Fear slithered through my gut like ice water, but I shoved it down. Anger was the better fuel. And I was burning from the inside out.
“Come out, you coward motherfucker!” I shouted; my voice ripped away by the wind.
No one answered.
And then, as if I were nothing more than a rag doll, the line holding me swung hard. My body jerked, slamming into a steel beam. My ribs lit up with pain as my boots scraped against metal. I managed to plant them on the edge of the beam, catching just enough stability to stop myself from swinging again.
The silence stretched.
I raised my head slowly, still groggy from the drugs. My vision still blurred, but even in dusk's light I could make him out.
My grandfather stood before me. His large black overcoat was blowing in the sharp wind. I trembled, but not because I was cold, but because of his deathly still stare.
When Stephanie had nearly banged my door down, I thought she was just eager to be with me, but I never expected what came next. The truth of my grandfather's dealings and what he was hiding from me was finally revealed. She'd shown me months of recent transactions, and even documents with my signature being forged on them. My grandfather was planning on ruining me.
Confronting my grandfather had been useless. Finding empathy in him was pointless. He had a heart of stone, and acid ran through his veins, not blood. He had no tolerance for minute details like feelings and love for family. Nor did he have any tolerance for blame.
No.
My grandfather only considered money as a source of accomplishment. And when someone touched his money, he had no patience. He was quick to pull the trigger, and his family wasn't an exception. He was even more cruel to them. He showed no mercy, no compassion for anyone. Not even himself.
He tilted his head as he looked around. "This is a good piece of real estate. I didn't think you had it in you, but it was a good investment after all. It will make me a lot of money."
I struggled against the restraints I was in. I finally realized where I was. I had recently purchased the old building, wanting to convert it into a hotel. Construction had begun just recently.
"Poetic, isn't it? How things you think are worthless sometimes work to your advantage."
I knew he wasn't talking about the property. He was talking about me. He'd used me all these years to get his revenge. Had me kill, steal, and shed blood for the family when in truth it was to protect his drug haul. The one thing I made sure I kept my name out of. I made enough money with real estate and my business to go into degrading myself as a drug dealer.
I knew he was planning something. Leon had seen a few movements he was questioning, but I didn’t want to believe it. Fuck I still didn’t want to believe it after Stephanie showed me the proof. But there was no denying it. I was simply a pawn in his game to deter the Feds. He was going to pin the entire operation on me with not one ounce of remorse.
"Why?" I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from him.
“You’re just like your father. A waste of space. I thought maybe your brother would turn out better, but his actions brought him to where he is now. You’re all just a big disappointment.”
“What did you do to him?”
He smiled cruelly, and my eyes grew wide with the knowledge that my brother didn’t just leave. Why would he? You didn’t leave family unless you shed blood for them.
“What did you do to him?”
“He begged for forgiveness, but it was too late.”
“What did you do?” I screamed.
“You could find him in Evergreen Cemetery, buried next to your mother. Don’t worry, I made sure to hold a special spot there for you.”
“You motherfucker!” Tears ran down my cheeks as I grief struck me. The shock of his demise ran deep, and pure hatred emanated from me for the monster who stood before me.
My grandfather had ordered him killed because he didn’t want to be forced into this life of drugs and murder. Because he’d gone against him.
“He had every right to leave. Why didn’t you just let him go? Why?” I sobbed, feeling regret for being so blinded by this man I had considered family. A man who’d brought me up with the education that family always came first. Now I understand why. So, they could be used and manipulated at his will.
“You are no longer my family,” I seethed.
“Hmph,” he grunted. “Stupid boy. Family is just a word used when one is trying to be forgiven for their wrong doings. It means nothing to me. Just an obstacle I’ve had to deal with time and time again.”
“You will pay for everything you’ve done.”
