Russell rushes in, eyes wild with fury. He spots us at the kitchen island and stops short upon seeing his son.
Bob and Bruiser appear and saunter over to him, but Sarge comes back in and goes straight over to Caden.
“I just heard that the mission was a failure last night,” Russell starts, smoothing out his blazer. “I was about to give you a bollocking, but by the pale and wan appearance of you, I’m guessing something went wrong.”
He comes over to us, inspects his son, notices the arm clutched around his stomach.
“It did go wrong,” I say, “we didn’t manage to get the gold.”
“No, that’s what I heard,” Russell says, not bothering to acknowledge me once. “So, what happened?”
“It was a fluke,” Caden says casually, “guy got lucky.”
“You got stabbed?” Russell tips his chin towards his son’s stomach.
“Yes. Nothing major.”
“Nothing major, but you still weren’t able to complete the mission?”
A spike of protective anger shoots up my spine. “I prioritised your son’s life. Or was that the wrong call?”
“It shouldn’t have been a call necessary to make,” he says, voice clipped. “How did you let this happen?”
Caden’s the most efficient, untouchable employee in all the Blackwood business, not just the family. It was a shock when it happened, almost like his head wasn’t fully in the game, like Alfie said last night. I remain silent.
“We were outnumbered,” Caden says.
“Not unusual.” Russell lifts his chin.
“It is when we’re told there wasn’t supposed to be that many.”
“Adapting has never been a weak point for you.”
Caden sighs, his shoulders sagging.
I step in. “It was my fault. I acted recklessly. Caden saved my ass yesterday. I take full responsibility for his injury.”
Finally, Russell looks at me. “It doesn’t surprise me that your incompetence once again got my son into trouble. Still, no matter how many times he’s had to save your ass, he has never let a man get close enough to do this.” He redirects his glare back onto his son. “Why did you let this happen?”
No concern for his wellbeing, no worry etched into those dark eyes. He doesn’t care about his son’s life, he cares about his partner’s gold. Classic Russell.
“It was a mistake,” Caden says in a strained voice, as if it’s becoming an effort to speak. “I know I don’t make mistakes, but I did. We’ll go back and get the gold.”
“No need,” Russell says, “I’ve texted Alfie. He’ll fix what you broke. He’ll risk his life to finish what you couldn’t.” He scratches the side of his head. “Do I need to be worried that more mistakes will be made?”
“No, sir,” Caden says, tightly.
Russell licks his teeth, then nods once. “Good. I know you’ve had a massive change recently, getting engaged to a stranger, bringing her into your home, but I’d hate to learn she was the cause of this incompetence.”
“She’s not,” Caden says, if not a little too quickly.
“She’s the only difference in your life as of late. You cut off one of my employees’ hands, now you get sloppy on a mission. I don’t see these as coincidences, Caden. Fix up. I shall not accept any moremistakes.”
Caden gives his dad a stiff nod. “Understood.”
“Good.” Russell sighs heavily. “Rest up now. I won’t give you any work for the next few days. Just heal and recover. And sort your fucking self out.”
“Yes, sir.”
