Page 13 of Secrets & Lies

Step one started with the investigation and hunt. Step two was a beautiful unraveling of their very lives. Financially, socially, and emotionally, our goal was exposure. Once they were outed to friends, family, colleagues, and business partners, we sat back and watched as desperation became reality.

Step three was where the physical pain came in. It was a fitting end for those who had taken, hurt, killed, and then escaped justice. We weren’t ignorant of, or under any illusions about, the evils of this world. The things most people ignored, we simply couldn’t.

Why did we do it, and how did one get into the business of hunting evil? The simple answer was it was personal. Someone we once loved was destroyed. Her life was stolen from her, and the need for vengeance sat and festered for years before we could do anything about it.

We’d never intended for it to expand beyond that. But word got out, and soon, other cases were brought to us in which the victims’ blood cried out. And thus, we were motivated to act once again.

Which led me to where I was today. On the outside, a completely normal-looking building was nestled on an estate. Graham, the owner, allowed us access when needed. We’d taken a case for him previously, and he was happy to open his property to us for our dealings.

On the inside of the building, machinery roared, and the smell of death lingered in the air. Eviscerated pigs, split in half from the rear to nape, hung on hooks from their heels.

Our confrontation was taking place in the middle of Graham’s day. The overhead haulage system began moving, and steam rolled off the pigs. An overpowering stench of animal blood and feces filled the air.

“Take note of your fate, Anton.” I nodded toward the pig carcasses. “Do you want to go out like the pig you are, or will you answer the question?”

Anton shuffled his feet, trying to gain secure footing. The piece of shit before me was someone we’d been toying with for two months now. He’d recently been released from jail and was a registered sex offender. He had a habit of watching elementary-aged girls.

The loud sounds of the machinery and clanging metal were deafening, drowning out my footsteps as I walked toward him.

“The trouble is, you think you have time. You don’t,” I stated, tapping the hourglass. It was mesmerizing, and as the red sand fell, it signified the end was nearing.

One of Nik’s surveillance guys was dropping his daughter off at school when he noticed him. Flash forward two months, and we’d gathered all the information to confront him.

Not only was he a sick fuck who got off on looking at little girls, but he also had a coded system with a list of names. He was also in receipt of enormous sums of cash, and today’s little meet and greet was one way to get the answers we were looking for.

“Dirty fucking pedo. Let me dispatch him to hell, Reaper.” Ivan fingered his blade, a smirk plastered in place and a hungry look in his eyes.

Nikolai stood to the side of him, his eyes already taking on that faraway look. Kill nights brought out the dangerous beast within my twin. The only thing that would soothe him would be a night of debauchery with a beautiful woman, but that would have to wait until later.

“The Blade looks hungry. Look into his eyes,” I sneered at the asshole standing before me.

Smirking, I grabbed the pliers and began playing with them. The snapping sound caused the fear to race back into Anton’s face once more as his brown eyes widened. His nostrils flared as he gulped.

I looked at Ivan, and he grinned. Sweat poured down Anton’s face as his eyes searched for a way out of his predicament. “I’ve seen that look before, Blade.”

“Yes, someone is thinking about escaping. However, he should know there’s only one way out of here,” Ivan said calmly.

“Actually, there are two. He could tell us what we want to know,” Nik offered.

“Who is the piece of shit who hired you? Now, I can shake the hourglass and move the ball to stop the sand, buying you extra time, but we will know the answer to the question.” I glared at him. “You can tell me, or I’ll give Blade his request.”

I leaned away from him. The stench of cigarettes and sweat emanating from him was overwhelming. He made me fucking nauseous.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Anton mumbled.

Ivan chuckled and shook his head. I threw the needle-nose pliers to Nikolai, who pulled Anton’s right hand out.

“Eenie, meenie, miny, mo, which nail should be the first to go?” Nik tapped the metal against Anton’s fingernails as he recited his poem. He clamped down on one and yanked. Anton screamed and began to beg and plead with Nikolai.

Nik stared him straight in the eyes and cut the zip tie that had been holding his hands bound. Relief washed over Anton’s face.Stupid fool. He thought we were actually going to let him walk away. I slipped out my tiger claw switchblade brass knuckles and slid it down my hand.

Ivan stepped back, knowing what was to come. I nodded to Nikolai. He produced a knife and held it out to Anton, who stared at it for several seconds before taking it. As he studied me, he looked surprised. I took a fighter’s stance, raising my fists.

“God, Blade, I sure hope he knows how to use that thing. It’s been ages since I’ve been in a good knife fight.” I bounced back and forth on my feet. “You’re a piece of shit, Anton, but my honor dictates that I fight fair. So your options are to talk or fight your way out,” I told him as he took several breaths. He steeled his face and clutched the knife in his hand.

“Shall we dance, then?” I glared, and with those words, I swung.

He blocked it and took a fighter’s stance of his own. I raised my eyebrow in surprise and gleefully said, “Oh, Brothers, tonight just got interesting.”

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