Page 61 of Stone

Stone

Oscar spent almost an hour ironing out plans to allow Azrael to live and for us all to move forward.

I don’t know what they saw in Azrael that made them decide not to kill him. Maybe it was my compassion toward him. Or maybe, ultimately, they didn’t want a war. Whatever it was, I am grateful for it, and Azrael’s compliance assures us all we can live safe, with the knowledge we’re protecting one another.

Azrael gave up the location of the training compound I was imprisoned in, the one owned by Don, where the worst of my punishments took place, and the one close to Bren’s heart for some reason too. I didn’t miss the flash of anger he exhaled when we discussed how most people in the compounds were given colors and numbers as opposed to names. How both men and women were trained to please men sexually, then be sold on as whores or soldiers, neither of which had a choice in the matter. They were slaves in a trafficking ring, and in some cases, items in auctions.

Azrael agreed to the crafted events orchestrated by Oscar, in which I went on a rampage looking for Sienna. Azrael will relay I created havoc at her home during the invasion and Azrael and Vector combated my attempts by killing me, but not before I took out Vector.

Sienna was apparently so distraught that her husband was dead that she killed herself, but her husband lived to corroborate our story. Allowing him to live his life with the closely guarded secret with his would-be mistress and soon to be wife.

Azrael, meanwhile, will travel home with his Vector’s remains, along with another man’s burned body, and later, DNA tests will prove it is me, thanks to Oscar’s contacts. One of the poor souls who will have perished within the training compound will act as Sienna’s body, allowing her and me a fresh start, and I can’t help the sense of hopefulness blossoming in my chest when I imagine it.

For now, I let the eagerness penetrate me; my monster comes out, and I will finally get my hands on my tormentor and, hopefully, gain closure too.

Finally, with our freedom just around the corner, I embody the support of my brothers who stand by my side, both blood and found. As we make our way toward the basement, I can’t help but wonder if this will be the last time we’re all together, as enemies but as one.

Benito may get to live for now, but after today, I know his time is coming. I trust Oscar and his plans, and as much as it pains me, I trust Azrael. He may have evil inside him, but the way he protected Sienna and, ultimately, me too, I know there’s good in him. He may be named after the angel of death, but I’m clinging on to hope that he’s something more.

My name may be Stone, but as our feet hit the concrete steps of the basement, it’s the first time I realize my heart isn’t made of stone. It’s carved out of love, yet forged in hate, creatinga bittersweet reality. But without my past and my present, I wouldn’t have the future with Sienna that I do, and for that, I am thankful.

“Sometimes, we have to search inside us and follow the beat of our heart. If you listen hard enough, it can guide us home.”

Chapter Forty-One

Stone

Finn has Vector strung up by chains, dangling and swinging from side to side.

“You’ve no idea how ridiculous the price of a cattle prod is to be transported here so quickly,” Mr. Personality grumbles, and I smirk while Finn rolls his eyes.

“At least it can be used again. Bren could use it to keep his kids in line, right, old man?”

The Mafia don grunts noncommittally, but my smirk falls, and my blood runs cold at his words. As if realizing something triggered me, his words come out rushed. “Fuck. I’m joking, kid.”

Vector lifts his head, his bloody face distorted, but his swollen eyes still land on me, causing me to jolt under his scrutiny. He spits blood and exposes his crooked teeth as he grins maniacally in my direction. “Is he going to use it to fuck them with it too?”

You could hear a pin drop as everyone stares back at him, unable to comprehend his words. But I can because I enduredit myself and saw others endure it too, who were much younger than my teenage years.

My mouth is dry, but I lick my lips in a lame attempt to wet them.

“What the fuck did you say?” Finn steps forward, with a knife drawn. His voice is deadly, and his eyes are even deadlier, but I lift my hand to stop his path.

I know enough and have witnessed enough of Vector and his actions to know his moves and motives. “He’s goading you, hoping you end him quickly.” Finn freezes, and his gaze flicks to Oscar, who gives him a sharp nod.

“No. You don’t get to escape this so easily, Vector. Not when you can plead and beg for your death. Not when you can cry for the pain to ease, and sure as fuck not when you will squeal like a pig while I tear you apart.” His head falls forward, and I grab him by his hair, forcing him to face me. “It’s repenting your sins, motherfucker, and I’m going to enjoy every damn minute of it.”

His breathing stutters as I glower at the monster who took pleasure in hurting me—one of dozens, hundreds even. As I turn and make my way over to the table of instruments used for torture, I know I will be bringing the world solace by killing a monster tonight. I’ll be freeing the world of evil and allowing the good to outlive the bad.

“Cut his clothes off him. I want him bare to me. I think we’ll start with his cock and balls. I know how much you like them.” As I give him a wink over my shoulder, he shudders, forcing a laugh to rumble from deep inside my chest.

Staring down at the table, I contemplate all the times I wished for this moment, always believing it would never be granted, but hoping one day it would.

The time he held me down and taunted me with the cattle prod, heating the end, then releasing it while laughing at thehorror ravishing my body. Then, eventually, he held it to my balls until piss coated me.

The time as a young boy he pushed my head under freezing cold water while I had to beg him to stop burning me.

The time he held an iron to my chest, laughing that he was going to remove my nipple.

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