Blood for Blood

by Simon Smith-Wilson

  Kerry headed out the living room. River nearly fell over, as he got up, but he quickly followed.

  ***

  The last pin was pressed into the wall. Chelsea stepped back and held up the long white candlestick. The flickering flame illuminated the pictures that were attached to her living room wall. There were only four images. She had cut them from the information folder that she had stolen from the Riggs Hotel. The first black and white picture was of Jasmine Murdock, the second was of Danny Murdock getting out of a car with an unknown woman, the third was of the sexy spy known as Elizabeth dancing in a club, and the fourth picture was a back view of Travis. The hit list was complete. These four people were connected to Riley’s murder. Finally, she would know the truth of that night.

  ***

  River flopped onto the double bed, laughing. Kerry was giggling, too. The wine was going to her head, but she was nowhere near as drunk as her boss. The Latin beauty removed his shoes and then reached for his belt buckle. It was a bit fiddly to get open, but she managed it and then pulled down his zipper. His boxer shorts concealed the hard beast from her eyes. Unconsciously, she grabbed it over the top of the fabric and gave it a squeeze. At no point did River protest. Fingertips curled around the top of his underwear, and one quick yanked set him free. It was stood fully erect in front of her. River’s pleasing moan filled the bedroom, as her lips consumed the crown. The affair had begun.

  ***

  Travis listened to her purr, as she slept. Anne was such a good and loyal woman. His thoughts drifted to Kerry. It was his fault it didn’t work out between the two of them. He had a chance to repair their relationship when he had returned to North City, but he just couldn’t keep his penis in his pants. Travis was his own worst enemy. Kerry deserved to be happy. He wanted her, too. The problem was Samantha. He was never going to lose his daughter again. It didn’t matter what lengths he would have to go to. Samantha was staying in North City.

  ***

  ‘Fuck. Fuck. Fuck,’ chanted Kerry.

  The headboard thumped off the bedroom wall, as the squeaking bedsprings protested.

  They were both naked.

  River was on top, whilst Kerry was below, completely at his mercy.

  Her arms gripped around his slim, toned body, as she hooked her legs around the back of his thighs. He was pinning her to the bed with his body weight. She could feel his warm breath on his face as he moaned into her ear. Kerry loved a man that moaned. She hated it when a man was too reserved and tried to hold it in. River’s erotic moaning was causing butterflies to flutter within her tummy, but the beast penetrating deep into her body was causing her to lose her mind. Envy was not something Kerry had felt before, but for the first time ever she actually felt some. How lucky was Ariel? Did River make love to her like this every single night? Or was it the drug? He was like a machine. Most blokes would have burnt themselves out by now, or climaxed already, but not River. His hips were moving on overdrive. He was hitting her hard and deep. Each penetration was releasing a yelp from her lips and a strange lightheaded feeling to wash over her skull.

  ‘Shit!’

  Her back tried to arch, but his torso blocked the way.

  Her muscles locked, as her toes curled.

  It felt like the top of her head was about to blow off.

  Kerry screamed out with sexual delight.

  An explosion of orgasm euphoria consumed her.

  ‘I can’t...’ she gasped for air.

  ‘River, I can’t take it...’

  If he heard her, he did not listen.

  The young man continued to pound away, as the drug-fuelled fuck continued.

  ***

  The cityscape stole the horizon, but to Marcus this view was more beautiful than any sunset or sunrise. North City was his. Everything was moving in the right direction. The factions that opposed him would soon be dealt with. In time, his father would be dealt with, too, but that was not his primary concern. Marcus was concerned with North City and making it into a global powerhouse.

  The bathroom door opened with a click.

  He looked back over his shoulder and smiled.

  Melissa was stood in the doorway, illuminated by the bathroom light, completely naked.

  She was perfection.

  His sister was the greatest creation in the whole of existence.

  ‘Will you make love to me, Mr President?’

  ***

  Jillian buried her face in the pillow and sobbed. She had thought JR was just some misguided youth, but he was a monster. She placed her hands upon her ears to shield them from the screams. JR had become bored in the night. He wanted to find something fun to do. A woman’s agonising death rattle echoed throughout the silent airport.

  What was that maniac doing?

  What was Jillian caught up in?

  Laughter filled the air, as the woman screams grew louder.

  ***

  Heavy panting filled the air. Kerry looked up at the blacked out ceiling above her. River was snoring like some kind of wild beast beside her. She had lost how many times they had sex, but it was like someone just flicked a switch. After the last orgasm, he was out like a light. She was relieved. Kerry could not take any more. She couldn’t take anymore a while ago, but that didn’t stop him. Unconsciously, she glanced down at her naked body. It was glistening with sweat, but sweat wasn’t the only thing she was covered in. River had climaxed over her three or four times. She could feel his warm nectar running down her cleavage, dripping down her neck and running down her face. Never in a million years would she have thought that River was so a sexual freak. He was like a man possessed. In many ways, he was a man possessed. This wasn’t him. This was the drug, but he would never know that. The plan had been a success. Tomorrow she would secure the transfer.

  Chapter Four: Thursday

  The inside of his skull felt like it had been cracked with a mallet. River groaned as he sat up on the bed. It tasted like something had died in his mouth. His eyes felt heavy. His body felt weird. And his head throbbed like the hangover from hell. Only now did he realise that this was not his house. This was not his bed.

  Where the hell was he?

  ‘Morning,’ said Kerry, with a smile.

  The duvet only covered the lower half of her body, exposing her slim torso and perky tits.

  River nearly swallowed his own tongue.

  ‘Kerry?’

  Broken memories returned to his brain.

  Had they slept together? The wild and passionate night started to replay in his mind. All the dirty, seedy and erotic things poured into his consciousness like a river breaking its bank. Kerry sat up. At no point did she attempt to cover her sensual body. River tensed, as a kiss was placed upon his lips. Kerry giggled and slipped out of the bed. His eyes were fixed to her naked body. She was the embodiment of beauty. And then it hit him. He had cheated on Ariel.

  ***

  She rubbed tired eyes, as she opened the bedroom door. A deep yawn escaped Ariel’s lips. Alisha had managed to sleep the whole night through. It was a miracle. The beautiful redhead walked into the kitchen. She turned on the lamp they kept in the corner so that she didn’t wake River. He was finding it hard sleeping on the couch, but that was when she realised that he wasn’t there. His pillow and blankets were still folded on the arm of the couch.

  ‘He didn’t come home last night?’

  ***

  Melissa used her reflection in the mirror, as she put in her diamond ear studs. Marcus was sound asleep on the double bed behind her. A smile split her lips at the thought of last night. She had finally managed to make love to the man of her dreams. It had not been a disappointment. The night had been exciting, passionate and so damn primal. She had to forget that now. It was time for work. Work and pleasure could not mix. When she was done for the day, then they can play, but she had too much to do to be distracted. President Riggs had enemies everywhere.

  ***

  The family of four were spread out on the couch a
nd armchairs, as the morning news played out on the television. NC news was still replaying the statements from the self-elected President Riggs and his chief advisor, Melissa Riggs. There were a few stories about companies investing in North City, and the West Valley War against terrorism. Samantha looked at the clock in the corner of the television screen.

  ‘I have to go in a minute, or I will be late for school.’

  ‘You’re not going to school today,’ said Travis.

  Samantha liked this news but knew for a fact that her mother wouldn’t.

  ‘I’m not going to school?’

  ‘Not today.’

  ‘You are going to come out with me and Hazel,’ explained Anne.

  ‘I have some work to do, but I will catch up with you all later.’

  ‘I’m not sure my mum will like that.’

  ‘Don’t tell her then,’ said Travis.

  ‘But...’

  Anne cut Samantha off.

  ‘It is just one more day. Come on. It will be really exciting.’

  Samantha felt nervous and excited already.

  ‘Okay. I will do it.’

  ***

  JR made a clicking sound with the inside of his mouth, as he surveyed the supply room. It was practically empty. All the fresh food they had managed to get together had turned bad. The canned stuff was almost gone, but what was left wasn’t overly appealing.

  ‘We could make a run for the kitchen area of that restaurant,’ said Laura.

  ‘No,’ said JR, scratching the back of his head. ‘We already lost too many men over there. My brother’s forces have snipers covering that entire area. If we make a move, then they will take us out. There are only three of us left. We cannot afford to lose any more men. This will just have to do until reinforcements arrive.’

  ‘What about the hostages?’ asked Rob.

  ‘What about them?’

  ‘We haven’t fed them in two days.’

  ‘I see,’ nodded JR, in a knowing way. ‘If they complain then kill them.’

  ‘Boss, we barely have enough water for the three of us.’

  ‘Then don’t feed the hostages. They are not pets. The supplies are for us. The water is for us. We just have to hold out until tomorrow morning. We have an army flying in. Don’t you get it? This is a test. We are being tested right now.’ They looked slightly confused but said nothing to contradict him. They knew better than that. ‘We just have to see it through. We are nearly there. By this time tomorrow, we will be leading an army into North City.’

  ***

  River shuffled nervously in his seat, as Kerry’s hand caressed the inside of his thigh. He swallowed down the lump in his throat and tried to concentrate on the road. The snowfall had increased in the night. It was nearly four foot deep at the side of the road. Someone had cleared the road, but the tires were not finding much traction. River was finding the flattest land route to work. He didn’t fancy taking any inclines in these conditions, but the problem was that most of the roads were blocked full of snow. Only the main ones had been cleared. It meant it was a long slow drive to work. It was a drive that he wanted over as soon as possible.

  ‘Do you want to come back to mine tonight?’ asked Kerry.

  ‘I-is that a good idea?’ stuttered River.

  ‘It is a good idea if you want to fuck me again.’

  What did he say to that?

  He still couldn’t believe that he had actually cheated on Ariel.

  Yes. Kerry was hot, but he would never have acted on those thoughts.

  ‘I don’t think it is a good idea.’

  ‘How about you come over me this weekend? I mean come over to mine.’

  She giggled at her dirty joke, River did not.

  What was he going to do? How could he possibly go back to any sort of normality with Ariel after doing such a horrible thing? He had betrayed her trust. He had betrayed her. Kerry’s hand continued to work its way up his thigh. River’s heart was in his mouth. What was he going to do?

  ***

  Fiona kissed Danny on the lips. It was deep, passionate and full of love.

  ‘Just continue to do what you are doing,’ he told her. ‘Nobody is suspecting a thing. Be cool.’

  ‘I will be,’ she reassured him, but she looked frightened.

  ‘You are doing so well, Fiona. It won’t be long now.’

  ‘Okay. I will just be glad when it’s over, and they are all dead.’

  ‘I will, too. Go. You need to arrive before me so that people don’t see us together. Come by tonight. I love you.’

  ‘I love you, too. Danny.’

  ***

  ‘That’s the plan?’ asked Marcus.

  Axel nodded. He was smiling from ear to ear.

  ‘You are sure this will work?’

  ‘It will work,’ confirmed Captain Abraham.

  ‘Good.’ Marcus turned towards Melissa. ‘I want a press conference in one hour.’

  She nodded and exited the room.

  ‘Just one question, boss,’ asked Axel.

  ‘What is it?’

  ‘You want your brother’s death to be slow or quick?’

  Marcus thought about this for a moment but quickly came to a conclusion.

  ‘Quick. It isn’t his fault he turned out this way. Once upon a time he was a good kid. Make a quick. I don’t want him to suffer.’

  ***

  Chelsea woke up, as fear kicked in. She was late. Throwing back the duvet, she dived out of bed and then stopped. What was she doing? She wasn’t late. She had quit her job. Chelsea sat back down on the edge of the bed and rubbed tired eyes. She had no job to go to and with Cassie in the hospital there was no school run to do either. A quick peek over the edge of the cot proved that the baby was sleeping peacefully.

  ‘What should I do today?’

  ***

  Travis kissed Hazel, Samantha and then Anne.

  ‘I will see you all tonight.’

  A nod of the head ordered Anne to meet him in the hallway. She did as instructed.

  ‘I want the Kerry transfer situation dealt with by tonight.’

  ‘I will take care of it,’ replied Anne.

  ‘Good.’ He gifted her second quick kiss and then rushed out the front door. Anne stood in silence for a long moment. The Kerry transfer would be dealt with, but not in the way that Travis hoped. Kerry was a problem. She was a glitch in her game of happy families. It was best that Kerry was out of the picture altogether. Travis would then be all hers.

  ***

  ‘We found it this morning, Sir.’

  ‘Are you sure it’s her car?’ asked Danny, knowing full well that it was.

  He had returned to the scene of the crime. Elizabeth’s burnt out car was parked under the impressive looking bridge on the border of Riggs Crew territory. Half a dozen of his mother’s men were searching the area for clues.

  ‘It is Elizabeth’s car, but we have found no sign of Elizabeth.’

  ‘Have you searched the water?’

  The man turned towards the polluted river. Danny knew they would find nothing, but the amount of manpower and resources would cause his mother all sorts of interesting problems, which would only make it easier for him to fulfil his plan of killing every last one of them.

  ***

  Ariel held Alisha in her arms, as she waited for the bottle of hot milk to cool down. The house was oddly quiet today. She couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing. River not coming home was a new thing. He had never done that before. It did beg the question, where was he?

  The phone rang.

  Thankfully, the cordless phone was on the arm of the couch.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hey, Ariel,’ said River. He sounded funny.

  ‘You okay?’ she asked.

  ‘I’m fine. Sorry about last night. I had a little bit too much to drink and didn’t fancy driving back.’

  ‘You could have called me to tell me you weren’t coming home.’

  ‘
I know. Sorry about that. It just got so late, and I didn’t want to wake you.’

  ‘Will you be home tonight?’

  ‘I will be home straight after work. You have my word.’

  ‘Okay.’ Ariel couldn’t put her finger on it, but River did sound slightly stressed out. His words were coming out faster than usual. ‘I will see you then.’

  ***

  River hung up the phone and sighed. That might have been the first time he ever lied to Ariel. It was something he would have to get used to. Things were never going to be the same ever again. He had crossed a line that no man should cross. Fixing his tie, he tucked in his shirt and headed for the office door. The office led straight to the stockroom. His staff members were heading by him, as they moved to the meeting room for the daily briefing. Kerry was chatting to Katie but stopped talking long enough to send him a beautiful smile. It didn’t have the effect she wanted. He could feel his heart sinking down into the pit of his stomach. Kerry liked him, but he did not like her back, not in that way. She was gorgeous and nice, but his heart belonged to Ariel. He just had to get through this day and then think of a plan on how he would manage this.

  ***

  The cameras flashed, as Marcus addressed the world media. With each passing day more and more journalists were turning up. The evolution of North City was causing quite a stir, but so was the airport siege. It didn’t matter how bad the world got people still loved stories involving murder, crime or shootouts.

  ‘The North City Police Department will be formed in the next six months. The NCPD will be responsible for the security and safety of this great city. I will formally announce the chief of police in the next month. North City is changing, my friends. We are entering a new era. This is not a dictatorship. I will remain in charge of North City as I oversee the formation of the NCPD and guide in the first presidential elections, which will take place in three years. We will be the first democratic government since the end of the Third World War.’

  Questions were thrown his way, as cameras flashed.

  It took a long time for the room to go quiet, but Marcus waited.

  ‘I will take three questions.’

  Melissa stepped in and picked one of the journalists with a raised hand.