Chapter 325 Allies

Chapter 325 Allies
Emma's POV

I blinked in surprise, trying to process how Alaric had managed to take control of Aiden's men so quickly and completely.

Alaric stopped directly in front of Aiden, his posture relaxed but somehow threatening.

"Interesting," he said, voice deceptively light. "I've heard so much about how you respect your elders, how personable and kind you are. Seems the public image doesn't quite match reality."

Aiden's jaw tightened. "What are you doing here, Lewis? We have no business together."

"No?" Alaric raised an eyebrow. "You've been messing with a Lewis family member. That makes it very much my business."

Aiden's gaze flicked to Rachel, his lips curling. "She should learn to mind her own affairs. Now take your men and leave. This is a private family matter."

"The Lewises aren't known for being good at minding their own business," Alaric replied smoothly. "And you should know better than to think we're easy targets."

I could see Aiden recalculating, adjusting his strategy. Without Ryan's backing, with Gavin refusing to cooperate, he was alone in this fight. Outmaneuvered.

"Fine," Aiden said, loosening his tie slightly. "You want an apology? Is that it?"

Alaric pointed at Rachel. "She's the one you should apologize to."

The request clearly stung Aiden's pride. His face darkened with rage. "You think you can walk in here and dictate terms in a Reynolds family matter?"

"I have no interest in Reynolds family matters," Alaric replied coolly. "I'm just here to collect Rachel and leave."

"I'm not leaving without Emma," Rachel insisted firmly.

"I'm not going anywhere without Gavin and Martha," I added, meeting Aiden's furious gaze.

"You're all mocking me," Aiden hissed, his composure finally cracking.

He clapped his hands again, and this time dozens more men appeared, surrounding Alaric's group. The underground garage was now packed with bodies, the tension thick enough to cut.

"Now who's outmaneuvered?" Aiden said, his confidence returning. "I think I'll keep Mr. Lewis as my guest until after tomorrow's funeral. A little insurance, if you will."

Aiden was planning something. Perhaps it was also when Blake would return. I needed to prevent whatever Aiden had planned.

Alaric remained unruffled. "I'd like to pay my respects to Jonathan Reynolds. He was a business acquaintance."

Rachel caught my eye and gave me a reassuring nod. Her confidence in Alaric was clear.

"You weren't invited," Aiden said coldly. "Uninvited guests aren't welcome."

"I insist on attending to express my condolences," Alaric replied. "It would be the proper thing to do."

I watched their verbal sparring, sensing Aiden's growing frustration. He'd underestimated Alaric, that much was clear, but his pride wouldn't let him back down.

"Take him," Aiden ordered his men, and several moved forward.

One reached for Alaric, who moved with shocking speed. His foot connected with the attacker's chest, sending the man flying backward into a luxury sedan.

What followed was chaos. Gavin pushed me behind him, shielding me with his body. The gesture reminded me of our college days when he'd protected me from a group of drunk fraternity boys. For all his faults, Gavin had always been my protector.

When the dust settled, Aiden's men lay groaning on the garage floor while Alaric's team stood unscathed, not a hair out of place.

Aiden managed a strained smile. "I underestimated you, Lewis."

"Most people do," Alaric replied. "Now, about that funeral..."

Later, we arrived at the funeral home where Jonathan would be laid to rest. Alaric had insisted on paying his respects, and Aiden had reluctantly agreed after their confrontation in the garage.

"I'm not letting you out of my sight," Rachel whispered, clinging to my arm as we followed the men.

Perhaps Alaric's intervention would disrupt whatever Aiden had planned for tomorrow. But that still left Blake—where was he, and was he safe?

The funeral home's viewing room was somber and elegant. Alaric approached Eleanor and offered his condolences with genuine respect. Gavin, now dressed in formal black attire, joined his mother to receive mourners.

Few visitors came to pay respects—a stark reminder of how quickly influence faded. The Reynolds family's power had diminished significantly from Gavin's hands to Aiden's, and the conflict with the Blackwell family had made many wary of association.

"Time to leave," Aiden said coldly to Alaric when an appropriate amount of time had passed.

"I'll wait for Rachel," Alaric replied, unmoved.

"I'm staying with Emma," Rachel countered.

Aiden's frustration was palpable, but he couldn't make a scene at his father's funeral. "Fine. Wait in the reception room."

As Alaric left the viewing room, I noticed his men remained stationed outside, a clear signal that protection was still in place.

"Mr. Charles Blackwell has arrived," an attendant announced quietly.

Charles entered, dressed in an impeccable black custom suit. His expression was cold and distant as he ignored me and Rachel completely.

He approached Eleanor and offered brief condolences before turning to Aiden.

"We need to talk. Now."

Aiden straightened his spine. "I'm needed here. For the vigil."

Charles's face darkened. Without warning, he slapped Aiden hard across the face, sending him stumbling backward.

"Now," Charles repeated, his voice deadly quiet.

Charles stood tall, radiating authority as his assistant quickly stepped forward with a silk handkerchief. He carefully wiped his knuckles clean.

"Kid," Charles said, "your father wouldn't dare say no to me when he was alive. You think you're ready to challenge me? You're still wet behind the ears."

Blood trickled from the corner of Aiden's mouth, and I could see the murderous rage in his eyes. But his face remained composed as he forced a smile and bowed slightly.

"Mr. Blackwell is right to discipline me," Aiden said smoothly. "I clearly don't understand respect and proper conduct."

I knew what Aiden was doing. With Alaric already causing problems, he couldn't afford to make an enemy of Charles too. This was temporary submission, nothing more.

Charles folded the handkerchief neatly and handed it back to his assistant. "I came to pay my respects," he said, gesturing toward Jonathan's coffin. "But also to remind everyone where they stand." He leaned closer to Aiden. "Expect quite a show tomorrow."

As Charles walked away, I couldn't help but feel a bitter satisfaction. Even in death, Jonathan couldn't find peace. The empire he'd built was crumbling, and vultures were circling before his body was even in the ground.

"What goes around comes around," I whispered under my breath.

After Charles left, Aiden remained rooted to the spot, his eyes fixed on the door Charles had exited through. The hatred radiating from him was almost tangible.

Eleanor approached her son, concern etched across her elegant features. She reached out to touch the injury at the corner of his mouth, but Aiden jerked away from her touch.

"Martha," Eleanor called to the elderly housekeeper. "Please bring the medical kit."

"I don't need it," Aiden said coldly.

Eleanor persisted. "Your face is bleeding, dear. Let me—"

"Don't pretend to care now," Aiden snapped, turning his anger toward his mother. "It's a bit late for that, isn't it?"