Hampton's Paradise [Sequel to The Other Lodge]

Forced Alliance

"Guys... we have a problem" Elliot says and goes to the living room.

Once we arrive, I see Archie with some crazy bruised all over his face.

"What the fuck?" I ask and go to him. "Those are bad, what happened?!" I examine him.

"Minetta's men..." he whispers.

"Were they there?" I ask.

"In the back of the garden..." he says.

"So he wants war... then we will give it to him."

"What are you talking about?" Ronnie asks worriedly.

"Elio, Nick you know what to do. Elliot?" I say.

"First floor, third door on the left." He answers before I even ask him.

Elio and Nick start to look for microphones around the house while Savannah, who understands what is going on, starts to gather everyone in the living room, asking for silence.

During this time, I'm going to the security room. I start to watch the video surveillance data. I spot two men waiting around the house two hours ago. They are wearing hoods and black combinaisons.

Classic.

I keep watching and see them leaving the house in a sport car. I can't identify the license plate but I manage to see the state sign...

New York.

I print everything and go downstairs. When I arrive Elliot has set everything. Boards, OLED tv screens behind the fireplace wall, and everything to lead an investigation. Cause yes, we've already been there.

Flashback

I look at my dad being handcuffed by the FBI. Ronnie is crying in my arms and mom seems lost in her thoughts.

"I swear to you Ronnie, it's going to be okay. I love you and I will make everything better. For you." I whisper in her ear.

Once she calms down, I leave the house and go to Elliot's place. Savannah is here and I don't even look at her.

"Guys. We need to help my dad." I say.

"How so?" Nick asks.

"Savannah knows the man who put him in jail. We're starting here and then we try to find who paid him, if the police is really behind all of this and most importantly, we try to make my dad free again." I explain.

"Fine. But we need a place to do it. NY is not safe for the moment." Elio reasons.

"You're right..." Elliot thinks. "We can go to the Hampton, nobody will come there during the winter."

"I'm in." I say. "We're leaving tomorrow. Savannah, you could be helpful so you are welcome."

"Thanks. I'll be there and I'll do my best to fix my mistakes." She smiles quickly and we start to pack.

Back to reality

"What's going on guys?" Betty asks.

"Welcome to the former "SaveMisterLodge" HQ." Elliot says proudly.

"I can see our new name now." Elio chuckles.

"SaveBastardRedhead HQ?" Nick suggests.

"Nick! Enough." I say. "There will be the SaveArchieAss HQ. And if any of you feel like they don't want to participate then feel free to go home now. Once we start, we can't stop."

"I'm in." Cheryl says.

Toni, Sweet Pea and Fangs raises their hands in agreement.

"Anything for my best friend." Betty and Jug coordinate their words and smile to each other.

"Once we start, we can't stop right?" Say Reggie showing me his bruises too.

"God Reg! Did they hurt you too?" I ask worriedly to my best friend.

"I heard Archie yelling so I ran to the backyard and fight one of them so they left."

"Thanks for that mate." Archie smiles a bit.

"My dad is a Sheriff, if any of his skills are running through my veins, I'm willing to help you guys." Kevin says.

"Same goes for me." Josie continues.

"You know I love investigate with you, seems like the good old time." Savannah says.

"I know this place better than any of you so if I can help, I will." Emma smiles.

"Can I ask something?" Ronnie says.

"Go ahead." I frown.

"Is this HQ thing the place you were during three months when dad was arrested?" She asks.

"Yes why?"

"Mom told me you were in some rehab thing... did she know about it?"

"Hell no. She genuinely thinks I was in one of those things. But this is something we need to discuss in private so come with me. For the moment, Elliot try to find papers and pens, Archie write everything you can remember. Same goes for you guys. Any details, a sound, a shadow, anything. We'll be back in ten."

I lead Ronnie to the security room and she sits.

"So..." I start. "The first thing you have to understand is, mom isn't the perfect and inoffensive little mobster's wife she wants you to think."

"What? I already know she is not."

"No, you don't know Ronnie. She has more power than dad, she has men and she has relations. When dad was arrested, we investigate with Elio, Nick, Sav and Elliot and we found out Mom was behind everything."

"No way..." she seems to fall apart.

"She thought it was the right thing to do considering dad was about to destroy our empire but that's not what matters now."

"What is then?!"

"Archie." I say. "Mom isn't behind it but maybe she can help. If the guys who attack Archie and Reggie tonight are Minetta's men, it means they are dad's men. If it is the truth, we will need help and mom can afford us that."

"How so?"

"I sold her my parts of Lodge Industries, she owes me. Plus, she likes Archie since he passed the test...." she frowns. "He didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Oh god." I sigh. "Ask him tonight okay? This is important for you to understand. And just so you know, she did the same thing with Sav. Unfortunately, she didn't pass it." I say.

"I'm super confused now." She tells me.

"Everything will be clearer soon." I say. "Anyway, if dad is behind this, we're going to find out and help Archie for this trial. Andre was one of dad's men. I know he killed Cassidy but we can't prove it for now."

"So what are we going to do?"

"Studying every piece of evidence, any details, any leads so we can prove dad is behind this. As long as you trust me, we will be good." I take her hand in mine.

"Do you think a bunch of teenagers can make Hiram Lodge fall?" Ronnie asks.

"I know we can. Don't forget what blood runs in your veins, V. Plus, we have some of the biggest mobsters' family by our side so...."

"Is it why you wanted us to come here?" She asks. "So we can have them with us?"

"I didn't think about it like that. My plan was to  talk to some people to see if I could find something for Sierra and Mary and to extend my business at the same time. But now... now I see the bigger picture. If we can save Archie, we can stop dad. Isn't it what you want?"

"It is."

"So? Are you in?"

"Fine. I'm in."

I hug her and we go back to the living room.

"Guys. This is our time." I say with a smirk.