Page 107 of Brutal King

“Family.” She nods. “I’d do anything for mine.”

As would I.

Luca slams his fist into the table. “Tell me where she is!”

“Damn. I’ve never seen anyone so angry. You should really consider seeing someone about that.” It’s just a suggestion, but he turns a deep shade of red.

“Give me your gun, Hansen,” Luca demands from his head of security. “I’m just going to fucking get it over with.”

“No.” Carina grasps Luca’s wrist. “We didn’t do all this to lose our chance to find Sofia.” She stands and moves toward the door. “We are done with games. It’s clear to me you’re not willing to negotiate. I think it’s time for a different tactic.”

Luca gives me a grin so evil, it puts mine to shame. “You’re going to wish she’d let me kill you,” he says and leaves behind his wife.

Five guards come in and close the door. They go to stand at intervals around the room.

“All this, just for me?” I’m flattered that they think I’m strong enough to tear through the ropes holding me and would need five dudes to keep me down. Guess it won’t hurt to try.

Noah sighs as he moves closer to me, as if I’m going to be hard work and he’s not in the mood. “Guess now you’ll know why I rolled up my sleeves.”

From the bag he left on the table, he begins to tug out tools. Surgeon’s tools, if I’m not mistaken. Not modern day ones, mind you. More like, something out of the middle ages.

“Ah, I’m having surgery today,” I remark. “Seems a little unsanitary in a place like this.”

“I’m not worried about infections,” Noah says. “All I care about is prolonging the pain. Unless, you happen to tell me where Sofia is. Then, it can be over quickly.”

“Just promise me one thing,” I say as he slides brass knuckles over his fingers.

“What?” he growls.

“That you’ll make it hurt real good.” I wink at him.

“With pleasure.” That’s the last thing I hear before my ears ring from the impact of his fist to my temple.

I’m not sure how many hours have passed. Or is it days? I’ve lost track. But these fuckers don’t give up, and neither can I.

“Where. Is. She?” Luca asks for the millionth time.

“King.” I cough with my head bent low. Blood sprays onto my lap, covering my expensive gray slacks in crimson. “King.”

“What the fuck does that mean? What is king?” Luca leans in slightly, enough that he blocks the incandescent light from the overhead lamp.

I lift my one good eye to the man standing in front of me and grin at the annoyance on his face. “Not what. Who.”

He sharpens his gaze on me, as if by doing so he’ll be able to dig up the thoughts in my mind. “Who is King?”

“I’m glad you asked.” I force myself to remain steady, to ignore the throbbing in my temples and ringing in my ears. “Me. I am king. And your sister is my ransom.”

Luca smirks. “Fine. I’ll trade your sorry ass for her. Now, tell me where she is.”

“I never said I’d trade.” I cough again and grimace. Fuck, I may have a broken rib or two. “I just said she’s my ransom.”

Scowling intensely, he asks, “The fuck does that mean?”

“It means, she’s locked away in my castle and I’m her only keeper. And if you kill me, she dies too.”

The full meaning seems to dawn on him and terror fills his gaze. “You’re lying.”

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. The question is, are you a gambling man? Are you willing to take the risk?”

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