Page 21 of Five Fingers of Death

His shoulders slumped in disappointment.

“But then I considered what the fuckers on the other end would think when they saw us happily boiling people to death while singing and dancing. If anyone is fucked up enough to do that, maybe they’ll think twice about fucking with us.”

A huge smile broke out over his face. “That’s all I’m sayin’, man! Everyone underestimates the power of the musical number. Hey, would you consider doing a dance with me? Maybe a ‘Tango de Roxanne?’ I’ll make it very sexy. Very tasteful.”

He looked so damn hopeful, but there was no way in hell I was doing a tango with him.

“That’s not gonna happen.”

“Thank fuck,” Red muttered. “And here I was, thinking this was getting weird.”

“It’s okay,” Fox nodded, his shoulders slumped as he kicked the ground. “I get it. It’s not for everyone. I mean, Scottie would have done it.”

“I’m not Scottie.”

“Right. I get it. I mean, not everyone can do the tango anyway. It’s a tough dance.”

He wasn’t going to twist his words to make me do it. “Sorry, it’s still not happening.”

“No, I know that. I wasn’t trying to get you to do something you don’t want to. I was just saying that Scottie didn’t want to do it either, but then he tried it and he was a natural. Honestly, I don’t think you would be. You’re much taller than him, and not quite as light on your feet. And really, it wouldn’t be the same.” He leaned in and whispered, “He’s been practicing his ballet moves. He wouldn’t admit that, but the last time we danced, you should have seen his pirouette. It was on point. It just wouldn’t be the same with you. I’m not really up for working with amateurs anymore.”

It shouldn’t have bothered me. Prickles shouldn’t have erupted under my skin, but they did. I found myself clenching my jaw at the blatant observation. Never in my life had I been called an amateur, and I found it really rankled me.

But I would not rise to the bait.

“Let’s get this shit over with,” I growled, sheathing my knife as I stomped toward the barrels of acid. “Is Rae ready on the other end?”

“I’m always ready,” she said from some unknown location. Her voice echoed in the dark, and I spun to find her. I hated that she could see me, but I couldn’t see her.

“It’s rude to spy on people.”

“It’s not spying. You asked me to help.”

I narrowed my eyes, looking in the trees for the cameras that I knew I wouldn’t find. “You know, I could ask you to leave. I can do this on my own.”

“Sure,” she snorted. “I’m sure you know all about laying breadcrumbs for these assholes to find the videos we’re about to upload. I’ll walk away and leave this in your capable hands.”

“Alright!” I sighed. “Fine. I get it. I can’t do this without you.”

“I know,” she said smugly.

“Are we finishing this tonight, or can I go home?” Eli asked. “Boiling people was not on my list of things to do tonight.”

“It’s always on my list of things to do,” Fox chuckled. “It’s a tension reliever. Maybe you’re not doing it right.” He strode past us to the men hanging over the barrels. “Now, do you need a few pointers before we get started?”

“Why would I need pointers?” I asked, glancing at the men. They looked absolutely petrified as the acid boiled, popping at their bare feet.

“Well, I am the expert. You haven’t exactly done this before. I want to make sure you get the right tone.”

“There’s a tone I need to use?”

Red snorted.

“Of course there’s a tone. Everyone has a style. Mine is quirky and a bit happy-slash-sadistic.”

“He means crazy,” Eli nodded.

“What will yours be?” Fox asked. “Because you have to decide that before you start. You can’t just drop them in all willy nilly. Not if you want to make these guys scared of you.”

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