Page 227 of Lethal Obsession

Knut and Benson exchange a relieved glance.

“Renata,” I say, “why don’t you tell our guest what’s on screen three?”

“I’d love to, Lex.”

The third feed flickers into life.

“No,” Thorne whispers, the blood draining from his face. “Please, no.”

“Dad!” Tyler Thorne shouts at the camera, struggling against the ropes tying him to a chair on the Luccheses’ abandoned riverboat casino. “Dad, please give them whatever they want!”

“Tyler,” Thorne whispers, staring helplessly at the screen. “Hold on, son.”

Behind Tyler’s chair, two of Renata’s brothers stare grimly into the camera at Silas. One of them raises a hand to his own throat and slowly draws it from one side to the other.

Thorne shudders.

“As far as threats go,” Renata says coldly, “it might not be the most creative. But my brothers don’t need creativity. Their reputation for unfettered, mindless violence is well established.”

“Your brothers?” Thorne blanches.

“I see you’ve heard of them, then.” She nods. “Before tonight, my brothers hadn’t heard of you. They didn’t even know Carter’s name, let alone what he did to me in that back alley. I never told them.

“Not because I didn’t want them to kill Carter, because I did. I wanted Carter dead as much as I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. But I knew my brothers wouldn’t understand how I felt. They couldn’t, because they’ve never known how it feels to be completely overpowered, utterly helpless against the worst violation a person can suffer.

“There was only one person I knew who would understand that, because he’d been forced to watch as his own mother was violated the same way I was: Alexei.”

I stay silent. I know Renata isn’t saying this for my benefit, but for her brothers, who are staring at their sister like they’re seeing her for the first time.

“My brothers didn’t know why they were told to take Tyler from his apartment today—although they were rather disappointed when I told them they weren’t allowed to hurt him until I said so.”

“No.” Thorne struggles against his handcuffs, his face anguished. “I’ll pay whatever you want. Anything. Just don’t hurt him, please.”

“It’s funny.” Renata hunkers down right in front of Thorne, her face barely inches from his. “I said almost those exact words to your other son. I begged Carter not to hurt me. When he hurt me anyway, I begged him not to rape me. I said my family would do anything, pay anything, if he let me go. Would you like to know what he said to me?”

Thorne stays silent, his eyes flickering to his son.

“Pay attention, Silas.” Renata clicks her fingers in front of his face, and a flash of pure, malevolent rage crosses his dark eyes.

“And there it is,” she says softly. “The same look that was in Carter’s eyes when I started begging. I’ll tell you what he said, Silas, even though you didn’t ask. He said, ‘My mother used to beg like that, too. So unless you want to end up dead like her, shut up.’

“I stopped begging after that, Silas. I knew he meant it. I’ve always wondered about it though. Did he mean that he killed his mother?” Renata touches his face gently. “Or was it you?”

He shrinks from her hand.

Onscreen, Tyler has stopped struggling. He frowns at his father’s face onscreen. “You told us she fell down the stairs.” His voice is almost plaintive.

“Ah.” Renata grimaces. “It was you, then. But Carter was a lot older than Tyler, so I guess he saw a lot more than his brother did. Learned from it, too, if the way he treated me was any indication.”

“Don’t kill him.” Thorne’s eyes shift to me. “Please don’t take both of my sons.”

“Well, it’s funny we should mention that.” I look at Renata. “Shall I proceed, or would you like some more time?”

“No.” She shakes her head slowly. “No, I’m done here.” She looks Thorne up and down. “I’d say good luck,” she says coldly, “but there’s really no point.”

Turning around, she kisses me lightly on the cheek. “Thank you, Lex,” she says quietly, putting her hand on my shoulder. “For everything.”

“Always.” I cover her hand with my own briefly. “I’ll be seeing you, carnalita.” I grin up at her. “Or should that be Madam Mayor?”