Jake Cullingham

13

Jake gave the butler a stiff nod as he dismissed him and then turned his attention back to Tom. “Just see to it that we keep growing in the same markets as Robin’s company and get near enough to them to make their foundation crumble beneath them. If Robin comes after us, we’ll be waiting for him.”

Tom rose from his chair in equal determination. “I’ll send you a detailed report on everything they do.”

As Tom left, Jake leaned back into the couch. Satisfaction washed over him. The Hendrix siblings may have been born into wealth, but they were about to be schooled in humility.

***

That night, Jake found himself at the massive polished mahogany dinner table alone with his thoughts and untouched plate.

The shadows danced among the old, red wood, leaving soft pools of light in the oppressively silent darkness. Earlier that evening his mind had buzzed with the thoughts of conquest, of revenge and justice. But now a heavy shroud hung over him; a weight no power could take off.

He inhaled deeply as he fished his phone from his pocket and dialed the number he knew by heart. It rang for some time before a warm but tired voice picked up on the other end.

“Jake?” his mother’s voice came, thin and fragile through the phone.

“Hi, Mom.” Jake’s voice softened as he said the words. “I just wanted to call and see how you’re doing.”

His mother’s sigh was almost too faint to hear, but Jake could feel the weight of it. “We’re alright, Jakey. Daddy… he hasn’t woken up yet. The doctors still come and check on him, but they don’t tell us much. They just tell us to keep prayin’.”

Jake squeezed his eyes shut tighter, clasping the phone even harder in his hand. His father had slipped into a coma seven months ago now; it wasn’t as if the prognosis was very good at all to start out with. But part of him wouldn’t let go; part of him couldn’t lose that tether to the man who had been his first hero during a less than stellar childhood.

"Mom, I know it’s hard,” he said gently. His voice was a light whisper in the quiet room. “But he’s strong. He’s always been strong. You have to believe he’ll pull through this.”

“I know, Jake.” His mom’s voice wavered slightly as she spoke. “I’m trying, but… but it’s not easy…” Her voice trailed off into silence.

Jake’s hand tightened around the edge of the table, his knuckles paling as he willed down his frustration. He was a man who had it all—power, wealth, influence—and yet he was utterly impotent when it came to the one person he would give anything to save. It didn’t get much more bitter than that.

“You’re doing everything you can,” he told her steadily. “I swear, Mom, Dad’s gonna beat this thing. We’ve just got to give him time.”

His mother sighed again, this one filled with exhaustion and resignation. “I just… I just don’t know how much longer I can keep this up, Jake. The world’s taking everything out of me.”

Her broken voice as she cried had Jake’s heart shattering as he knew what he had to do. Oh those people were to pay for what they had done.

“I know, Mom,” he said in a whisper, his throat tightening. “I know it is. But look at me: I’m right here. Whatever you need to do now, just tell me what it is and I’ll make sure we do it.”

There was a long silence, and for a moment he thought she might give in, but then she seemed to pull herself together and said evenly. “Then just pray to God for me, Jake. That’s all I ask.”

Jake choked a little on the emotion that swelled up into his throat. “I will, Mom,” he said.

He put the phone aside after muttering a soft goodnight, staring at it for a long moment in silence. His chest felt heavy, under the crushing weight of his old man’s ailment that threatened to break through all the walls he had built for himself all these years.

He did not notice when Collins came into the room.

“Sir?” Collins’ voice was as gentle, as respectful as ever. “Are you all right?”

Jake lifted his head to look at him, and for that instant let the mask slip so that Collins could see his real face. His real fear.

“It’s… it’s my father,” he said quietly. It was a voice that sounded like exhaustion personified. “He’s… he’s still in a coma. The doctors… from what mum is saying, haven’t said anything positive.”

Collins nodded, his features softening immediately. “I’m very sorry to hear that, sir. I know your father means the world to you.”

Jake let out a bitter laugh, running a hand over his face. “It’s ironic, isn’t it? Here I am, playing god in the lives of the Hendrix family, manipulating their world… yet I’m completely powerless when it comes to my own.”

Collins said nothing. He had known Jake for many years now; had been by his side as he had worked his way up from nothing to become one of the most powerful men in the country. And he knew better than anyone how much that power cost him.

“Your father raised you to be strong, sir,” Collins said after a moment, his voice steady and calm. “He taught you to fight for what you believe in. And I believe he would be proud of the man you’ve become.”

Jake glanced up, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Would he, though? Knowing what I’m doing? Knowing that I’m actively working to destroy the Hendrix family?”

Collins mulled it over, looking thoughtful. “I don’t think he’d like what you’re doing, but I think he’d understand why you’re trying to do it. He knew as well as anyone what it meant to live in the darkness.”

Jake’s smile faded, his eyes darkening. “Living in the darkness is exactly what made him work himself to an early grave. But in the end, he was just another disposable businessman to them. And now…” Jake’s voice trailed off, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes. “Well… let’s leave that for chance for now.”