Chapter 3: Blood Money and Broken Promises

That day, my younger uncle came home with his fiancée, Cassie, who usually looked down on us for being poor and for the fishy smell near the pond.

She wrinkled her nose as soon as she stepped out of the car, but the minute she spotted Carter with his cash and city manners, her eyes lit up like Christmas.

But when she saw Carter coming over with cash, cigarettes, and beer, her attitude changed instantly. “Mason, your dad’s really something—he knows big shots like this!”

She nudged me, her voice syrupy sweet, suddenly acting like we were best friends. I could see the dollar signs in her eyes.

My uncle grinned, feeling proud. “Of course! Dad’s a town elder. Anyone wanting to lease the pond has to treat him right.”

He puffed out his chest, clearly enjoying the attention. For once, he looked like he belonged at the head of the table.

Cassie was amazed. “Your family owns a pond too?”

She was already picturing herself hosting parties by the water, I could tell.

Uncle realized he’d said the wrong thing. “Don’t worry about it. Big shots come here all the time to lease the pond, always bringing gifts for Dad. Bet he got a nice stack of cash this time too.”

He tried to play it off, but the look Cassie gave him said she wasn’t letting go of the idea.

Grandpa’s back was stiff, while Carter still wore his ever-present smile, acting like he didn’t know he was being played. “This must be your son, sir. Handsome guy, about to get married, right? Here—consider it a wedding gift.”

Carter handed over the cash with a flourish, like he was the best man at the wedding. The bills were thick, crisp, and smelled faintly of new leather.

That wad was thick. Grandpa’s face tightened and he tried to refuse, but my uncle snatched it up. “Dad, I still need a lot for my wedding with Cassie. The boss won’t miss this much. Better get what you can, or Cassie’ll drop me.”

He waved the bills in Grandpa’s face, grinning. Cassie giggled, clinging to his arm like she’d just hit the jackpot.

“You think you can just take that money?”

Grandpa’s voice was low, dangerous.

He glared at my uncle, but the younger man just shrugged.

“I don’t care. I’m marrying Cassie, and she’s already pregnant!”

He blurted it out, and Cassie flushed, looking away. For a second, nobody knew what to say.

Grandpa shut his eyes, clearly furious.

He pressed his lips into a thin line, knuckles white on the table. I could almost see the storm brewing behind his eyelids.

My uncle took Cassie to my grandparents’ room, and I saw them rifling through Grandma’s hidden stash of cash.

They were whispering and giggling, stuffing bills into their pockets like kids raiding the cookie jar. Grandma caught them, but they just grinned and slipped out before she could scold them.

A moment later, they came out giggling, eyeing Carter even more eagerly.

Cassie was already making eyes at Carter, and Uncle looked like he’d found a gold mine.

Grandpa pulled my uncle aside. “Don’t be stupid. You can’t take this money.”

He spoke in a harsh whisper, but Uncle just rolled his eyes, acting like it was no big deal.

“Dad, it wasn’t easy for me to find a wife. If you don’t let me take it and she leaves, I’ll never speak to you again!”

He crossed his arms, daring Grandpa to say no. The tension crackled between them.

Grandpa frowned, his face cold.

“Do you even have a conscience? I’m doing this for your own good. Taking this money will bring trouble.”

His voice shook, but he didn’t back down. He looked at my uncle like he was seeing a stranger.

Uncle rolled his eyes. “What’s the point of money if you’re dead? Guess I’m just lucky. I’m not living poor and letting my wife run off so the whole town can laugh at me.”

He said it loud enough for everyone to hear, and Cassie nodded along, arms crossed.

Grandma tried to persuade him. “Listen to your dad. He’d never hurt you.” I could hear the worry in her voice, and I felt it too.

She put a hand on his shoulder, her voice soft, but Uncle shrugged her off.

Uncle turned it around. “Mom, Dad’s got real skills. It’s just a bit of money. Ask him—what’s more important, his grandson or some bad luck? Either way, I’m taking it.”

He looked at Grandpa, daring him to argue. Cassie stood behind him, arms folded, glaring at Grandma.

Grandma hesitated, looking at Grandpa. “Honey, look, he’s got a baby on the way. Maybe…”

Her voice trailed off, torn between her son and her husband. She looked at Grandpa, searching his face for some sign of compromise.

I glanced over and saw Carter eavesdropping.

He was leaning against the doorframe, pretending to scroll through his phone, but his eyes were fixed on us, taking it all in.

When he noticed me looking, he squinted and went outside.

He flashed me a quick, knowing smile, then slipped out the door, whistling a tune that sounded off-key.

Grandpa puffed hard on his pipe, his face looking grim.

The room filled with the bitter smell of tobacco.

He stared at the floor, lost in thought, jaw working like he was chewing over every word that had just been said.

But then Carter brought over another stack of cash. “Sir, I really should’ve brought more, knowing your son’s fiancée is pregnant.”

He set it on the table with a flourish, like he was making a grand gesture. The bills fanned out, catching the light.

Uncle’s eyes lit up. He grabbed the money and left, not even bothering to say goodbye.

Cassie followed close behind, and they disappeared out the front door, laughing like they’d just gotten away with something big.

Grandpa was out of options. He asked, “Carter, you really won’t leave?”

His voice was tired, the fight gone from his shoulders. He looked at Carter, searching for a hint of reason.

Before Carter could answer, Grandpa continued coldly, “Young man, you won’t get rich off this pond, but you might make a little. Listen to me—don’t get greedy.”

He leaned forward, voice dropping low. The warning was clear: some things weren’t worth the risk.

Carter rolled his eyes playfully, but sat next to Grandpa with a sincere look. “Sir, don’t worry. In my line of work, I know all about not overreaching.”

He tried to sound humble, but there was a glint in his eye—like he’d heard it all before.

Grandpa stared at him, trying to figure out if he was telling the truth.

He didn’t say a word, just studied Carter’s face, looking for cracks in the armor.