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Huddled together in the middle of the massive building were the remainder of Alonzo’s men, bound and gagged. Most of the Kings had been taken out by the hit squads after news of Sergei and Dimitri’s murders trickled through the ranks. Alonzo’s house had been the last stronghold.
The guest of honor himself was already stretched out on a table, naked and spread-eagle, tied to the four corners.
“Do you recall our conversation?” I asked the former King of Colomb. “Specifically the part where I told you to stay away from that family? You didn’t listen.”
Alonzo glared at me, snarling behind his gag.
“However, I’ve changed my mind since then,” I continued. “It doesn’t happen often, but I need to amend those terms. Instead of killing you first, I’m going to keep you alive so you can listen to your men scream. For hours. They’re going to scream so much you’ll hear them long after they’re dead. And then it will be time for you to die.”
Turning to my men, I tossed my head in the direction of the group. “Get to work.”
The tension in my head had already returned thanks to that morning’s fight. When the first man started screaming, I turned my back and clamped a hand over my forehead, squeezing both of my temples at once in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
“You know we could just shoot them. It sends the same message,” Sasha said, stepping up next to me.
“Are you going soft on me in your retirement?” I asked with a chuckle, dropping my hand.
“No. But I do want to get back to California. I’ve never been away from Roan this long. I don’t like it. There’s no telling what sort of trouble he’s getting into on his own.”
“Go.” I gestured to the door. “Please. The worst of it is over. Go live your life. Enjoy your New Year’s. I promise I won’t bother you again.”
“You’re not a bother.” He looked over his shoulder at the group, his lips twitching in thought. “Are you sure you’ll be safe from Dimitri’s men? Sergei’s?”
“Thanks to you.” My hand drifted over the spot where he shot me. “They think the Neon Kings are responsible for what happened and after tonight, none of them will be alive to dispute it.”
Sasha nodded and extended his hand.
I took it and pulled him in, clapping him on the back. “Thank you.”
He squeezed me tightly. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too. Give my best to Roan.”
He gave another small nod and walked out the door.
Watching him leave left me conflicted as always. I was happy for them, as much as I was resigned to my own fate, though it didn’t stop the envy from stabbing through me.
Sergei and Dimitri were dead but it didn’t mean I was completely free. Even without the constant threat of them finding out my secret and having me killed, there were still plenty of ways for me to die. The power had shifted in Chicago but nothing had truly changed. I moved another piece off the board but I was still stuck in the game. I’d always be stuck in it.
It hadn’t mattered before but Marek changed all of that. Not only him, himandhis siblings. I hadn’t lied to Sasha; Ididenjoy being around the children, but I could also admit that I’d killed Crystal without thinking it through, without any sort of plan. Seeing Marek bleed ignited a violent reaction and I was left scrambling to mitigate the damage I’d done. Yes, I’d always wanted a family of my own but until that moment, it hadn’t been possible. Was I kidding myself? Was it possible for someone like me? Someone in my position?
I didn’t have any answers and I certainly wasn’t going to find them in an old warehouse, surrounded by the smell of blood and urine. The screaming did not do anything to improve my headache, either.
At last, it was Alonzo’s turn.
The pile of body parts was staggering. It was amazing to see how easily men could be broken down into sections, taken apart a piece at a time, and discarded like rubbish.
Valery held out the reciprocating saw to me but I brushed it aside, walking to the table of instruments set up next to Alonzo.
I ran my fingers over the handles of the various tools before settling on the large bone saw. I wasn’t going to let it be quick. Not for him. He was going to feel every rip and pull and bite of those metal teeth as they tore through his flesh and splintered the bones beneath.
“Put a tourniquet on his ankle,” I said, hefting the saw in my hand and facing Alonzo with it.
Nikolai darted forward, tightening a band into place as Alonzo winced around his gag.
“Can’t have you bleeding out too quickly,” I said, stepping over to the table and patting Alonzo’s ankle. “I promised Marek you would suffer. And suffer you shall.”
* * *
