Page 48 of Twisted Embrace

“You’re certain you want to do this?”

“If it leads us to discovering additional information, then it’s necessary.”

Nodding, I continued down the drably lit corridor toward the room Anthony had secured. The workers had been ushered out, warned to remain silent, two guards placed in front of the door to secure us privacy. This was far from ideal, but given the dire situation there was no other choice. If Wally was responsible then the hospital would need to be abandoned, but no other plans were going into action until we learned the truth.

When we walked in, Anthony moved from the wall he was leaning against, his face expressionless, but I knew him well enough to realize he was antsy. Him being uncomfortable was the least of my worries.

Wally was already sweating, not a good sign. While he was fully aware of the tactics I used during moments of interrogation, which could cause open anxiety, it was obvious by the terror in his eyes he was a guilty man.

I was never wrong about these things.

I also couldn’t rule out the possibility that Anthony was working with him.

Wally had been positioned in a chair and I moved in front of him, purposely planting my foot in between his legs. He sat back against the hard steel, peering up at me, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“Mr. Lazarro. Don DeLuca. I’m not certain why I’m here.” Wally’s voice was stronger than it should be given the situation.

I laughed, glancing at Anthony who blinked several times before he started laughing as well. “Well, see, here’s the thing, Wally. Somehow our position was located last night. A couple cars full of Russian pigs decided they’d use our vehicles for target practice prior to abducting someone who’s become very special to me.”

He didn’t respond or move an inch, but I watched as several beads of sweat trickled down both sides of his face.

“I wonder how that happened,” I continued.

“I don’t know, sir. I swear to God.” Wally was shaking, doing his best to try to hide it.

I removed my foot, taking a step away and turning slightly toward D’Artagnan, lifting a single eyebrow. Then I issued a brutal backhand across Wally’s cheek, knocking him off the chair. The slight crack was a sound I enjoyed.

And we were just getting started.

“Get him up,” I told Anthony. He did as requested but remained uncomfortable as hell.

D’Artagnan moved in front of me, issuing several savage blows to the man’s face, blood spewing from his nose from the hard break.

“When did they get to you, Wally?” he asked, leaning down so his face was only a few inches away from Wally’s.

“I didn’t… no. I swear.” While he wasn’t blubbering, I sensed Wally was having a panic attack or maybe one of his conscience.

“Wally. I understand you have a family,” I said, keeping my voice even.

“Yes, sir. They mean everything to me.” The man was American through and through, his trip to Italy after graduating college turning into an adventure than had almost landed him in jail or worse. My father had seen something in him, recruiting him to serve as a foot soldier. Then he’d crawled his way up the ranks, one of the men I’d taken to serve me after the alliance of our two families.

It didn’t matter. Once a rat, always a rat.

“Then if you really care about your family, you will tell me what I need to know and Don DeLuca and I will ensure your family will be protected and well taken care of.” It was a tactic D’Artagnan had introduced, one I’d avoided like the plague until now. However, in this case, I could see the benefit of making the promise.

He struggled immediately with the understanding that even if he spilled his guts, he’d never see them again.

D’Artagnan yanked me out of the way, issuing several more brutal punches to the man’s face and torso. When he was finished, Wally hung his head, blood dripping from his mouth.

Anthony shifted from foot to foot, his massive arms folded across his chest. I studied him for a few seconds then jerked Wally’s head up by his hair. “We don’t have all day, Wally. So what’s it going to be? Save your family for the information I requested or know that as soon as we return to Italy, they will be eliminated?”

While Wally had been good at his job, he’d never had the heart for bloodshed like the rest of us did. I almost felt sorry for him. The thought made me laugh inwardly. That wasn’t the truth. He knew the price of evil and he’d been sucked in anyway.

He finally broke down and sobbed, which angered D’Artagnan. I gave him a look to try to encourage him to back down and wasn’t certain who was more surprised at my reaction. He turned around, allowing me to finish handling the situation.

“I’m asking one last time. There won’t be another. What did you tell the Russians?”

He wiped snot and blood from his face, trying to look me in the eyes through his. They were already swelling, although it wouldn’t matter in only a few minutes. “They just wanted information about where you were.”

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