My phone buzzes. I walk into the bathroom and lift it off the counter. My arm stings as I do.
Enzo: We got him. Should be at the cabin in 30 minutes. You sure this can’t wait? I can hold him for a few days.
ME: No. I want this done. Tonight.
I put the phone down and unwrap my arm. I smile as Clarissa’s name stares back at me. Grabbing the first aid kit, I clean my arm, wrap it up with gauze, and head downstairs.
I throw a coat on and open the door just as Enzo pulls up to the house. He gets out, followed by Tony and who I could only guess is Roy.
“Where am I,” Roy asks before he flashes me a dirty look. “You’re all gonna be in a world of pain.”
I step up to him and smile, and I see his eyes widen. That was an odd ability my smile had on people right before they met my blades. They never really thought I would do anything until it was too late.
“Welcome, Roy. My name is Vance Matthew.”
At the mention of my name, he trashes against Tony, desperate to get free. “Listen, man, I don’t know what all this is about, but I swear to God I haven’t fucked with anything to do with Vincent Ricci. I know who you are, man.” He falls to his knees like a pathetic roach. “I swear on my mother, man.”
The pathetic fucker actually swore on his mom. That is the thing about men like Roy—weak bullies, unreliable little boys. The only thing they know how to do is use women in any way they can. I step closer, kick him directly in the face, and watch with satisfaction as the blood oozes from his nose.
“This has nothing to do with Ricci, Roy. You’re here 'cause you fucked with what’s mine, and I don’t like anyone doing that.”
“Man, I didn’t, I swear. I know not to come near anything that you’ve got your hands in.”
I crouch down, fisting his hair in my hand, and yank back hard. I wanted the fucker to know that tonight was the last night he’d ever be breathing. “You put your hands on Clarissa.”
At the mention of her name, Roy’s eyes widen. “Clarissa? Emily’s friend? What the fuck does that bitch have to do with anything?"
The volcanic rage in me explodes. I pound Roy’s head onto the gravel with such force, I hear several cracks. I probably broke his nose and various other bones in his face with the power of the hit.
I drop him and stand. “Look at me, Roy.”
His eyes meet mine, and I see the fear in them. It’s a look I know well, the one a man gives when he knows his time’s up. “Please stop,” Roy begs.
“Are those the same words Emily used when you’d beat her?”
At the sound of Emily’s name, Roy’s eyes dart left and right, as if thinking she will pop up from out of nowhere.
“She’s not here, Roy. I don’t even know her.”
“Then what am I doing here?”
I bend down once again, looking him directly in the eye. “You’re here 'cause of Clarissa.”
“Emily’s cunt friend?” Roy asks before I pull his hair back and punch him directly in the face with all my force and knock him out.
“You’re gonna make it extra painful, aren’t you?” Enzo asks, shaking his head.
I shrug, wiping my hands on my coat. “He shouldn’t have said her name if he wanted this quick and easy. Let’s get him situated. I can’t wait to see the fuckin’ look of fear when he opens his rat bastard eyes.”
“The cleaners will be here in about three hours,” Enzo says as he hoists up Roy’s limp body.
I bring down the ropes and start tying his hands and feet to raise him above us.
Enzo winced as he watched me tie Roy’s hands. “You can’t just fuckin’ shoot people, huh?”
I discovered years ago that I really like using the strappado method for those who really deserve it. I have no issues with guns when taking care of business, but for rapists, pedos, and abusers, I like a little extra flare. I enjoy watching them tied up and completely helpless, totally vulnerable to my whim. “Some of them don’t deserve a painless death.”
Enzo shakes his head. “You should really see a therapist about your shit.”
I smirk at Enzo as I tighten the rope around Roy’s wrists. “You’re not any better, brother.”
Chapter 12
CLARISSA
I wake up, and the darkness engulfs me. I turn to the chair that Vance was sitting in and notice he isn’t there any longer as I snuggle my face into his pillow and breathe him in. Smiling, I remove the covers and tug at the warmth of the robe. The chill of the hardwood floor hits my feet as I set them on the floor. I am jarred with the realization that I’m literally in the home of my captive. The fear that was coursing through my body a mere few hours ago has completely dissipated.