Page 31 of Cruel Vows

As I turn off the torch, I glance at Aiden. “At least you bolted the chair to the ground.”

He smirks. “I learned after the last time. I think it’s time to stop playing, though, don’t you? Fred might be ready to talk.”

Fred grits his teeth, sweat covering his body. “Yes.”

I put the torch back on the counter and snag the dagger again. The machete lies on the floor as a reminder of what lengths I’m willing to go to.

My hand clamps down on Fred’s shoulder, fingers digging into the cut until he whimpers. “If you say anything about my wife again, your cock is coming off.”

Fred nods, his eyes squeezing shut and blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

He must have bit his lip at some point, but that should be the least of his worries right now.

Aiden’s footsteps rustle against the plastic on the floor. “Alright, you’re going to kill him before we get our information. I really don’t want to hurt him, and I know you don’t either.”

I dig my fingers deeper into the cut before letting go. “Maybe you’re right about that.”

Aiden crouches down in front of Fred, capturing his gaze the moment he opens his eyes. “I really don’t want to hurt you, Fred. My friend here is a little overzealous, but as you heard, he’s having some marital issues. Now, why don’t you tell us what you know, and we might not have any more problems.”

Fred laughs, a gurgling sound coming from deep in his throat. “You’re going to kill me either way so why should I tell you anything?”

In a well-rehearsed dance, I grab pipe cutters from the counter and walk over to Fred, cutting off the tip of his cock before he can fully process what’s happening.

He howls with pain, more sweat pouring down his body, mixing with the rash marks from thrashing against the ropes.

Aiden sighs. “Sean, cutting off a man’s dick isn’t the way to handle business. We’re civilized people here.”

I press the pipe cutters into his hand when he holds it out. “Oops.”

Fred glares between the two of us. “You’re monsters. Worse than he will ever be.”

Aiden clicks his tongue, rising to his feet. “Now, Fred, Noah wants to slaughter my entire family. I just want to know his next move.”

Fred shakes his head, his eyes rolling to the back of his head after he gets a good look at the blood between his legs.

With one smooth movement, Aiden takes my knife and presses the tip to Fred’s balls. “Either you tell me what Noah’s next move is or I start shipping your body parts to your wife and children. I’ll start with your cock but imagine your daughter’s shock when she gets called to the office at school and there’s a package with your fingers in it waiting for her.”

The last of the color drains from Fred’s face.

Tremors run through his body as he leans back in the chair.

I stand behind Aiden, grinning when the knife presses deeper. “All you have to do is tell us the truth, Fred.”

Aiden pulls the knife away. “Your daughter is only twelve. Your son is six, right?”

Fred’s nostrils flare as he throws himself forward, blood splatter spraying in front of him, joining the puddle already at his feet. “You stay the fuck away from them!”

“I will.” Aiden looks over at me. “Although, if he doesn’t tell me the truth soon, I think I’m going to have to go back on my word. You know how much I hate doing that.”

Nodding, I nudge the machete with my foot. “Would I really need a blade this big to deal with them?”

“Depends.” Aiden steps on Fred’s foot, putting his weight on it until bones crunch. “How is Noah getting information on my businesses? What is he planning next?”

Fred takes a deep breath, swaying slightly due to the blood loss. “He’s using the strip clubs to get information.”

Aiden’s eyebrow rises. “My strip clubs?”

“Yeah.” Fred’s head bobs up and down. “He has women in there working for him. Seduce your men. Get information.”

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