Page 48 of Monster: King of Nevada

“And now?”

“Now, he has a twenty-year-old daughter in college, and I have every intention of using her to get under his skin as Idismantle everything he owns and holds dear. Hael River will be a pawn I have no intention of losing.”

He’s passionate about his cause, and with each word spoken, especially pertaining to the daughter, I sense there’s more he’s not ready to admit to yet.

“A month ago, I’d have helped with no questions.” My eyes travel to my pregnant woman as I explain. “Recent events, however, cause me to wonder about your plans for the girl. Specifically, if you intend to cause her irreparable harm.”

Dark’s eyes remain on where Ella picks through colors for the new look of Mario’s, and he shakes his head. “Sadly not. I ran into Hael a few months ago, and while she’s part of my revenge, she’s also my future.”

A howl of laughter escapes me. “You plan to ruin her father and think she’s going to forgive and love you? Good luck.” Raising my glass in salute, I toss it back, enjoying the silky burn as it slides down my throat. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a woman who needs to sit and eat. I’ll get the contracts back to you next week.”

He leaves as I grab Ella's attention. Her smile is genuine and warm as she accepts my kiss. “How’s it going?” I ask her first.

“Good. We’re going to expand out the dining area more and partition off one section for private parties. I was thinking about a sauce-ation creation station.” She giggles at my perplexed look. “Basically, an open space where guests can watch the chefs create and cook the sauces offered and even purchase them to go.”

“Interesting idea. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.” She bites her lip, and I recognize concern in her eyes. “Ella, it’s a great idea. What would you think about including fresh pasta, too? Perhaps a specific type each day of the week?”

Her eyes light up, and she claps. “I love that! I worried it might be too much. But one pasta a day is a great idea.”

Popping up on her toes, she kisses my cheek before jumping back into designing the new layout of the restaurant.

“She is going to run this place like she was born to it.” Antonio grins as he approaches me. Despite my purchasing the business from him and planning to expand, Antonio will stay on as a manager for both locations.

“I expect you to keep the staff in line when it comes to her, Antonio.” My warning is clear, and he heeds it with a sharp nod before joining Ella and two chefs.

“Boss, the offer on the house for her parents has been accepted.” Caleb steps up behind me with papers faxed over from the realtor. “Just sign on the red marks.”

Accepting the papers from him, I sign where requested, knowing Caleb would have read it all over before asking me to.

“Arrange for their arrival in the next few days. They can shop with Ella and Oliver for anything they need for the house. However, make it extremely clear to them that Ella will be living with me. No exceptions.” Our eyes meet, and he nods before heading to the house to fax the paperwork back to the realtor and make the arrangements.

After having a quick word with Ella about getting to another meeting, I leave Caleb with her to continue her plans. First is ensuring the chef starts lunch for her before I get in the car with Owen and head to the arena.

When I initially had the building constructed, I requested a soundproof room in the basement be included. At the time, I wasn’t sure I would ever use it, but I knew I never wanted this kind of evilness to touch the place I call home. Now, with Ella here, I’m exceedingly glad I had the forethought to be mindful at the time.

Tank and Blake have been sitting down there since last night, and I know it hasn’t been comfortable for them. There’s no outside light, just a single bulb hanging from a chain in themiddle of the room. The floors are cold concrete, and the walls are painted black–not inviting in the least.

They’ve been tied up and cuffed on the floor with no access to food, water, or the toilet. Locked in the room with no one to hear their feeble cries for help.

As the car stops, Owen opens my door a few seconds later with a menacing look in his eyes. The warm Nevada sun shines bright as we walk to the entrance and straight to the basement.

The soles of my loafers echo as we walk down each stair. An air of ominousness floats around like a tumbleweed billowing down a deserted road.

Owen unlocks the door; the click of the lock disengaging is loud in the silence. Like a bullet chambering in a gun.

“Gentlemen, how are we?” That’s meant to be mocking. They aren’t well, and from the stench, I can tell they’re at the end of their ropes. “Jesus, you and Caleb had a little fun, huh?” I glance at Owen as he smirks and shrugs carelessly.

“I truly wanted to draw out your deaths for as long as possible, but I’m feeling generous knowing Ella is waiting for me. Is there anything you’d like to say?”

“Fuck you,” Tank spits out through a busted lip and two black eyes. His focus on where I stand in front of them seems to be challenging.

“I didn’t fucking do nothing to you, man,” Blake whines while sobbing and blubbering like a baby.

Stepping closer, I lean into the man’s face to whisper, “You fucking raped Ella. Repeatedly.” Gripping his jaw tightly until he flinches, I wait for his eyes to meet mine. “For almost two years, you made her scared to breathe. When she came to me, she was ready to call it quits. To give up.”

I pause so that I deliver my next statement with the proper impact. “If she’d have killed herself, she’d have killed the twins you forced into her.”

His eyes widen in shock. “She’s having my babies?”

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