Rebellious Desire part 15

[jasonsnene]

Title: Rebellious Desire (15/?)

Author: jasonsnene

Pairing: Angel/Xander, Spike/Riley, Graham/Andrew

Rating: NC17

Betas:   carinas_carinae  and aayesha_r 

Warnings: AU, M/M, some violence , uh...maybe a bit of angst. Just a smidge really...kinda.

Banner by:  purpledodah 

Summary: Modern, slashy version of a historical romance novel I read recently. Just, you know, cause I wanted to.

Previous Parts

 

Rebellious Desire part 15

 

It was a new Angel that walked into his office the next afternoon. Finally sharing his past with Xander had shattered the wall he’d built around his heart so many years ago. He’d seen the sincerity in Xander’s promise to never betray him, and for the first time, he trusted. It was an amazing feeling.

 

Now, though, he had work to do. Riley had let him in on a few secrets the night before, and Groo had questioned Amy Madison. Angel was determined to find out what the hell was going on and stop anything else from happening to Xander.

 

Riley and Groo were both waiting for him in his office. Riley saw the peaceful look on Angel’s face and couldn’t help but smile. After what had happened at the party, Riley had honestly thought it was over. Angel had obviously fixed things. Riley couldn’t wait to tell Spike.

 

Angel stepped behind his desk and sat down quickly. He looked at them both and nodded. Groo looked confused, but shrugged it off. Riley hid his smile. 

 

“Groo, what did you find out from Amy?”

 

“It took a bit of convincing, and the threat of attempted murder charges, but I finally got her to talk. She was behind some of what’s been going on, but not all of it. The letter was from her, as well as the kidnapping attempt and the fiasco of last night. Apparently, little Miss Madison decided to help her mother out a bit.  She thought if Xander was out of the way, Giles would marry in a hurry.”

 

Riley nodded. “That’s backed up by what I learned about their finances. The Madison ladies are in deep. Apparently, old man Madison didn’t leave them as well off as they would like everyone to believe. They’re in the hole so bad that unless Catherine marries someone like Giles in a hurry they’re going to lose it all.”

 

It made sense to Angel, but it still didn’t resolve all of their issues. Groo continued from where Riley had left off. “Yep, Amy ‘fessed up to that as well. She said that she and Warren were trying to hurry things along with Giles and Catherine, and then along came Xander, and Giles didn’t seem to be interested anymore. They were getting desperate.”

 

Angel frowned, thinking back over all the attacks on Xander. At the time it had seemed logical that they were all coming from one source, but Angel was now being forced to consider that there was more than one force at work. “So, was Catherine in on it?”

 

Groo hesitated. “Amy says no, but I honestly don’t believe her. I couldn’t get her to incriminate her mother though. But I don’t believe they were behind the shooting. Think about it, where are they going to come up with the kind of cash to hire someone of that caliber? Hell, she only offered Hamilton five grand, and he’s so broke that he took her up on it.”

 

Angel turned to Riley. “What about the uncles?”

 

Riley shook his head regrettably. “That’s where we have problems. There’s definitely something going on with them, but I haven’t been able to figure it out yet. I’m still working on it, but I’m thinking it’s got to be something from the past. I’m pulling financial records for the past 25 years, but it’ll take time.” 

 

“So, why don’t we just go straight to the source?” Groo and Riley both looked at him and smiled. “Riley, set it up for this afternoon. I think we need to pay Xander’s Uncle Wesley a visit.”

 

*********************************

 

Later that afternoon, Angel, Giles and Xander met Riley and Groo at Wesley’s estate. Xander looked worried, and Giles looked nervous. Angel eyed Xander’s father as they went into Wesley’s office. Giles was definitely keeping something from them, and if it turned out to be the reason for all this, Angel was going to be extremely pissed.

 

Wesley was seated behind his desk, frowning rather ominously over a printed report in his hand. His expression completely changed the moment he saw his nephew. “Xander! I’m so glad you could come for a visit.”

 

“Hey, Uncle Wes.” Xander wasn’t entirely sure what to make of everything, but he knew that Angel had serious questions about Wesley’s possible involvement in the attempts on his life. Nothing could convince Xander that Wesley was a possible suspect, though. Angel only hoped to prove him right.

 

“Giles, Angel, and Riley, wasn’t it?” Riley nodded in acknowledgement. “It’s so good to see you all, as well. I’m sorry, but I don’t recall meeting your other friend.”

 

Angel handled the introduction. “Wesley, this is Groo. He works for me. Groo, Xander’s uncle, Wesley.”

 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Groo.”

 

Groo nodded, and Wesley turned his attentions back to Xander. “Everyone, please have a seat.” Wesley turned to Xander while the others were sitting. “How was the reception, Xander? I’m so sorry I was feeling so unwell and had to leave early.”

 

“It was great, Uncle Wes. You missed a good time.”

 

Angel slipped his arm over Xander’s shoulder. “Wesley, sorry to interrupt but there’s something important we need to discuss with you.”

 

“Oh, certainly. Go ahead.” Xander could tell from Wesley’s expression that he had known something was amiss from all the extra visitors but was too polite to just come out and ask. 

 

Angel looked at Xander and Xander pleaded with his eyes for him to go easy on Wesley. Angel squeezed his shoulder gently and shook his head in response. There was no going easy on anyone until they had the truth. Angel turned to stare coldly at Wesley. “We’re here to find out exactly what you know about the attempts that have been made on Xander’s life.”

 

“Xander’s life?” Xander didn’t think it was possible for his uncle to get any paler, but he did, considerably. Wesley looked Xander over carefully, stepping towards him before a glare from Angel stopped him in his tracks. “Wait, what exactly do you mean ‘what do I know’? You cannot think I would have anything to do with hurting Xander! Giles, tell them!”

 

Turning his attention to Angel’s father, Angel watched as Giles withered under his glare. “Yes, Giles. Why don’t you tell us? I think we’d all like to hear an explanation.”

 

Giles jumped to his feet. “Now, you listen here. I had nothing, nothing, to do with anything that has happened to Xander since he arrived here. I was the one who demanded that he come. I want to know who is behind this as much as you do.”

 

Wesley stepped between Giles, Xander, and Angel. “You said it was over, Giles. You told me that it was safe for him to come back now. You told me it was safe!”

 

“It is, Wesley. It was. I thought it was. Oh god.” Giles collapsed back into his seat and dropped his face into his hands.

 

Wesley stepped closer to Giles. “So help me, Rupert, if you’ve put this boy in danger due to your negligence, I will personally make sure you regret it.”

 

Angel gently grabbed Wesley’s arm, pulling him away before the moment got any tenser. “Giles, I think it’s time you told us what’s going on here.”

 

Giles raised his head and looked at Xander. “Xander, I swear to you, I thought it was safe. I didn’t know what was happening! I would have protected you had I known.”

 

Xander knelt in front of his father. “Protected me from what, Dad? Please, tell me what’s going on.”

 

Giles looked over Xander’s shoulder at the still glaring Angel and then quickly looked back at his son. “I was so stupid, Xander. Your mother told me, but I wanted so badly to…well, it doesn’t matter now. About twenty years ago, I made a bad business deal with some very shady characters. I knew at the time that they weren’t completely legitimate, but it seemed like such a good investment.” 

 

“Your mother asked me not to do it, told me that the money we would make wasn’t worth the risk. I didn’t listen and went ahead with my plans. But I got cold feet and tried to back out. They threatened you and your mother, Xander. I didn’t know what to do. Your mother said it was just threats, and to stop, so I did. Two weeks later she was killed in a car accident with your brother, and I sent you to live with your uncle. I had to keep you safe, Xander. I watched and waited. Six months ago, the last of the men I did that cursed deal with died, and I started asking you to come home.  I thought it would be safe, Xander.”

 

Angel was watching Xander’s reaction, but he was also keeping his eye on Wesley. Xander’s uncle didn’t look like he was surprised by the news. “Wesley, when did you find out about this?”

 

Wesley looked at Angel, startled. “Giles came to see me right after Xander arrived and finally told me the truth. There had been very bad blood between us since he’d sent my only remaining link to my sister away with no explanation. I understood why he’d done it though, even if I didn’t agree with his methods.”

 

Xander leaned forward and hugged Giles tightly. Giles returned the embrace and the two sat there for several moments as the truth of their separation was finally revealed. Angel looked at Groo and Riley who both seemed to believe both of the stories. Groo, however, looked puzzled. “Wesley?”

 

All eyes turned to Angel’s associate. “Have you told anyone else about this?”

 

“Certainly not.”

 

Groo nodded. His eyes began sweeping the room, and Riley stood and the two began searching. When Wesley started to protest, Angel caught his arm and shook his head. Wesley clamped his mouth shut and glared at Angel. Xander pulled away from his father and joined him on the couch. Wesley took the seat on the Xander’s other side and waited for the men to complete their search.

 

Riley gestured to Angel, who joined him at Wesley’s desk. He pointed underneath, and Angel knelt to see the listening device attached beneath the drawer. “Wesley, thank you for your time. I can see that we really need to be focusing our attentions on Giles’ past. If you don’t mind, we’ll let ourselves out.”

 

Wesley looked like he was going to protest, but another sharp glance from Angel, and he stayed quiet. They all filed out of the office, and into the hall. Riley closed the door behind them. Xander turned to Angel. “What’s going on?”

 

“The office is bugged. Wesley, I think you should gather some things and come with us. I know Xander would feel better if you were with us until we got this resolved.”

 

Xander took the hint and moved to Wesley’s side. “Please, Uncle Wes? I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”

 

“Oh, well, all right. Although I don’t see what me leaving my home will do to help resolve this issue. As you said, Angel, we need to be focusing on the past with Giles.”

 

Angel watched as Groo accompanied Wesley through the house while he packed. He was beginning to see exactly what was going on here. And Xander wasn’t going to like his suggestion one bit.