Page 21 of Slaughter

CHAPTER SIX

AVERY

MY HEAD HANGS FORWARD, my chin resting on my chest. My hands are tied behind my back while I sit on a cold and unforgiving metal chair. My breathing is even, and my heart is beating steady. I show no sign of consciousness. I show no sign of fear. This is who I am. This is how my body operates. I’m never in a situation I didn’t see coming. I knew they’d come for me. Exactly how I wanted them to.

They had to hit me over the head and knock my ass out before they took me from the back alley at my hotel here in New York. And brought me to the same abandoned warehouse where I brought that fucker Dennis last night. But I’ve been awake most of the transfer—biding my time.

“Wake him up.” The familiar voice rings out in the room.

A hand digs into my hair, and my head is yanked back. Then I’m slapped. My eyes spring open as I look at the man who orchestrated this horrible plan, ignoring the sting on my face. My body still just as relaxed as before. I’ve been conditioned to take pain and not show it.

He knows this!

“Nice of you to join us, Avery.” The man standing in front of me smiles excitedly as if he just got his prize. “I hear you’ve been looking for me.” He removes his hands from the pockets of his slacks and spreads them out wide. “Here I am.”

I say nothing.

Two men stand on either side of me. I know them well—Jasper and Kin. The one to my left still holding my head by my hair out of disrespect for me.

He dies first.

“Have nothing to say?” he muses with a chuckle. “Well, there’s a first for everything.”

I very carefully reach into the back of my slacks and open the secret pocket where the tiny pocket knife is located. I’m prepared—always ten steps ahead. I planned this down to the second. He’s so predictable.

Slowly, I work the knife through the rope that binds my wrists. If his men were smart, they would have used handcuffs. I would have gotten out of those too, but still. Just more proof that he’s an idiot.

The ropes break free, but I keep my hands in place, holding the rough material so it doesn’t fall to the concrete floor and give my freedom away.

I continue to stare at him.

He continues to smirk at me.

“You must have something to say. Beg for your life. Ask for a quick death.”

Still, I say nothing.

He runs his mouth too much. I can’t wait to see him begging for mercy for what he’s made me about to do. I won’t show it. I never do.

“You made quite an impression on Dennis last night. I must say, I’m surprised you didn’t just go ahead and remove his thumb.” He shakes his head as if disappointed in me. “Not like it’s gonna do him any good.” I don’t miss the fact that he hasn’t mentioned me talking to his sister. I know she told him I was here in town because that’s why he’s here now. She told on me just as I wanted her to. I stood there watching her lie on her bathroom floor for a couple of minutes before I let her know I was there. Too lost in the moment of watching her touch herself.

“Well, as fun as this chat has been, I must be going.” He rocks back on his heels. The smile on his face widens, and his dark brown eyes light up with pleasure. “It’s just business, Avery. You understand that, right?” He looks at the men who flank me and nods. “Make sure to grab the goods after you’re finished with him.” Then he turns around and walks toward the two steel doors, whistling.

I smile.

Bringing my arms out from behind me, I jam my knife into Jasper’s neck. I yank the gun out of his waistband before he hits the floor and shoot Kin in the head. They both fall to the ground dead. Just as I had planned.

I look up to see Preston has turned to face me, and that smirk’s no longer on his face. It’s now drained of color. He raises his hands in surrender. “Avery …” I shoot him in the leg.

He drops to the concrete floor, blood instantly pooling around him. I shot his thigh right above his knee, avoiding his femur. I don’t want the guy to die, but I do want him to suffer.

The double steel doors open, and two of my men walk in. I had them stay back and follow when I was taken, so they were waiting outside for their cue, which was my gunfire. Their shoulders back and heads held high, dressed in their expensive Armani suits. They look like they’re dressed to impress, not beat and enslave.

They both walk to Preston and pick him up under his arms. He whimpers when they place him in the metal chair I had previously occupied. They then grab the dead guys and place them against the wall on top of one another before they return to stand by him.

“You’re right.” I finally break my silence. “I was looking for you. And I must admit, you were hard to find.” I’ve been trying to locate him ever since I got that phone call weeks ago. The bastard is actually good at hiding, but he’s also predictable.

“I messed up,” he admits, dropping his head.

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