Page 56 of Blood & Loyalties
“Yeah,” I answered.
“Abandoned farmhouse out on Townline. Just drive out and keep going. On the left hand side will be a dirt road, barely seen through the trees. Turn and follow it. It’s way back in the woods. When you think you’re close, keep driving. It’s far out. He goes in the basement, far room.” Val’s information was short, curt, and direct. “Got it?”
“Got it.” I disconnected the call then relayed the information to Dan, who seemed to know exactly where he was going.
I watched as the trees drifted by, my mind still turned to Catarina. Being this close to her and not physically seeing her ate away more of my remaining control. I tried my damnedest to hold on to what little I had left, but with each passing minute, I felt it slipping.
The old farmhouse was eerily quiet when we arrived. The old, white, two-story house with lights lining the outside sat in the middle of a large field. The outside looked well kept: a fresh coat of white paint, landscaping around the front, and yard mowed to perfection. I didn’t know who the hell owned it, but if this was where Val had said to go, it was safe.
The SUV rolled to a stop on the gravel road, and we climbed out quickly. The front door creaked open, and the noise caused all of my men and myself to grab our guns, pointing them in the direction of the noise with lightning speed.
“This is where the party is.” Val’s evil smile indicated he was ready to play as he held his arms out in welcome.
“Where the hell’s your car?” With nothing in the driveway, I expected no one to be there until later.
He pointed around the side of the house. “Garage. You coming in, or are we chatting out here?”
I nodded to Dan and Brett who went to the back to retrieve Zan while I walked up to the front door with Rex at my side.
“Wait, who the fuck is this?” Val’s eyes narrowed as his fists balled at his sides, obviously itching to fight. His thin thread appeared to be about as short as mine.
“Chill the fuck out. This is Rex. He’s solid. Vino and Sal know about him.”
As Val eyed Rex up and down, Rex didn’t so much as blink, which was expected. He was too much of a professional to let anyone get to him. He marched to his own drum, but right then, I was paying him a shit load to march to mine.
“Fine. Any trouble and I’ll wipe you out,” Val threatened.
Rex silently grunted, his arms crossed over his chest, but his eyes and wide-legged stance exuded confidence. I didn’t have time for this pissing match. I had shit to do.
Grunts and groans from behind me told me it was time to move. Without looking back, I brushed past Val with Rex, Dan, Brett, Vinny, and a trunked-up Zan behind me. Val moved in front, guiding us down the hall and stairs quickly.
The house was in pretty good shape judging by the painted walls, clean floors, and nice furniture. It almost seemed as if someone lived there.
Val opened a door in the basement, and we filed in. A lone, wooden chair with leather straps on the arms and legs sat prominently in the middle of the room. The floor of the room was concrete with a drain off to the side. Lining the sides of the walls were bright blue tool boxes with a sink at the end of the row. The fluorescent light above illuminated the entire room.
The guys lugged the trunk in front of the chair, setting it down with a thump. Dan reached for the latch, unlocked it, and tossed the top over, only the hinges holding it in place. Then he reached down into the box, pulling out a very bound Zan.
His feet and arms were wrapped in duct tape, surrounded with rope. Zan’s eyes were open, focusing directly on me. He wasn’t fighting Dan, but he wasn’t helping at all by lying limply in his grasp.
Dan placed Zan in the chair, straightening and adjusted his shirt that had become askew in the exchange.
“So this is my fun for the night.” Val clapped his hands together loudly, drawing Zan’s attention. “Nice.” He rubbed his hands together eagerly. “Hook him up to the chair.”
Dan and Brett went to work, quickly slicing the tape with their pocket knives then strapping my uncle to the chair. Zan’s head lolled, wobbling back and forth like his neck wasn’t supporting the weight.
“Take the gag off.”
Dan grabbed the corner of the duct tape, pulling roughly, and the tear could be heard throughout the room.
Zan quickly used his tongue to dislodge the fabric from his mouth.
“You ready to talk?” I asked, walking in front of him. I widened my stance, locking my knees and crossing my arms over my chest.
“Fuck off,” Zan raged.
Val picked up a metal tool and hit Zan in the back, and he jolted from the pain.
“What do you want to talk about?” His words came out a bit slurred. I knew I shouldn’t have given him that punch to the jaw earlier.
