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I turned around and headed into the bathroom. I wasn’t in the mood for a discussion like that, especially not when my head felt like it was about to explode. Though, I’d probably never want to have this discussion.
I shoved down my briefs and what remained of my shirt, then stepped into the shower and turned it warmer than I usually showered because the prospect of cold water hitting my head wasn’t enticing at all.
Leaning against the tiles, I closed my eyes. After a couple of minutes, I could hear Emma enter the bathroom, then the sound of water in the sink followed by the electric toothbrush and the occasional squeal of her wheels.
I slowly opened my eyes and turned the water to as cold as I could bear, all the while watching Emma. She was focused on brushing her teeth, but I could tell she wasn’t happy with the situation. I stepped out of the shower, rubbed my hair dry, then wrapped a towel around my waist before I joined Emma at the sink. She looked up at me, her eyes briefly lingering on the bruises on my upper body. A few of the recruits had managed to land hits but nothing major.
“Why was yesterday shitty?” she whispered. Her brown eyes searched mine with concern and tenderness.
I sighed. I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to share with Emma. Finally, I said, “Two recruits had trouble with the questioning. For one of them, it was his second attempt to become an initiate, and he failed again because of his inability to withstand pain.”
Emma grimaced. “How old was he? I’m sure he’ll grow used to pain over time.”
“Sixteen. Old enough to bear the pain I caused, trust me. He’s too weak.”
“And that made you mad?”
“No, what made me mad was his reaction to me telling him he wouldn’t become an initiate. I had to make a bloody statement.”
Her eyes grew wide. “You killed him?”
“No, though it would have been a suitable reaction. I cut off the tip of his tongue.”
Emma paled. “But he’s only sixteen.”
“I have to lead my men and these recruits. If someone disrespects me, they’ll be met with my wrath. Now he knows and so does everyone else. Sometimes they all need reminding.”
She didn’t need to know how the asshole had disrespected her.
Emma swallowed thickly. I could see her mind working, wondering why that had made me get drunk.
“Stop worrying,” I told her, squeezing her shoulder.
Emma nodded, but I could tell she was still not convinced. She needed to learn when to give up.
On my way to a casino, Dante’s number flashed on my screen. I gritted my teeth. I didn’t think it was a coincidence that he called a day after I’d punished the boy. Had his father complained?
I answered the call. “Dante, to what do I owe your call?”
“Good morning, Samuel. I just wanted to inquire about the state of things in Minneapolis.”
“Let me guess, you got a call from an angry Captain yesterday because I punished his useless son?”
Dante chuckled. “No, not quite. His mother called Valentina, crying.”
I rolled my eyes. “So he ran to his mommy so she could protect him?”
“I don’t know the details, and I won’t call the father to find out. I assume you had a reason to punish an initiate like that.”
“He won’t become an initiate. He failed under torture twice, and he insulted me and my wife. He’s lucky I didn’t cut off more than the tip of his tongue.”
“Indeed,” Dante said. “He should be able to withstand torture at sixteen.”
“He’s weak. He won’t ever amount to anything. I could withstand more torture at twelve than that pussy.”
Again, a dry chuckle. “You are one of my best men, like your father.”
I waited for him to say more as I parked in front of the casino. This one was underground, hidden in a nondescript warehouse.