Page 21 of Burn the World Down

Bruno was heading home. I knew that he had a nice apartment a few blocks off Fremont Street.

Yeah, the asshole did well for himself.

He turned into a quiet side street, and I picked up speed to keep him in view. I’d followed him before, and I knew he often took a shortcut through a dark alley.

Energy swelled inside me. This man had beaten me. He pinned me down, kicked me, punched me, and took great pleasure in tormenting me with all the things he’d done to my sister.

That sea of rage inside me roiled.

I closed in on him. He turned into the alley. It was dark here. There were no streetlights, no shiny storefronts, and there was no one around.

I should be afraid. I knew he was strong. If he got a hold of me…

Anger overcame the fear.

I had no fear left.

Whatever happened to me, there was no one left to care or grieve.

I stepped up behind him and he sensed me. He started to turn.

Quickly, I rammed a hard jab into his kidneys.

He grunted, his fist swinging out. “What the fuck?”

He caught me in my sore ribs. Pain exploded through my torso, but I ignored it.Too late, asshole.

I jammed the stun gun into his side and pressed the button.

He made a low sound as his body shuddered.

God, that felt good. I watched his body stiffen, the grimace on his face.

Finally, I wasn’t afraid. I wasn’t going to be pushed around. This time, I had the upper hand.

I stunned him again. And again.

His big body went down. He made a thump as he hit the dirty pavement. I followed on one knee and stunned him again.

He groaned. I slid the stun gun away and pulled a syringe and vial from my pocket.

Ketamine. A large enough dose to take him down.

I quickly injected him. His dark gaze—clouded and pained—locked on me. I knew the instant he recognized me. He moved weakly.

“It’s Ketamine,” I said. “You won’t be able to move your limbs, but you won’t stop breathing.”

His eyes flared. I saw the fear and I reveled in it.

“How’s it feel? Being helpless?” I pulled my arm back, curled my fingers into a fist and punched his gut. “Knowing I can do whatever I want to you?”

Air rushed from his lips, but he couldn’t move.

“It’s no fun to be trapped as someone beats you, is it?” I punched him again. “To be at someone’s mercy.” I lowered my voice. “How’s it feel knowing I could hurt you? Like you did to me.” My voice was a lethal hiss. “Like you did to my sister.”

I pulled a knife, sliding it from its small leather sheath. I saw panic in his gaze now.

“I wonder what I should do to you next? How I can make you hurt? Where I can hurt you?” I held up the blade. “What I could cut off.”