Blood and Blessings
725 Words
CADEN'S POV
The silence in the room was like a physical weight. Arthur’s finger was on the trigger, his eyes fixed on me, waiting for the lie to fall apart.
"Wait!" Alisa’s voice crackled through the phone, loud and desperate. "I... I heard that you’ll be laying your son to rest in the next two weeks."
Arthur stopped. He didn't lower the gun, but he raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"It’s only respectful, Mr. Geraldine," Alisa continued, her voice gaining strength. "I decided it was only right to extend the date of our wedding in honor of your son, Tristan. We couldn't possibly celebrate while your family is in mourning. Especially when we're a bit connected to all that's going on.”
Arthur stared at me, then back at the phone. He slowly lowered the gun and dropped it onto the desk with a heavy thud.
"Is that so, young lady?" he asked, leaning into the speaker.
"I didn't know if the information was 100% true, I just felt I should hang on to that hope," she said, her voice turning soft and calm. It was a perfect performance.
Arthur turned his head toward me, his gaze piercing. "Williams didn't know about this change?"
"I was just about to inform him tonight," Alisa cut in before I could speak. "I'm incredibly sorry for the loss of your son, sir. From everything Caden has told me, he seemed like such a lovable person."
The silence returned, but this time it was different. It wasn't the silence of a predator about to strike; it was the silence of a man caught off guard. Arthur took a long, slow puff of his cigar, the smoke clouding his face.
"Thank you," he finally said. "The burial is actually this weekend now. I changed my mind this morning. I want it done." He stood up, adjusting his expensive coat.
"Oh, is that so?" Alisa asked, playing her part perfectly.
"Yes. And I want to invite both you and Williams," Arthur said, his voice cold again. "You’ll be able to make it, right?"
"Of course, Mr. Geraldine. It’s the least we could do," she replied.
"Thank you, darling," Arthur said, and he ended the call abruptly.
He signaled to the two men beside me. They lowered their guns and stepped out of the room. The immediate threat was gone, but the air was still thick with danger.
"I like her," Arthur said, chuckling darkly as he looked at the phone. "I would have liked her for Tristan. It’s unfortunate your stupid ass got to her first."
"Really unfortunate, sir," I said, clearing my throat and trying to keep my face expressionless.
"Be careful, Williams. You aren’t off the hook yet." Arthur walked around the desk, stopping right in front of me. We were so close I could smell the ash on his breath. "I want you to catch the killer. I want his blood on my hands. I want his head on my table. If you don’t give me someone... I’ll take you instead."
"Yes, sir," I said, my voice like stone.
"Don’t celebrate your win just yet. My men are still out there looking for answers. And for blood."
Suddenly, his hand moved. It was a blur of motion. Before I could even react, Arthur shoved a small pocket knife through the sleeve of my jacket and sliced deep into my arm.
"f**k," I groaned, my teeth gritting together as the sharp sting hit me.
Blood began to drip steadily onto his expensive floor mat. Arthur didn't even blink. He pulled the knife back and wiped the blade on a handkerchief before tucking it away.
"When my men find out it was you all along, that won't be the only area dripping blood," he whispered, his eyes filled with madness. "Now, get the f**k out of my office."
I turned around to leave, my arm throbbing with pain, but I refused to show any more weakness. I walked toward the door, my boots clicking against the floor.
"Williams!" Arthur called back just as I reached the exit.
I stopped and looked over my shoulder.
"Happy married life, son," he said, letting out a chilling laugh that echoed through the room.
I didn't answer. I walked out, the blood soaking into my shirt, knowing that the real war had only just begun.
- Writer
