Page 81 of Crazed

I hand him the pizza cutter.

In a swift move, Luca rolls it over the remaining bone, and Baskin's entire body convulses. His shriek is so loud, I wonder if the staff above can hear. Luca demands, "Why was Katiya being monitored?"

Tears fall down Baskin's cheeks, dripping on the dirt floor. He blurts out, "Leo ordered it."

The hairs on my arms rise.

"Leo? Why would Leo Abruzzo want you to watch Katiya?" I ask.

He grinds his molars, and I lose all my patience. I grab the pizza cutter from Luca and jump to the first agent. I slice his waist then keep moving down the line until every agent has skin dissolving just under their belly button.

The shrill sound of pain fills the cell. I go back across the line, this time, above the same spot. The wails get louder. Acid burns one of the men's intestines. He sobs like a baby and goes into shock.

"Tell me," I roar in Dominico's face.

"He never said," Dominico replies.

"Liar!" I scream, slicing his quad muscle.

"It's true," he yells.

"Bullshit!" I bark, slashing his other leg then stepping in front of Baskin, commanding, "Tell me the truth!"

"I don't know! But he visits her," Baskin states.

I freeze. A cold shiver rolls down my spine. My mouth turns dry. I hold the pizza cutter in front of his face, fighting my rage. With as much control as I can muster, I claim, "You're lying."

"I'm not! I swear!" he asserts.

"Liar!" I move my hand toward his cheek, but Luca grips my arm.

"Wait!"

Breathing hard, I glance at Luca.

He arches his eyebrows and firmly repeats, "Wait."

I take a few deep breaths and lower my hand.

Luca tugs Baskin's hair so he faces the ceiling. Luca leans over him. "Why would he visit her?"

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me, Bruce."

"Luca, I swear," he grits out.

I lose all control, push Luca out of the way, and slash the pizza cutter over Baskin so many times, Tristano and Dante pull me back.

"Chill out," Dante orders.

But it's too late. The front of Baskin's body has barely any skin left. Some of the acid eats his organs. His cries become faint, and he either passed out or is dead. His head hangs toward the ground. If he is still alive, it won't be for long. Too much damage occurred.

"Jesus Christ, Massimo," Luca mutters.

I avoid his pissed glare and turn to Dominico. My insides tremble, and I enunciate my words, repeating, "Why did Leo visit her?"

More tears drip down his cheeks. He chokes out, "I don't know. Leo never said. But Tommy also visits from time to time. It's-it's all on my surveillance. If-if you let me go, I can show you."

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