Page 35 of Depraved Lust
“She’s real cute, Tommy.” I can admit that. She’s adorable when she’s sleeping. “You did good. I’m proud of you.”
“I meant what I said, it’s gonna happen for you. You don’t have to be so fucking jealous all the time,” he says.
I hold in a deep laugh. Jealous isn’t quite the right word. I made up my mind a long time ago. That world isn’t for me. I’m not meant to be a husband or a father. I don’t have that ability. I know I'm capable of love, because I truly love my familia. But I’m fucked in the head. I know I am. They know I am.
There’s no reason for me to ever think about taking that path in life. Even with my sweet Catherine.
My thoughts are interrupted when I notice the movement from across the street. I lean forward in my seat as the fucker on our list exits the bar, nearly stumbling as he lights a cigarette. Tommy starts talking, but I simply nod my head and keep my eyes on the dumb fuck who skimmed off the top of our shipment. He fucking knew better. He’s been on the inside for a while now. He's almost a made member. Maybe he got tired of waiting. Maybe he just wanted the money. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I just need two pieces of information from him and then we can get this shit over with.
Who’d he sell it to, and where’s the money?
Louie leans against the wall, taking a few puffs of his cigarette. I’m sure he thinks he got away with it. He looks like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
I take a look down the street and it’s busy as fuck. There’s a narrow alley in between the two shit buildings. I’m sure we could take him for a walk. I’ve gotten away with that shit before, and I know I could keep his ass from screaming too loud.
“Let’s do this shit,” I say.
Tommy looks at me anxiously. “Out in the open?” he asks.
“Yeah, quick and easy. Let me show you how it’s done,” I reply.
I step out into the street and walk quickly, keeping my head turned to the right. The only camera is on the side of the street where we parked. But it’s angled so they shouldn’t get shit. Better safe than sorry though. I already messaged Tony about it. I’m sure the owners won’t have any problems erasing the feed tonight. Not when the orders are coming from the Valettis, and their business has been going steady on the loan we gave them.
That’s one good thing about the familia. We want this town running like a well-oiled machine. And it does.
“Louie.” I let a grin slip into place as he kicks off the wall and walks toward us like we’re his pals. Like he didn’t steal from us.
“Anthony, Tommy, what’s up guys?” His words are slightly slurred, and it pisses me off. I find when they’re drunk, they’re more likely to piss themselves. More than that, they scream louder, sooner. Tonight, that can’t happen. “You here for a drink?” he asks.
“Nah,” Tommy says, and he starts to say something else, but I cut him off. I want him to watch this time, so he can see how it’s done and be able to do this shit himself next time.
“Louie, we gotta talk.” I say the words firmly and hold his eyes. The fucker holds his breath, and I know he’s scared shitless. I need him scared, but more than scared, I want him willing to talk and wanting to make me happy. I want him to think I need him.
I lean forward and lower my voice, so it seems like I’m letting him in on intel. “There’s someone,” I start talking then look to my left as a group of young women dressed in sequined, glittery dresses that ride up their asses pass behind us. The streets not packed, but it’s busy enough to want to get out of the open so we can have some privacy. I make it a point to look at the entrance to the alley and nod my head. “Let’s go down there for a sec.”
He starts to put his cigarette down with a look of dread on his face. But I don’t want that. I don’t want him thinking anything’s wrong.
“No need, I don’t mind the smoke,” I tell him as I start walking ahead of him. “You first, Tommy.” I need my brother to catch on to the fact that you don’t intimidate targets in public. Not till you have them where you want them. Tommy walks ahead of me with a nod. My brother’s smart, even if he does do dumb shit sometimes. He’s good at reading people. My back’s to Louie. It’s a sign that he’s not a threat to me. The two of us walk quickly while Louie stays behind for a moment. I keep walking. I know I don’t have to tell him twice.
It only takes a minute for Louie to follow us down the alley. It’s a few feet wide and blocked off at the back entrance by a dumpster and a chain-link fence. That’s not good for the clean-up crew. They’re going to have a hell of a time getting the body out without anyone seeing, but that shit’s not for me to worry about. Tommy stops about halfway down the alley and leans against the wall. I put my hands in my pockets and face the entrance, waiting for Louie to catch up. He’s walking slow, but he sure as fuck isn’t stumbling around anymore. Having the feeling you’re about to get caught by the mafia for stealing from them is a surefire way to sober the fuck up.
“What’s going on?” He tries to keep his voice from wavering, but he’s shit at it. To be fair though, I’ve tortured a lot of men. And almost all of them are scared at first, even the ones that didn’t have shit to tell because they were genuinely innocent. Poor fucks. But this prick is dripping with sweat, and his shifty eyes are looking all around us for some hidden door that will lead him to safety. There’s no safety here though. Just me, my knife, and Tommy's gun.
I want Tommy to stay out of this one. There’s no need for him to get involved beyond keeping this fucker here.
“Listen, Louie. There are some things I need to know before I kill you.” His eyes go wide, and he takes a step back. He’s closest to the entrance, so he’s thinking of running.
Tommy’s already got his gun on him and we all hear the click of him cocking it back. Louie’s eyes lock on the barrel and he nearly tips back as his legs go weak.
He shakes his head, and I know he’s getting ready to deny it. His hands are raised in the air. “Hey. I wanna make this easy on us all, Louie,” I say as I reach into my pocket for a rag as I slowly walk toward him. He takes a step back and I shake my head. His breathing comes in short breaths as he starts spewing off, “Whatever you heard, it wasn’t me. I didn’t do it.” The desperation is clear in his voice.
I wrap the cloth around my fist a few times. It’s thick; thick enough so he won’t be able to bite down on my hand. The thought reminds me of my kitten. My sexy-as-fuck little minx, scraping her teeth down my finger. I close my eyes and will the images away. It only fuels my need to get this shit over with. I walk around him and let him retreat until his back is against the wall. We’re still almost halfway down the narrow alley. It’d be hard as fuck to see or hear anything from us, as long as he doesn’t scream. I look at my left fist, wrapped tightly with the rag and back at Louie.
“You’ve got one chance. Who’d you sell it to, and where’s the money?” I ask him clearly, but I already know I’m going to have to ask again.
He’s shaking his head, thinking he can talk his way out of this.
I’m quick to shove my fist in his mouth. He only gets a partial scream out before the rag mutes his frantic screams. He struggles against me, his hands wrapping around my wrist, trying to rip my fist from his mouth. I push my fist harder into his mouth, stretching his jaw. I need to be careful not to break it though. I need this fucker to talk. He’s a pretty decent-sized guy and he’s doing a good job of throwing my body off him, but I pull out my knife and hold it to his throat, my forearm bracing his shoulders against the wall. That makes his entire body still. Tommy comes up to my right and holds the gun to Louie’s head. Louie looks between the two of us and starts fucking crying. It’s pathetic.
