That meant the precious meeting with my mother was real too. What had she said? To remember what she taught me about Jesus? I tried hard for years to forget that name. My desire for the Lord died the same day she did, and I wasn’t willing to go down that road again. I needed something else to busy my mind, so I turned my attention to the items on my desk.
The mail James left on my desk sat neatly stacked on the corner. A small package caught my eye. Paul’s name was on the return interoffice envelope label.
I ripped it open and saw a book I thought had been lost—my mother’s Bible. A letter fell from inside the envelope too and landed on my desk. It was from Paul.
I found this while I was unpacking some boxes from when we moved out of the dorms. I guess I must have grabbed this by mistake. I didn’t know this belonged to you until I looked at it and saw your mother’s name written on the first page. Anyway, please forgive me, I didn’t mean to take it and keep it for so long.
It appeared no matter how hard I tried to escape God, he seemed to keep finding a way back into my life. I took the book out of the box, flipped through some of the pages, and saw the handwritten notes my mom had made. I took a moment to read some. They were simple but profound, and I knew the time had come to read my father’s last words to me.
But first I had to plan my brother’s funeral.
Chapter Nineteen
Rachel Willenski
Williams Estate – Private Drive
Williams Point, New York
I LAUGHED OUT LOUD in victory.
Alec would fall for me again. It was just a matter of time. He’d tried to sound so hard with his I meant what I said. Pathetic.
For a moment I thought he was going to make a move on me there in the car, right in the shadow of where his friend died. I saw the lust in his eyes and felt the heat of his longsuffering desire for me. He wanted to rip off my shirt and touch me all over. I know he did. And it would have been disgusting, but I have to admit, the sudden burst of want I saw in his eyes turned me on—but only a little. Still, I would have gladly taken one for the team.
Of course, sweet old simpering Alec was too scared to step up, be a man, and pull the trigger. If anything physical was going to happen between us, I would have to make it happen.
“What a typical male idiot. I have him right where I want him.” I muttered to myself.
An overwhelming stench curled to my nostrils. Was there an open sewer somewhere?
Then I realized to whom that pungent odor belonged, but it was too late.
Oh no...
A powerful hand reached from the back seat and wrapped its fingers around my throat.
Terror gripped me from my core, and my nails immediately dug into the steering wheel. I thought I might lose control of my bladder.
Reviler.
“Keep driving, and don’t try to look back at me! I should snap your neck right here.”
I squirmed under the power of his grip, and I could only take in short gasps of air. My eyes filled with tears, and my vision slipped out of focus.
“Why, Master? What have I done?”
“You are not even ten feet away from the man, and you’re calling him an idiot and snickering. What if he heard you? You would be finished, and then I would have to kill you in the most gruesome and horrific way possible.”
“I’m... I’m sorry. I tried to seduce him with the power Lucifer gave me, but he resisted somehow. Please don’t kill me. I’ll do better.”
Reviler tightened his grip. “He resisted you because he’s overwhelmed with grief right now, you stupid whore. Do you even know how to seduce a man? You have to get him to trust you in his current state. That’s why I killed his friend, so you could have an open avenue into his life. After all the toying you did with him when you were younger. Alec is going to be heavily guarded when it comes to you.”
I whimpered. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
“You’re so close. He is starting to trust you by the fact he let you take him to the crash site, and if you can play your cards right and stop being so stupid and careless, you may be able to take over the company and end Alec in one swift motion."
Reviler gave my throat one last hard squeeze before he let it go. As if that wasn’t enough, he gave my head an aggressive shove forward.
He leaned back in the seat. "I was very pleased with your performance today, up until now. Don’t worry about him resisting the power Lucifer gifted you with. It takes time to master a gift like that, but you have to be more careful. If Lucifer finds out what we are trying, you will suffer a fate truly worse than death. You’re supposed to use the powers of seduction to get Alec to fall in line with Lucifer, and everything you do has to have that appearance.”
I grabbed my water from the console and tried to swallow past the pain in my windpipe. The injury to my neck had already started to swell.
“Don’t forget,” Reviler continued. “You came to me for help. You wanted to replace your father in hopes to take over the company without Lucifer realizing what you’re doing. I made that happen, and it was I who added the fires of Hell to Paul’s car to ensure nothing would be left of him to bury. That should fully push Alec over the edge and into your so-called loving arms. I enjoyed watching as the bomb attached to his gas tank exploded. Paul panicked like a child just before I smashed the car into the tree. And then as he was dying, I knew he saw me standing next to his busted-out window... Lacerations all over his face... I laughed as he choked on his own blood. He mumbled the word help in between gasps of air, and that is what I did. I laid my hand on his head and let the fires of Hell flow from me and into him. He looked horrified and then he was instantly consumed. So many people in this world don’t believe we spirits exist, so they will come up with their interpretation of what happened. Humans are so stupid. The answers are right in front of their faces, and yet they still refuse to believe, which makes my job a whole lot easier. I have accomplished for you in mere moments what would have taken you years to achieve—if you would have been able to pull it off at all.”
He leaned toward the front again, just behind my right ear. “I want you to always remember, my dear, without me, your life is nothing.”
He was right about everything. I had gone to Reviler with my idea to replace my father. When I heard Alec was coming back, I hoped he would help me remove Alec and take over the company. I wondered how there was nothing left of Paul’s body, and Reviler had taken care of that for me as well. Everything was going great, and I couldn’t afford to mess it up.
“You’re right. I have Alec right where I want him. With Paul gone, it won’t be long before I have him eating out of the palm of my hand. Then it will be easy to make it look like he’s not going along with Lucifer’s wishes. Forgive me, I didn’t mean to be so careless. You’ve taught me better than that.”
“You’re forgiven and you better be right. If this goes wrong, it will be you and not me that incurs Lucifer’s wrath. I will personally see to that. I will spin everything to look like you were the one who deceived Lucifer, so you could have your will be done instead of his. Remember, even if you don’t see me, I will be watching you.”
He disappeared and I burst into uncontrollable sobs. I pulled over until I stopped crying. I hated Reviler. I always had, but I had to be careful until I had taken what was mine. He was only a means to an end.
I took a deep breath, regained my composure, and realized I would have to have my seat cleaned.
And throw away the dress.
Chapter Twenty
Alec Williams
Grace Chapel
Williams Point, New York
I ANNOUNCED TO THE company Paul had passed away.
The news seemed to upset a lot of people. I guess my employees liked Paul more than I knew, and immediately my inbox filled with emails of everyone offering their condolences and heartfelt sympathies.
Since there was no body to bury, I had a memorial service for Paul. I had a picture of him s
et in a decorative frame with a wreath placed around it, and everyone put various flower arrangements to the left and right of it. The smell of roses greeted me as I walked into the service and immediately reminded me of my mom’s death. I wanted to turn and walk out, but I couldn’t do that to Paul.
When it was my time to speak about him, I couldn’t get past the first line where I said Paul was my brother without instantly choking up. I heard many people gasp and aww in sympathy at my inability to speak. It sickened me that I wasn’t stronger for him.
The preacher laid his hand on my shoulder to try and comfort me, but I pulled away. “Don’t touch me.”
Then everyone looked at me more out of concern than sympathy. I quietly apologized and took my seat. Even if I could say what I wanted to say about Paul, I didn’t want to say it in front of all these people so they could make a spectacle of it.
As I stared at his picture, I remembered the words I spoke at the site of his accident. As soon as the memorial was over, I planned to read the letter my father left me, and review the rest of the materials, no matter how painful it would be. I felt emboldened by those words, to an extent I’d never felt before.
I knew I could face whatever my father had to say, no matter how much it might hurt. I wouldn’t allow myself to be afraid anymore. After all, what else could the dead do to me?
As soon as the service ended, I made my way to the exit at the back where James waited to take me home. I focused on facing whatever waited for me in the top desk drawer.
AS WE PULLED UP TO the front door, James tried to talk to me, but I cut him off. "I'm going to my office, and I do not want to be disturbed for any reason. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir.” He turned to face the windshield. I got out and stormed through the front door. I went straight into my office and moved past the desk bearing the mark from The Man.
I sat and placed the letter from my father in front of me.
I wanted to pour a drink first but decided against it. My focus needed to be sharp and steady. I wouldn’t let my wretch of a father keep me in fear for another moment.
I began to read the words of a dead man.
Alec, you were always a disappointment to me, but it is I who let you down, and you should be disappointed in me. You’re a weak son because I failed to make you into a true Williams man. The words I want to say to you I am unable to pen on this page. Please view the flash drive on the computer in what is now your office. I would advise you to watch this by yourself. The message it contains, although will be hard to hear, will irrevocably explain everything to you.
Even though he was dead, his words pierced me to the quick. I wanted to destroy the letter, the flash drive, the red and black notebook, and everything that bastard had left me. I was more determined than ever for the company to outperform—under my leadership—and not my father’s.
I reached for the flash drive and plugged it into the computer, and almost immediately, an image of my father sitting at the same desk appeared on the screen. I hadn’t seen him before he died, and there he was staring back at me. I took a deep breath and pressed play.
“Hello, son. If you are watching this, it means I have passed away, and you are now the head of the company, but there are certain things you must know. My father’s grandfather, Frederick, started the company by building this nation’s railroad on the backs of his workers who he treated cruelly. He bribed and threatened any who got in his way, and everyone feared him. He truly was the patriarch of this family. I strived so hard to live up to his example, and I had hoped you would turn out like him. Alas, you are weak, and like I said before, I blame myself and your mother for that.
“Anyway, Frederick became arrogant, and in his pride, he made mistakes which caused the company to suffer financially. The companies that had hired him to construct the railways all started to cancel their contracts for various reasons. His company began to hemorrhage money, and his private security began to leave him since he could no longer afford to pay them. The workers began to organize and revolt until the fateful day that forever changed his life and the lives of the members of this family.
“Frederick became extremely desperate, and he felt he had no place else to turn. He locked himself in his office, and he fell to his knees and said he would give his soul to the one who would save him and his company. Then, a magnificent light came into the room, blinding Frederick at first, and when his sight returned, he saw a man standing before him.
“He had a long, flowing white robe with a golden belt around his waist, golden sandals on his feet, and his hair appeared to be made of spun gold. Frederick said his eyes radiated fear and hate, but he spoke in a sweet and soothing way as if milk and honey dripped off of every word.
“The man introduced himself as Lucifer, and he came to make a deal with Frederick to save the company and keep him set in a life of wealth and privilege for the rest of his days. All Frederick had to do was to give Lucifer his soul, and the souls of all of his family members from then until the end of days. Any family member who would not live for him would be killed. Lucifer then made Frederick cut his wrist open and fil a cup with his blood. Lucifer drank it, and it seemed as if he had become drunk by it. Then Lucifer stopped the bleeding just before Frederick bled out.
“Lucifer smiled and told him his company would remain forever, and all Frederick had to do was walk in complete obedience. Frederick gratefully accepted Lucifer's request, and then Lucifer disappeared.
“Immediately, Frederick’s private security returned and completely put down the revolt the workers were planning. Then all of the contracts Frederick lost started coming back in one-by-one, and all were willing to pay more than before. After that day, everything fell into place for Frederick, and his company grew from there to what it is today.
“Lucifer now lays claim to souls of every member of this family, and he brings swift discipline when any of us displease him. We all have to do his bidding. I added several other dealings to the portfolio of this company upon his command, and I gladly follow his every order.”
Maxwell held up the red and black leather-bound book. “This book contains the records of all the real dealings of this company. Be mindful you do not show it to anyone, nor let anyone take it from you. Keep it with you at all times. If this were to get out, we would all be undone, but Lucifer makes me keep a record of everything in this book as a way to keep me in line. He says he likes the simplicity of it. He also doesn’t want it in a computer where it can be hacked and exposed for the world to see.
“If Lucifer hasn’t visited you yet, then it means you haven’t done anything to displease him, but make no mistake, my son, he will eventually come for you. I remember the time he visited me when your mother and I found out she was pregnant with you. He was elated to hear I was having a son to carry on the family name and to keep the company moving. When I first looked upon Lucifer, I knew I would do anything to gain favor with him. Lucifer told me if I please him in my lifetime then he will bless me with up to half his kingdom when I die.”
He looked so elated at this point it made me sick to look at him. He flashed one of the classic cocky smiles he was famous for.
“There is one more thing I have to tell you. I am being tormented in my sleep by a being that appears to be a man surrounded by darkness as if he has wrapped himself in the night sky. He torments me in my sleep night after night. He keeps asking the same question and says he will be back soon for my answer.
“The very words of his question are forever burned into my mind. He keeps asking if I will continue on in our family’s footsteps, extending the legacy that so many of the Williams’ had furthered before me, or will I choose another path? A higher path. I have no idea what this man is talking about. I’m not worried about it, though. I know Lucifer will protect me. You know, I bet The Man works for him. He is completely covered in darkness, after all. Lucifer likes to test his subjects from time-to-time to ensure we are still loyal.”
I sat straight up
in my chair as fear washed over me. The Man asked me the same question.
The Man had told the truth about meeting with my father.
“Listen to me. If you try and expose the corruption of this company or subtly change things against Lucifer’s will, he will come for you. Lucifer will torture and punish you in ways you cannot begin to comprehend. The only thing you can do, son, is go along with everything for your own sake. Do the smart thing for once in your life, and you may survive to be an old man.”
The video ended, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I quietly tried to make sense of it all.
Then I dove across my desk for the decanter. I knocked the top off and started drinking from it. I gulped it down until my throat burned, and then I drank some more. What was I supposed to think about the wild story of some distant relative selling his soul and every member of the family’s soul? It sounded like something out of a bad horror movie. Clearly, my dad had started a descent into some sort of dementia—except for the fact he knew about The Man.
Had a serious neurological illness come upon us both?
Even after his death my father still found a way to keep destroying my life. I glanced at the red and black leather-bound book—the only thing my father left me that I hadn’t inspected. I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what it contained, but I opened it and began to read. I never felt so disturbed in my life.
I’d only read page one.
Chapter Twenty-One
Alec Williams
Williams Estate – Private Home Office
Williams Point, New York
I FELT SICK TO MY CORE as I delved deeper into the red and black leather book. Each day I learned new and horrifying atrocities my family and the business had committed—and were still perpetrating. Sleep eluded me, and it wasn’t from The Man Wrapped in Darkness. Page after page of drug trafficking deals with rogue nations, buying off politicians, murdering the ones that couldn’t be bought, and other items I could not decipher at that moment.
The Man Wrapped in Darkness Page 12
