Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 327(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” Sam looked downright wretched. “What are… what are we gonna do now?”
“There’s no ‘we’, Sam, and I don’t know just yet what I am going to do, but I can tell you what I damn sure shouldn’t have done. I should have never sent an amateur to do a pro’s job. This is my fault.” Sam hung his head. “Let me think about this.” His brain fired from all cylinders as he played with various scenarios. “If that woman told Lennox what happened, and I imagine she did, it’s not a matter of if he tries to come after me, but when. He is not to be allowed anywhere near this property. I’ll tell security, and you tell the family. Do you hear me?!”
“Yes, sir.”
“Tell everyone to be on alert, but no one is to follow him right now, either. It’s too risky.” He paced out into the backyard, thunder striking the sky, booming. Racing through the soft, vibrant green grass, he grasped his cane and made his way back to Sam who kept playing with a bag of ice he’d been using on his head and mouth for the past hour.
He slipped his phone out of his pocket and called Jasper.
“Yes?”
“If anyone on this property sees my grandson, Lennox Wilde approaching my estate, I’m to be told immediately!”
“Understood.” Jasper ended the call.
He looked up at the sky once again when he felt a raindrop.
“…And Jesus wept…” he whispered. “Sam, dangerous men aren’t always born. Sometimes, they’re created. He’ll be armed, and he’ll arrive intent on hurtin’ everyone involved if he shows his face here.”
“Okay, I understand what you’re saying, but you just said yesterday that Len had turned a new leaf, that he cares about family, and that he didn’t—”
“A leopard never changes his spots. He just hides them under the brush! Lennox is a dog, Sam. Do you understand me?! He pretends to be obedient and on some ‘give peace a chance’ crusade, but that’s not who he really is, deep down. He masquerades as a poodle. He’s always wanted to live up to what his mama wanted him to be, but inside he’s a ruthless and cruel pit bull who will tear anyone who pisses him off to shreds! By the time you hear him bark, it’s too late! Those crime photos are stained on my brain! He went above and beyond the call of duty!
“It was beautiful…” He couldn’t help but smile as the rain got a little more intense. “He has a viciousness like many have never seen, but it must be activated. And that takes time. He’s a killer to his core.” He’s a true Wilde child. “Why in the hell did you think I wanted him in my Zoo subdivision? Why would I be so insistent if he were just mediocre? He’s a devious mama’s boy, his only but biggest flaw, but he also happens to be vengeful killer. Go figure.
“Oh, here’s a funny story.” He chuckled. “He once shot a man in both hands for stealin’ money from some old lady. An old lady he barely knew, mind you, so imagine what he’d do for someone he’s in love with?” His eyes narrowed on Sam and their gazes hooked. The world was getting smaller… the walls closing in. He’s not going to just let this shit go. And neither am I.
“I have a question.”
Grandpa looked at his grandson and shook his head. He placed his hand on his hip. “What could you possibly wish to say at this point?”
“Wouldn’t Lennox have been mad either way?” Sam shrugged, his voice a bit wobbly, as if he were afraid to ask. “I mean, even if your strategy went according to plan, wouldn’t he have wanted to get at you because she would have called him, like you said, and broke up with him?”
“I think your mother dropped you on your head as a child, or was drinkin’ moonshine during the pregnancy.” Sam grimaced and gave a black layered look. “Sam, of course he would have been furious—that was the whole point! But the outcome would have been different, and the ball would have been in my court. She would have left him either because she was scared to death of the consequences, not wanting all the drama that comes along with dealin’ with a Wilde boy, or didn’t want him to get hurt on account of her, and lastly, I thought she might just want the money and didn’t give a damn in the first place. Either way, the odds were in my favor, three to one. I would have effectively ended his relationship, but been able to bring her back if he agreed to work for me.
“All I would have had to do is call her, pretend I made a grave mistake, allowed her to keep the money, and perhaps offered more as a peace offering of sorts, and bring them right back together like the two fucked up love birds they are. It also would have reminded him what I’m capable of by taking what was most important to him away within minutes. I already threatened to contact the police regarding his previous crimes, but naturally I wouldn’t want to do that because it could put me in jeopardy as well. I am more than willing to expose his mother though—that’s still on the table. A card to be played.