Chapter One
CHAPTER ONE
In the Dog House
TOP DOG – top dog noun INFORMAL a person who is successful or dominant in their field.
“P lease, all of you enter in single file,” Jasper ordered. Dressed in camouflage with two handguns hanging off his holster belt, the tall, middle-aged man who worked for his grandfather tossed his weight around.
Lennox stood at the front of the line, his arms crossed over his chest as Grandpa’s lap dog patted him down once again. He grunted when the man got close to his groin, fighting the urge to slam his fist into the asshole’s jaw.
“Look, Lennox.” The beady-eyed bastard glared up at him. “I don’t like this anymore than you, boy, but you know how your grandfather feels about weapons in his chambers. You fellows can be slick.”
He refrained from responding out loud. Maybe if dear ol’ Grandad wasn’t such a piece of shit, he wouldn’t have to worry about us trying to take him out.
After Jasper had gone down the line and frisked them all, seemingly good and satisfied, Lennox and his cousins marched into the old man’s study that smelled of the familiarity he’d grown used to: pungent cigar smoke and Moroccan amber. The room was bright and open with its wall-to-wall rows of windows and shades of cream and white, while the old man sitting in the lofty ivory-colored chair embellished with silver studs appeared dark and looming.
Grandpa sat there knuckling the brass lion claws of his chair arms, his face faintly directed towards his desk. Smoke eddied from his lips. A snow-white cowboy hat graced the top of his head, and a thick, wavy silver lock of hair drooped over one of his icy blue eyes. The old man slowly looked up, meeting his gaze with a crooked grin. He pointed to the seven white chairs all lined up in front of his long gold and ivory desk.
“Have a seat, boys.”
Each of them got situated, sitting down in the same order that they’d entered the room. He shot a glance at the huge tank behind the old man, which housed a large black and yellow serpent. A rear-fanged Mangrove. Off to the right was a wall of rifles, mostly AR-15s. Lennox shifted his weight in his chair as silence became a close companion. Not a mutter or whisper swept the room. The quiet was broken when one of the double doors opened, followed by the clicking of high heels.
Grandpa had one of the maids he was undoubtedly fucking pass out cigars to him and his cousins. After all, Grandpa was a horny old bastard. In fact, Grandpa fucked anything that was female, pretty, and worked for him in some capacity. That’s all that was required. It simply came with the territory.
Lennox didn’t recognize this maid, though. She must’ve been new on the block. The thirtyish-year-old looking woman with long straight blond hair, dressed in a short, traditional maid’s uniform stood in front of them, bending down as she offered them fancy cigars on a silver tray and certainly showing her bare ass to Grandpa in the process.
Lennox caught sight of his reflection in the shiny surface of the tray and was filled with disgust.
I shouldn’t even be here.
But he had no choice. Grandpa had sent several of his henchmen to retrieve him against his wishes. It was a complete ambush, a well thought out plan to surprise him as he was leaving his home. Supposedly, the visit would be worth their while. He somehow doubted that, but his curiosity was piqued all the same.
After everyone had taken a cigar off the platter, the nameless maid passed by again, this time with a red snake-shaped lighter. A flicker of heat pulsed from the open snake’s mouth with each strike of her thumb. Once that task was complete, she put several ashtrays along Grandpa’s desk for them to utilize, along with small glasses of brandy. With a big fake smile, the maid then nodded at Grandpa and exited the office. Several of his cousins roughly extinguished the cigars in the ashtrays. His cousin Kage tossed his in the glass of brandy. Lennox held onto his—it might be useful to put out on Jasper’s forehead.
An old 1970’s song started to play: Crystal Gayle’s, ‘Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.’ Lennox recalled Grandpa shoving his infamous elephant tusk cane down some bastard’s throat to this tune until the poor guy choked to death on his own vomit. He also recalled the same old man laughing in a jolly way while passing out birthday gifts to one of his great-granddaughters at her party on his estate to the exact same tune, too.
“Boys, thank you for comin’,” he began, clearing his croaky throat. “Glad I didn’t have to retrieve you personally. You’ve made it easier on yourselves.”
“Can you just get to it? I’m going to be late for work.” Lennox glanced at his watch. “I don’t have all day.”
“Lennox, I’m aware of your schedule. I’ll be finished as soon as possible. I don’t waste time.” Grandpa stared at him as if the words had double meaning.
“You don’t waste time? You sure as hell are wasting mine!” Kage barked, jerking Lennox out of his gawking contest with the old man. Kage was the oldest and possibly most dogmatic cousin of them all. They all turned towards the man who sat with his leg extended, chewing on his lower lip. “Fuck you, you ancient piece of shit.” Anger poured off of him, flooding the damn room. Kage’s bushy black and silver beard caught the light just so as he landed arctic blue eyes on Grandpa, daring him. The air seemed to get colder at that moment. Grandpa’s face flushed in deep shades of red, but oddly enough, he didn’t immediately respond to Kage’s words.
“Got damn it!” Kage yelled after Jasper crept up behind him and slapped the back of his head with the butt of a rifle.
“Show some respect!” Jasper yelled.
“Respect is earned, not given, and I’ll shove that up your ass and pull the trigger, you son of a bitch! TRY THAT SHIT AGAIN!” Kage jumped up from his chair, almost toppling it over. The barrel of the gun was a mere few inches from his upper lip, but Kage paid it no mind. As he swayed back and forth, Lennox could see the tiny tip of a razor blade tucked in the man’s belt that Jasper obviously missed. A grin crept across his face at the sight of it.
“Kage, you degenerate bastard, calm down.” Grandpa smirked as he tried to restore order. “Sit back down in your chair, or the deal I’m about to propose to you will be off the table.”
“I don’t want any of your fuckin’ deals, Grandpa.”
The old man shrugged. “I’ll take the offers away from your other cousins, too. If I do, you’ll be responsible for it, and they can blame you personally, when I apply that pressure.” Kage swallowed, his eyes darkening as he faced Grandpa. “Now, I suggest you settle the hell down. We can do this the easy way or the hard way, bat-shit crazy boy. The hard way is one direction, and that’s six feet deep. You decide.”
Kage’s tattooed hands curled into fists as he slumped back down in his chair.
“Jasper, everything is fine.” Grandpa waved the help away. Jasper sauntered off, going to stand in the corner, eyeing them all from a short distance. “Now, I want to first tell each and every one of you that my disappointment in you is immeasurable.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands. “I have an impeccable bloodline. I have sons and daughters, and other adult grandchildren who’ve understood what was expected, were properly trained, and do as they are supposed to do. Everyone needs a purpose in this life. You all decided to go your own way, and you’ve made messes of your lives because of it.
“The seven of you are wild animals. You’re uncouth. Untamed. Primitive. Corrupt sons of bitches. I wish your fathers had shot you into the bitches’ asses that birthed you, or your mothers had swallowed you. You’re ungrateful ingrates. The whole lot of ya.” Grandpa had a way of saying vile things with a placid tone, making it all more unnerving.
He surveyed them, his gaze scanning back and forth. No one seemed to bat an eye. No one moved. Perhaps none of them cared. They just wanted to get through it and return to life as it was. This entire stunt was part of being in the family clan. The Wilde’s went way back in Texas. Grandpa was the one to break the spell of perpetual poverty, and struck it rich. It was more than evident that it cost him his soul to do so, and he had no qualms about dancing with the devil. If you didn’t walk the straight line for Grandpa, he would find ways to abuse you, and no form of punishment was off the table.
Lennox kept his eyes trained on the old man. Watching him, just like he was watching them. Eye contact was important. Never back down.
“Now, I wanna start with you, Lennox.” Grandpa stroked his beard.
Lennox leaned back in his chair and crossed his ankles.
“As you know, I have a small faction, a sub-organization, within my business called, ‘The Zoo.’ The Zoo is run by family, but only certain members are eligible. The muscle. It could be mental prowess, or physical. In most cases, it’s a combination of both. I wanted you to be in charge of it after Dom got sick and had to step down. You knew that. You were provided for and trained to do so. All of the karate lessons. The boxing lessons. Sports of all sorts. I ensured you had every supplement you desired. Your own home gym. Paid for you to fly all over the country to see professional prize fighters and MMA combatants. It was obvious when you hit puberty that you were a physical powerhouse, Lennox. Most of the Wilde men are tall and a bit on the thin side. You were a damn brick wall. Your father took up with that Lebanese whore, your mother, but she did one thing right—she produced a human tank.
“Fucking A-rab. Armenian… Whatever the hell she is. Regardless, she has kept quiet and out of my way, so I allowed her peace.”
He lifted his chin, meeting Grandpa’s gaze straight on. “My mother isn’t a whore. Don’t talk about her that way.”
“Hey,” Grandpa said with a black grin as he lifted his hands in the air, “I just call it like I see it, I know her background. I made it clear to her that if she ever cheated on my son, she’d pay the ultimate price. No worries. I accepted her as my daughter-in-law. After all, I don’t have any interests in choosing my children’s spouses.” He shrugged. “I don’t have to like my children’s husbands or wives. I only get involved if that spouse interferes in what we’ve got going on, or decides on stickin’ their nose in our business. Do that? Then they have to go, one way or another.”
Lennox brought the cigar to his mouth, then exhaled. Smokey loops purled, then vanished in thin air.
“As I was saying… She and your father, with my funds, had you trained by some of the best marksmen in Texas. You really excelled in Boxing and weight lifting. But when the time came, what did you do? You betrayed me.”
“I didn’t betray you. I never told you that I wanted to work for you.” He leaned forward and crushed his cigar in the ashtray.
Grandpa’s eyes turned to dark slits. “You told me that you wanted to go your own way. I stopped the automatic deposits to your account as soon as you said that. Took back the cars and motorcycles I gave you.”
“You can’t buy me. You can’t buy loyalty, either.”
“You never knew what was good for you. Stubborn for no reason. Just to defy me. Your father tried to talk sense into you, and you all but spat in his face. You’re a disgrace. A Mama’s boy. What do you do now? Make peanuts at some fucking dance club?” He smirked, shaking his head as if disgusted.
“I’m a personal trainer and bouncer.”
“You were destined for more.”
“I already am more…”
“What a pity and a waste.” Grandpa placed his cigar in a large black ashtray, then opened one of his desk drawers. He pulled out an old, worn dirt brown Bible and flipped through it. “The fifth commandment declares, ‘Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.’ That’s from Exodus 20:12. This commandment is repeated throughout the old and new testaments, boy.” He closed the Bible and set it aside. “Your father told you what was expected, and you disobeyed. All of you did!” He slammed his fist against the desk.
“I have over forty, living grandchildren. Some of them are not eligible to work for me, mostly because they’re inept or deficient in some capacity. Several have passed away, others are still in their teen years which makes them disqualified. You seven were hand-selected by me, but have decided to challenge your lot in life. You are the troublemakers of this brood. Not your brothers or sisters. Just YOU. Lennox, your stubbornness ends today. I’m the only bull in this corral. You were going to be my right hand. My top dog. I nicknamed you top dog when you were a little boy, and it stuck. I expect you to live up to that strong name. Jasper, hand this boy his offer. A deal of a lifetime.”
Jasper walked to a shelf and removed a large white envelope. He handed it to Lennox, then returned to where he’d been standing. Lennox looked at the envelope, but didn’t open it. Instead, he slid it under his chair.
Grandpa turned his attention to his cousin sitting next to him.
“Roman, you’re the black sheep of this family. Nothin’ like any of us. A disgrace. You showed no interest in getting dirty. Doing the heavy lifting. You’re an ex-Marine, and a sorry one at that. You think you’re too damn pretty to play ball.” Roman sat in his chair and leisurely ran his long fingers through his jet black, perfectly coiffed tresses. The smirk on his face was growing bigger. “Look at you… You’re an arrogant, obnoxious, silly know-it-all with an affinity for getting under my fuckin’ skin. Fucking clown.”
“Really? I didn’t cause the wrinkles and liver spots. I promise.”
Grandpa ignored him and continued. “I had no idea what to do with you initially, but realized that your charisma, sharp wit, deviousness, and physical attractiveness that gets the ladies’ attention could work well in my negotiations team. Instead, you used that charm and those GQ good looks to get one over on high rollers and take people for a ride, just for the pure fun of it! You’re slick, and you’re only in love with yourself, and money. You like to play with people…hurt them for fun. Well, playtime is over, pretty boy. It’s time for you to be court martialed.”
Grandpa snapped his fingers and Jasper was soon handing Roman his own envelope. Roman didn’t open his, either. Grandpa then set his eyes on Kage…
“And now, I come to the biggest gotdamn thorn in my side. My first-born grandson. I had such high hopes for you, Kage, but after all of your shenanigans, you moved clear across the state when it was time for you to join me. You hid away so that no one could even find you. You should never hide from family.”
“I wasn’t hidin’ from family, old man. I was hidin’ from you .” Kage spit on the floor and crossed his long arms.
“Is that so? Nobody can hide from me, Kage. Not even you, you strange, demented fucker.”
“You ain’t no kin to me. I disowned you long ago.” Kage boldly met Grandpa’s eyes.
“What you did all of those years ago was against nature, and you know it. It was befitting I suppose, seeing as you’re a natural outdoorsman. I should have shot you right between the eyes when I was told that you’d come to murder me in my sleep when you were only thirteen! You’re a mentally disturbed bastard!”
“And proud of it.”
“You should have been ineligible, but damn if you didn’t have so much potential! Nobody shoots like you… You too were destined to the Zoo department. Instead, you dodged me like my first name was Draft. You’re the lone wolf who sneaks about and slips around like the slimeball you are. I used to call you a wolf as a boy. You were always on the prowl. Hunting. Peering around corners. Watching. Looking for your next prey. I hate you, but damn if I don’t like some of your foul ways. You’re a wild beast. It’s in your blood. You can’t help yourself. Wilde wolves roam free.”
Kage smirked, then laughed. That laugh turned into an echoing cackle.
“I told you already—you ain’t family, old man. Just blood. There’s a difference,” Kage said in indignation. “I work alone. If I’m a wolf, then I’m a lone wolf. These men on either side of me are my cousins. They’re family. I’m more like a big brother to them than a cousin. It was me that told ’em they ain’t have to listen to you.”
“Yes, I know. You poisoned the well…”
“The well was poisoned as soon as you were in charge. From my understanding, our ancestors were poor, but they were honorable and happy before the likes of you. Ain’t nothing wrong with wealth, but I don’t want it if I have to deal with you. These men beside me are the true soldiers. We’re all different, but we all saw through your bullshit. We stood up to you. Had a backbone. I’ve only made one mistake when it comes to you, Grandpa.”
“And what’s that?”
“I shouldn’t’ve told that weak son of a bitch my plans that night. He warned you I was comin’. If I’d been able to blow your miserable brains out when I was a child all of them years ago, we’d all be free of you right now, and none of this would be happening. Just one shot.” He held up one finger and grinned. “That’s all I needed. As you said, I’m a great marksman. Satan saved your ass that day.”
“You too have been demonstrating arrogance as of late. Been around Roman too much I see. Because of me, you’re still alive.” Grandpa pointed at himself. “Because of me, you can also be dead, Kage. There’s no expiration date for a much-needed murder. Your mother’s pleas be damned. Don’t you ever forget it. Jasper! Give this slippery snot ball his deal, please.”
Grandpa shifted in his seat and glared at Phoenix.
“Phoenix, Phoenix, Phoenix.” His cousin Phoenix sat up straight and clasped his hands. He was tall, slender, but muscular about the arms. Phoenix’s dark brown feathered hair framed his face and rested in layers along his shoulders. His thick beard was perfectly trimmed. The man’s almond shaped, light golden-brown gaze seized Grandpa’s, and his lips curled into a wicked smile. “Boy, your pride is what you got you in trouble. You and I were workin’ out just fine, and then I asked you to do something that you believed beneath you. Before I knew it, you’d jumped ship. You, like Roman, are charismatic, but you’ve got an ego problem, boy. You tried to confront me. Challenge me. Somehow believing you should be in charge. Just like Lucifer with God. There can only be one master, and you ain’t it.”
“I cast myself out of hell, ’cause it damn sure wasn’t heaven. I think you’ve gotten us mixed up, Grandpa, because you damn sure are Lucifer.” Phoenix’s teeth showed ever so slightly, as if he was preparing to take a big bite out of something begging to be devoured.
Grandpa grabbed his Bible once again, and flipped through it. “Luke 10:18, from the King James Version… ‘And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven!’ Phoenix, you fell from grace. I only want you back because you owe me. You were part of my surveillance crew in the Zoo, but it’s me that needs to watch you with both eyes open. Jasper, take care of him. Hand him his envelope.” He closed the Bible, then turned to the next cousin in line.
“Maddock. You, like Lennox, were to be a head honcho in the Zoo. Physical muscle. Instead, you chose the fast life. Heavy booze. Drugs. Tawdry, cheap women. Everything with you is in excess! Flashy, flashy, flashy!” Maddock was still wearing his infamous dark shades, which made it a bit hard to read what he may have been thinking at that moment. “I know that you and Roman like to hang out and get into vile, grotesque activities together. Two charlatans painting the town, so to speak. You could have been somethin’… as big as you are. You’ve always been fuckin’ big! Not strapping like Lennox, but just… huge! You moved too slow though, but did well on the wrestling team. Football. You were wayward. Unfocused. Bad grades in school. Nonchalant and lazy attitude. You’re a glutton! Now I hear you’re some big time DJ. How embarrassing. A grandson of mine makin’ horrible music for people high on drugs to tap a foot to! What is that shit called? Rap music? Hip Hop? It’s God awful!”
“You don’t have to listen to it, Grandpa.” Maddock yawned.
“Oh… so the elephant finally speaks? That’s right, another Zoo member that defected from duty. You’re the fucking elephant in the room, but right here, right now, I’m definitely talking about you, you son of a bitch!” Maddock sighed, but nothing more. “All of those tattoos,” Grandpa hissed in disgust. “You look like a fucking comic book. Don’t you have anything to say for yourself? You’re probably high right now as we speak. What about your son? What kinda example are you setting for him?”
Maddock leaned forward and extinguished his cigar. Grandpa sucked his teeth, then had Jasper hand him his packet, ending the one-sided conversation.
“And now, we come to Journey. My marathon runner. A pro athlete! Tall and fit as a fiddle, you fly high, like an eagle. You’ve always been fast! I used to call you my little eagle scout.”
Journey lived part of his time out of state, but still had a home in Houston. Lennox figured he was the hardest one to find and get a hold of, then forced to attend this little meeting. After all, he was a celebrity and had people around him at all times. Journey had wild blonde hair that was tapered on the sides and nape, an angular face, and hard jawline. But what stood out most about him were his piercing peridot green eyes.
“You decided you wanted to engage in professional sports instead of taking your rightful place by my side, with the finances. I even offered to let you do both.”
“I didn’t want to do both. I told you since I was a kid, Grandpa, that I had no desire to work for you. I have my own life and—”
“You excelled in collections, as I recall it. You have a good eye for numbers. A brilliant mind. You know how to make money and spot financial opportunities a mile away… ol’ eagle eye. One day, your body will tire out, boy. Running will get you nowhere.”
“The whole point of running is to get somewhere, Grandpa. It’s called a finish line for a reason.”
“Smart ass, like your cousin Roman. You won’t be able to compete with the young blood entering the sport of professional running much longer. You’re gettin’ long in the tooth. Then, where will you be?”
“Grandpa, when that time comes, I’ll be happy and retired.”
“Just like you should be, minus the happy part,” Kage blurted out.
“Ahhh, yes. My first-born grandson that ran away to live in the woods, like some wolf in a fairytale book, has to add his two cents. Only there’s no Little Red Riding Hood with a basket of goodies, is there, boy?” He waved over to Jasper to hand Journey his envelope.
“…But there’s a grandparent in that story all right. Oh, Grandpa!” Kage squealed in a high-pitched voice. “What big fuckin’ nerve you have!”
“Kage, stop performing for your cousins. We’re not amused. I was speakin’ to Journey, not you. I think you’re hardly in any position to be giving advice on one’s future, seeing as how you’re a recluse.”
“This isn’t a performance. This is how I really feel about you.” Kage waved his long finger at Grandpa’s face. “If Jasper hadn’t taken our weapons away when we came in here, and you hadn’t had us kidnapped in the first place by those hoodlums this morning that are now parked outside these office doors like the National Guard, you’d be in the morgue right now, all on account of the seven of us!” Kage yelled. “You’re a Bible quotin’ yet sin totin’ fossil-faced fucker! I hope you die tonight while gettin’ pegged in your rusty, ancient ass with one of these ignited cigars that little blonde number handed us today. Burn, baby burn!”
Roman could be heard laughing behind a balled fist pressed hard against his quivering lips. Grandpa shot Roman a menacing glare and he stopped laughing so blatantly although his body still shook with mirth. Jasper was now standing behind Kage once again, his gun pointed towards the back of his head. Kage didn’t appear phased.
“Kage, this is what you do, isn’t it? This is what a lone wolf does. Pitiful as you are,” Grandpa stated mildly, an ill-fitted, strange kindness behind his eyes. “It’s in your nature to distract, so you can hide your true self in plain sight.”
“I’m not hiding anything. I think it’s clear where I stand.”
“You’re a coward. You banished yourself from the family so you couldn’t be examined up close. But I know you, boy. I know the real you. You’re scared.” Grandpa brandished a nasty grin. “Scared of the real you being exposed. The only reason why I let you still draw breath and get away with this sordid horse and pony show you’ve been engaging in today is ’cause of my daughter. Your mama. She begged me not to have you put down when you came to harm me. She said you weren’t in your right mind. That you were only a child. I let her have her way, ’cause Sarah has been a good daughter to me. Otherwise, you would’ve been sucking on some bullet lollipops that night, my boy.”
“I’m no coward. Isn’t that rich? A coward is a guy who has to bully his family members into being employees of his corrupt empire. I couldn’t be no damn coward because I’m a reflection of what you’ll never be. Now you tell your little errand boy standin’ behind me to get that fuckin’ gun off the back of my skull, or I’m gonna kill him before sunset. And that’s a gotdamn promise.”
He and Grandpa had a long stare down.
“Jasper, you know that Kage is crazy and unpredictable.” The old man chuckled. “Just like an angry rash. Please back up a little before he spreads.”
Jasper took a few steps back, but kept the gun trained on Kage.
“Now, onto my second eldest grandson, and the last in this line of rejects. Ryder.”
Ryder had been looking down in silence at his black cowboy boots most of the time. A trail of smoke eddied from his lips as he slowly raised his head and adjusted his black cowboy hat just so.
“Ryder Levi Wilde, I’m most disappointed in you out of everyone here. It was you who I was planning to run my empire upon my death. “I needed someone young, but mature, and had tasted life. Younger than your father who’s fallen ill. You know business. You know the way this works. You’re smart! So, so smart. You have the right brain. The correct mindset. The look, too. You’re the total package. A cowboy, a gentleman, and a gangster all in one. The brawn and self-control, too. Nobody knows by just looking at you how incredible you are. You seem so laid back. Slow to anger.” A sinister smirk spread across Grandpa’s face. “And that’s what endears me most to you. We’re alike. The way you can walk into the room and have so many at ease, and yet, they don’t know an entire human tornado is in their midst.
“You’re vengeful. You’re wrath in the flesh. Focused. Determined. The dark horse of this stable. The Zoo needs you. Trottin’ about, proud as can be, but you have no clue as to where the hell you’re going. Instead of following my lead so that one day you could hold the reins to a life full of riches, you stay on a farm shoveling shit. Messin’ with horses, chickens, and cows. What was the point of you not taking your rightful place? You’ve got a dead wife and daughter. No immediate family. Time is of the essence. I need to show you all that I know, now . One day I’ll be gone. I’m not going to live forever, son.”
“And I can’t wait until that time comes,” Kage murmured. “Ding! Dong! The witch is dead. Oh fuckin’ happy day, like the Gospel says.”
“Shut the fuck up, Kage, and I mean it!” Jasper barked.
“Ryder, the offer still stands, but this dynasty of mine will go on with or without you. I just prefer it with you.”
“Get someone else. Not interested.”
“I don’t trust no outsiders ’cept for Jasper. We keep it in the family, and you know that. You’ve put me in a precarious situation, Ryder. You will have to accept this deal, or else.”
Ryder raised his cigar to his lips, took a puff, then rested it in the nearest ashtray on Grandpa’s desk. He took his time answering.
“Grandpa, I understand that you wanted to discuss with us our future with your company, as you call it. It was implied that the threatening phone calls, the men you send to follow us around and make life difficult at times over the years would stop, if we came to speak to you this fine day, and not put up a fight.”
Grandpa leaned forward and rested his arm on his desk as if he were really interested in what Ryder had to say.
“’Round two this mornin’, an armored truck came to my farm. A bunch of men jumped out. Faces covered. Guns drawn. My dogs were barking. The horses going crazy. I already had my gun ready, but then the door burst open, and I saw all those men, two of ’em holding Bruce, my new German Shepherd. He was dead. I figured some of the others were too since the barking had stopped. I was taken out at gunpoint and shoved in the back of one of those vehicles that were apparently bulletproof. I know because I tried to shoot my way out.” Ryder gave an easygoing chuckle, grabbed his cigar and dragged on it before placing it back down.
“I have no plans or desire to work for you, and killin’ some of my dogs definitely didn’t swing things in your favor. You don’t kill a man’s dog, and expect thangs to go hunky dory. I know that almost everyone born in this family is expected to help the family dynasty, in one way or another, but my soul ain’t for sale. I’ve told you once. I’ve told you twice. I’m not interested in what you’re sellin’, but you are my grandfather. My blood. And you have expectations.”
“Indeed I do, Ryder.”
“Well, ya see, Grandpa, I have expectations, too… Now, you can pull out all the stops. You can kill my livestock. My dogs. My favorite horses, too. You can make my life miserable, day in and day out. It could never be more miserable than it already is because ain’t no greater hurt than losin’ your wife and your baby, old man. I loved them, and that’s an emotion you know little about. Ain’t nothin’ you can do to me that’ll hurt me worse than the day my lady and my baby girl drowned in the river, so you go right on ahead and have Jasper here hand me that paper,” Ryder threw up his hands and smiled, “…but I promise you that nothin’ written on it, unless you have a way to bring my family back from the grave, will make me bow down to you. Not now, not never, and that’s a promise I plan to keep.”
The room became icier than ever. Jasper went on about his way and placed a folder onto Ryder’s lap .
My heart is thumping in my body and I’m sore with rage.
Grandpa slowly stood from his desk, and with a wave of his hand, dismissed them all.
Lennox walked out of there feeling like he was being crushed under a million pounds. The weight of the world was on his shoulders, his blood burning as it flowed fast and free within his veins. When the cousins made it to the front lawn, they were told their weapons would be sent to their residences, just in case one of them got the grand idea to pop off before their departure.
Lennox noticed that no one opened their folder even while outside. This time, it wasn’t armored trucks but seven black limousines that pulled up. They were instructed which ones to get into, and with only a few parting words and waves, they went separate ways.
Lennox was quiet all the way home. He didn’t touch the champagne in the pail, nor the food. He simply sat there, with that unopened envelope beside him. Plotting his revenge…