Page 28 of Beautiful Sinner

Four other men remained inside, most lounging against the crates, waiting for my arrival. I slowed my step as I approached, glaring down at the mess of a man, his face barely recognizable. He managed to lift his head, his chest heaving as he studied me. Sanchez had followed my orders, keeping the agent’s eyes free from the brutality inflicted on his body.

Exhaling, I gave my lieutenant a nod of respect before returning my hard stare at the man of the house.

There was clear recognition in the agent’s eyes, my reputation well established. I was more of a powerhouse than my father had believed was possible, enjoying the perks of our industry. That included the violence. Today, my need to seek revenge wasn’t based solely on the situation regarding our shipments.

My aggression was high based on the business deal. There was no way around it. Giada would be a hindrance, a liability. At some point, targets would be painted on our backs. I shifted my mental attention toward the agent, taking a deep whiff. There was nothing I enjoyed more than the stench of fresh blood.

I took a few seconds to admire Sanchez’s careful work. He’d arrived under my employ little more than a savage, incapable of curtailing his rage. He’d turned his work into artistry.

“I apologize for detaining you for so long. It’s been a busy day.”

The agent made the mistake of hissing at my statement. It wasn’t often I offered my condolences for what the fucker would face during and after our time together. That made me seethe.

I yanked out my knife, twisting and turning it in the light. His training prevented him from reacting, but I could smell his fear. To date, I’d never left a target alive after an interrogation and I didn’t plan on starting now. However, if he provided information, I’d cut my time here short.

When his gaze of anxiety turned into one of amusement, I walked around him in a full circle before another one of my soldiers handed me his identification.

I studied the picture, returning the wallet then crouching down on my haunches in front of the man. “Gregory Langstrom. I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure of meeting before.” I passed the knife back and forth from hand to hand, the stench of his extreme sweat assaulting my senses.

“As if that would matter.”

One tough guy.

I’d give the man an A for effort. His lips were swollen, his words gravelly as if he had a mouthful of marbles, but he’d enunciated his words, ensuring I’d understand them. “Actually, you are correct. As you might imagine, I’m a busy man, more so these days given you and your buddies have decided that my family’s entire organization be placed on a most wanted list. We’ll handle the people involved in false allegations.”

“Then what the fuck do you want from me?” Gregory asked.

“What the fuck is right. I want the goddamn truth. You have an agent working inside my organization. Sadly, I didn’t give him his updated employment package or his information on vacation time.” I allowed my smile to fade slowly. “I need to know who that is. Now.”

As expected, he attempted to smile, although given the rough condition of his face, the end result was more like the Joker in aBatmanmovie. It was that kind of contemptuous answer that fueled my craving to spend hours slicing and dicing, but this was only phase two of business operations. At least the fact he was green around the gills did provide some sense of satisfaction, the co-mingling vibrancy of colors a masterpiece. There wasn’t a training regimen that truly prepared someone for being abducted and interrogated with nothing but cruelty in mind.

Exhaling, I sensed Sanchez remained amused at my attempt at being funny. I stood slowly, raking my hand through my hair. Sadly, my anger had seeped through, my jaw clenched as I stared at Gregory, yanking his head back and pressing the blade against his neck. I was instantly reminded of the night before, only good ole Reg had the good graces to piss himself. This dude was determined to take the information to his grave. “I will ask you one last time. I assure you that there won’t be a third. Who do you have on the inside?”

“Mickey Mouse.”

His answer dripped of condemnation. Well, well. It would seem the perfect stage of blackening had yet to be achieved. I issued a hard punch to his face, the force snapping his head back awkwardly. At least the crack as his nose was splintered provided some relief to the increasing rage.

However, it wasn’t enough.

I jerked his head into position, fisting his hair at the scalp. There was no doubt what I was doing was extremely painful, Gregory clenching his jaw, wheezing as he attempted to snarl.

I wasn’t surprised that he wasn’t begging for his life, promising almost anything if I’d allow him to live like so many others had done. DEA agents prided themselves in maintaining dignity at all costs. Maybe his lack of whimpering did annoy me more than it should. I moved away, returning my knife to my pocket, switching it for my Beretta. I held the grip of the pistol against my face, trying to control my anger. Now wasn’t the time to go off halfcocked. I could play this game for hours, but the end result would be the same. At least his brutal death would provide a small but important deterrent.

There was no need for additional hesitation. I could turn him over to my lieutenant or determine an end. “You’re lucky, Mr. Langstrom. If I didn’t have important business to take care of over the next few hours, I’d be able to spend quality time with you.” The next agent hunted down like prey wouldn’t be so lucky.

Pop! Pop!

I turned toward Sanchez as another whiff of blood filled my nostrils. He seemed amused but headed with me toward the door.

“Clean up the mess and have him delivered by UPS to the DEA office. Let them figure out the responsible party. I have a meeting tonight at the restaurant. Be there at six-thirty.”

“You got it. Won’t it be an unlucky surprise?” he asked, laughing.

“Let’s hope they see it as the threat it is.”

“Do you need extra men?”

“Yeah, two cars.” I stopped just inside the door, glancing back only once. In making this kind of decision, I knew that could bring a load of shit down on the family, but it had to be done.

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