When Paths Collide

Coincidence?

Jaxson's death was deemed suicide, and he was buried alongside Jon.

There was a slight drizzle during the funeral as if the world knew what it had lost.

And somehow, we all ended up at Violet's bar, which she specifically closed for the day.

The only note Jaxson left was that his stuffed bunny Hoppers, which I found out was given to him by Violet when they were seven, was to go back to Violet.

But other than that, there were no words of farewell, which was rather strange.

Everyone, the remaining of the original three, Leo, Andrew, and my friends and I, had gathered in a makeshift circle.

Violet, however, was further back, distancing herself with Hoppers on her left, two bottles of wine on her right, and an already half-empty wine glass in hand. Her three wolves were laying around her, sides pressed against her in silent comfort.

"You know, it was just us against the world." Lily mused, glancing at Violet, who merely gave her a nod, refusing to speak. "Some of us had our own issues, but we were still here for each other despite them."

"No words to say goodbye. Just that note." Leo murmured. "Do you think you can share some wine?" Violet merely pushed one of the bottles, and Chase pushed himself up, grabbed the bottle in his jaws, and dragged himself over to Leo before dropping the bottle in his lap and making his way back to Violet.

"Trained to do that?" Ryan asked, and Violet only hummed an answer. "How often do you need bottles of wine?" Violet ignored him that time, not even glaring at him like she normally would.

What if Jaxson didn't kill himself?

The question I have been asking myself since the funeral was asked by Scarlet. "Do you think Jason actually killed himself."

Most of us shrugged, Lily and Leo remained quiet, but Violet was the only one to answer directly, talking for the first time since the funeral. "No."

At the puzzled looked, she elaborated. "I've known Jaxson a little longer than Lily has, and I know that he values life too much to take his own." She said. "Maybe he changed over the years, and if that's so, then what I am certain about is that if he was going to kill himself he would've left a note explaining his actions." Glancing at Leo she continued. "Like Leo mentioned, there was no note other than the one with Hopper."

"So you're saying-" She cut me off, making direct eye contact.

"Jay, what I'm saying is that we shouldn't rule out the possibility that it could be murder." Silence. "Listen, random people are murdered for wanting to make a business deal with Wolfe Industries or wanting to reveal my location. Lily was in danger because Andrew wanted to find me, so he left, effectively getting her and their children out of danger. Then Jon dies followed by shortly by Jaxson."

"You don't think it's a coincidence?" Andrew asked.

"No." She shrugged, taking a sip of wine. "But maybe it is and I'm just overthinking."

"But what could cause them to die if the murderer is only killing people that want something to do with you?" Grace made a valid point.

"Information, possibly." She said. "They were already associated with me, yet they weren't targeted sooner."

"They might've seen something." Scarlet murmured.

"Well, while you figure it out, I'm going to go take a walk." Violet staggered to her feet, slightly swaying.

"Isn't public intoxication illegal?" Leo narrowed his eyes in confusion.

"Then I'll drown my sorrows in my office."

"Maybe you should drink some water instead." As Violet made her way to her office, the three wolves following her, she waved me off.

Once she left, Leo looked at the bottle of wine she had left. "Maybe she'll listen to you."

"Nope, she has a personal wine cabinet in her office," Andrew said.

"She's definitely an alcoholic," Leo commented. "But let's not let this go to waste." Leo reached over and grabbed the other wine bottle. "Jaxson wouldn't want us moping around."

"Violet seems to think so," Ryan muttered.

"She's always like that." Andrew waved off the comment. "I have rarely seen her without wine. It's honestly a bit concerning."

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A/N: Words can't describe how horrible this chapter is.

I still hope you enjoyed!