Page 65 of Blood and Thorns

Squeezing Smithy on the shoulder, Hook reached over to one of his other men’s belt, pulling out a knife. He slammed it onto the table, the blade curved.

“Now, have you been fucking with Beast’s powder?”

Chapter 29

Arabella

Sebastian was a drug lord. Holy shit.

I didn’t know what I expected, because of course the owner of a club couldn’t have his sort of money. Even with the fights, Sebastian showed a wealth that was extreme.

Maybe I was just ignoring the obvious, not wanting to believe I’d given myself gift-wrapped to a man with no morals. And what’s worse was that I felt… disappointed that he was a man who made his money from the misfortune of others.

Which was crazy, because Sebastian never once tried to convince me he was the good guy.

Sweat dripped down Smithy’s forehead, his eyes darting around the room.

“What… n-no, of course not.” His stutter wasn’t a great start, nor was the way his voice raised at the end. Even I could tell he was lying.

Hook clicked his tongue, a slightly manic edge to his gaze. “Hmm, bad choice, mate. I’m going to have to take a finger for that.” He didn’t wait, using his knife to stab down, slicing straight through Smithy’s ring finger.

He screamed as blood splattered over the table.

“Stop overreacting. It’s not like it’s your leg!” Hook snorted at his own joke.

I found myself unable to look away, even as nausea twisted my stomach at the scene. My knee bounced beneath the table, and Sebastian’s hand stroked down my thigh to try and ease it. For some reason that grounded me, even as Smithy whimpered and trembled.

“You’re acting awfully suspicious here, mate,” Hook said. “Honestly, you’re embarrassing me in front of my friends. Now, is there something you wanted to say?”

Smithy wheezed out a cry, snot smearing his upper lip. “I’m… I’m sorry! I… I didn’t mean it!”

Another finger went, and I was surprised he hadn’t passed out from how pale he was.

Langdon stepped forward, as did Caden. It was as if they’d practiced the routine, with Caden holding down the hand while Langdon used his lighter to cauterise the missing fingers. The scent of scorched flesh added to the metallic copper, and if it wasn’t for me concentrating on Sebastian’s touch, I think I would’ve been sick.

Smithy continued to scream, right up until Hook covered his mouth with a cloth. “Okay, I think it’s time we moved this party outside.” Nodding to his men, they grabbed a whimpering Smithy and dragged him out through another door.

Sebastian stood, waiting for me to join him at his side. His hand was hot at the base of my spine, guiding me through.

The cold air feathered over me, bringing the welcoming scent of sea and salt. Hook whistled as he walked casually behind his men, who continued to drag a fighting Smithy down the side of the restaurant and towards the docks at the back.

Concrete turned to wood beneath my feet, the sea mistclawing at my ankles as it beat against the side, trying to pull me into the waves. The jetty was short, a large fishhook hanging over the edge.

Hook paused at the end, his grin manic. “This is the fun bit.”

With a wink in my direction, he grabbed a struggling Smithy and hauled him up against the hook like the catch of the day. Smithy’s next scream managed to break through the fabric, the spike spearing through his shoulder.

Hook gestured to the side, and the rope was pulled taut, forcing Smithy onto his toes at the edge of the dock or risk ripping through his muscle.

“Now, where were we?” Hook traced the curved blade down Smithy’s chest. It sliced through his shirt and then skin like butter.

“Wait… wait!” Smithy cried when the knife hovered over his groin. “I did it! I was paid to swap the bags out for the contaminated ones!”

“By who?” Sebastian growled, tension vibrating his skin.

“I… I don’t know the name. They bring that new stuff, Enchanted Dust. They offered me a ten percent cut on everything they sell!”

Hook’s lips pursed, his head tilting to the side. “She goes by the Enchantress. She’s my newest contract, straight from Bordeaux. Pretty thing, but a bit old for my tastes. Pays cash up front.”