Page 98 of Ruthless Beast

“We’ll start with this one,” he says, yanking at the nail.

Damon yelps, then bites down on his lip. He can’t move, though, because his arms and feet are tied to the chair.

“I don’t like doing this, Damon. I’m not a violent man. But understand me. I will do anything to get Emily back. Anything, Damon. Including taking you apart piece by piece.”

“I can’t,” he growls through his teeth.

“Yes, you can. Gallo can’t save you now.”

He flinches at the mention of Gallo’s name.

“What? Did you imagine that I wouldn’t find out about your little dalliance with the enemy? Have you forgotten who I am, Damon?”

“He’ll kill me.”

I throw back my head and laugh out loud.

“And you think I won’t?”

He goes quiet again. Clearly, he’s afraid of Gallo. This infuriates me further.

“Tell me what I want to know!” I bark.

“You killed David Thornton, didn’t you?” Andreas announces.

Damon looks up and stares at him. Bingo!

“Why?” I ask.

“Come on, man! Can’t you guess?” he sneers, causing Andreas to punch him in the mouth.

Damon throws back his head and laughs. Does this guy have a death wish? Well, he can taunt me as much as he likes. I’m not going to kill him until I know where Emily is.

“I’ve got all day,” I sigh and nod at Andreas, who gets a firm grip on another fingernail and yanks.

“Fuck!” Damon yells out in pain.

“Eight little piggies to go, bro,” Andreas says calmly.

“Eighteen, if we’re counting toes,” I interject.

“Fine! Gallo is pissed off because you succeeded the old man. He wanted David dead so you would lose control of the finances.”

“What difference does it make to Vince who takes over our organization? He has his own family,” I comment.

“He wants the whole of LA.”

“And with me out of the way, Gallo figures he’ll swoop in and save the day, does he?”

“I guess.”

“I see. So, when that didn’t work, he took Emily to bring me to my knees. Is that it? Does Gallo really think that I’ll bow out and give him the business? The man is a fucking idiot. The men would never allow that anyway.”

“Are you sure?” Damon grins.

Is he bluffing, or are there other rats in my family?

“Nice try, Damon,” Andreas barks and yanks out another nail. “Burns, doesn’t it?”

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