CHAPTER 67: lightning strikes twice

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Owen had woken up that morning, mind clouded with sleep as he got up from bed and made himself look at least a bit presentable for school. He had taken a steamy shower, a slight sense of comfort running through his veins before he began putting his uniform on for school. His hands had lifted his boxers then his trousers, his white button up shirt following after. By then, he was running the towel through his hair in hopes of his hair drying quicker before tucking his shirt into his trousers and sliding his belt through the loops.

He guaranteed that his twin brother was still asleep in his room, even when they were expected to be downstairs for breakfast at eight thirty sharp so their food wouldn't be cold. As he dusted down his blazer, a sudden thought came to him and he realised he had been wearing his school blazer for some time now. Usually, he wore his black jacket and hadn't worn a blazer since he was last at the old Summer View Academy.

Wearing one gave him bad memories of Brielle and of the old school that went down in flames. He felt restricted when he wore it and didn't want to feel like that. After he returned to SV, Brielle had noticed he'd changed and she couldn't see the childhood friend she grew up with. It almost felt like she didn't even want to be friends with him after he changed and that was what hurt him the most about her. 

The nineteen year old boy walked downstairs, bag in hand and books in the other and his hair was still slightly damp. When he walked into the kitchen, he was surprised to see his uncle, cousin and twin brother already sat having breakfast. He sat down and Kiara placed a plate in front of him with French toast upon it.

"Morning," Jaxon had mumbled, biting the last of his sugared French toast and wiping his hands on the napkin Kiara had provided for all of them. She soon joined the people at the table, sitting across Owen and beginning her meal.

Owen seemed to notice the sudden tension in the air as Kiara lacked the cheery morning annoying attitude that he loathed a lot. As his eyes glided across the people at the breakfast table, he arched a brow at the awkward silence when the only sounds heard were the clattering of cutlery against plates. Okay...what's going on? he thought before placing his knife and fork down on his plate.

"Why is everyone here quiet?" Owen asked casually as if he was expecting a casual answer in response. Alfonso turned to look at Jaxon in surprise before composing himself quickly and coughing, "come on, Alfonso. Whatever it is, I can handle it. I've seen and heard worst."

"It's Liam..." Jaxon started and that was when everyone paused suddenly, Kiara stopping midway of putting some fresh berries in her mouth. Her eyes fluttered slightly before she slowly continued to eat as if she didn't want to break the already delicate atmosphere that suffocated the people at the table, "he called earlier."

"Oh yeah?" Owen's response was calm, but inside, he was slowly losing patience and beginning to grow angry very quickly. He clenched his fists together before lightly sighing, "what did he say? Whatever it is, I wouldn't be surprised he said it."

Owen wanted that guy to just give up, but knowing Liam when he has a legacy, he'll do anything to fulfil it. He had known him since they were young teenagers, around twelve or thirteen and what started off as harmless competition, soon turned to violent acts against each other. Summer View was the Bowers Gang's territory and it simply wasn't big enough for the two gangs to be there. When Liam first tried to take Summer View, that was Owen's only warning for him.

"He wants to fight you, Owe," Alfonso spoke up, "man to man. He's getting impatient and he wants Summer View now."

He thought it was quite funny how hard Liam kept trying as if he was desperate. Owen was barely breaking out a sweat, but even now, he was growing more concerned about the Fire Devils. They were beginning to be more erratic and that was what made them more dangerous because no one knew when their next move was or what it was going to be.

"See? What did I tell you? Not surprised and well, that's tough because I own Summer View and we can't always get what we want now, can we?" whilst he shrugged, he tried to remain as casual as he can and even rolled his eyes in the process. Inside, the nerves just grew more and more and he rolled his stiff shoulders to release some tension.

"Owen, this is serious," Alfonso said gravely and as much as he hated to admit it, his uncle was right. Fucking hell, I just can't get a break, can I? he thought to himself, can't I survive one week where I don't hear something about LiAm? "that guy could kill you—if he managed to kidnap you and Brielle, fuck knows what else he could do."

Owen paused for a second, realising the severity of the situation. As much as he undermined Liam, he knew he was smarter than people actually thought he was and as much as he hated to be surrounded by older men who could tell him what to do, he felt as if he wasn't left with much of a choice. Gritting his teeth, he rolled his eyes and groaned in annoyance.

"Alfonso, I want you to gather everyone at the hall," he said simply as his uncle nodded in response. Standing up from his chair, he grabbed his bag and swiftly gave his aunt a kiss on the cheek before walking out into the hallway with his brother following, "Kiara, do you mind calling the school and telling them I won't be in for morning registration? Jax, let's go."

"Bye boys!" Kiara shouted from the kitchen as they all put their shoes on, Owen struggling slightly due to an increase in his level of annoyance. Letting out a growl, he grabbed the keys and yanked them off the hook before finally putting his shoes on. He didn't bother tying his laces and instead, waited for his brother to get his stuff from upstairs.

"I'm tired of wasting my time trying to keep this shit together—can't I get a fucking break any time soon?" Owen had exclaimed as his brother ran down the stairs. They headed out of the house, Jaxon's constant teasing of his brother only making him grow more irritable of just about anything that had a pulse, "as soon as this is all over, I'm going on holiday for a year."

By the time Owen and his brother had arrived, everyone was already sat in their seats. Owen rushed to his chair at the end of the table and sighed, knowing full well he was missing double economics, a subject he's grown to love.

"All of you shut up!" Alfonso shouted and the busy talking between the people around the table stopped suddenly. They all settled down as Owen's piercing glare landed on each of them.

"Someone explain to me what the fuck is going on with the Fire Devils," he snapped, authority lacing his voice as several men flinched in their seats before one stood up and coughed. Owen's attention averted to the man, his gaze pinning him down as his hands shook slightly, "speak."

"Well, sir, t-they might have grown desperate so Oscar sent in Liam to finish the job for him. We can all clearly see they want Summer View and they'll do anything to get it." Owen was slumped in his chair, arm resting on the armrest before he shot the man a glare, his patience already running incredibly thin. He didn't care what 'might' happen or that they'll do 'anything' they can to get SV.

"You think I didn't notice that from how he kidnapped my ex-girlfriend and nearly shot me?" Owen hissed before groaning in annoyance, the next words coming out of his mouth deathly quiet and slicing through the tension that's built up around the people in the room, "we need a plan and fast. I can't deal with any more of my gang members being killed due to that jackass' actions, do you all understand?"

Everyone at the table nodded quickly and nothing would prepare Owen for what the next hour had in store for him. As the minutes rolled by, it was obvious to everyone that Owen's patience was quickly falling and he was slowly beginning to think he had lost every ounce of sanity in him.

What a gang leader wanted was to ensure no more lives were taken because he knows what that's like. He's been the family to receive the bad news that their father and mother didn't make it and he's felt the pain that still hasn't gone away. The pain he endured—well, he definitely didn't want to allow anyone else to feel what he felt—what his brother also felt.

As he sat in that chair, he ran a hand through his hair before sitting up straight in his chair again. What have I got myself into? he asked himself before mentally groaning in frustration. He began to wonder if his father ever had it this rough before until he remembered a time he told him about when they were in college.

Owen's parents knew each other in high school but have never associated with one another due to their extremely different lifestyles. Their 'unfortunate' encounter as his mother said jokingly was because she was his chemistry tutor and even today, he could remember that cringey line his dad said to her: 'Well, looks like we have chemistry then, baby'. Owen's mother Jessica was a grade A, loved by everyone and all round perfect student whereas his father—as smart as he was—wasn't loved and actually, most people despised him and his gang.

Damien had four other brothers, three of which were older than him and two of the three of which were already addicted to drugs and alcohol by the time they were in their twenties. It wasn't his wild antics that made his gang unlikable, but it was his brothers' reckless actions that did. He personally wasn't responsible or going to be held responsible for his siblings' wrongdoings and wasn't going to check on them like they were little kids. Damien was sick of them during their childhood so it wasn't a surprise he didn't care much for them.

Damien and Jessica Bowers—even after they fought so hard to be together—couldn't ever be apart. They wouldn't let all their hard work go to waste and they clearly loved each other. If they had to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their children, they would do so in an instant. A life for a life, thought Owen, if they let themselves get hurt the way they did for the two lives they cared more about, I need to do the same for my gang.

When he finally stopped zoning out, he raised his head in slight surprise. When he looked in front of him, Jaxon was busy shouting at Malcolm, throwing his papers in his face whilst the other members were shouting at each other across the table. He suddenly slammed his hand down upon the table, alerting everyone's attention as the noise echoed through the hall.

"Everyone be quiet!" he had shouted and everyone had settled in their seats once again, Owen's twin brother glaring at Malcolm menacingly as he gathered his papers together as much as possible, "I may have an idea, but I know for a fact, none of you will like it."

"Oh, you're most likely correct, Owen," Malcolm spoke before his boss shot him a glare in response and carried on with his speech despite the obvious wary looks his people wore on their faces. Owen was their best leader, nearly as good as Damien so if something were to happen to him, they would all be scared shitless. If something happened to Owen, he said he would pass his place as gang leader down to his younger brother, but Jaxon never wanted to imagine himself as a leader...

...because it meant his big brother wouldn't be around.

"As I was saying, I think we all need to realise some self sacrifice is needed in this situation." that got his brother's attention and he knew almost immediately what he was going to say, "on behalf of my father—who made sure this gang grew prosperously—I can't allow my members to be killed off so easily by a man like Liam. This isn't about pride; it's about responsibility and it's my job to act like the leader everyone needs. Alfonso, set a date. 24th May 2020. That's when I'll fight—"

"Sure, Owe—wait, 'I'? You can't be fucking serious. Do you know how much shit your aunt went through with her brother's death in order to keep you and your brother alive?!" Jaxon placed a hand on his shoulder, calming him down as he furrowed his brows at his brother. He too was in disbelief about the situation. His brother was facing head on a situation that could end in him seriously injured, but he knew there was only one outcome of this.

Death.

A fight to the death as they say.

"Do you realise I'm doing what I have to do?! My parents saved this gang's asses from turning into people like the Fire Devils. It was my grandfather and my uncles who shitted all over our family name and ruined our pride! It's the least I could owe them after the sacrifice they made and I don't give a shit about what any of you say because if a Bowers saved your asses then, a Bowers will save your asses now." when he stopped, he only sighed, standing up from his chair, "meeting adjourned."

"B-But, sir—"

"I said meeting adjourned," he said sharply as he slung his bag over his shoulder and began walking out of the hall, his brother hot in his heels, "Alfonso, do me a favour..."

When Alfonso looked up in surprise, Owen's eyes were glaring into him, eyebrows furrowed and icy blue eyes swirling with emotion. Alfonso was Damien's right hand man and the only person he trusted around his younger sister, Kiara. It felt so surreal looking into Owen's eyes as if he was looking straight into his best friend's same serious problem orbs so many years ago.

"Tell Liam to prepare himself...because I ain't giving him Summer View so easily. If he wants it, he'll have to fight for it," he spoke simply before turning around and leaving without another word. When he grabbed his phone from his back pocket to check the time, he noticed it had just gone past ten o'clock. Great, he thought, grumbling to himself, I missed the first part of economics.

"Please tell me you just said that to shut everyone up," Jaxon said as they both made their way to the car and got inside. He knew his brother made his own decisions and decided what was wrong and right because he felt it was his responsibility, but Jaxon never wanted his brother to feel alone or feel as if he was forced to make that decision because he's the leader, "you don't have to do it. Bro, we can go with you."

Owen only sighed before starting the engine. The nineteen year old was mature enough to know what his gang needed and to separate it from what he wanted. To sacrifice himself for the sake of winning—he must've gone mad, but he felt it was right due to his current circumstances.

"You know me by now, Jax," he spoke quietly, "I would never say something I don't mean and I know by now you're all grown up by now so you can survive—"

"Bullshit," Jaxon whispered next to him and Owen's eyes flickered to him before getting back on the road. He sat there, fidgeting his fingers as he wore a frown on his face, "why are you thinking of doing this? Do you realise how much it would hurt if you left me behind? You promised me we'd leave this world together."

Owen released a light chuckle, one hand on the wheel and the other resting casually on the car door. To him, Brielle was one of the reasons he kept living, but also because he knew his family depended on him. Seeing his family strive especially his brother made him realise he had slowly been succumbing to his problems. He was miserable, a dickhead sometimes, but his aunt and uncle didn't care; his brother didn't care. His family ran the gang as much as they could if he was drowning in work and the need they showed him had truly blinded him.

They didn't need him anymore as much as they did when he was younger. He was the legacy his father had created, but a lot of heroes don't always end up alive in the end. His twin brother—as much as they were close—had always wanted them to be together even through their dying days, but he knew he couldn't always be there for his brother. Every scrape and injury he got was all because he couldn't prevent him from getting hurt. Things were different now. Both of them were nineteen, but fate was inevitable.

Damien and Kiara were always the siblings who loved each other, but even then, death kept them apart. It tore Kiara to think he couldn't protect his sister anymore because he had put her first through everything. So what would happen if the same happened for Owen and Jaxon?

Owen wanted to make sure it was Jaxon who lived—who continued their father's legacy. He wanted to ensure it was Jaxon who was always first before himself and that it was Jaxon who would be okay even after he's gone. His life revolved around his younger brother to make sure he was okay. It always will. He never wanted to leave him the same way Damien had no choice to leave his sister.

"Sometimes I can't keep the promises I make," Owen whispered back, the sound of the car on the road filling the tension in the air, "I'm sorry if you can't come with me. I'm sorry if I seem like I'm selfish, but you're my brother. I'll never ever let you sacrifice your life just to be with me—I'm sorry, but I won't allow it. If I could be even half the man dad was, I would let you go like the good brother I am. You're a man now, you're doing well in school and you have a good future, you're going to do so well, but I have a priority; that's my family and you're my family."

When he gazed to his brother, his eyes were glazed over with fresh tears. The two didn't cry often, but it was Jaxon who always set Owen off even when they were teenagers. He hated crying and he hated seeing Jax cry, but it was only ever those two around each other. No one else had ever seen them cry before.

"You can't do it. I-I know dad said to be the best leader you could be, but how could you be the best brother to me if you're not around?" Jaxon's voice cracked at the end before his hand went up to wipe the fresh tears away, sniffling slightly, "you know, Owe. I can't imagine a life without you. I can't even imagine myself as a leader because it means you're not around. I love you, bro."

Owen's heart clenched and as he saw a tear run down his brother's cheek. He pulled over and ran both his hands through his hair, tugging at the strands. His own eyes blurred before something dripped onto his trousers. When he looked up, his brother was properly bawling his eyes out.

"Fuck!" Owen shouted, a sob racking through him as he wiped at his cheeks. His arm went around his brother as he hugged him tightly, patting him on the back and ruffling his hair, "I love you too, bro. I always will, but I-I have to do this. Y-You know I do. I have to put your life first."

As much as he hated to admit it, Jaxon knew there wasn't much he could do to change his brother's mind. He just didn't want him to do it because it would hurt him. Not having his brother around when he used to follow him