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It makes no fucking sense. And the thought of what he’s saying makes me sick to my stomach. “Work for you?”
“Yes, Mr. Ulianov.” Cartwright smiles. It’s ugly. “You see, I’m thinking about branching out. My line of business is…tedious.” He heaves a sigh. “Gold, diamonds, commodities… You’ve no idea how fucking hard it is to keep replacing the little brats who work my mines.”
“Little brats?” I shake my head.
“They die, you see. So…feeble. It’s pathetic. And then I’m forced to go over there and sit in some African shithole while we try to clean up the fucking mess and grease some general’s palm to find me more workers.” He rolls his eyes. “In any event, it’s a waste of my valuable time and money. And since arriving here, I’ve seen alternative avenues.” He glances at Hector, who grins. He’s still touching my woman. I clench my fists.
“I don’t see how that involves me,” I say.
“Well, obviously you’re not as smart as my new associate here.” He nods toward Hector. “He had no problem agreeing to let me enlist his biker friends to help with certain…parmaceutical interests I’ll be investing in.”
Fuck. The pig is going to run dope for him.
I shrug at him. “I don’t deal drugs.”
“And I don’t expect you to. But Iwillexpect you to get rid of any obstacles to the success of my new ventures.”
“You want me to kill for you.” It’s not a question.
“Now you’re getting it.” He beams like I’ve just shared some sort of lightbulb moment with him. “And in return, your woman gets to live. All in one piece.”
“Fine. I’ll do it. Now let her go.”
“Uh-uh-uh…” Cartwright tuts at me. “Now I’m sure you’d like me to think you’re a man of your word, but I’ve been around the block a few times. Scarlett stays with me. The minute you mess up, I send you a finger. Do it again, maybe you’ll get an ear. I’m sure you get my drift.”
“You bastard!” Carl snarls behind me.
“Anton…” Scarlett looks stricken. My gut churns. “Don’t do it! Tell him to go fuck himself!” she blurts. Hector reaches down and touches the exposed wire to her bare nipple. Her scream is bloodcurdling.
Jesus, he’s going to die so horribly.
My mind races as I consider my options. I’d consider doing as he asks, but the thought of leaving her with these cunts is absolutely intolerable. Cartwright can clearly see my warring emotions.
“To sweeten the deal, I may even throw in some…conjugal visits,” he smirks. “Of course, you’ll have to fit in around Hector’s schedule. He wants her too. But let’s face it, I’m sure there’s enough to go around. That’s the thing about pussy. You can use it as much as you like and it’s still there to sell on again. Another resource I might venture into.”
I feel bile rise up my throat and swallow it down.
“Bonus for making quota,” Hector laughs. “But I’ll probably get tired of her soon. Then she’s all yours.” He slides a hand down to cup Scarlett’s breast. She snaps at him and he sneers - until her teeth sink into his forearm. Hector roars as she gnashes down hard enough to draw blood. He rewards her with a backhand that flings her head back. I growl with enough force to have Cartwright snapping his eyes to me. His lips curl up into a cruel smile. The man is pure evil.
And then it happens.
The door crashes open as Luka charges in like a fucking bull elephant. In time it takes for Hector and Cartwright spin to look at him, I fling myself across the space between us, hitting Scarlett with enough force to throw her and her chair back a couple of feet. Out of the water.
Thank fuck!
A shot rings out and I hear Hector squeal like a pig. I don’t look around to see what’s going down because I’m too busy hauling Scarlett upright. I make quick work of the ropes binding her to the chair, knowing that Luka and Carl will step into the breach for a minute. Shots ring out, confirming it. As I pull her to her feet and push her behind me, I spin to face the commotion.
The goons are both down. Hector is flat on his back on the floor clutching his belly, where blood is pulsing through his fingers.
“Gut shot. Nice,” I say to Luka, who shrugs.
“I thought you’d want to finish him yourself.” He grins at me.
Hector is staring up at me with eyes hazed by pain. I take a step forward to where his other hand is clawing at the floor beside him. As the heel of my boot lands heavily and grinds down, I feel bones cruching beneath it and he screams like a fucking schoolgirl.
“You shouldn’t have touched her.” I look over my shoulder to where Scarlett is huddled against my back. Her eyes are huge, her hands clasped around her chest. Carl shrugs out of his jacket and tosses it toward me and I drape it around her, but my attention is swiveling elsewhere.
In the chaos, Cartwright has bolted across the room. He’s pressed himself up against the wall. He’s eyeing us with what could only be described as sheer terror.
