Page 117 of Once A Crime Lord

“You bear my mark, Lyla. What does Pyre think of that? I hope he thinks of me every time he touches you. The almighty Gavin Pyre brought to his knees by little old me.”

Sadist chuckled. She was lightheaded with rage. This monster killed Manny, stabbed her, and ordered the brutal rape of her mother. He was right here, inches from her, and she could do nothing.

“I heard you killed your father.” A pause and then, “That’s something you and I have in common, killing a family member, but they deserved it, right? You’ve become quite heartless, Lyla. I like it.”

His hand collared her throat and brushed over her fluttering pulse. She tried to evade his touch with no luck. She was powerless to do anything and he knew it.

“Such fire. What happened to the sweet innocent who pleaded for Manny Pyre’s life?” Even as her breath caught in her throat, he continued, “You still don’t know who I am, do you? I always wondered if you would figure it out, but you never noticed me. I thought you were different at first, but you turned out like every other woman. I hate women. I’ve never met one who wasn’t focused on the bottom line. My mom sold me to my dad for two thousand bucks, and my dad abused the hell out of me, trying to turn me into a tough guy like Gavin. What Dad never realized is I don’t have to be a tough guy. I can be my own type of man, and that’s even more powerful. I’ll never be able to kill Gavin, but I know someone who can.”

She felt a thrill of fear when she heard the hiss of a zipper. One hand slid through her hair and over her bruised lips.

“I approached your father. He was in deep, of course. He was about to lose his house and was ripe for the picking since he hates Gavin. Who doesn’t? He’s a rich, macho asshole who thinks the world should bow at his feet. He collects more enemies than anyone I know, but too many still fear him. They’re here tonight to watch the crime lord take his final bow.”

His hand traced her scars with frightening familiarity.

“Your father sold you and your daughter to me for five hundred thousand. We took your mother for insurance and raped her in front of him so he knew the score. I never intended to let either of them live. First, you survive my blade and now your mother. It’s quite... aggravating.”

When she screamed her fury at him, he tapped her nose reprovingly.

“Tonight is my finale; the end of the Pyre Empire and the beginning of my reign. Lucifer will lure Gavin here after I’m done with you. He’s the only one who can take Gavin, and he has a score to settle with him. I need Gavin’s end to be public, so there’s no mistaking who’s in control now. Too bad you won’t be able to watch, but I promised Lucifer I’d give him a show in return for ending Gavin.”

He sank a hand into her hair and gripped as he pressed his cheek to hers and inhaled deeply. His skin shouldn’t be soft, smooth, and warm. No human could be this evil. She tried to knock him off balance, but the fucking chain kept her anchored and harmless. Fuck!

“Are you ready to give everyone a show?” A cold finger traveled over the scar inches from her heart. His breath hitched. “Lucifer taught me how to kill, how to prolong a death, how to make people respect you. You have to do it with flair. Gavin’s good at that, but then again, so am I.”

His voice was uneven. Her heartbeat slowed as if his voice was poison. Her body felt heavy with dread and hopelessness. This was how she would die, with Sadist’s voice in her ears.

“Unfortunately, Lucifer says I’m not allowed to touch you until everyone’s present to enjoy it. Shame. I’m going to enjoy this, Lyla. I always finish what I start, which means I’m paying your daughter a visit tomorrow.”

His hand gripped her hair and yanked back savagely. He groaned and then she felt a string of something wet and warm splatter over her face. She retched and tried to turn her face away, but Sadist kept her still until he was done. He panted and examined his handiwork before he shoved her so she fell on her side on the floor.

“That’s for my father,” he said.

There was no sound of retreating footsteps, but she felt a draft when the door opened. She saw a flash of light through the blindfold and heard torturous screams before the door closed, enclosing her in hell.

21

Gavin

He blastedthe woman’s head off and allowed the warm spray of blood to splash over him. He waited for a flicker of satisfaction, but he felt absolutely nothing.

The nurse who had taken Lyla did it as a favor for her crackhead boyfriend who worked for Marcel, a gangbanger he had never heard of. Both nurses, the crackhead boyfriend, and Marcel lay at his feet. None of them had shit for him, which meant they were pawns. It had to be Phantom. The thought of Lyla in his grasp made his insides contract. He held up her wedding ring and watch, which had been in the nurse’s pocket.

“What now?” Angel asked.

He called on every contact he had, but everyone’s phones were off. No one was at home, in their office, or on The Strip. They were just... gone. Something was going down tonight. He sensed it with every fiber of his being. He had no leads, no one to hunt. Nothing.

His phone rang. He reached into his pocket, eyed the unavailable number, and put it to his ear.

“Gavin.”

It took him a moment to place the voice. When he did, something close to fear shot through his system. “Lucifer.”

The man on the other end chuckled. “I’m flattered you recognize my voice.”

It had been years, but no one forgot the sound of the devil’s voice. Angel and Blade were watching him, but they didn’t ask questions; they waited patiently.

“I have something you want,” Lucifer said.

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