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This time as the whip’s leather snaps against his back, I don’t pause or let him breathe. Each strike is brutal, cutting and breaking flesh as his life’s essence splatters after each precise lash. Some lands on my skin, some on the ground and the equipment within. There’s no counting or spoken words inside the room as his screams of pure agony go from loud to unintelligible blubbers—from begging to silence as he loses consciousness and Felix’s body goes limp.
He’s a mess. Broken. Bloodied.
The last two from my whip land at the back of his head, and when it bounces, just a slight rebound that leaves behind a thick welt on the shaved bottom half of his skull, I step back.
It’s a disgusting scene to most. The torn flesh and rivulets of red that flow down and to the ground, creating a puddle at his feet.
To me, though, it’s poetic. He deserves so much more, but I know this isn’t enough for my cousin, and I have a gift of my own.
I turn my gaze to Archie. “Get him cleaned up and as stable as possible before we leave.”
“Leave? Where are you—”
“Alexander’s on his way to finish this, cousin.” His smile widens and nods in approval. Alexander is Aurora’s bodyguard for a reason, and it’s his brutality that’s kept him under our employ for so long. He has no boundaries nor empathy, and he’ll give De La Vega an ending he deserves. “And don’t worry about Gem. I moved someone there already, and Archie will be in charge until Alexander returns.”
“Thank you.”
“None needed.” Walking to him, I clasp his shoulder and squeeze. “Just don’t forget to videotape it. We’ve got plans for it.”
“We do?”
“We do.”
Casper never asked me why I took off or where I was off to, but I do send a text when I land.
Twenty-four hours. ~Callum J.
His response is just as fast, and nothing more than okay before I pocket my mobile. I’m turning my locator off, but the device will stay on until I’m back in the air and across international waters just in case something goes wrong.
No one but Ezra knows where I’m at or why, but he’ll erase every proof of our—my—being on US soil before sending a second plane for my private use. I’d left Casper with the other. The government doesn’t need that kind of information, not while investigating that bullshit wire fraud case, and Malcolm helped by letting me use his private jet and airstrip to land in Chicago after cleaning off Felix’s filth in the meantime.
He’s also moved our money again. Every cent. Something that gives security to our suppliers back home.
The tarmac is empty when I arrive, except for Kray who waits outside his large SUV. Once I’m close, he pushes off and holds out a hand. “Good to have you back,” he says, and I take it, shaking it quickly before tilting my head toward the car.
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen Aliana. A day feels like too many, and although she understands that duty binds me this once, I need to see her. The daily reports that Giannis turns in are shit in comparison to being near her.
They don’t fill that void, this ever-growing need that I can’t contain.
“Aliana’s home tonight. It’s been a busy time at the center, and she seems exhausted.” This I knew; Giannis has told me as much. Seems the last few weeks they’ve had an influx at the Conte House, and she’s been working late to help Aurora. “Is there anywhere you want to stop first, or…?”
“Straight to her house.”
“Done.” After a minute, he begins to thump his fingers on the steering wheel, and I know why. I’m waiting for what I know is coming. Kray settles after a minute, exhaling roughly. “I’m sorry, Callum. I let you down.”
“Am I angry? Yes,” I say, resting my head back with eyes closed. “However, they were at work. They take risks every day to help women in need, and I understand that. You stepped in and removed him the moment you realized what was happening.”
Kray chuckles and I raise a brow. “Miss Rubens emptied a can of mase on his face. Direct hit.”
“That’s my girl.”
“I was on my way in when he ran out and into me. Those women are exemplary—tough.”
“But…”
“It won’t happen again. I’m working on an idea to have someone on the inside.”
“Smart. Let me know when you have the specifics.”
