Page 2 of Long Live the King

“Charlie,” I say as I point to Idiot Number One. “Cut off both of his pinkies,” I command, then I point to Number Two, “and cut off both of his thumbs.”

“What the fuck!” Number Two shouts, so I give him my undivided attention.

“Or you can keep your thumbs, and use them to grab ahold of the back of this chair, while my friend shoves the barrel of his gun up your ass and pulls the trigger!” I snap, as I lean forward and look him straight in the eyes. “No lube,” I add, with a wink.

He doesn’t move. He doesn’t blink. He doesn’t breathe.

I smile.

“Smart man,” I whisper to him as I stand up and look down on the two of them.

“Who are you?” Idiot Number One asks, as a single tear slides down his bruised cheek.

“You better remember it forever,” I say to him as I turn on my heel. “I’m Dominic Collazo.”

Charlie puts the tape back over their mouths as I turn to make my exit, and Skinny Joe closes the door behind me once I cross the threshold.

As I head towards the elevator, the muffled screams start up again, and my Cheshire smile returns.

It’s good to be king.