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And as diabolical as I know it is, there's something about seeing them that way that sits well with my soul.
And finally, I exhale.
Chapter 25
Check His Pulse
Hunter
Imake enough money now that I need to allow the people who work for me to handle the dirtier parts of the business.
But that’s always been hard for me.
Plus, this is personal.
Parker watches warily as I strip off my bloodied gloves and hand them to him. Megan’s living room is a mess, and the dirtbag lying in front of me is twitching with blood gurgling out of his mouth. He’s probably going to live, but he’s going to hate every minute of it.
“Check his pulse,” I say to Parker with a tinge of disgust in my voice.
It feels as if I’ve been waiting forever for Megan to share anything about the man lying helplessly in front of me, but now I see for myself why she was so reluctant to do so. Samuel is pure evil and nothing good will come from her rehashing all the horrible things I can only imagine happened to her in a home void of any love or respect for her.
Suddenly, I understand why so many Hollywood types make time-travel movies. What a fantasy. If I possessed that superpower, I’d find a way to change Megan’s entire childhood. Why does she have to pay for the sins of her parents?
My eyes dart toward the other two members of Megan’s family. I didn’t harm the stepmom even though she one hundred percent deserves it. Instead, I gave her a few threatening promises because I don’t hit women. It’s fine. I’ll leave that for the people I plan on sending these monsters to.
Clearly, the little sister doesn’t have the stomach for torture when it doesn’t involve Megan because she’s rocking back and forth on the floor, her fist stuffed in her mouth, seemingly totally checked out. I can sleep at night knowing that she’ll never forget the day of reckoning for all that her father’s done and because she never stood up for her big sister. Not once. And I can never forgive her for that. I don’t care that she was a child herself. A good person, no matter the age, instinctively knows right from wrong.
“Call the cleaners and get this scene cleared,” I order Parker. “And call Dante DeAngelo and tell him I’m sending him a gift.”
I may not indulge in the trafficking business, but I can always send this sadistic family to someone who does.
“Are you sure, boss?” Parker questions as he hesitantly looks over at the sister. I know what he’s thinking. I’ve never sent DeAngelo agift, not like this. But all I can think about is what would have happened in this apartment if I hadn’t arrived when I did. I believe that Megan would have shot one of them, if not all three, and then where would we be?
“They get to live,” I tell him. “That’s more than they deserve.”
“I can make this right,” the stepmother pleads through mascara-streaked eyes. “I can make you feel really good.”
I’m unable to hold back the chuckle from deep in my throat. “Are you propositioning me?” I ask in disbelief.
“I’ll do whatever you want, whenever you want.”
“Your husband is choking on his own blood, and your daughter looks like she’s visiting the planet Mars, but you’re ready to find the next warm dick to suck on?”
“I’m a smart woman. I always have been,” she says proudly. “I know a real man when I see one.”
“I don’t like them long in the tooth,” I tell her, figuring that crushing her vanity is probably the best way to get under her skin. “You’re too old for my tastes.”
“I understand, boss,” Parker says out of the blue. “I’ll call DeAngelo now. It’s the only way.”
“Wait!” she begs. “Then take Rachel. She’s younger than Megan and much more obedient. Please!”
“Look at you being a mother now,” I say sarcastically. “But unfortunately for you, not for the right kid.”
“I was always a mother to Megan.”
“Not much of one.”
“Where are you sending us? Who is this DeAngelo person?”