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By the time he made it to the lower level, he was in a much better frame of mind. When he opened the door and saw Jenson Mosley strapped in a wheelchair and ready for his punishment, he even managed a genuine smile. “Hello, Dr. Mosley. I imagine you know why you’re here.”

The man fought against his bonds, which would only cause him pain and bruising, and while Colton hated when one of his guests was hurt, he knew that no matter what he said, the man wouldn’t stop struggling. Mosley knew what was coming.

“Now, now, you knew what you were doing when you did it. And exactly what kind of help did you think Serena was going to be able to provide you? She’s a guest, just like you.”

He was sure Mosley had plenty to say, as his eyes bulged, and sweat rolled down his face. Unfortunately, the duct tape covering his mouth prevented him from being able to articulate anything other than grunts and muffled protests. When the right time arrived, the tape would be removed, because Dr. Mosley would need to provide an answer to a very important question. For now, Colton went out of his way to ensure that the man knew exactly whose shoulders the entire situation lay on.

“We had an agreement, you and I. One that I take extremely seriously, and I thought you did as well. In exchange for your cooperation, those you love will remain safe. As you’ll recall, that cooperation included you never trying to escape or ask for anyone’s help. You broke our agreement, and now, as we also agreed, someone you love must suffer for your disobedience.”

The sobbing started then, which Colton had expected. He’d learned early in their relationship that, while he was a brilliant and talented heart surgeon, Jenson Mosley was also an extremely emotional man. Since Colton doubted he could be heard over the muffled sobbing, he went about preparing the lineup as he waited for the man to either calm down or cry himself into an exhausted stupor.

Thankfully, after a solid eight minutes of sobbing, the man settled down, making only snuffling noises now. They could get on with the business at hand.

Opening the laptop that sat before him, Colton clicked a link, and photographs of six people appeared on the wall screens. And because he knew it would be even more impactful, he clicked another photograph, this one of the entire group together at an event. Remembering those kinds of happy times usually brought the most painful reminders.

“Here you go, Jenson. These are the people you betrayed, and because of that, one of them will die tonight. Because it is your fault, you get to choose which one.” He held up his hand and added, “Before you say the obvious answer of none of them, let me explain that if you don’t choose, I’ll order three of them to die. In that case, I’ll choose which ones, of course.”

The sobs started again, and while he’d expected that to happen, the wait was beyond tiresome.

Ten minutes later, after the man had worn himself out once again, Kingsley nodded at the guard standing behind Jenson and said, “Uncover his mouth so he may speak.”

As soon as the tape was removed, the expected begging and pleading began. “Please, Mr. Kingsley, I’m sorry. I made a mistake. It won’t happen again. Please don’t hurt them. I’ll do anything…anything!”

Some people would probably think this was his favorite part, and he had to admit, on occasion, there was some entertainment value to it. Mostly, though, it was a tedious few moments that he had to get through before he could move to the best part. He always likened it to the way he’d been forced to eat his vegetables as a kid before he’d been allowed to eat dessert.

The bartering and begging went on and on. He actually gave the man some extra time because he couldn’t stop thinking about Serena Donavan. Was this the way she would act? He didn’t think so. There was a core of iron beneath that soft, pretty exterior. He’d seen it in her eyes, in the way she’d looked at him so calmly when he’d introduced her to her new life. The woman had spirit in her. He couldn’t wait to take it out and play with it, manipulate it to his own advantage.

The sobbing once again dwindled down to whimpers, and Colton returned his attention to the matter at hand. “All right, Jenson. It’s time for you to choose. You have one minute to tell me who it will be. If you don’t choose, I’ll choose three at random. Which means you’ll be responsible for three deaths, instead of just one.”

As he waited, he looked over Jenson’s choices, wondering which one he’d pick. The wife was an attractive woman in her mid-forties. She wore a small smile of contentment, like she’d had a good life. Next, he considered the oldest son, who was in his first year of premed. Not married yet, but he had a fiancée who was also in premed. They planned to marry next fall.

The next one, the middle child, was a girl—nineteen, if he remembered right. She’d just started college, wanting to be a special education teacher. She was unmarried and had no steady boyfriend, but according to his research, she was popular and well-liked by everyone.

Then there was the youngest child. At sixteen, the boy had been in and out of trouble the past year. Possible drug use, hanging out with the wrong crowd. Definitely headed in the wrong direction. Maybe Jenson would choose him.

Jenson’s mother was also up for grabs. She was in her early seventies and, from all accounts, in good health. She’d raised Jenson mostly by herself. She was active in her church and volunteered at the local women’s shelter.

Lastly, there was Jenson’s best friend, Gerard Staley. The two had known each other since they were five years old. Staley had been the best man at Jenson’s wedding, was the godfather to all his children, and about ten years ago, he had saved Jenson’s wife when she’d been choking. Jenson loved the man like a brother.

So who would it be?

“Please,” Jenson sobbed. “I’ll⁠—”

“Finish that sentence, and you will severely regret it.”

Looking as miserable as any person Colton could imagine, the man whispered, “Gerard. I choose Gerard.”

That was no real surprise. When push came to shove, most people chose to protect family over friends.

“Very well.” He lifted his gaze to the soldier. “Please escort our guest back to his room. Jenson, you’ll be allowed one day to mourn the passing of your best friend. See you at breakfast on Thursday.”

As Colton exited the room and closed the door, he wasn’t surprised to hear the man sobbing his friend’s name and apologies. Sadness and grief were mysterious emotions to Colton. He didn’t possess them, but he recognized them in others. He was actually glad he’d been spared such inconvenient burdens.

Pulling his phone from his pocket, Colton sent a text to his kill team. Jenson Mosley would soon learn the hardest lesson of all. The man thought he’d had a choice but would learn that all choices had been taken from him—except for those that Colton allowed. Gerard Staley would not die tonight. With a smile of great delight, Colton typed the name of the person who would suffer for Dr. Mosley’s sin.

After Jenson learned the truth, Colton might even allow him an extra day for grieving.

Who said he didn’t have a heart?