Page 52 of The Lieutenant

Blood. He’d been captured just after handling whatever business he’d been brought here to take care of. I turned and looked at Christos, both of us walking toward Jonas. I led them from the room. This I wasn’t interested in allowing Aldo to overhear.

“Jonas, have some of our men head over to Theo’s apartment.”

“Why, boss?”

“Because I have a feeling you’ll find evidence he was in a recent skirmish.”

Christos sighed. “Bernardi?”

“If Theo is dead, I think we can assume your informant is correct, brother. Why don’t you call Dimitrios. He should be made aware the Italians might be doing some housecleaning.”

“You’re worried about the family?”

I studied his face. “I don’t want any chances taken.”

“Understood.”

Both men pulled out their phones while I returned to the backroom. “I see you’ve been a busy man while visiting our lovely city.” I yanked out the gag, placing it on the table beside the other items.

“What do you want, you fuck?” Aldo spit out.

“I would think you’d have a respectful attitude given the position you’re in.” I slowly looked up at the beam. With Aldo being heldby his wrists and a cranking system installed years before, I could hoist him into the air.

When their feet dangled, most men would sell their soul or their mothers to be set free.

The act was tempting. Very tempting.

I’d see how much the man pissed me off prior to deciding whether or not to use it.

“I don’t have a lot of time. I’m certain you understand I’m a businessman at heart. Being forced to glean information from an enemy soldier doesn’t suit today’s mood. You can help me avoid annoyance and your certain agony by providing quick and easy answers.”

Very little surprised me any longer, but when he took the gag-less opportunity to hock and spit in my face, my anger surfaced. For all the times I’d prided myself in keeping my cool, this wasn’t one of them. I backhanded him with everything I had. The hard thumping noise caused by my fist managed to block out the creaking chains momentarily.

I pulled a cloth from the bag, wiping the glob from my face, immediately retrieving the scalpel. When I returned, I ripped open his shirt, exposing a series of colorful ink covering most of his chest. More and more soldiers were required to wear the colors of their regimes. Much like the gangs of old. Cartels still did it today, although the ink was replaced with their bodies being permanently carved.

Perhaps that’s what I would do prior to ending his miserable life. I showed him the medical instrument, offering a smile that could be confused as one of kindness.

“Tell me about Don Bernardi’s involvement in my brother’s death.”

He did nothing more than laugh.

I nodded to Tobias and he started the cranking process. Aldo’s eyes were even wider than before. “Given your former profession, Aldo, I assume you’re aware of exactly what will happen if you struggle in this position.”

“Go fuck yourself,” Aldo spat out.

Maybe he believed I’d go easy on him or worse, that I didn’t have it in me.

This was going exactly as I’d determined it would. Although I wasn’t finished yet. I checked my watch. I had a little time left. “Oh, I’ll do more than that later this evening. I’ll enjoy the company of a beautiful woman. Sadly, that won’t be the case for you.”

I waited to allow the news to sink in.

He acted as if what I’d just said didn’t matter so I continued, clarifying my words.

“I’m sure Maria is a lovely woman and settling down in Greece has altered your perspective on life. After we finish here, I’ll have to send some of my men to let her know of your passing. I’ll have to be careful who I send. Some of my men think that when dealing with snakes, you have to take out the whole family.”

I had no intentions of instructing anything so disgusting, nor would I ever allow it to happen under my command. He didn’t need to know that. I allowed my ruthless reputation to stand before me.

Now Aldo was sweating and squirming. Bingo. I’d found the right button to push.

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