Page 10 of Twisted Obsession

Mika raises an eyebrow. “Why would he think that?”

“Because he’s an asshole,” Kaiden grits out. “But if you want the rest, I need you to have my back.”

“You’re not exactly in a position to make demands,” Mika reminds him.

“Then put me out of my misery, and at least make it quick, because I can guarantee I’ll end up six feet under at the hands of the Viper, but he’ll extract every ounce of torment he possibly can first.”

Mika stares at the man who was forced into this life as a child, and although nothing shows on his face, I can sense the moment he softens. He gives a short, sharp nod. “You have my word.”

Kaiden holds Mika’s gaze a moment longer, as if he’s gauging his sincerity. But everyone knows Mika’s word is gold.

“Okay then. Vito... he's been making moves behind your back. Says you're too soft, and you're gonna ruin everything your father built."

Movement on the floor alerts me that Tommaso has come to, and I notice his eyes are wide now, clearly realizing the gravity of what Kaiden's revealing, and it’s clear, despite his low rank, that this isn’t news to him.

"He's been gathering support, promising the old guard a return to the way things used to be. Promising associates accelerated promotions," Kaiden continues, casting his eyes at Tommaso.

I feel my blood run cold. This is worse than I'd imagined. A quick glance at Mika shows his face wreathed in disbelief, which is shallowly masked by fury.

From the ground, there’s a rustle, and Tommaso mutters, glaring at Kaiden. “Sporco traditore.”

Mika looks over at me, and I yank Tommaso up off the floor, so he’s seated again. “You too,” he spits—literally—as I do.

A moment later, he’s on the floor again, the wooden chair splintering under the strain as Mika crushes his boot against the idiot's windpipe.

“And how exactly are they traitors, whenI’mthe one in charge around here?” he questions. “Perhaps you’re the one who needs to be giving me all the details.”

Despite the foot to his neck causing his eyes to bulge, Tommaso vehemently shakes his head. I watch as Mika increases the pressure on Tommaso's throat, the man's face turning a virulent shade of purple. Just as I think he might actually kill him, Mika eases off slightly, allowing Tommaso to gasp for air.

“I suggest you tell me everything,” Mika says coldly. “Or I'll make sure you never speak again." He removes his foot entirely, and Tommaso coughs violently, sucking in desperate breaths. Tommaso's eyes dart frantically between Mika and me, seeming to weigh his options, but he says nothing.

“Looks like this is going to get messy,” Mika says with an exaggerated sigh.

I step forward, cracking my knuckles. "Want me to handle this, boss?"

Mika waves a hand. "Be my guest. Just make sure he can still talk when you're done."

I grab Tommaso by the collar and haul him up, slamming him against the wall, careless of the pieces of splintered chair that are still tethered to him. Knowing at least one piece has punctured his thigh if his groan and the way his leg gives way are any indication.

Finally, Tommaso croaks out, "Okay, okay. I'll talk."

“So, what happened to the girl?”

“You should know, you took her,” he responds, spitting more blood.

I narrow my eyes at his deliberate misunderstanding. “The first girl,” I growl, tightening my fist around his already bruised throat.

“She was nobody,” he chokes out. “The boss… Vito,” he amends at Mika’s growl. “Wanted to send a message. Let the other organizations know he’s playing hardball.”

“Why’d he target the Irish?” Mika asks from behind me.

Tommaso looks away and to the left, and I know he’s trying to think of a lie. Since he’s slow to answer, I knee him in his soft gut, holding him up by his collar as he doubles over and sucks in a wheezing breath.

“How about we treat you the same way you vermin treated her?” I ask conversationally, letting him fall to the ground while I reach into my pocket, extract a cigarette, and light it.

I see the exact moment Tommaso realizes what I have in mind, but he clenches his jaw and grunts through the pain as I stub out the lit end on his chest through his shirt. Twice, three times, and he remains silent, so I turn to Mika and say, “Hey, can you pass me that bat?” I nod towards the baseball bat on a side table.

Mika throws it, and I catch it with one hand, still restraining Tommaso with the other. “Of course, she was being raped at the same time… do you think I might be able to jam this handle up your ass so we can recreate that?”

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