At the warehouse, we enter the dimly lit and funny-smelling security guard’s backroom where that scout is held. I bet Dean has already scared the shit out of him. I could punch someone until they give me what I need, but Dean can get it without laying a finger on them. It’s a talent that neither the rest of the guys nor I possess.
“He works for Jacob,” Dean states.
The man occupying the chair is more of a boy than anything. Skinny, scruffy guy, with a scar on his left cheek, and a funny haircut which looks like a five-year-old had given him while playing with scissors.
“Why were you snooping around, boy?”
“His name is Barry Johnson,” Dean adds.
The boy looks at Dean again, unaware I’m in control now. Igive him a proper slap, pulling his attention to me. His face says it all—one second away from crying, two from begging.
“Eyes on me! If you make me repeat myself, the next time I hit you, it will hurt.”
I glance at Link, who’s already on his laptop.
When my gaze shifts back to the boy, he starts talking, or more like sobbing through his words, each syllable trembling like a leaf in a storm.
“Please don’t hurt me. I was paid to gather information about the guards’ schedule and if there were any trucks unloading art meant for this warehouse.”
He’s weeping as he watches my hand lift in a fist, ready to hit him again. I have to be sure he’s not lying to me, though, after Dean, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to do so.
“I swear that’s all!”
I take a chair from next to Connor, who’s scrolling through his phone. If it were up to him, he would’ve beaten the boy senseless to make sure he wasn’t omitting anything.
Taking a seat, I cross my arms and lean back.
“Have you given any information to Jacob so far?”
The boy starts shaking his head like it’s about to fly off.
“No! I haven’t. He told me to do this for two weeks and then give him a detailed schedule.”
“Do I need to hurt you, Barry? Are you telling the truth?”
“I am! I swear, I am! Please, let me go! I’ll disappear. I’m not going to give Mr. Holt any information.” Snot runs down his nose.
Blood all over my hands—perfect, but snot—no, thanks!
“I believe you.” His sobbing pauses. “But you won’t disappear. You’re going to show me the list you’ve made so far, and my brothers and I will give you a new one.That’swhat you’ll present to Jacob.”
He nods over and over again, looking like a fuckin’ bobblehead on steroids, making me dizzy just watching him.
“Give Jacob the real schedule, and we’ll skin you. Slowly. Piece bybloody piece. Weeks on end. Until you’ll be begging us to kill you.”
The boy’s gaze dips to his lap.
Swinging my foot, I kick his left one hard, leaving him whining in pain.
“I told you, eyes on me!”
He levels his gaze on mine, but when I glance at where he was staring, there’s a huge wet spot on his pants that keeps growing with rivulets of piss seeping down the fabric. Now I almost feel bad for this guy. Maybe I went too hard on the threats, but I have to be sure he’ll do as he’s told.
“Barry . . .”
“Yes, sir?”
Sir? Seriously?!
