Trigger In The Blood

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 The Johnsons and the Jeremys had been business partners for generations—nearly five decades.

On this particular day, both families were finalizing the wedding plans for their children, Sam and Shelly.

Sam, the eldest son of Mr. Johnson, was in line to succeed his father upon retirement. Educated at some of the world’s finest institutions, he was a brilliant economist through and through.

Shelly, on the other hand, was a beautiful, shy woman—sharp as her father, Mr. Jeremy—and currently head of logistics at the family conglomerate.

That afternoon, the Johnsons arrived at the Jeremy estate to settle on a wedding date. As they stepped inside, Mr. Jeremy noticed Mrs. Johnson’s troubled expression.

“Is everything alright, my dear?” he asked gently. “This should be a joyous day for both our families.”

Mrs. Johnson forced a smile. “I’m sorry, Jeremy. It’s nothing.”

He pressed softly, “If there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’m always at your family’s disposal.”

“Oh, Jeremy, you’re too kind. Thank you.”

He turned to Mr. Johnson with a pointed look—one that asked every question without a word.

Mr. Johnson sighed. “Don’t mind her, Jeremy. It’s about our son, Simeon. He ran away from home at fifteen. Today marks ten years. The last we heard from him was five years ago—just a note: ‘Don’t look for me. Don’t worry. I’m doing great.’”

“And you stopped searching?” Mr. Jeremy asked.

“No,” Mr. Johnson admitted. “I used every resource at my disposal. But the little bugger hid himself well—or he’s out of the country.”

“Aren’t you worried?”

Mr. Johnson shrugged. “When he was around, he caused nothing but trouble. I never had peace. Always police calls, court dates… The kid was a hard nut—pure chaos.”

“Johnson, that’s our son,” Mrs. Johnson protested.

Mr. Jeremy raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think I’ve ever met him.”

“Yeah,” Mr. Johnson muttered. “Juvenile court, two years in a correction center. The moment he got out—he vanished.”

Mr. Jeremy nodded slowly. “We’ll talk later. Let’s focus on today’s business.”

They moved inside to plan the wedding. Both families wanted it to be the talk of the town—a bold statement to their rivals: united in business and blood.

Shelly sat with her younger brother Justin, alongside Sam and his sister Vera. The parents handled the details; the younger generation had their own conversation.

“I overheard something earlier,” Justin said, eyes flicking to Vera. “And I’d like to know more.”

Vera raised an eyebrow. “About what?”

Sam leaned in. “Go on.”

Justin lowered his voice. “Your brother—the one who ran away. We’ve never seen him. Never even heard his name until now.”

Sam exhaled. “Simeon’s a sore subject. Dad loses his temper just thinking about him. Says he doesn’t know where the kid got his bad streak—always blames Mum. Even when Simeon’s not around, he starts fights.”

“Walking trouble,” Vera added with a laugh.

Shelly tilted her head. “So where is he?”

Sam spread his hands. “Who knows?”

Justin grinned. “Got a picture?”

“Vera does,” Sam said.

She pulled out her phone and showed them the only photo she had: a teenage Simeon in faded jeans and a loose shirt, crooked smile, eyes like cold steel.

Shelly took the phone. “He’s handsome,” she murmured. “But his eyes… no warmth.”

Vera smirked and shot Sam a look: You gonna let that slide?

Sam chuckled, a distant sadness in his gaze. “Simeon’s got the kindest soul you’ll ever meet. Rough exterior, sure—but full of heart.” He stared into memory. “That picture? Taken right after he saved a thirteen-year-old girl from her father. Beat the man bloody. Told him, ‘Remember me every time you look in the mirror. Lay a hand on her again, and I’ll come back for justice.’”

Shelly’s eyes widened.

“That girl?” Sam continued. “Carolina—Dad’s secretary now. She refused to let Simeon go. Only one who could ever calm him down. Dad kept her close… just in case Simeon came back.”

“But he still left,” Justin said.

Vera nodded. “True. But I’ve always suspected Carolina’s the only one still in touch. She’d deny it if you asked.”

“Do you think he’ll come back?” Shelly whispered.

Sam’s smile was faint. “Oh, he will. Might even be watching us right now.”

A sudden commotion erupted at the entrance—raised voices, shouting. Sam stood as Mr. Dean, head of Jeremy security, rushed in.

“It’s Mr. Bull—the Viper family head,” Dean reported. “Forcing his way in with his men.”

Mr. Jeremy frowned. “Why would he cause trouble now?”

“He says if you don’t meet him, he’ll do something drastic.”

Sam’s jaw tightened. “Let him try. I’ve had enough. I’ll go out there and—”

“Calm down,” Mr. Johnson said. Then, to his friend: “Let’s see what the old goat wants. He can do nothing but bleet.”

They headed out—Sam and Dean in the lead. Mr. Johnson chuckled at the fire in his son’s eyes. “Easy, boy. That man’s not called Viper for nothing.”

At the gate, Mr. Bull was raging—shouting, gesturing wildly. He turned as the group approached, eyes blazing.

“What is the meaning of this?” Mr. Jeremy demanded.

“You dare ask?” Bull snarled. “As if you don’t know.”

“Know what?” Mr. Johnson shot back.

“I hear you’re sealing a new alliance—marrying off your kids!”

Sam stepped forward. “You’re just waking up. The engagement’s been public for six months.”

“How dare you speak to me, you little runt?”

“Say your piece and go,” Sam snapped.

Mr. Johnson raised a hand. “Quiet, son.” To Bull: “My apologies. But the boy’s right—speak, or leave.”

Bull’s face twisted. “You two own every deal in this town. Now this marriage? You’re trying to bury me!”

Mr. Jeremy shook his head. “You came here to whine like a child who lost his candy?”

Mr. Johnson sighed. “Let’s go, Jeremy.”

“You’re turning your backs on me?!” Bull roared, spit flying.

Sam smirked. “It’s called progress. Our parents invested in education. You invested in thuggery. Now you’re mad we built something legitimate?”

“This isn’t over,” Bull hissed. “Mark my words—that wedding will not happen.”

Mr. Jeremy frowned. “We should report this threat.”

Mr. Johnson waved it off. “Barking dog. He’s just bitter about his failing empire.”

“Dad, we need to report him,” Sam insisted.

“Quiet, kid. Did you have to mock him?”

“He deserved it.”

Mr. Johnson chuckled. “Cheer up, old friend. Everything will be fine.”

Back at the Viper estate, Mr. Bull was drunk and furious—slumped on the sofa, bottle in hand, hurling insults and threats. His speech slurred as his son Diago approached.

“Father, we have to stop this wedding,” Diago said. “And I want that girl—Shelly—married to me.”

Bull blinked. “And how do you propose we do that? She’s in love with that Johnson runt. And she’s no fool.”

“I’ll force her,” Diago growled. “Even if I have to kidnap her.”

The idea sparked something dark in Bull’s mind—but he kept it hidden. “Don’t talk like that, boy. Be patient. Let me think.”

He was seething. Those soft, inherited brats had humiliated him. He hadn’t clawed his way to the top by playing nice. Blood had been spilled before—and would be again.

Alone now, he opened a locked cabinet, pulled out a burner phone, and dialed.

“Trigger here.”

“I’ve got a job,” Bull said, voice low. “Special. No mistakes. Can’t trace back to me.”

“Got it, boss.”

“Good. Here’s the target.” He gave Trigger Shelly’s details—and what to do once she was taken.

Hanging up, Bull grinned wide.

Simeon had always been stubborn—determined to be his own man. Trouble followed him like a shadow. Even his parents called him “walking trouble.” No one knew why he ran away at fifteen. They assumed it was their fault.

Now, he sat in the dark, thinking of his old master.

Master Chu—a hardened bastard who’d drilled discipline into him until the sun came up. China hadn’t been his choice. Circumstance had dragged him there. Recklessness had pulled him into covert government work.

Jobs that should’ve killed him. Thrilling. Exhilarating.

Iraq. Infiltrating the Caliban. Nearly exposed—but he pulled it off. Smooth. Clean.

Now? Back in the country one week—and his family’s drama was about to blow his cover.

Damn it.

His handler had sent him to New York to watch Mr. Bull—terror links, big plans, no inside man. Simeon had worked hard to earn a spot in Bull’s inner circle.

And now? He’d been in the room when Bull cleared it to call Trigger.

Simeon’s plan: let the kidnapping happen. Intercept Shelly after. Kill Trigger and his crew. Protect his identity.

He couldn’t contact his family. Too many questions. Too many tails—his father had tried that before. Only his handler had saved him then.

It all started years ago—trying to kill a man as a teen. Arrested. Defeated. But determination pulled him through.

He had a job to do.

No time for the past.

Every night, when Shelly closed up at work—he would follow.

  

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