Page 46 of The Afterthought

I have to stop myself from running over to the shelves to grab the torch. When I stand back in front of the snake, I click the torch on for show. If this doesn't get the guy talking, we might as well just kill him now. No man, in their right mind, would ever let someone fuck with his dick.

"Last chance," I warn, but still, he says nothing.

I bring the torch down slowly to his crotch, and the guy starts to jump and shake in the chair. I hold the flame over his jeans for maybe two seconds before he breaks. It's just enough time for the fabric to burn through, but it never actually makes it to the skin.

"I'll talk! Just leave my dick alone."

"Damn. This was just starting to get fun. So, who is fucking with our shipments?"

"We don't know his name."

"Hmmm, not good enough," I say, clicking the torch back on.

“No, stop! I swear!" he cries out, scared to lose his pathetic dick.

"You know something else. Spit it the fuck out. I'm losing patience." I bring the heat close to his groin again.

"The guy wears a mask. I don't know who he is!" he yells, and I pull back. "We meet at Temptations in the VIP rooms."

"And?" He's being short. He knows what I want to hear. I shouldn't have to keep asking him questions.

"He’s been telling us all the drop spots. He wants us to be there when the drugs are being delivered. The first few grabs were to see if we could handle it on a larger scale. Alec has it all planned out and is just waiting for the right time to pull the trigger. We show up and steal the drugs by any means necessary. The guy who has been telling us about the drop spots has some information that Alec needs. I don’t know anything else. I’m too low on the totem pole. I only hear about things that filter through the other Cobras."

I pause for a moment, waiting for him to continue, but he doesn't, so I bring the torch to his arm and watch as it sears his skin.

"I swear that's all I know!" he yells.

I turn and look over to Knox. He seems satisfied with his answer, and while I would love to sit here and torture this fuck all day, the little bit I've done has calmed my urge. I'm able to think clearly again. There is something way more important I should have my thoughts on. Finding David.

Even thinking about that guy and what he did to Ava has me ready to go on a murderous rage. I pull my knife from my pocket and stab it directly into the Cobra’s thigh. He screams out in pain, tears streaming down his face, like the pathetic piece of shit he is.

"Next time someone asks you a question, you should tell them the truth from the start. It's a real inconvenience to have to ask the same thing over and over just to get an answer," I say before ripping the knife from his thigh and dropping it on the ground next to me.

I pull my ring off and click on the blowtorch, bringing it near the metal before searing it on his skin. Satisfaction runs through me as his cries fill the room. Another pathetic scumbag who wears my mark to show everyone in this town not to fuck with me. This one tried to hold out, I’ll give him that, but he still folded way too fast. I barely even got to have any time with him. I'm actually a bit disappointed by the lack of loyalty the members of the Cobras seem to have.

I head over to the wash sink Knox conveniently had installed to quickly wash my hands before tossing the towel on the floor. One of the younger guys can pop in to clean all of this up. It will be a nice lesson for them on what happens when you're not loyal to your crew. I make my way back over to where Knox and Kai are standing, determined to use this moment to my advantage.

"One more thing before you go." I catch Knox's attention.

"What is it?" he asks.

"I'm heading out of town to track a few people down. When I get back, I'll be bringing them here. I need someone to keep an eye on Ava while I'm gone."

"I need you here. You know how unstable things have been. I can't afford to have one of my best guys leaving right now. We have our own shit to handle."

"I respect you, Knox, but I'm not asking for your permission. I'm simply giving you the courtesy of telling you before I go."

He stays quiet for a moment. I don't give a fuck if he likes it or not. I need to do this for my girl. He is just going to have to deal with it.

"Fine. Do what you need to do, but make it quick. The Cobras are planning something big. I can feel it."

"I'll only be a few days." I turn to Kai. "I need you to grab Ava her coffee and muffin in the mornings while I'm gone. And can you check in on her? Or have Wrenly do it? I know she's been missing her lately."

"What the hell do I look like? Your little bitch?"

I glare at him. "You look exactly like my little bitch. Don't make me shave your head while you're sleeping. I know you’re getting close to winning that bet. How about I make it all for nothing?"

"Hey man, don't threaten these gorgeous locks. I've got you."

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