Michalis’s lips turn up. “I’ve given you exactly what you want, revenge, and in return, you’ll assist me in becoming the next heir.”
“Hmm.” I pull my hands from my pocket. “You’ve brought me exactly what I wanted tonight. Thank you,” I say sincerely, meaning it. It was all far too easy. “However, you seem to have skipped your involvement.”
The moment I spit on the ground, in disrespect, his face turns, but it’s already too late. Everything is set in motion. Valen whips out his gun first, shooting the two men who stand behind him, and without a second thought, I pull out my own, far more accustomed than Michalis.
His hand has only touched the tip of his gun by the time I pull the trigger, dead center between his brows, and he falls back.
Giorgos breaks out in a cold sweat, his chest heaving up and down, as I signal for Valen to remove his gag.
“He told me to bring the body here!” he quickly screams. “When I told him, I knew I fucked up. I know, I know, I know.” The last one comes out as a cry. “I wasn’t thinking. And then I dropped the body off at the morgue, but I was scared my father would find out, so I wore a mask. But when I told Michalis, he told me I was an idiot, and I should steal the body back.”
I circle him, more predator than man now, but I try to remain impassive if only to confirm my suspicions. I found the movement of the body bizarre, so I assumed someone told him to get rid of it.
“Stupid. I was so stupid,” he repeats, his eyes going mad.
“And how did you break into the morgue?” I ask curiously. It’s the one part I couldn’t figure out, since there was no obvious break-in points. I pride myself on personally being able to break into the morgue to watch the doc in her element. I want to ensure no one else has such access, except me.
When he looks up at me, his bottom lip wobbles. “I was so jacked up. I can’t even remember.” It’s a lie. I know it is.
“Was it the doc?” I ask quietly, disbelieving that it could be her. But I have to be sure.
His eyebrows shoot up. “The Grim? No, she doesn’t do anyone favors. If anything, she would’ve fucking shot me for even asking.”
True.
I grow tired of this game. I have what I want. I’ve mourned my uncle, and the stupidity of two brothers has been their downfall. I pull out one of my favorite blades, and the moment Giorgos sees it, he begins to beg for his life.
I’m sure he’s familiar with the messages I’ve been sending him as of late. With these two bodies, I feel as if it’s enough for the debt to be repaid. Which means I only have one more brother to speak to.
“Pl-please I’ll do anything.” He begins to sob, and I leave him ungagged, finding harmony in my prey’s screams.
“Always three steps ahead,” Valen says, impressed as he throws the first body over his shoulder.
It would appear that way. All except one—a certain doc who hasn’t called. The edges of my mouth tilt up as I wonder if she appreciates my handiwork with a blade. After all, she cuts peopleopen for a living as well. I wonder then, do we have the same thrill and enjoyment? Suddenly, I can’t wait to send her this body. Surely this will make her call.
29
LEONORE
Well, his writing certainly hasn’t improved, but to his credit, it’s hard to carve into skin. But the message is clear. I stand between two bodies on the tables beside me. Michalis and Giorgos Nero. On both of their chests is carved the word “eye.”
An eye for an eye.
Four bodies brought in. Well, hopefully this is enough to fill Silas’s vengeance and also confirms my suspicions.
“There is a lady out front asking for you,” Tori says as she walks into the room, just having started her shift. I’m quick to cover as much of Giorgos’s chest as I can, but she catches his face.
She freezes in place, and I begin removing my gloves, only having just put them on.
“A customer?” I gently push, trying to bring her back to the now. She steps forward in shock, her voice distant.
“I don’t think so…”
“An officer?” I ask as I remove my robe.
“No, she is dressed like…” She still sounds so distant as she comes to a stop in front of his body, and tears well in her eyes. “Well, dressed like money,” she says quietly to herself.
“Did she give you a name?” I ask, coming to stop beside her.
