Page 111 of Blacklist

“See this is what you don’t seem to be comprehending,” I say, moving closer and pressing the top of the baseball bat to his chest. “You don’t get to make demands. You don’t order people around. Other people do not exist for your whims. If I want to go and have a little chat with your brother, I will.”

“Don’t,” he pleads. He’s starting to get the message.

“I didn’t hear the magic word.” Luca runs his bat along the top of the slats, and Oliver shrinks down as though he can hide.

“Please,” he says.

“It looked painful to say that.” I imagine he’s never used the word before. “You spend your life thinking you can buy whatever and whoever you want. Not anymore. I know about the drugs.”

“I haven’t done that for years,” he insists. “I was just a stupid kid back then.”

“This is my courthouse, and I’m the judge. There’s no statute of limitations here,” I tell him.

“I’ll do anything.” He tugs against his handcuffs.

“We’re not going to kill you.” I’m starting to get annoyed with Oliver’s pessimism. It’s getting in the way of my lesson. Next to me, Luca’s grin droops. I guess he was hoping I’d change my mind. “At least not yet. I believe in second chances.”

“I promise, I’ll never do it again,” he says quickly.

“What you’re feeling now is nothing compared to what they felt. You’re not a man. You’re an insect. Do know what happens to insects, Mr. Hawthorne? They wind up under a boot. You don’t want to meet me if I have my boots on.” I let that threat linger until he knows I mean it. “And you’re going to donate one million dollars to the women’s clinic at Valmont University.”

“How am I going to explain why I’m doing it?” he asks.

“Tell them it’s reparations,” I say coolly.

“That would ruin my life!”

“Just like you ruined theirs. You’re still not getting it, are you? This is getting off easy. You’re not in real danger unless I let my friend here take over,” I add just to see him tremble. “You’ve only lost control for one night of your life. One night spent helpless, but still safe. No one’s hurt you. No one’s violated you. The most you’ve lost is your dignity. You deserve to lose a lot more. You’ll make the donation. Say what you want about why, but we’re watching you.”

“Otherwise, have you ever considered joining a monastery?” Luca asks. “It might be your safest option if you don’t make that donation.”

“I’ll do it,” Oliver says, sounding defeated “Just let me go.”

“It’s a pleasure doing business with you,” Luca says before knocking him out with the knob of his bat.

“You could’ve just kept the hood on.” Not that he’s going to take my notes on this.

“And listen to him bitching the whole way?” Luca shakes his head. “He deserves a headache, at least. You let him off too easily.

“I have a lot of people to teach around here,” I remind him. It’s better not to draw too much attention to our revenge business before it’s off the ground.

“Fair enough.”

It takes both of us to drag Oliver’s limp body to the back of Luca’s BMW.

“Roomy trunk,” I comment as we arrange him inside it.

“It really does have best in its class cargo storage,” Luca agrees. He shoves Oliver’s legs in and slams the lid shut. “Jack told me you left with Adair last night.”

“So?” I ask.

“Jack likes her,” Luca says.

“It’s not Jack’s place to like her,” I growl.

“He also predicted you would react that way.”

“What about you?” I say, feeling betrayed. “Do you want me to reconsider?”