Page 62 of Ruthless

“There’s the signal.” Isaac puts out his cigarette and opens his door, ready to sprint across the lot in this downpour. He’s as eager as I am to have a chat with our former leader. “Time to play.”

The three of us follow behind him, scanning the parking lot and watching our backs as the rain soaks our clothes. Isaac has been trustworthy so far, but I’d be a dumbass if I didn’t still keep my guard up.

When we come up to the back door, the woman in the blue wig watches us for a beat. She props a foot on the block wall and takes a drag off her cigarette. Her red-painted lips stain the butt. “Interestin’ company you keep these days, Isaac.”

“Zane’s an old friend.” Isaac slips his hand into his back pocket and pulls out a wad of cash. “Brought you a gift.”

“Ain’t you sweet.” She smiles at him, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. Isaac slips her the cash, and as she’s counting the money, she says, “Last door on the left with the red D on it. Make sure the red light stays on.”

“Red light?” Axel pipes up from behind me.

She eyes him up and down a second before blowing a cloud of smoke. “Think of it as a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign.”

“Thanks, Des.” Isaac’s voice softens a fraction as he speaks to her. I have a feeling they have more to their history than being childhood friends.

“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes at him. “I’m on a smoke break and never saw you.”

“And the cameras?” he asks, standing in her space.

“Wouldn’t ya know it? The damn things are busted.” She shrugs as she flicks ash onto the ground.

“I owe you one.” Isaac jerks his chin her way.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be around to collect.” She pinches the cigarette between her lips and goes back to watching the parking lot, signaling this conversation has run its course.

We go to move inside, but she calls out behind us, “Just remember, a girl’s got to have her fun.”

I shoot Isaac a look, wondering what the fuck that meant, but he rolls his eyes and waves us inside. The scent of sweat and smoke hits me when we step into the darkened hallway. Sex is seeping out of this building’s pores. “KILL4ME” by Marilyn Manson pumps through the black walls. There’s a series of doors with different letters on them. Each has a different color. It’s as if they are color-coded for a reason. Each has a small square window that’s covered with a blacked-out panel. On the top left of every door is a small red light. Most of them are off, so we keep walking.

Axel stops and hesitates when we reach the last door with the red D on it.

“Open it.” I jerk my chin at the handle, but he doesn’t move.

“Oh no.” Axel holds his hands up and takes a step back, away from the door. “You open it this time.”

“Axel,” Asher grinds out. “Stop being a pussy and open the fucking door.”

“Nope.” Axel shakes his head and crosses his arms over his chest. Stubborn shithead is wasting time. “Not doing this again.”

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Isaac shakes his head and turns the knob, giving way to something that wasn’t what I was expecting.

“That’s not something you see every day.” Axel cranes his head from side to side, studying Wallace like he’s a science project he can’t make heads or tails of as the four of us step farther into the room.

The good Admiral is strung up on a set of hooks like a Thanksgiving turkey with his wrists bound to a set of poles. He’s naked from head to toe with a ball gag in his mouth and looking like the perfect sacrifice. His dark eyes widen the second he sees us. The only other thing in the room is a red velvet chaise lounge that’s covered in plastic.

Asher shuts the door behind us and locks the deadbolt before crossing the room to stand next to Axel.

“Evening, Admiral. It’s been a long time.” My eyes drift down his body, not missing the circular scars that mar his chest. I’d bet money they’re from a cigar or something similar in shape and size. A black cord runs along the floor behind him that’s hooked up to what looks like a car battery. I’m not exactly sure what the fuck it is, and I also can’t make out where it’s connected to him in the back.

Drool drips down his jaw as he attempts to talk through the gag in his mouth. He struggles against the rope at his wrists, but Destiny is a pro. There’s no give. He’s stuck and at our mercy, and he knows it.

Axel cranes his head to the side, looking around Wallace to see where the chords go, and then his face pales. “Is that where I think it is?”

“It is.” Isaac’s standing behind Wallace, staring at his ass with disinterest.

“Really?” Axel crosses his arms over his chest, and I can’t tell if he’s fascinated or shocked by that. Probably a bit of both, knowing my little brother.

Asher stays planted by the door, no doubt taking it all in. He’s lying in wait, letting me know that this is my show, and he’ll jump in when needed.

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