“You’re such a fucking disappointment, Seth,” Grant mutters once I pull the gag down just enough for him to speak. His voice is rough, but there’s satisfaction in it. “Richard always said it.”
I don’t answer. I step closer instead. I want him to watch. I want him to understand how much time exists between now and the end.
“You like to talk,” I murmur calmly. “That’s going to be a problem for you.”
Grant laughs. It sounds wrong in this room. “Watching your mother realize she was going to die. That was fun.”
I look at him fully now.
“You’re gonna pay for that,” I tell him. “I promise you that.”
Grant tilts his head. “I regret nothing.”
“Yeah,” I glance around the room before looking back at him. “And now you’re here.”
I reach for the gloves and slide them on slowly. Latex snaps against my wrists.
“You tortured Brooke,” I continue. “You stabbed Travis in front of my brother and sister. You put guns to their heads.”
Grant spits. It hits my boot.
“I’d do it again,” he bites out. “Watching you unravel was worth it.”
“You wanna know how I killed my father?” I ask.
That shuts him up.
“I beat him to death,” I continue. “It wasn’t quick, and it wasn’t clean. I took a tire iron and kept swinging until there was nothing left of his fucking head but bone and pulp.”
Grant’s breathing stutters.
“He was a piece of shit,” I add, stepping closer. “And so are you.”
I stop right in front of him.
“So when you talk about him,” I murmur, “you should remember that.”
I move to the workbench and pick up the long knife. Built for this kind of damage. I turn on the torch and hold the blade over the flame.
The metal darkens, then reddens, then glows.
Grant starts to struggle. His body knows before his mind catches up.
“Fuck,” he grits out. “Listen to me. The Collective will tear you apart if you kill me.”
I turn off the torch and walk back to him.
His eyes flicker. Rage tries to surface.
“Oh really,” I tilt my head slightly. “That’s not what John said.”
I grab his shoulder and drive the glowing blade into his side.
Flesh sizzles. The smell hits immediately. Grant screams, his body arching violently against the restraints, veins standing out in his neck as shock collides with pain.
I leave the blade there long enough to cauterize.
Then I pull it free.
