Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96714 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“You betrayed us,” Hank said.
This made me chuckle. “Rage was never on your side. Didn’t you hear? Volkov Bratva and the Evil Savages MC are bound together by family.”
Hank spat on the floor. I have to say I liked his spirit. “They gave you the sister they didn’t want. They turned their backs on you the moment a better offer was on the table. That slut meant nothing.”
Drawing my arm back, I punch him right in the nose. Anger fills every single part of my body. No one, and I mean, no one, calls my wife a slut. Screams erupt in the basement and we’ve tied Hank’s arms behind him, so there’s no chance of him escaping.
“You broke my nose,” Hank said.
“It’s not the only thing I’m going to break.”
I want to kill him, but that would be too easy of a death. No, I want to take my time.
Ivan’s going to want to question him, and I only hoped he decided to be stupid. Once he was stupid, I could have my fun with him.
Stepping back, I see specks of blood on my knuckle, and I pull out a handkerchief to clean the mess.
“You didn’t like him calling Lottie a slut,” Rage said.
I ignore Rage and concentrate on Ivan. Ivan had pulled over a chair from across the room, and he moved to sit, crossing one leg over the other, and then staring at Hank. He didn’t say a word.
I’d seen this side of Ivan often, the calm businessman approach. He was in total control, and then I’d also seen him completely lose it, and I knew Ivan scared a lot of men. Many of his own as well. Ivan wasn’t afraid of getting his hands dirty. He asked for one thing from his men, and that was loyalty.
“What the fuck do you want?” Hank asked.
There were tears running down his eyes as he tried to control himself.
“I don’t think you and I have been properly introduced,” Ivan said. “I’m Ivan Volkov, the man you intended to kill, and take over my territories and businesses.” He doesn’t offer a hand, but I see the surprise on Hank’s face.
“You’re … you’re dead.”
“Oh, didn’t you get the memo? That was a bit of fun.” Ivan chuckled.
The fear in Hank’s face was clear to see, even his lip trembled.
“What’s the matter? Didn’t think it was true that I was miraculously alive?” Ivan sighed. “Trust me, I’ve had worse.”
This made me smile.
“So, you and…” Ivan clicked his fingers, and turned toward me. “What was the other guy’s name?”
“Benjamin Court.” I told him the name, but he knew. I’d never caught Ivan at a loss. It was part of his superpower to know everyone and everything.
“That’s right. You and good old Benji have decided to take over my territory. You couldn’t be satisfied with the tiny pieces we gave you, you had to attempt to take over.” Ivan tutted.
With every second that passed, Hank became more afraid. I was expecting more, but then he was a guy who terrorized women.
“Now, forgive me, Hank, but I have to wonder if this was all your idea or if someone put you up to this? The warehouse that headed toward the docks, the women, the way they were drugged and taken. It all seems a little sloppy to me. Why don’t you tell me who you work for?” Ivan asked.
Hank’s eyes went wide and he shook his head. “I don’t work for anyone.”
“So, you want me and everyone here to believe that you and Benjamin decided to go from petty crime to suddenly thinking you could rule this city?”
Ivan turned back to me. “Who ruled this city before us?”
“The Irish,” I said, knowing he already knew the answers.
He clicked his fingers. “That’s right, and I know for a fact the cartel haven’t been too pleased with my being alive.”
Hank shook his head. I wanted him to stay silent.
“Come on, Hank, don’t you think it’s in your best interest to tell us what’s going on?” Ivan asked. “I can make a deal with you, if you talk, that is. I know Ive here is begging to use some of his cages. They’ve been a little empty the past couple of weeks. I think he’s already dealt with David, isn’t that right?”
Again, he didn’t need me to say anything, but Hank shook his head. He wouldn’t talk. Even though he feared Ivan and what could happen to him, it would seem he feared the repercussions of talking. Stupid, fucking idiot. He was going to die anyway. We’d at least have made it quick, but now, that was not going to happen.
His foolish actions gave me something to look forward to.
****
Lottie
I felt a little guilty. My back was being massaged as was my sister’s, and Hubert stood in the corner of the room. There was no way he could be enjoying this, and I hated that I was. It felt nice, even though I was a little tense.