Page 56 of Addicted Lies

Ivy, Dutton, Posie, and I take our leave. When we’re outside, I notice the others’ cars are already gone.

A sadness tugs at my stomach, and all I want to do is cry. I grit my teeth instead because Ford doesn’t deserve my tears. And just like that, we’re done, and I’m going on a date with another guy.

Posie moves between Ivy and me, clasping our hands. “He’s good, right? I did good?” She’s drunk, and my brother glares at me, most likely because Posie is giving us attention and not him.

She’s so proud of herself, but it’s Ivy who I notice studying me intently.

I fake a smile. “You did, but I’ll be sure to take it slow.”

“Good,” Dutton interrupts. “Would hate to kill him already.”

“Oh, stop!” Posie says and throws herself at him. I can’t help but admire them and this playful nature she seems to bring out in him. I couldn’t be happier for him, and yet it makes me miss something I’ve never had.

Ivy falls into step beside me and whispers, “Are you sure? If you’re not into him, you don’t have to go.”

“He was nice,” I say, defending Matthew.

She eyes me but doesn’t say anything else. And I’m grateful for that because the last thing I want is to be pressed about the Matthew situation when my thoughts are on the man who has sworn not to give me any more than he thinks he can. And I was the fool for falling for the dangling carrot yet again.

CHAPTER 26

Ford

Torture. Not my usual method, but today, I’m willingly participating. I want and need the release. Unfortunately for this poor bastard, he’ll be my outlet.

Henry Fall is tied to a chair, his average-sized frame quivering in fear. It didn’t take us long to track him down, break into his home, and drag him into the car—willingly, of course. At least that’s what we made it look like in case any neighbors were awake.

“Look, man, I don’t know anything,” he begins. Eli is pacing back and forth, amused by the situation. The fucker always gets off on this type of work. I stand behind Henry, waiting for the order, praying for it like a well-trained dog about to be told to fetch.

“Hmm. I don’t believe that,” Eli says and gives me a nod.

I internally grin, the release feeding through my soul as I step to the side and tower over Henry. His eyes grow wide, and his bottom lip trembles. He begins to beg, but I ignore it. Any person who tries to hurt our boss will meet a very uncomfortable demise, and I’m more than happy to be the one to end them.

With one clean swipe, I bring down the crowbar and crush his hand. He screams, and I revel in the sound, imagining it’s someone else in his place. Fucking Matthew.

I tolerated him and thought he was a decent guy before he set his sights on Billie. I know I set this up myself by forcing Billie to end things between us, but it doesn’t make me hate him any less.

Blood splatters, Henry’s hand an obliterated mess. Hawke is watching me carefully. He’s usually the one with the bloodlust, and when I get in these moods, he’s always wary of me. But I don’t give a fuck. If he can use violence to satiate his cravings, then so can I.

Henry looks like he’s about to pass out, but I step behind him and wrap the crowbar around his throat, jerking it up so he’s forced to look at Eli. Again, like a well-trained pet, I wait until I’m allowed to bite. Our relationship with Eli makes me think much of the way River trained his dogs. We’re at his beck and call, and for the longest time, I made sure not to allow myself to want anything. And I certainly wouldn’t beg.

Billie is unattainable, however. She’s not made for someone like me, and yet every one of my hackles rise at the thought of another man touching her. Especially fucking Matthew because I know he’s probably better suited for her. But fuck that. It doesn’t give him a right to her.

“You seem to be one of the few who weren’t there the night Laurence Tate and his team were wiped out. You escaped the wrath of my two men here.” Eli gestures to me and Hawke. “How lucky for you. Well, at the time, that is. Were you looking for vengeance?”

Henry’s sobbing. I always find it interesting to cut open a man and see what his undoing is. Pain is an easy way to break someone, but sometimes, a little more is required. Some weaknesses aren’t physical but emotional. Not in this case, though.

“I was only with him for a few months. I don’t give a shit what happened to him. I quit working for him two nights before you got to him. I don’t deserve this!” he screams.

Eli rolls his eyes, bored. “Unfortunately, I’m not the only enemy you made. It’s a crime by association, you know that. You’re going to die slowly and painfully unless you tell me more about the poison that seems to be circulating around my men. That might pique my interest.”

Henry spits on the ground near Eli’s feet, and my knuckles whiten over the crowbar at the disrespect. I don’t make a move until Eli looks at me. I hook my other elbow around the crowbar and choke the man from behind, enjoying the way he struggles. I wait until he looks like he’s about to pass out, his body going limp before I release my hold. He weakly gasps and is barely conscious, so I step to his side and smash the crowbar into his right knee.

He screams, startled back to life. Eli watches me carefully, and I retake my spot behind Henry. I don’t look at Hawke, but I can tell he’s monitoring me. I don’t give a shit. I have the right to manage my shit in my own way.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I swear! Please. Please, I’ll give you anything you want. I’ll work for you. I’ll die for you. Please, just let me go,” he whimpers.

Eli is looking at his phone, most likely reviewing the profile on Henry. He hums to himself. “I wonder if your sister has anything to do with this. Are you two close?”

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