The Only Beanie - Book 4 (Riverdale Season 4/5)

Men of Honor - Part 1

"You seriously challenged Bret to a duel?" Aminity asked, holding the phone to her shoulder as she grabbed her books out of her locker.

"It's the best way to go against him. Besides, it's a Stonewall thing."

"So you're playing to his strengths?"

"No. We're doing a best two out of three thing. One round of fencing, one of bare-knuckle brawls, and if we tie, a round of chess."

"Fencing?" she tried not to laugh.

"I can hear the grin on your face."

"And I can hear you rolling your eyes. Just have someone video that fencing match for me, yeah?"

"Whatever."

"Be careful."

"Of course. Love you."

"Love you too." She hung up, putting the phone back into her pocket before a pair of arms were wrapped around her waist. "Hi," she smiled as he placed a kiss on her neck.

"Who was that?"

"Jealous?" she teased and he rolled his eyes. "It was just Jughead," she chuckled, leaning up and pressing her lips to his. "Don't worry. I was just teasing."

"You'd better be."

"Come on," she told him, intertwining her fingers with his and walking to class.

***

"So you and Sweet Pea. How's that going?" Archie asked the next day as they walked to school.

"Pretty great," she smiled, looking over at him. "I know you two haven't always gotten along-"

"Hey, that was a long time ago. We're good now. Besides, as long as you're happy."

"You're so much like Jughead," she chuckled and he laughed before stopping. "What?"

"Forgot my phone. Hang on." He jogged back to his house and she slowly followed him before she heard the sound of glass breaking coming from inside.

"Archie?" she called, coming into the house to see him and Frank fighting a man she had never seen before. She dropped her backpack and rushed in. The man knocked Archie to the ground with a punch before turning around, surprised to see her. She used that to her advantage, kicking him backwards into the island. He groaned as his back hit the granite before swiping at her, but she ducked. He then pushed her into the wall, raising her up by neck as she tried to kick him. Archie hit him over the head with a frying pan, knocking him to the ground, and he caught Aminity before she could fall.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked his uncle before he was on the ground, the man having swept his leg before making a run for it. Frank grabbed a knife and flung it, but it lodged in the doorway as the man ran through the door. The three panted as Archie stood.

"I forgot my phone," he told his uncle. Aminity only sat down, leaning her head against the wall.

***

"I'm sorry, Archie," Frank apologized as Aminity banged his hand. "I usually have an instinct about these things. And I'm sorry you got involved," he looked at her.

"It's alright."

"Yeah, we're fine," Archie agreed, "but, Uncle Frank, why the hell is one of your friends trying to kill you?"

"After the war, I was hard up. Ted reached out and he told me about this security gig. It paid well, hired vets, no questions asked. The thing is, it was a private paramilitary contract and they sent us all over the world... as mercenaries."