Abushed

Ryder sat in his mansion as he had countless women , luxury, privilege and had been enjoying his freedom despite all these things he enjoyed were paid by his father's money he left in a trust. he still was living off of twenty percent of his father's total net worth value from his company in his law firm and Roger held the only two percent of the company stock. There was a reason why Roger had to keep on the staff that was loyal to Antonio Bruno was because he didn't have the power to dismiss them because of his low shares in the company. Bethany held seventy-five percent of the company and Ryder his twenty percent so the ratio of the control of the law firm all relied on Bethany's percentage. Ryder never understood why his father gave her more of a percentage when she had Rana's publishing company where she held the majority of percentage there with a few investments from other silent stock holders. Bethany owned sixty percent of the company as forty percent were divided by partners. When Gregory gave the entire estate he owned which was thirty percent of the entire zehetti fortune for his only daughter to receive upon her twenty first birthday. Ryder felt he needed more of a fair shake since the only business he had was odd of Rogers law firm and he always thought how Roger took fifty percent of their earnings from a company that made money off of his law firm. Roger was brilliant ,but didn't factor in him making Ryder pay revenue from his own businesses so Ryder wasn't really paying anything at all he was washing the money and recycling it back through his twenty percent. Ryder banked on the fact he handled the books for the business of all three families so he knew what was paid and what was recycled funds. The only person who could make his twenty percent increase was his half sister Bethany. Ryder and Bethany really didn't have any bad blood between them,but when Roger and Regina cornered him in their road to retribution he had no choice but to join them until he could make his own path. Now Roger married his mother she was truly stuck in his world. Yes it bother Ryder his mother married the most misguided man he had ever met,but there wasn't much he could do about it. Regina running to him trading information and snitching of Roger and his mother in a lame attempt to secure her a place for her and Alexander in return . He would have helped her but he was already too far in the rabbit hole that if he took Regina in his path to freedom would be non-existent. Ryder didn't want to be on the opposing side of his only sister. When Roger provided Victoria with the posion to slowly kill Rana his only half sister out of spite and jealousy. He watched Rana as she slowly deteriated and withered away to nothing before his very own eyes. He watched her grow sick to the point where bile and blood came out of her vomit. But he also watched Bethany hurt as she watched her mother suffer before her eyes and she spent hours of dedication to be by her mother's side. She held her mothers hand at age six when she first got sick not caring if she could catch whatever illness she suffered. In truth Rana had miscarried a child and never told her precious daughter. The rejection of the fetus made her sick and she was struggling from the emotional recovery of it all to give Bethany a brother. When Roger found out he could be replace by another male heir other than being passed over by Bethany he convinced Victoria to help him secure his plans. The last thing Roger needed was another brat taking his place. It was a terrible slow death that Rana experienced. He regretted how she died and the reason behind her death. It took Rana four years to die slowly from a poison that was undetectable and all the doctor couldn't figure out what made her illness . Every few months and organ would shut down until she was forced on respirators and machines to keep her alive. Roger went way back and his hate for his younger sister treatment by his father ran deep. Rogers heart was set on becoming the only one to inherit his father's fortune . When Rana left it all to Bethany it was a surprise to him at the will reading after the funeral. Rana was raised as an only child and she knew nothing of Roger because her mother Josephine the heiress to a diamond mind after her oldest brother Clyde . Josephine knew of Teresa and kept Rana in the dark of her sibblings even though he looked alot like his father in the face and his mother's eyes . When Roger wanted to put Victoria in Antonio's bed to spite his little sister thinking he was owed his father's company . The years of living in the shadows of his beloved sister and her mother Josephine. When his mother was alive she was the personal maid to Rana. She raised her and catered to her as Roger watched his mother forced to raise the child of the other woman it set a bitter place in his heart for Rana and now Bethany his half neice even though she did not know it. Ryder saw what was going on and he was fed lies by Roger that Rana was going to hurt Victoria for being her husband's lover once she became well from her illness. Victoria fearing for her life that Rana would seek retribution took the poison to administer to Rana's food every day to keep her sick. That small seed of doubt made Victoria in a scheme to murder an innocent woman for the sick vendetta against Rana on never being treated like family . When Rana died Victoria expected Antonio to marry her and claim his son and give her his dues and hers to set her up for life. When Antonio gave it to Bethany it hurt her. Victoria raised Bethany because her mother was too sick to care for the little girl and even after her mother's death Victoria still raised her. She would have gotten rid of Bethany if she didn't look so much like her Antonio. When Ryder delivered the message from a business negotiations to his father at age fifteen he was supposed to be at that meeting but his father made him stay home with his mother and half sister Bethany. The difference between Rana and Roger was he never got to actually know his sister as he watched his mother serve her until she died. Ryder grew up with his sister as playmates. He comforted her when her mother died. He held her hand at her funeral when Bethany was only ten years old .He stayed close to Bethany during meals and made sure his mother couldn't do to Bethany what she did to Rana. Ryder loved his mother but thought it was a great injustice she did to Bethany off of a rumor started by Roger pitting Rana and Victoria that did not exist. He hated she got the majority of the inheritance but he did have some sense of family with her. Him kicking her out of the Bruno mansion upon their father's death was a mercy. He was trying to save her from Roger and Victoria now she didn't have their father or mother to protect her. He saw the war brewing when Roger realized he gave that brat Bethany what was his to have. He worked too hard to stay in Antonio's graces to be left with nothing at all. Hector was his father too not just hers. He deserved reconition for him being a Grigorii too. Ryder always thought his father saved him by making him stay home that faithful night. Otherwise Victoria would be burying a son and a lover. So I'm return for saving his life he saved Bethany's by kicking her out of the mansion to keep her away from his mother before Roger could plant his seed in her again to kill Rana's only daughter and inherit his father's wealth once more. Ryder waited by the gym as he did his homework on Bethany keeping a down low track of her. Him agreeing to break in her home and steal the name and photos of sunshine was to keep it out of Rogers hands. He was protecting his neice by keeping her name safe. Keeping her face safe. After all Bethany was family and he sat back far too long watching Roger and Regina tear up the country looking for her . Roder placed Regina in Gregory's path as he convinced the Toosleys' to invest in the zehetti family to clear their debt instead of going to Antonio to help them. Antonio was a reasonable man and very respected in the three families. Roger knew if Bethany married Gregory they would be untouchable. So he made the Toosleys' become indebted to the Zehetii's in order to offer Regina as a solution to their bad gambling debts. Regina being Victoria and Brian's daughter was a surprise to him . When Bethany had no Rana . No Antonio. No Gregory . It was easier to pick her off and convince Ryder to give up and surrender to his empire he was working for. Roger was greedy and couldn't just setting for Rana's company he wanted it all. The Bruno law firm. The Toosley investments and the Zehetii's wealth . It started off his secret revenge against Rana but soon evolved to his desire to be significant instead of a forgotten brother.Ryder sat in meetings and he did his job. He allowed roger to think he had control over the situation as he gathered information and bought time for him to make an escape plan, but the real reason they didn't find Bethany wasn't over stupidity or misdirection. It was because he kept her hidden from Roger, Regina, and Victoria. Bethany was his sister after all and after all the bravado of wanting his father's company and being the man of the house it was a front to distract them from pursuing Bethany as he acted like a camillieon in a room full of snakes. Ryder leaned against the wall of the gym waiting for Axel as he knew this was Bethany's husband . He knew he would better reach Bethany to discuss his plans man to man . Axel was very protective over Bethany with her being pregnant and he knew this as he saw how protective he was over his big sister . Axel had never met Ryder only heard his name mentioned. Axel passed the man that looked like Bethany . The same chocolate hair and light brown eyes . The same cheek bones and chin. He had to take a second look at the young man he swore was familiar. Axel nodded his head to greet him. " You must be axel Jing." Said Ryder as he halted Axel from entering the building to go to work . " Depends on who's asking?" Remarked Axel as he looked at the man curious if he was going to start trouble or not. It be stupid to do it in front of a gym full of fighters. Even though they were all fighters and matched up against each other from time to time there was still a brother and sisterhood amongst them in the gym like a family . No one picks on family dynamic. " I'm Ryder Bruno . I'm here to talk business with Bethany my older sister." Said Ryder as he waited for the words to register in axels mind. " Hey man if your here to harm or hurt my family in anyway." Started Axel as he was ready to fight as Ryder held up his hand cutting him off . " Whoa! Take it easy. It's quite the opposite. I'm here to help her. There are a few things that she needs to know about what's going on back home. I know you may have heard some shady things with what's going on ,but I assure you it's just a smoke screen to the truth." He said as he hoped Axel would choose peace over violence . Ryder wasn't a fighter he was a lover. He used his witt to get what he wanted. " Go on." Demanded Axel as he didn't want to be stuck here all day . " Let's grab a bite to eat . Then talk and you decide if I'm friend or foe ?" Pleased Ryder as Axel knew this could be a waiting trap. " You don't mind if I bring my manager with me and a colleague with me for precautions do you? Otherwise this conversation stops right here?" Asked Axel as he worked out the odds of this being a trap with all the things he heard about Bethany's family. " Go right ahead. Bring an entire army if it will ease your mind . I just want to talk. I know you are Bethany's husband and a man should discuss intentions to another man. " Said ryder hoping he would accept because he had already waited two hours for this guy to show up and he was starving . " Give me a minute. I'll be right out. We will follow you to the place." Confirmed Axel as he went inside. Paul smiled at the sight of Axel then frowned a bit seeing axels mood. " What's going on ,Axel is everything okay?" Said Paul in concern. Noticing axels aggervation. " Yes and no. Bethany's brother Ryder showed up . He wants to go talk at a restaurant. Their family is well at war with each other and he shows up wanting to see his sister." Said Axel rubbing his face in distress. " Do you think that is actually a good idea?" Asked Paul concerned from what he just heard. " No I don't think it's a good idea. But ." Axel sighed. " But what?" Replied Paul. " He came to me like a man. Instead of hunting Bethany down and risking me finding out. Everyone deserves to be heard out. He told me I can bring an entire army to ease my mind. I'm not sure if that's a vote of confidence but I have to try. This is Bethany's only brother. " Said Axel making a decision. " I see. I suppose speculation is the same as prejudice. You are right he deserves to be heard out. I assume you want me and a couple of the boys to come. " Offered Paul knowing Axel was capable of a fight alone but didn't want it to boil down to that. " Yeah man. Bring Luther and Arrianna .that should do four should be enough." Said Axel panning out his choices. " Arrianna are you sure you don't want another dude?" Paul asked confused by his request for her. " This guy is Rico suave type. He is a ladies man by the way I see him dressed. He will be more cordial with a lady present then four men. Trust me on this one. She is a distraction and a reinforcement of him to behave. Besides he won't know what hit him. Remember when her and Avery matched up and she had Avery panting half way through. " Said Axel as he remembered how mad Avery got when she lost that fight . " Yeah man I got you. Okay good call. Let me go fill them in on what's going on and we will be ready to leave. " Said Paul patting Axel on the shoulder to let him know everything was going to be alright. ​

Paul gathered Luther a big muscular guy that was a seasoned fighter for years as they all changed into the street wear to meet up with Arianna . Arrianna was harder to convince then Luther but she eventually agreed when she knew it was for Axel. Arrianna always liked Axel and on few times had comforted Axel after his mom left and his dad died . They weren't on dating terms then but they both knew it was something that was needed as a distraction. She knew Axel had gotten married at she was fine with it. She actually liked Bethany . Arianna was always a friend's with benifits when things were tight. Avery hate Arrianna because she lost her first fight to her. For the longest time Axel and Arianna would pick up and drop off with no commitment necessary. It was a friendship when he needed to talk and a body when he needed relief. Neither of them ever got emotionally involved . Well that is what Axel thought. Arrianna would do anything for Axel because he never mistreated her . Arrianna had witnessed a lot of bad relationships and many she was put aside because of them. When she joined the gym she was thirteen and placed there as a rehabilitation method to keep her from wondering the streets and getting in trouble. Her mom's last three boyfriends left Arrianna to take care of herself as her mom would go missing for weeks then come home as the lights and water would be cut off and her surviving on frozen meals and ramen noodles. When her mom would end the relationship she would come back home until the next guy came around and she would be gone a few more weeks. Arrianna only got to know her mom in passing and she joined the gym because she didn't want to go home when there was nothing there for her. One day she didn't have a home as her items were evicted and she would sleep in the old junk car broken down in the backyard. When she met Paul and Axel she was lack of a better word a bit skittish of human interactions. Paul had to work on a Arrianna on her trusting someone else around her. She grew up with a younger sister but she ran away to her biological dads house and her mom didn't even care . Arrianna was a working progress. When her and Axel use to fool around the both were hurting from one or more things going on at home . Anything Axel ask her to do she usually does it without question. Axel was the first person to gain her trust and they use to spar together before Avery joined the gym when she was sixteen. Avery didn't like how close Arrianna and Axel was and when she showed up she started to spar with Axel to keep Arrianna away from her brother. Arrianna ,Luther, Paul ,and Axel walked outside as Ryder was in his car . Paul took his car as the three piled into the car with the convertible top . Paul had a classic hunter green xk8 jaguar convertible. Paul had good taste in classic cars . Ryder nodded at the car as he liked classic Luxury cars himself . The cranked up the cars and followed Ryder out of the gyms parking lot. The car moved through the streets and stopped at a sports bar as the crowd walked in to take a seat as Axel thought this was an interesting place for a rich guy. Axel looked around at the bar and the television with the game on and the waitresses that wore tiny uniforms . They all took a seat Paul beside Axel and Arrianna at the end of the table keeping her distance from the stranger . Luther sat by Ryder as he looked at the group in front of him. He smiled at the beautiful woman at the end of the table. " I don't bite darling. I swear I'm a complete gentleman." Swore Ryder as Axel let out a chuckle as he called it right that Arrianna was a great distraction for Ryder to be civil. He felt bad he was using her to distract Ryder from doing anything stupid. " Nice touch using this honey here to keep me in line. She is a nice distraction and all though I would love to spend my time trying to bring her to the dark side I actually have business to discuss." Said Ryder as he glared at Axel. He smiled and axel noticed the smile Bethany has where her dimples reach the same spot. He had never had the opportunity to meet her father but from her and Ryder he could see him in them both. Only difference was Bethany's eyes went from brown to hazel from.time to time according to the color she wore. " That's fair . So what is it do you want to discuss? " Asked Axel as he was curious now since he saw through the obvious situation. Ryder was smart and perceptive. Smarts must have ran in the family. He had always assumed Ryder was a simpleton to get caught up in all the problems Bethany described. " About the truth about what happened to her mother and father and who Roger really is? Also about the share we have in our father's company but I need Bethany for that since it's her shares." Explained Ryder as axels eyes perked up at the mention of Roger. " And about that lovely sister of yours Avery. Pretty little thing to be so stuck in our twisted little world. I also know Roger and her had a past. From one person whose sister was impacted by to another whoms sister was inflicted by Roger. Your sister almost got roped into our mess and I'm here to tell both of you the truth." He said as he watched the entire table attention snap to the name Avery being mentioned. " If this is a plot to lure Bethany out in the open." Axel started as Ryder leaned back in here chair and sighed asperated at his accusations. " If it was do you honestly think I would risk coming alone to face a guy who makes his living beating people up. If you haven't noticed I'm not in a fighting position." Said Ryder now annoyed at the lack of confidence." Besides I'm more of a lover not a fighter. I wouldn't last a minute." He said with a chuckle . " Then what? Why now all of a sudden?" Accused Axel as he quiet as the waitress came over to take everyones orders. As soon as she left Ryder answered knowing this was a delicate conversation. " Regardless of popular opinion I actually liked Bethany. She is a good sister and we went through a lot together after her mother got sick and more after her mother died. I love my sister she is my only family I can trust. She has no idea how deep her world reaches or the players in it. She pissed off a lot of people just existing. " Explained Ryder as Axel nodded as he understood there was more to Ryder than Bethany let on. " What happened to her mother?"asked Axel as he didn't want the run around . He knew the type and he need information to convince him Ryder had no I'll intentions for Bethany. " Well first you have to understand the reason her mother had to die. You see Roger isn't some random run of the mill fortune seeker for bigger and better things. Roger Evenburg is the half brother to Rana Grigorii. He was a product of a maid whom resided in the house. His mother raised Rana and he was never allowed to be her brother. Her mother Josephine wouldn't allow Roger to be considered a brother to Rana. When her father died he gave his empire to Rana alone. " He said letting Axel register the information. " What the fuck? So Roger is Bethany's uncle? " He said finally in disbelief. " But Bethany don't know . If Rana didn't know Bethany wouldn't either. She thought he was just a guy who was partner with our father Antonio." Said Ryder as all the information started to click in his head . " What does Avery have to do with all of this ?" Said Axel concerned now how much Ryder knew. " Avery and her son . Is connected to Roger. I had a pleasure of meeting her once where Roger made her off limits to touch. But Regina she is the one to be paying attention to. Avery put her in her place and now Regina Rogers ex lover and baby mama she had a sour taste for Avery. The chick is off the rockers homicidal about Avery .My mother has recently married Roger and I'm sure he didn't tell Avery since they were seeing each other before she went to prison. Avery needs to get away and stay away from this group before she becomes a permanent edition to the bodies piling up around them." Said Ryder as he watched axels face grow in concern. " I'm here to save Bethany as well as Avery. I owe her a debt for what happened to Rana and our father. Roger orchestrated everything that is happening right now as a sad attempt to get what he thinks he is owed. I admit I kicked Bethany out of our family home and made her go on the run,but it was to spare her the plans Roger had for her to give up Rana's company that Bethany inherited. The blood wars run deep between him and Bethany and she don't even know why?" Said Ryder as Axel sat back as Paul rubbed his face and Arrianna looked concerned at Axel. " Shit Axel this sounds bad like really bad. Maybe it's best he talks to Bethany to gain some clarity over a war she was only fed one side of the story as I'm seeing it unless I'm looking at it wrong?" Said Paul in concerned for Bethany and Avery. " No your seeing it correctly. Keep Avery away from Rogers group. If you value your sisters life please keep her away from us at any cost. I've always known where Bethany was but I was cornered and forced to be on the wrong side to protect Bethany. Now Roger has married my mother she is stuck there in this war. Actually now I think of it she was in this war when Roger had my mother kill Bethany's mother. But a marriage makes her a little harder to break free from all this mess." Said Ryder as he looked tired of all the fighting and killing. " And what is this percentage you talk about with yours and Bethany's father?" Asked Axel now wanting to know his business with Bethany. " Bethany holds seventy -five percent as I hold only twenty percent and Roger two percent and three percent is divided by three silent partners. Roger is blackmailing us into giving him fifty percent of our earnings. I'm basically living off ten percent of my inheritance. I'm not free to move anywhere when I'm trapped in Rogers web. But if Bethany and I buy Roger out and go even on the percentage leaving the remainder three percent where it is . Perhaps we can cut off Rogers money supply to stop his persuit of Bethany. All I want for Bethany is a fair shake of our father inheritance to get me out of Rogers clutches. " Said Ryder as Axel didn't hate him for wanting a fair cut of his father's business. In fact it made some sense what he did now and how Bethany was left alone for so long . Ryder her brother was playing double agent to protect Bethany this entire time. " The night our father died . We were supposed to be attending that meeting together. It was supposed to be my first business trip together. My father told me to stay home and help Bethany and my mother and next time I could go. Those orders for the meeting came from Roger. He saved my life making me stay home. I wish I could have saved Rana's life the the way my father saved mine. Roger is out to kill everything connected to Rana down to the dog." He said as he teared up and cleared his throat. The food came interrupting the conversation . The five people at in silence as Axel caught stares from all of the others. He knew he had to tell Bethany but even the information he knew now was hard to translate without proof. Bethany had a right to know what happened to her parents. But now he was concerned over how far Avery got in this group he spoke of . He was shocked he knew Avery by name and knew his nephew . This was on an entirely different level than he was prepared for when he first saw Ryder waiting for him at the gym. " I will let Bethany know what was said here and I will let her decide if she wants to meet up with you to discuss business. I also appreciate the heads up warning about my sister Avery . " Said Axel now stressed over what he learned. " That's fair. No rush .just give me a call what ever you decide. Ring once and hang up and then I will call back . " Said Ryder as he handed Axel his business card . He stood up and shook axels hand like a business meeting concluded. " Thank you for hearing me out. I know you want to protect my sister but so do I . After all she is the only family I have left." Said Ryder as he left the restaurant. Axel held up his hand to get the waitress to come over. A tall brunet came over as she was called. " Yes sir is there anything else you need?" She said perky . " No just the check ,please?" Axel said as he was ready to go. Axel didn't know how to make out Ryder as he had become conflicted in what he knew before and what he knew now . His honest intentions for Bethany made Axel uneasy still about how Ryder found him. " Oh it's no problem . The gentleman paid the tab in full on the way out. Enjoy the rest of your meal ,sir." Said the waitress as Axel flipped Ryder's card in his hand impressed he managed to pay the tab without anyone noticing. Ryder Bruno was definitely a smooth person. Ryder was definitely not a foe in Axel's eyes . He was a concerned brother like he was with Avery. It was a lot to process , but he was glad he decided to hear him out instead of brush him off. ​