Page 40 of Throne of Sin

“Ahhhhhhhhh!” The bookie runs toward me with a Swiss Army knife. I step to the side, swinging the bat before he turns around. The metal connects, flattening him to the ground with zero fight. I expected this to go down differently. I walk around him, nudging him with my foot. Not a muscle moves. He’s going to be a heavy bastard to carry out of here. I pick him up under his arms and drag him to our car. My brothers watch with amusement as they make me do all the work before we head toward our warehouse.

For the first time in my life, I don’t hate entering the old, smelly building. I tie our guy’s feet to the chair, but that’s it. I want him to think he has a chance.

Savio dumps a pail of cold water over his head and the bookie slowly stirs. His hand goes to where I hit him and a smile breaks across my face.

“Why, hello.” My voice has him freezing and his eyes dart to the three of us. He tries to stand, but with his legs tied, he only manages to fall forward. I take pleasure in watching him squirm and try to get his feet free.

“Sit in the chair,” I command, my voice so harsh I don’t even recognize it as my own.

He just looks at me like I’m stupid, so I step forward, sliding my brass knuckles on for him to see. He still doesn’t move. I sucker punch him in the stomach before tossing his body back where I want it.

“Damn, Dante. Who knew you had this in you?” Savio mumbles with pride in his tone.

I block him and Max out as they gossip like school girls behind me.

I pull out a picture of Demi from when we used to live across the street from each other. The corners are curled and it has a few creases throughout the picture, but it’s the only one I have of her. I’ve kept it hidden in my wallet all these years…until now.

“Know this girl?” I ask, my baritone voice unwavering.

“Never seen her in my life.”

I punch him again and the chair rocks back on its rear legs as he moans in pain.

“I’m asking one more time. Do you recognize this girl?”

He takes the picture out of my hands and studies it. “Yeah, I’ve seen her around.”

“You beat her almost to death ten years ago.”

“Maybe this is the time I show you the hospital report.” Max says behind me. I raise my hand for him to stop.

“Demi told me enough, I don’t need to read the report.”

I punch the bookie again, this time in the face. A sickly crack rings out in the darkness and his hand cups his jaw.

“You beat her to send a message to her father, who was dead, by the way.”

“That’s not true,” he mumbles, having a hard time talking.

I lift a brow, allowing him time to continue speaking.

“He didn’t owe me anything, I just said that. I was paid to rough her up, and then her mother gave me the money I had lied about. It felt like a win-win at the time.”

I crack my neck, one side at a time.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was anyone special.”

Max hands me a knife.

“Please don’t kill me. I have a wife and grandchildren.”

“This is for hurting Demi!” The plan was to only take a few fingers, but I can’t control the rage building in me. I run at him, shoving the knife through his chest. It’s how my heart felt when I heard someone hurt Demi.

I’m huffing when I take a step back. A hand rests on my shoulder, offering comfort, but I turn and forcefully remove it.

“You forgot to ask who paid him, asshole,” Savio reprimands.

I look over at Max, who looks like a proud father. “It feels good, doesn’t it?” He smirks. “Don’t worry, I’ll look into it for you.” He shrugs, uncaring I fucked up. “I’ve always loved a good chase.”

---