“What the…” His blue eyes frantically took in the crate; then he peered down at himself.
“Why am I naked and tied up?” His head snapped up, and he zeroed in on me. “You.”
“Was there ever a question? Are there other people’s nephews you have people drive their cars into?”
There was clear defiance in his expression. He was a Benito loyalist, and he wouldn’t crack easily.
“Just because you’ve made enemies all across the world because of the thug life you live, doesn’t mean everyone who wants to stand up to you is out to kill you or your family.”
“Thug life. There’s that phrase again.” I snorted. “And by standing up to me, you mean?”
“This is about Benito being governor, right? You want your puppet on your strings, and he’s a threat to you.”
“You act like Calvern is a saint, and we both know that isn’t true.” I inched closer to him. “See, I know you bought the usedcar for Ricky and paid him five thousand dollars to drive it into my vehicle. But there are a few questions I have that I need you to answer.”
“Who the hell is Ricky?”
I took one step forward and punched him square in the jaw. “Let’s not pay dumb. I don’t have time for that.”
He slowly brought his head straight and glared. “Ask your questions then, if you’re so short on time.”
I chuckled darkly. “You’re a piece of work.” I signaled to Toni, who handed me a screwdriver. “For every question you don’t answer properly, I will hurt you in some way.”
He eyed the screwdriver. “Is that the only rule?”
I glanced at Danny and Alex, and both shrugged as if to say, “What the fuck is wrong with this guy?” I hated how his bravado reminded me of Penn. But I knew this guy felt pain, and I’d be sure to show him fear.
“First question—this one is for my sister-in-law. Did you know there would be children in the SUV, or did you just not care?”
Answering this question would be admitting he was part of it; not answering would ensure I’d drive this screwdriver into his hand. I tapped the tip against his knuckles.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I sighed. “They never just answer the first question. It’s like they need proof, you know?” I asked Toni.
“They need to be taught, Boss.”
“So be it.” I lifted the screwdriver and impaled his hand, embedding it in the arm of the chair.
His head whipped back, and he released a bloodcurdling scream. The crate wasn’t soundproofed, but the area was vacant and Raff and Tate were outside, keeping an eye out.
Once Elijah calmed down a bit, I continued, “Care to answer now?”
He looked over at his hand, then up at me. “You’re insane.”
“No, I’m fucking pissed, and that’s way worse.”
I held my hand out, and Toni slipped a hunting knife onto my palm. I wiggled it in front of Elijah’s face.
“I don’t know what you want to hear, some lie to make you feel better?”
I scraped the tip along his arm. “Did you know there were kids in the car?”
When he didn’t answer, I drove the knife through his other hand. He shouted more. This time as he lifted his head, saliva dripped from his mouth, and his eyes were wild.
“Maybe ask this Ricky guy if he knew. He’s the one that did it, isn’t that what you said?”
With a shake of my head, I took the metal stake from Toni. “Feet next?”
