Page 26 of Cain

Great job, boys.

Landon strikes a punch on the disgusting shit-face.

“Boss?” he pants, clearly tired from the beating. He walks away, quietly joining the rest of my men, who watch in silence.

His head hangs low, bruised and covered in blood. The room now reeks of blood and urine. Expected, I suppose, after two days chained to this chair. But now, I finally have the time and the mood to deal with him.

I prowl closer and lean down until we’re at the same height. Slowly, he raises his eyes and looks at me.

“Rise and shine, gorgeous!” I smile sinisterly.

His eyes flutter between mine, trying to recall where he knows me from. “You?”

I nod. “Me, me, me …” I grab his shoulder firmly. “And I’m having a nasty day, buddy.”

“Listen, I didn’t touch the girl!” His voice comes out shaky and terrified.

“Weird, because she said you did.”

“That fucking whore!” he spits. “She’s lying! I didn’t do anything to her!”

“M-hm.” I click my tongue. “Even if I believed you about that, you did something naughty just now.”

“What?!”

“Talking shit about her?” I inhale sharply through clenched teeth. “Not a wise move.”

“I … I didn’t?—”

“I’m going to take my time with you, Elijah.” I rise slowly and stride to the metallic medical table at the end of the room. On it, all of my “toys” rest, waiting for me to give them purpose again. He shakes harder than before. I take the chain cutter in my hand. “I am going to make you suffer every second of the rest of your pathetic life.”

“No!” he wails, tears streaming down his bloodied cheeks. “Please, I’m telling the truth.”

“I’m sure you are,” I tease. My eyes fall on the iron claw hammer, and for a moment, I ponder. “Should I start by chopping or hitting?” I ask him.

“Please, Mr. Manson … I’ll do anything.” His breathing hitches.

I grab the table and roll it closer to him. “Anything?”

“Yes, anything.”

I ponder again. He thinks he’ll get away with it easily. Huh. Little does he know what I have in mind. “Unchain him.”

His face fills with hope again. It shines bright, and his lips smile widely, revealing his bloodied teeth.

“But, boss?—”

“I said, unchain him, Gregory.”

So, he does. Landon smirks evilly, keeping his eyes low. Probably, he knows what’s coming. Or at least he can imagine.

Bruce, next to him, stands slack jawed like some freak drawn to the mess—such a disgusting piece of shit. I should’ve dumped him a long time ago. He adds nothing—just dead weight waiting to get someone killed. I guess I kept him around out of habit. Or boredom.

Landon’s different. He doesn’t hesitate. He doesn’t blink. He ends problems fast and quietly, with animalistic brutality. That’s what I like—not whatever hollow cowardice Bruce keeps dragging around behind him. He’s a liability I haven’t dealt with. Yet.

Elijah stands hesitantly, pretending he’s having a hard time staying on his feet, and gives me a puppy-dog look. He thinks he’s a good actor, but I’ve seen men who actually couldn’t stand. I’ve seen them one step from death, and I’m damn sure he isn’t one of them. Landon didn’t do a good enough job with him after all, but now, finally, the time to take over has come.

“I see the boys did a pretty good job with you, huh?” I ask politely. He nods, glaring at them. “My apologies for that. They’re a bit … primitive.”