Page 108 of The Butterfly Killer

“I was hopingwe’d get a little more time together,” Miguel drawled as he moved to the small kitchen. “Exchange stories, perhaps give each other tips.”

Marcus tested the ropes though he knew it would be far-fetched to believe he would be strong enough to get out of them. Still, he ran his fingertips over the strands that made up the thick ropes, trying to see if he could wiggle his way out of the tightened knot.

Miguel opened the bottom cabinet on the small island that split the living room from the kitchen. “I’m flattered you wanted my attention.”

Roman hadn’t moved since they’d been brought here. He wasn’t even looking at Miguel. He was staring straight ahead. Marcus didn’t know what to make of it, but he wanted to assume Roman had a plan to get them out of here. He’d had a plan since the beginning. He had to have one now.

At least, Marcus hoped so.

Miguel pulled a bag out of the cabinet and threw it on top of the island. He unzipped it as a wide sinister grin stretched over his face. His eyes glowed as he looked at the contents.

“But I’m sorry to say, there can only be one Butterfly Killer.”

Miguel pulled out a knife so cheap and normal that Marcus had to blink a couple times. However, as Miguel walked around the island with the knife lowered at his side, Marcus realized that this knife wasn’t just any regular knife. This was significant. It carried memories that both Miguel and Roman would remember.

This was a trophy.

Even when Miguel walked right in front of Roman and stopped there, Roman didn’t look at him.

Miguel’s eyes narrowed. “Look at me.”

He held the knife to Roman’s throat. “Do you think I don’t know who you are? Did you think I wouldn’t recognize one of my own spawn?”

Roman’s eyes finally flickered to Miguel’s face. There was no fear. It was the opposite of what Miguel wanted. He wouldn’t be satisfied until Roman was begging for his life. It wouldn’t be fun if he wasn’t.

Roman gave Miguel a dull stare. “When did you know?”

Miguel tapped the blade impatiently against Roman’s throat. “I knew always. My son. The only one who could come even close to besting me.”

“Liar.”

Miguel frowned. “What?”

“Liar,” Roman repeated. “You didn’t know who I was until your brother told. Just before he told you that two FBI agents are hot on your trail.”

“You little shit?—”

“Are you going to kill me or are you going to ask nicely who’s the other mole in your ranks?”

Marcus almost forgot he was supposed to be finding a way out of his restraints while he got distracted by the drama unfolding before him. He’d managed to wedge two of his fingersinto the knot. It was tight enough that it cut off his circulation. He had only about a minute before they went numb and he’d be in worse shape than when he’d started.

Miguel had a staring contest with Roman. When Roman didn’t break, Miguel pulled back.

“I’ll ask nicely.”

Miguel stabbed Roman in the thigh.

Roman yelled out, writhing in the ropes that forced him to take the attack. Miguel grinned with teeth as he twisted the knife, driving it further into Roman’s leg.

“Juan spilled everything. I only need to know one thing…”

He ripped the knife out. Roman gasped. He didn’t get a chance to register the pain before Miguel moved to his other thigh and stabbed the knife in there too.

“Who saved you when I killed that bitch? Because I know damn well you didn’t make it out of that fire all by yourself.”

Roman was a sweaty mess. His head lolled to the side and then down to meet his father’s eyes.

A laugh managed to escape his trembling lips. “A ghost.”

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