McCraven

Leaving the penthouse and after having breakfast, Lexi and Phoebe drove to the Angel Nightclub’s parking lot in Peter’s Ford Mustang. Arriving at the lot which was mostly empty, they found Victor leaning against his car, clearly waiting for them to show.

"Are you sure about this?" Naomi asked Lexi. "If our parents or Tommy or even Caleb found out..."

"I know but he reached out and asked for me to hear him out, so I'm going to hear him out," Lexi replied.

"Do you want me to come out and have your back or should I just stay here and keep the engine running in case we need to make a quick escape?" Phoebe jested.

However Lexi didn’t answer and instead climbed out of the car and walked toward Victor whilst Phoebe followed leaning against the car as her cousin approached the son of her family's rival.

"Hi," Victor said to Lexi. "Thanks for coming, I wasn't sure you would."

"You wanted me to hear you out," Lexi replied. "So, you didn't think to mention that your Dad is the guy currently having problems with my family."

"My dad is a man who has many problems and unfortunately, your family is currently top of the list," Victor admitted. "But the truth is, I don't give a damn about the Graysons, the McCravens, McNamaras or whatever feud my father is having this week or any other week. It's exhausting, Lexi," Victor sighed. "Living in a house where every conversation is about my father is draining. The truth is, yeah I should have been honest. I know all about my Dad's issues with Tommy and Caleb and even Peter but I just saw you, a girl from school I liked at that bar and I decided for once, I wanted something that wasn't my father's move.'"

"And I'm just supposed to believe that?" Lexi asked, softly.

"Believe whatever you want," Victor replied. "All I can do is tell you that I'm tired of being the son of a man who doesn't care about anyone else but himself."

"You're tired of being used and you like me? That's your explanation?" Lexi bluntly responded.

"It's not an explanation, it's me, a McCraven telling the truth for once," Victor replied. "I know how this looks. The McCraven playbook usually involves a hidden agenda. But the agenda here is simple. I like you and I want to get to know you better. This stuff with Tommy, Caleb and my Dad. All of it is just shitty timing. I just saw you at that bar and I wanted something that was put in my play by my father."

"You're a very good actor, Victor. I'll give you that," Lexi sighed as she looked at Victor and then said. "I'm not saying I trust you. Trust is something you earn, and your last name puts you in a deep deficit," Lexi paused, a small smile finally embracing her face. "But I’m curious enough to see if you’re actually as tired of the family playbook as you claim to be."

"What does that mean?" Victor wondered.

"It means I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt for exactly one evening," Lexi replied. "Meet me for drinks tonight. We'll take it from there."

"One evening," Victor repeated, a smile plastering on his face. "I’ve got the perfect place. I'll message you the details."

"Can't wait," Lexi replied, turning around and making her way back to Phoebe who was still leaning against the car, looking at phone and pretending like she wasn't eavesdropping.

"One evening? A date? With Xander McCraven’s son?" Phoebe said in surprise. "Lexi, are you sure about this?"

"I think so. He was honest. Either that or he's a very convincing liar. Either way, it's only one night." Lexi told her. "Either way, you're forgetting something very important, Phoebe. I'm not just some girl he met at a bar. I'm a Grayson. My mom may have married my dad and that's why I don't have the name but I can handle myself just like the rest of you.”

Peter sat in the passenger seat of Ryan's 1971 Plymouth GTX as he drove them across the city, the older of the two brothers, fidgeting restless since he wasn't used to being in the passenger seat until finally they pulled up outside Silk Strip Club in the Southside area of the city.

Climbing out of the car, the pair didn't waste time and entered the building where they found Xander McCraven, a tall man who had short black hair, vivid blue green eyes and a strong well-built lean, muscular-body covered in several tattoos across his body sitting in a booth who looked over to see the new arrivals.

"Peter Grayson and here I thought you'd gotten way too big for Redwater. How's L.A.? Or is Amethyst Shore you're living in these days?" Xander sarcastically greeted the brothers.

"You keeping track of me, Xander? And here I thought you hated me?" Peter responded, sliding into the booth with Ryan following.

"Hate is such a strong word, Peter. Let's call it a professional distaste," Xander replied, a thin smile appearing on his lips. "But let's get to the point. You didn't come here to talk about your escapades. You're here because of your nephew and his best friend, the little troublemakers who think they can start playing in the big leagues."

"They're just kids, Xander. Why don't you drop it," Ryan demanded.

"Kids?" Xander chuckled. "Caleb didn't seem to be a kid when he fucked my girl. I told you what I wanted to smooth this all over. A simple promotion using your company girls and the boys to get on their knees and tell me how sorry they are. It’s a modest price for my pride."

"Modest," Peter scoffed as he leaned forward. "You haven't changed at all, Xander." Peter coldly stared at Xander. "Caleb made a mistake and Tommy backed him. They're young and impulsive. From what I hear, Caleb especially but he's not the one who needs to pay for it. You want a price? Talk to me."

"Interesting," Xander said looking over at Ryan and then back at Peter, his eyes narrowing as Peter leaned back slightly. "You're showing a great deal of concern for your nephew and a boy you've barely know," Xander murmured, his eyes scanning Peter’s face and then he leaned forward. "Very noble, Peter. Almost... instinctive. No... You didn't... Demi McNamara?" Xander laughed in realisation. "I don't know how I didn't see it before. The same smile, the arrogance, the temperament, the way you're three seconds away from reaching across this table to punch me in the face. I don't blame you, Demi McNamara is a hot piece of ass.."

"You don't know what you're talking about," Peter lied, his jaw tightened as he spoke.

"The denial is a bit cliche, Peter. But the timing? Your sudden arrival in town? The way you’re practically begging to protect the boy? It’s poetic, really. You’re not here to play the role of the uncle. You’re playing the role of the father whose son has fucked up." Xander commented as he stood up from the booth. "The price just went up," Xander told the pair. "The son of Peter Grayson insulted me and if you want me to let that slide I'm going to want a bit more than some girls and an apology."

"Just name your price, already." Ryan told him, shaking his head.

"What he said," Peter coldly agreed.

"You sure? Because it's non-negotiable…" Xander told them and the look on Peter and Ryan's face told him they just wanted him to get to the point. "Okay, what I want is…"