Page 71 of The Devil's Secret

“Yeah, he knows.” He weaves back to look my way. “I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine.” My mouth tightens. “I guess I should be used to people knowing my past.”

“I’m sorry for what you went through, Joelle,” Dante remarks, the kindness in his eyes is as soulful as his brother’s. “We’re going to find your son, and we’re gonna get him out of this.”

“Thanks.” My chest warms from his sincerity, though I’m plagued by doubt. Every day that Robby’s out there, the chances of finding him diminish.

“Are we ready to do this?” Dante asks, running a hand over the top of his head, fingers snaked past the length of his thick, brown hair.

“Let’s go.” Enzo starts to move back to his car with me in tow, Dante walking ahead, opening the door.

“Hey, boys!” he tells them. “Welcome to the party.” He plasters a facetious grin as he yanks them out by the zip ties like he’s dragging cattle to the slaughter. The looks of defeat on their faces tells me they know the end is near.

The girl I used to be would be horrified at the relief I feel knowing they’ll die, but the woman I am today, she’ll enjoy every moment.

Two of Enzo’s guards grab the men by the collar of their shirts and drag them into the house.

We follow inside as they’re led into a basement, climbing down step after step before we arrive at a brightly lit room, more like the size of three.

Enzo is before me, a palm clasping the back of my neck, his forehead leaning over mine. “You don’t have to be here for this.”

“I need to be here.” I push away a fraction, wanting him to see me, to see how much truth is in my words. “It may not take back what they did, but at least they’ll know what it means to suffer.”

“I promise you. They’re gonna fucking wish they were dead by the time I’m done.”

Softly, I plant a kiss on his lips, and for a brief moment, his eyes fall closed, a lazy smile crawling over his mouth.

“Why don’t you go sit down on the sofa,” he tells me, affection carved into his gaze.

“Okay.”

“I love you,” he swears before backing away, moving toward the kitchen set against the wall to my left, a large black pot of water boiling on the stove, bubbles spilling over.

On the counter beside it lies an opened black case, a sizable collection of knives and sharp weapons holstered inside. A shudder drapes over me, even knowing I won’t be on the receiving end of them.

I take my seat as my tormentors are pushed into the two chairs neatly placed in the center of the room, facing Enzo, their exhales unsteady, their eyes wandering around the room and the six guards who now fill it. Two of them bind the ankles of the men to the chairs with another set of zip ties.

Dante stands behind them, his arms crossed at his chest, peering at Enzo’s back as he runs his hands over the weapons before him.

“This is nuts.” The ringleader breaks the silence. “We paid for it. That was her fucking job.”

Enzo’s shoulders slowly hike up and down, like he’s controlling the anger simmering beneath.

“Shut up, Jay,” his friend spits out.

“Yeah, shut up, Jay.” Dante smacks him on the back of the head.

“What?” Jay laughs mockingly, his charcoal eyes deepening to almost black, the color of hell. “They’re going to kill us anyway. Hey, you,” he continues, calling to Enzo. “Did she not tell you how good she gives it?”

My stomach churns. That fucking bastard.

“Don’t let her lie to you. She loved every second of my dick in her cunt.”

The rage balls in my chest, squeezing at me as I jump to my feet. “You motherf—” But I don’t finish the sentence, because in a mere blink, Enzo is on him, the blade in his hand slicing wide right across Jay’s cheek.

“Ahh!” he cries, blood gushing down his face and into his lap, right over his balled fists.

Enzo removes a gun from his ankle holster, pushing the barrel into Jay’s forehead. “You should’ve never opened your mouth. You’re about to lose your tongue for it. But first…”

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