Page 54

“Just kill me,” he spat, as crimson red saliva trickled down his chin.

Emmet pressed the cigar into his cheek as his skin sizzled beneath it, causing him to cry out in agony.

“Be a good little boy and tell us who paid you, or we’ll be sure to make your end slow and painful.” Emmet sent him a sly grin, patting his wounded cheek with joy.

“Go to hell! All of you!”

My patience wore thin. This fucker had stayed silent for days. I slowly sliced a layer of skin from his back as he cried out for me to stop.

“P-please… Don’t,” he sobbed.

“You’ve changed your tune.” I chuckled. “I won’t stop until you look like a fucking jigsaw.” I rounded him, holding up the piece of freshly cut flesh in front of his face. “Sure you don’t want to speak?” There were no words, just the sound of gagging before he vomited down his front. “You know, I thought you could stomach a lot more than this. You disappoint me.” I turned my attention to Emmet who was happily watching from the corner. “What about you, Emmet, don’t you agree?”

“I expected a lot more from a man who, just a few days ago, was trying to do you over.” Emmet sighed.

“Now, where should I go next?” I pondered as I placed the bloody knife against my lips.

I trailed my blade along his side as I sliced off another layer of his skin. My ears welcomed his screams. I tossed what was in my hand over my shoulder and sliced another piece from his chest.

“Please,” he begged.

I spun my blade between my fingers as I toyed with him a little more. “I’ll tell you what, I’ll give you a choice of where you want me to cut next.”

“Nowhere! Please, nowhere!” he pleaded.

I continued slicing off parts of his skin until he passed out. Blood soaked his khaki pants, and his body was painted red.I stepped back to admire my handiwork. Just as expected, he looked like a jigsaw puzzle.

“Creative,” Emmet joked as he elbowed my arm.

“You know, I agree.” I slid my knife into my waistband before turning to the guys.

“What do you want me to do with him when he comes back around?” Emmet asked as he lit another cigar, the smell of smoke filling the air.

“Whatever you want. I’m done with the bastard. You two dispose of him in one of your fucked up ways.”

“You got it.” Emmet winked.

“And then prepare the space for tomorrow. You know who’s next.” I smirked.

Victor.

I pulledinto the garage and instantly clocked Red’s car.

Ana was home.

“Boss.” Red nodded in greeting as I entered the kitchen. He could barely even look at me, and who could blame him?

“Where is she?” I asked, my tone sharp and cold.

“Asleep.” The one word responses were an indication of how he felt.

“Be ready tomorrow,” I told him. “You know the plan inside out. Make sure you lure the bastard to where I need him. I don’t give a shit what you have to say to get him alone but you do what’s requested of you.”

“And what will you do to Ana?”

Ignoring his question, I asked my own. “Did she say anything?”

“No, she barely said anything all day.”