Page 34 of Obsession

I also knew of the sacrifices my brothers had made. Taking my hits because they recognized I couldn’t survive them.

The knowledge always settled hard in my gut. It was why I tried to be better for them. Strived to become who I needed to be. I helped our money grow because it was the only way I could repay them for what they’d done for me.

I followed the noise until I was pulling open a steel door. Angelo had a fist in the air, holding the scruff of Matt’s neck with the other. Matt’s wrists were handcuffed together, but he still raised them, trying to shield himself. By the amount of blood dripping from his nose, it was clear it wasn’t working.

My brother quirked a brow as I walked into the room. He tossed Matt to the ground as I snapped the door shut behind me. They’d let him stew overnight, imagining what they’d do to him.

“Nathan.” Cole stood against the wall, tipping his head to me in greeting. “It’s a surprise to see you.”

I spent little time here. In the barn Angelo had converted on his property. We used it to house people who required a lesson. A reminder of what we were. Or those who needed to die. When we were done, he fed them to his pigs. One of the more efficient ways to get rid of a body.

“He insulted lark.” Rage burned hot and heavy in my chest as I rolled my sleeves at the wrist.

“Pathetic.” Matt chuckled. His voice still sounding strong and sure. “He’s got a crush on the little doc. You’ll make a great pair. The freak and the bitch.”

Blood splattered the concrete floor as I punched him. My knuckles ached. The skin splitting from the force of my hit.

Some people craved bloodshed. Angelo reveled in it. Needed it to survive. Cole and Vander accepted it as a necessary evil of our business.

I was detached from it. Not forming an opinion either way.

Until now.

Until this darkness rose inside me. A red fog swirled around it. Calling for more violence. For more blood.

And this time my songbird wasn’t here to pull me from the edge with her sweet voice.

Tension cracked down my spine as my knuckles burned. It wasn’t from the pain, but from touching Matt’s disgusting body.

I felt people’s touch long after it was gone. It was like a brand on my skin, itching, tingling, reminding me. It built a rage inside me until I wanted to rip off my own arm.

I’d never considered the possibility that I might enjoy ripping off theirs.

Interesting how Lark’s touch never felt like that. It still lingered, but it never hurt. Instead, it made me want more.

Matt spat blood on the concrete as he glared up at me. “Is that all you’ve got? It’s easy to attack a man who’s tied up.”

I felt my brother’s stares piercing my skin. The steady hum of their energy as they held themselves back. They usually defended me. But it wasn’t the disrespect to me I cared about.

My feet tapped on the floor as I turned towards the table of tools. My fingers glanced over the options. Knives. Gun. Cleaver. Brass knuckles. My mouth twitched as I came across the wooden staff. It made me smile to think my brothers still kept it here for me.

My palm closed around the unassuming wood. It was slim, no bigger than a carrot in width and the length of an average walking stick. I wanted him to pay, but I couldn’t stand the idea of having to touch him. The tip of the staff tapped the ground as I walked past Matt. I leaned against the wall next to Cole.

“Give him a weapon.” I spoke to my brother, but my gaze stayed on Matt, watching his expression. His eyes widened in surprise before his lips curved into a smirk.

“You sure you want to do this?” Cole’s voice didn’t display any concern. My nod was enough and Angelo stepped forward, unlocking the cuffs and releasing him.

Like the coward he was, he ran towards the weapons. Angelo backed up, blocking the door. Matt’s fingers closed around the gun, but I was already moving.

His scream filled the room as I slammed the staff down on his hand. I felt the vibration of his bones breaking on the wood. He grunted as he jerked away, but I was striking again.

A swing to the head and he was tumbling to the floor. He gasped for air on the ground as I grabbed the gun, tossing it towards Angelo. He tucked the weapon in the waistband of his pants.

“That’s cheating.” My voice was smooth. No hint of worry. “You can fight me like a man or not at all.” I wanted him to defend himself, but it was a little unfair if he shot me before he even tried to challenge me man to man.

I leaned against the wall, opposite Cole. I saw the amusement in his eyes as he held his position. Matt’s bloody fingers appeared on the table as he yanked himself up.

“You’re a pathetic piece of shit.” He grabbed blindly, throwing knives at me with no skill. I barely had to shift to dodge them. “You’re only strong because you have your brothers here.”

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