Page 159 of Monster in Disguise

"One click, and they're all dead." I shake my hand, showing them what I mean.

While I'd known some would respect the rules and come unarmed, I couldn't take any chances. Especially with Nicolo's people.

"I require just one thing from you. Nicolo's location. As long as you tell me that, truthfully that is, your families will escape unscathed."

This is more potent than any type of torture, and they promptly put down their weapons.

One man steps forward, his knees giving out.

"He's at the cemetery. Please don't harm my wife."

"What cemetery?"

"The Lastra crypt. Please." He puts his hands together in a prayer, and I just nod.

"See, not that hard."

Just then, my phone rings. Nicolo's number is displayed on the screen.

"Hello, nephew. I see you've found my little secret."

"Nicolo," I reply tensely.

"A little too late, wouldn't you say? When you surround yourself with hyenas, don't be too surprised when you're betrayed." He laughs.

"What do you mean? How is Catalina?"

"Wouldn't you want to know?" he chuckles. "Take care, boy. Sometimes the very hand that feeds you can turn against you." He says cryptically, changing the words of the original saying.

He hangs up.

Damn it!

Still no word on Lina.

I drop my phone to the ground, and grabbing both my guns, I aim. First the ones with weapons, and then one by one the others. As I lower my weapons, everyone is lying on the floor.

Dead.

With one click of the button, I ensure that their families meet the same fate.

I unlock the door to find Amelia in the hallway. Her eyes widen when she sees me, and she stumbles on her words.

"I... I heard the gunshots and..."

Interesting. Usually people run away from gunshots, not towards them. But then I replay Nicolo's words in my head.The hand that feeds you.

"Of course." I smile at her. "Can you come help me?"

She nods, following me back into the drawing room. She comes face to face with the dead bodies, but I can see she's trying very hard to control herself.

"Tell me, Amelia, why is it that you left my father's employ?"

She lowers her head, her almost silver hair falling over her forehead.

"He forced himself on me, sir," she confesses, and for a moment I feel a twinge of guilt. Yet another victim of my father's. But then I think about Lina.

"And where did you go after that?" She suddenly looks at me in panic.

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