Chapter 25
Jaxson
I couldn’t believe I had her in my arms. That she was safe finally. Laying her down on my bed, I pull the covers over her body.
I wanted to crawl in there and hold her close. But I had someone waiting for me. Walking out the door was harder than I thought it would be.
“He’s in the basement.”
Closing the doors, I look at my brother. The black smudges under his eyes showing the toll this has put on him as well.
“Alisa?”
“I have her.”
I wanted to warn him about the rules, but instead I pat him on the back. I wasn’t sure where everything stood at this point. But I knew my guest was waiting.
Without another word I walk away from him. He needed to make his own choices in this. A lot has changed, and a lot stayed the same.
My feet echoed off the floor as I drew closer to my destination. The walls were gray, and the floor was covered in dirt.
The bars of various cells came into view. Emilio was sitting in his own filth and it was something that made me want to smile.
“How long before you kill me?”
“I’m not going to kill you.”
He looked relived making what I said next all the better.
“Sarah’s going to kill you.”
“Jaxson.”
Turning I look at Lark.
“What are you doing here?”
“I found a leak in the family.”
Fuck. I hated when this shit happened. Sighing, I turned to Emilio.
“Enjoy your stay.”
His eyes widened and the realization I was leaving him here sunk in deep.
“Please Jaxson…”
I ignored his words and continued on my way. His begging would get him nowhere and I had shit to do. I wasn’t going to be able to carve into him, but Lark just gave me a gift.
I was going to take pieces of whoever thought to betray us. I was going to peel skin from his body. For the first time in months I felt like myself again.
“Where is he?”
“The office.”
Not my office, but the office I used to interrogate people in the best way possible. Pain will make you spill your secrets. Looking at Jason, who was a few steps behind.
I may not be able to help him something I hated. I fucking hated not having control. But this. This I had complete control over and I need the release it had to offer.
The room was big. A place Emilio would soon find himself. Lark already set up all my tools. Lark did most of our jobs. He was the hitman of the family.
But tonight, I would be doing the work. I always did the in house. Seth was hanging from the ceiling his arms having to hold his weight. His legs were chained to the floor, but didn’t touch it.
His eyes widened as I walked into the room. Honestly of all the people he was the last I would have suspected. He had a good position in the family.
My father hand selected him as Capo. Captain of a few of our made men. He was as high in the family as he could go, and he betrayed us.
“He shared where you were going with Emilio. He told him about Jason’s house and that Sarah would be there.”
Lark's voice was dark. He cared for Sarah. Having also grown up with her. Her sweet nature a complete contradiction to Larks much darker one.
But they hit it off and he cared for her like a sister even if he will never admit to it. I know losing his sister tore at him. Just like losing ours tore at us.
Finding Emilia was a goal that haunted us until she walked through our doors.
“Boss I didn’t do it.”
“Lark is fucking damn good at his job and wouldn’t have brought you to me without knowing for sure.”
“Are you calling me a liar Seth?”
I could see the calculation play out in his head through his eyes. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to follow through with calling Lark out.
I might give Lark a little bit of time with Seth.
“Why would you betray your own family Seth? Your own blood.”
His eyes darted away, and his lips tightened. Reaching the point, I knew he wouldn’t talk willingly I turn to the table filled with my tools. Knives, scalpels, screw drivers, pliers, acid, salt and so many other goodies.
Selecting a knife, I run my eyes over the curved blade. The light glinted off the shiny, well sharpened surface.
“You know Seth you made a mistake bigger than just betraying us. You sold out the woman carrying my air.”
The reality of what he did sunk in. He knew this wasn’t going to be the normal treatment. He would hang here for days, maybe even weeks.
Medical treatment would be given to prolong his life. Normally I let them live and play with them for a few days a week tops. Walking over to my prey I place the blade against the first button on his white shirt. Pressing gently up the button popped off falling uselessly to the floor. The only sound was the sound of his panting.
Fear was a stench that soaked the air around us. Urine dribbled down his black slacks and puddled at his dangling feet.
“Honestly Seth I thought pissing yourself would be a few cuts in maybe even after a dose of acid.”
It was disappointing really. I thought better of my Capos. Larks laughter spread through the room. The man showed little to no emotion, so his amusement was a little surprising.
“Why did you rat?”
Another button popped off his shirt and then another.
“I’m sorry Jaxson.”
Did he think apologizing was going to save him?
“That’s not what I want to hear Seth.”
His eyes filled with fear, they turned somewhat glossy as the final button hit the floor. The knife pierced his flesh right below his belly button.
Blood dripped down into his black pants. The fabric absorbing the red liquid. His teeth were barred as they clenched together.
“Why after everything, would you turn your back on this family?”
Pressing deeper I drag the blade around the little hole. Soon it made a full circle. I debated pulling the flesh free of his body.
“I…”
“What?”
Once again, he went silent. Dragging the blade from the top of his belly button to the center of his chest. The skin splits under the blade's path.
His scream was music to my ears. I was finally getting somewhere. Setting the blade down I reach for the needle nose pillars.
Gripping the flesh covering his belly button I give a tug. It was still attached on the inside. A few tugs had the skin peeling slightly.
Placing the pillars down I reach for the screwdriver. The flat head screwdriver pressed into the sensitive flesh of the inside of his elbow.
Pressing harder I slowly slid the blunt tip into his elbow. Moving it slightly as it hit bone until it reached the other side.
“Ready to tell me what I want to know?”
His screams had his voice turning hoarse. Too much and he wouldn’t be able to talk. But I wasn’t ready to stop not yet.
“Please…”
“Tell me what I fucking want to know!”
Grabbing the acid, I open the cap to the glass bottle. Tilting it slightly I watch as a few drops land on his right nipple. The skin sizzled as the acid ate through his flesh.
“Here.”
Looking to my left I take the baking soda Lark handed me. Dumping a little on the destructive acid I watch as it slowly fizzled out.
The hole it left behind prominent even though the backing soda covered the area.
“I wanted to prevent a war! Something you should have been concerned with.”
“I’m fucking don here and what I decide goes. You stupid fuck.”
He fucking handed her over, so he could what? Save himself?
“Our family should be priority.”
“It is and always will be, but you fucked up. Sarah is carrying family. The next don could be growing in her womb.”
His eyes turned sullen. He risked everything. Sarah was mine and that made her family. She should have been protected not handed over to be tortured and killed.
The thought of what could have happened tried to intrude on my calm.
“You had to know we would figure it out.”
The look he gave me told me he honestly thought he would get away with it. Grabbing the salt, I dump some into my cupped hand.
Looking at the white crystals as the light danced off of them, I think of other things that would glitter under the light. A ring on her left finger.
Her walking down the aisle in a white dress. He almost took that from me. He almost took everything from me. Slamming my hand into the cut on his chest I watch as the salt mixed with the red dripping down his body.
His screams turned to whimpers and soon silence.
“He can’t fucking respond to anything right now. Lark have some fun. Jason call in the doctor.”
I wanted to ask about Alisa. I know he has her in his room locked away. What he allowed I will never forget his sacrifice. Turning my back on the man I once called family I walk out of the room.
A shower. That’s what I needed. Something to clear my head and rinse the blood from my hands. I had some shit to do. I’ve been neglecting my duties way too fucking long.