Page 92 of The Tangle of Awful

The key unlocks the door to where there are a few holding cells but unfortunately doesn’t gain me access to the actual cell. Luckily, though, the other cells are empty, leaving me privacy to chat with this motherfucker.

Ben sits on the metal bench, back against the wall, staring straight ahead. His nose is bruised and swollen, eyes are turning black near his nose, and blood stains his shirt. Dempsey fucked him up. He deserved it, too.

“You didn’t really think she’d throw herself into your arms, did you?” I say, approaching the cell and standing right in front of him. “I mean, she’s her and you’re you. Have you looked at your receding hairline in the mirror lately? Have you noticed that pudge in your midsection?”

Ben stands and scowls at me. “Fuck off, kid.”

“This kid has more money in his trust fund than you’ll ever have in your lifetime. I think you meant to call me sir.” I smirk and shrug. “Seriously, man. Do you think she would want some loser when she literally could have anyone on the planet?”

“I love her,” he growls, fisting his puny hands. “I love her and she loves me.”

I grip the bars and lean forward, face between them. “That’s where you’ve got it all fucked-up. She doesn’t care about you, dumbass. You caught her at a vulnerable moment where she needed comfort and release. But even though you’re old as fuck, you couldn’t fully service her daddy issues.”

“Leave me alone.”

“Not until you answer some questions first.” I lift a brow. “Did you fuck with Aubrey’s aunt’s brakes?”

His eyes narrow. “What?”

“Have you been threatening Aubrey with snakes and pictures and letters?”

“No,” he snaps. “And if someone is, they’ll have to answer to me. I’ll take care of her. As soon as I get out of here, I’ll make her see. We can run away together and be happy.”

“Actually,” I snarl, voice dripping with hatred, “you won’t ever talk to her again.”

He scoffs. “Try and stop me.”

“Oh, I will stop you,” I warn. “Indefinitely.”

His eyes flash with uncertainty and he darts his gaze over to the door as if he could manifest someone to walk through it and save him.

No one is saving him.

“You can’t do shit,” he says weakly, retreating back to his seat on the bench.

“As soon as you post bail and get out of here, you’ll take your ass back to LA and to your wife. If you don’t, I’ll send you back through UPS in a body bag to her.”

“Something tells me murder isn’t something you’re capable of.” He swallows but squares his shoulders in false bravado. “I’m not listening to some spoiled rich kid.”

“I’m not some spoiled rich kid,” I say with venom. “I’m protective over what belongs to me. You, Ben, are a fucking threat to someone I love. If you want to test me, try it. You’ll learn that I’ll exhaust every ounce of energy and money into ruining you.”

“My life is already ruined,” he spits back. “My wife is leaving me. My employees hate me. What have I got to lose?”

“Your life, dipshit. You will lose your life.” I crack my neck, eyes burning into him. “If I have to buy a farm full of pigs to eat you alive, I will. If I have to borrow someone’s woodchipper to grind you into pathetic hunks to bury you in my yard, I will. If I have to sneak into your hotel room or home and stab you through the goddamn eyeballs while you sleep, I will.”

He blinks at me, fear gleaming in his eyes.

“You even speak to her again and I will make good on my promises. I’m not like Dempsey. I don’t typically use my fists to get even. My ways are much darker and sinister.” I chuckle at him. “Want to know the best part?”

“What?” he croaks out.

“My family will help me. Every single one of them will have my back. See, you’re not just pissing me off, you’re pissing off every Park alive.” I tap the bar with the key. “Tell me what I want to hear, Ben. Tell me and I’ll walk away. You’ll never have to see or speak to me again. Your life will go on as normal. Aubrey will be a memory of that one time you got super fucking lucky to get someone like her in your bed.”

The clock on the wall ticks audibly in our silence. Finally, he rushes out a deep breath.

“Fine, man. I’ll leave. It’s obvious she’s fucking you anyway. I don’t want to get in the middle of your shit.”

I don’t agree or disagree with his statement.

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