing to offer to the disloyal men. And in a blink, the two men shot the four in the back of the heads. Elio gasped in shock. He was frozen in his place under Chris' cold gaze. Compelling him to sit and listen to every word he had to say.

Everything that Elio had read up on Chris was well-known facts. A killer that had gone M.I.A. till reappearing back in Riverdale with no warning. A few weeks later, he has a warehouse out of the blue where he repairs cars. Also the ex of Veronica Lodge. Nothing directed him to believe Chris had any brain in his skull. The man flunked his classes and did nothing eventful with his life. No way Elio would've expected this meeting to result like this.

"They're expendable," Chris said, almost trying to assure himself with his statement. But this just showed how willing he was with getting rid of whoever threatened his or Hiram's power. Something Elio never could see himself capable of ordering or doing.

"So, let this be a lesson, city boy," Chris stated. "You have wandered into the jungle with no map. When the lion comes, he eats. Your untidiness has created problems that you have to clean up before people come asking questions, Elio." Chris lifted finger in warning. "But this is what happens when you threaten me or Hiram. Make sure it doesn't happen again."

Elio shook his head. "You're crazy," he breathed. "This will start a war."

And for the first time, Chris smile genuinely as he leaned against his desk. "What do you mean 'will'?" He asked softly. "It's already begun."