Page 5 of Tales You Win (Grim & Beast Duet 1)

CHAPTERTWO

Jungle

“Start talking or I’ll cut off another damn toe!” I growl, swiping the back of my hand against my sweaty forehead. Cutting bone is fucking hard work, plus there’s no air-con down here in the basement of Tales and it’s as hot as a hooker’s coochie in summer.

The cocky prick who’s strapped naked to the metal gurney spits, a glob of saliva and blood hitting the concrete floor by my feet. “Fuck you!”

I lift a brow, impressed. This is one tough motherfucker. Normally just being strapped to this table and showing them the blunt edge of a well-used knife is enough to get the fuckers talking. Not this man. He’s kept his mouth shut, and he’s now minus both big toes for the trouble. “I ain’t saying shit!”

“Yeah, I’m getting that impression,” I muse, a note of respect in my voice.

Either he’s got a very high pain threshold or he’s high as a fucking kite on some kind of opioid. I’m guessing the latter given the size of his pupils.

“Listen, mate. You could walk…hobble,” I correct myself, glancing at his ruined feet as Carter snorts with derision from the other side of the room. Obviously, this guy walking out of here ain’t gonna happen, but usually the possibility of it gets them singing like a canary. “Carter is happy to let youhobbleon your way,” I continue, cracking my neck. “So long as you give us the name of the prick who’s been organising sly bets on our fights right under our fucking noses.”

“You’ll let me go?” The guy scoffs. “I’m not an idiot, but I am pissed off that it’s your face I have to see before I die.”

“Then you’re a fucking martyr covering for a man who doesn’t deserve it!” I retort, losing my patience. “I mean Saxon, for fuck’s sake, would sell out his own mother just to save his arse!”

The guy laughs hysterically, flicking his gaze to Carter. “And you thinkhe’sany better? And people say you’re smart…”

“What’s that supposed to mean, you little prick?”

Before I even know what’s happening, Carter strides over to the trolley loaded with torture implements, picks up a screwdriver and slams it into the guy’s shoulder. “Tell me what I want to fucking know, you piece of shit!”

“I ain’t no grass!” the little twat roars back, adrenaline and the drug he’s taken keeping him from passing the fuck out.

I ease Carter away from him, shaking my head. “Boss, Igotthis.”

“Fucking cunt!” Carter snarls before pulling a cigarette from his packet and lighting it up. He drags in a deep breath and blows out a stream of smoke. “The next time you disrespect me, I will drive that screwdriver through your fucking eyeball!” He looks down at his Armani suit, which is no longer pristine given droplets of blood have splashed over the lapel, and frowns. “Fuck sake! If you weren’t already going to die, I would’ve killed you my fucking self for getting blood all over my suit!”

I’m about to say it’s not really the guy's fault that he stabbed him with a screwdriver but I hold my tongue. I need this over and fucking done with, and getting into a spat with the boss ain’t gonna make that happen. Besides, I’ve got a major case ofblueballitisthat has been plaguing me ever since Princess provoked me during training a couple of days ago. She’s been playing on my damn mind ever since, and I cannot and will not travel down that road. Hence needing to get out of here quickly so I can relieve some of the pressure in my pants withanyoneother than her.

“Listen, mate, on any other day I’d be impressed with your loyalty, but I’ve got plans tonight that include sinking balls deep into some top class stripper pussy, so do us a solid and tell us what we want to know!”

“And I told you, I ain’t no grass!”

Shaking my head, I glare at the prick. “Look, you hairy scrotum, I’m normally a patient fucking man, but I got pussy waiting on me and I’m fucking starving, so start fessing up!”

The dickhead has the gall to laugh. Fuck me, he really does have a death wish.

“Fuck this, Beast! Cut him up into little pieces and deliver them to Saxon. We all know that cunt is behind this,” Carter snaps, his dark brown eyes flashing.

“Boss, you hired me for my ability to break the toughest motherfuckers. I’d appreciate it if you’d let me do my job. We need to hear it from the horse’s mouth or we can’t make a move. You know that.”

Carter narrows his eyes at me through a plume of blue-grey smoke, but he knows I’m right. I’m really fucking good at my job. “Fine. I’ve got business to attend to anyway. I’m heading home for a bit before the next fight tonight. Swing by my place once you’ve confirmed a name, and pick up Grim on your way over. She’s with Hudson.”

I give Carter a surprised look. “You approve?”

He shrugs. “He’s a smart guy, it’s the only reason he’s still alive. That and the fact I know he ain’t interested in Grim.”

“He’s gay?”

“Nope, he’sfocused. He’s only got one thing on his mind and it certainly ain’t pussy. He hasn’t got time for a relationship, not whilst he’s trying to claw his way out of the gutter.”

“You sure? I could rough him up a bit, warn him off?”

“Positive. I’m keeping a close eye on Hudson Freed and his brothers, they might come in useful at a later date. Know what I’m saying?”

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