Page 85 of Burn for Me

Leaving him struggling on the hook, I moved to the vehicle, turning the keys left in the ignition and smiling as the engine kicked into gear. The chain attached to the hook creaked when I hit the button to wind it in.

His wails grew more panicked when his feet suspended above the floor, his body jerking and only making the hook bite further into his sinew.

I stopped the machine when his feet were at my eye level.

‘Get me down,’ he croaked when I neared.

Not a chance.

‘Before you die, you are going to know what it’s like to burn.’

He kicked with his one working leg, and I laughed as I made my way to the edge of the room, grabbing one of the jerry-cans of petrol stashed there for the smaller vehicles.

I splashed it liberally over his legs, knowing the flames would burn their way more slowly up his body if I kept the splashes there alone.

‘Phoenix, please, no. Just shoot me!’

Standing back, I lit a match, delighting in the way his eyes widened.

‘Goodbye, Massimo,’ I said, flicking the lit match at his feet.

With the flames engulfing his trousers, his manic flailing increased, the hook cutting into his intestines with every flinch.

To the crescendo of his screams, I went to fetch my girl.

FORTY-FIVE

Laura

Gentle arms lifted me, my head lolling against a wide chest. The black material was warm and wet against my cheek, a coppery twang invading my senses. Pain filled my body, leaving my limbs weak and useless.

Opening my eyes proved difficult, barely a slice of vision available. My headache intensified as I looked over a broad shoulder.

‘Don’t look,’ Phoenix said softly.

But I wanted to look.

I’d blacked out, and I needed to see for myself that Massimo was truly dead.

Orange flames hungrily consumed Massimo. Massimo’s limp form dangled in the middle of the room, the giant hook protruding through his back. His face gawped like a dead fish, guts spilling out through the large hole left from the hook impalinghim.

His body turned slowly above the greedy flames, roasting the devil. It was like watching hell welcome him.

Relief swept through me, leaving me sobbing against Phoenix.

‘I didn’t mean any of it,’ I whispered, keeping my eyes on Massimo as the flames grasped at him.

‘I know, I heard you after.’ Phoenix stroked a thumb over my thigh, right where his arms supported me.

‘He’s really dead?’ I asked.

‘One hundred percent. The fucker’s gone.’

‘Thank you.’ My words came out pained, and I finally dragged my eyes from Massimo as we left the room. ‘I thought you were dead, too.’

‘Not this time,’ he assured me, his breath crackled in his chest.

‘We need to get to a hospital,’ I murmured, my vision blurring as we stepped out into the night.

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