The bleach scent dissolves into metallic blood and plastic.
I’m back.
Back in the warehouse.
Back in control.
Steven stares at me like I’m batshit crazy. Well I am.
“Pliers, please?” I whisper.
Fitz places the pliers in my hand and squeezes. “You’re here, boss. And you’re in control.”
The weight of the pliers grounds me.
I hold my head high and nod.
“Time for a little dental work,” I flash a wolfish grin.
“No, no!” Steven hollers.
I clamp the pliers on an upper tooth in the back. “This is for spitting on me.”
“Ah,” he screams as I pry the tooth from his mouth.
Blood drips down his face as I drop his tooth to the ground.
“Who did he work for?” I roar as I shove the pliers into his mouth to pull out another tooth.
An hour later, Dad walks in.
“Serenity, how’s it going?” Dad kisses my cheek.
“It’s going. Steven here won’t tell us who Alvin A.K.A. John Talis, worked for.”
I told Dad who Nico said John worked for. However, I still wanted to hear it from this rat. My dad understands.
“Let’s turn up the torture then.” Dad puts protective gear over his dark dress shirt, slacks, and shoes.
This is my life as a mafia princess. Before I killed those assholes years ago, I never thought this would be my role in the mafia. That day, a monster was born.
“Steven, you worked for me for years. I hate learning I still have rats in my organization. Especially when I thought I got rid of them all,” Dad roars.
He stretches his hand out. Dad’s most trusted bodyguard Big Lux, who saved me, Krew, and Mom’s lives, steps forward, placing a two by four in his hand.
“I’m sure you’ve heard what happens to those who betray me.” Dad whacks the side of Steven’s torso with the two by four.
“Ah,” Steven cries.
“My daughter asked you a question. Who are you working with?”
Steven swollen lower lip trembles, but no words come out.
Dad shrugs. “I guess you choose a slow, painful death.”
He spins the wheel. Steven’s face turns redder by the second the longer he spins. My father whacks his body from head to toe.
“I hate fucking rats,” Dad yells.
