Page 19 of Lured By the Cartel

"You mean you haven't checked?"I snarled, taking a menacing step closer, relishing his visible flinch."What kind of fuckery is this, huh? What happened to gathering intel beforehand, reporting accurately, ensuring no surprises?"

His Adam's apple bobbed, swallowing hard under my scrutiny."We thought-"

"I didn't want you to think,"I snapped, cutting him off."Only action matters here. And clearly, none of my men delivered tonight."

Silence fell heavily between us, punctuated only by ragged breaths escaping my lips. Rage coursed hotly through my veins, demanding release, screaming for violence. But first...

I lunged forward suddenly, grasping his collar roughly, and hauling him close until our faces nearly touched. His eyes widened fearfully, whites showing plainly amidst dark irises. Perfect. Fear was good. It kept people honest, obedient, submissive. Everything I desired at this moment.

"What else?"I rasped, voice dropping lower, deeper, resonating ominously within the small space separating us."Tell me every detail. Leave nothing unsaid."

He gulped, sweat beading across his brow despite the chilly air circulating around us. Good. Let him squirm under pressure. Maybe then he'd learn better habits for future incidents.

"They've taken some captives,"he whispered, barely audible even mere inches away."Women... children too."Disgust churned sourly in my stomach, threatening to rise up, and choke me entirely. Those monsters targeted innocents? They deserved worse than death.

"And why wasn't I informed immediately?"I pressed further, shaking him roughly."Why waste precious minutes delaying necessary actions?"

"We weren't sure if... if you were busy,"he hedged weakly, looking away guiltily. Busy? With what? A fucking meeting scheduled weeks ago?

Busy indeed. Busy planning their deaths, strategizing retribution, anticipating carnage soon to follow. All while they sat idly, twiddling thumbs, waiting for orders. Pathetic excuses. Worse still, pathetic excuses coming from supposed allies.

My hand tightened around his throat, squeezing mercilessly as rage boiled within me, threatening eruption. This spineless worm dared bring me news like this, expecting leniency? Not happening. Not today. Not ever.

"Tell me everything else you know, you worthless piece of shit!"I roared, spit flying from my mouth, speckling his face. Disgusted, he tried shrinking back, only to collide with the wall at his rear. Trapped. Exactly where I wanted him.

"Please,"he gasped, clawing desperately at my unyielding grip."I-I didn't mean-"

"Mean?"I spat derisively, leaning in close enough to smell his terror-laced sweat."You meant exactly what you did—fail me spectacularly! And now, you'll face the consequences!"

My free hand balled into a fist, crashing down onto his jaw with sickening force. Bone crunched satisfyingly under the impact, echoing sweetly through my knuckles. Again and again, I struck, each blow fueled by impotent fury burning white-hot behind my eyelids.

He cried out, pleaded, begged. Pathetic whimperings falling on deaf ears. Nothing could stop me now; not his pleas, nor my own self-preservation. Red haze clouded judgment, drowning reason, leaving only instinct reigning supreme.

Blood flowed freely, painting his face red. Still, I punched, unleashing pent-up aggression, and venting frustration born from years of dealing with idiots like this one. Each strike echoed through the room, punctuating harsh curses hurled against him without pause or mercy.

Suddenly, a sharp gasp pierced through my haze, followed swiftly by a soft thud. Someone collapsed nearby, weak and broken. Only after pausing mid-swing, glaring towards the intruder, did realization dawn - Lucas stood frozen in the doorway, horror etched deeply into those expressive features.

Time seemed to slow, stretching interminably as we locked gazes, shock mirroring across both our faces. Then, reality crashed back violently, slapping sense into place once more. Fuck. What had I done? How far had I gone?

Shame burned hotter than embarrassment, scorching my cheeks, singeing my insides. I released my hold abruptly, letting the lifeless body drop limply to the ground. No longer caring about him, I turned fully towards Lucas, taking in his pale face, trembling limbs, wide-eyed gaze fixed intently upon mine.

"I..."I began, trailing off, unable to find words adequate enough to express regret, shame, and remorse. Perhaps there were none.

The damage was done. Now came the cleanup.

But before anything else, I needed to assess the extent of the harm I caused. Stepping over the unconscious form lying between us, I reached Lucas slowly, hands raised placatingly. He shrank back instinctively, fear flashing briefly before acceptance replaced it. Good boy. At least he trusted me somewhat.

"What happened here?"His voice cracked softly, barely above a whisper, yet resonating loud within the silent study. Accusation hung heavy amidst question marks, weighing down each word until guilt crushed me entirely.

"Business gone bad,"I answered gruffly, avoiding direct eye contact for now. Cowardice maybe, but necessity nonetheless. Couldn't face him directly knowing the truth behind the events unfolding tonight.

His gaze flicked towards the motionless figure sprawled at our feet, lingering there for what felt like an eternity before returning to me. Disappointment flashed plainly, cutting deep despite its brevity. Shit. He expected better, didn't he? Expected someone stronger, braver, fiercer. Not this... thing standing before him now. Not this monster filled with rage.

"You hurt him badly."It was a statement rather than a question, heavy with condemnation, and disappointment. Jesus Christ, how was I supposed to respond to that?

"He deserved worse,"I growled low, defensive reflex kicking in automatically. Wrong response, wrong fucking time. Yet, couldn't help myself. Habits die hard, after all.

"No one deserves this,"he whispered sadly, shaking his head."Especially someone who works for you."

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