Page 67 of Taunt Me (Dark Odyssey 2)

He adjusts himself and steeples his fingers. “One point five million … wonderful. Now there is the matter of the interest that needs to be discussed.” The asshole looks at Charlotte and I hope like fuck he’s not going to request anything to do with her.

“I will give you compound interest on the money. You will give me the tape and we will not hear from you ever again. That is what is going to happen.” I throw back.

He laughs at me. “Look at you calling the shots like big daddy Julian.”

“Don’t. Don’t. Fuck. With. Me. Don’t do it.”

“Right, well I don’t want compound interest, Gabriel Giordano. You really don’t know who you’re messing with. Or who you’re dealing with. I’m supposed to hand over my fuck toy for one point five million with compound interest just like that? I don’t think so.”

Fuck toy…

There haven’t been many times in my life when I call on the Lord, but I’m doing it now.

Jesus please take the wheel and restrain me.

It’s a few seconds later before the roil of rage simmers enough for me to see past the wall of red that took me.

“What do you want?” I seethe. God must work some magic for me to be able to form words.

I already know he’s going to play some game with me, some shit designed to make me lose. Something to screw with me.

“I’ll take the money and a game of Russian Roulette.” He chuckles.

Motherfucker.

“No… no Gabriel,” Charlotte cries suddenly and grabs onto my arm.

I look to her and touch her cheek. “Yes. I’m doing this.”

“You mustn’t. Gabe, please. You mustn’t,” she begs.

“Charlotte, that’s not how this works.” I tug my arm from her and she releases me, lips parted, eyes brimming with tears. I look back to Tobias who is absolutely loving this. “One point five million, Russian Roulette and you give me the tape, assure me there’s just the one copy and you leave her alone.”

“Very well. I will give you the tape.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and shows me a camera. “If you live.”

He snaps his fingers and the doors to his left and right open. Ten guys come out and join him and they look as messed up and deranged as he is.

I was waiting for this to happen.

“Just to make sure things go as planned,” he adds.

I tap the side of my pocket, giving the signal on the device inside and footsteps sound behind us.

Behind me should be Vincent, Salvatore, Nick and four guys Tobias knows not to fuck with.

I look behind me and smile when I see my good friend the feared and revered Claudius Morientz and his capos, Dante, Gio, and Alex. The walk together with my brothers.

Altogether, they look like they’ve come straight out of hell. I’m inclined to say though that even the beings of hell may shrink away on sight of them.

I take a moment to feel triumph when I take note of Tobias’s face. The tell of his displeasure is the twitch in his jaw.

He’s not happy to see Claudius. Not at fucking all.

Though, I don’t know who would be happy to see him. Definitely not his enemies.

Claudius and his men are all smiling at Tobias, dishing him the same shit smile he gave me on my arrival. My brothers however are all stern faced. It’s a play of power and right now it looks like we have it.

We have it and Tobias knows it. All his men put together are no match for us.

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