Page 83 of Destroyer

“I'm not a fucking faggot,” Thomas snaps. This is the part where Nico and Gavriil would completely ignore the man they were torturing. They'd chat in Russian, probably about football or poker.

“I is training you.” Nico puts the bag on the vanity unit. His English was always terrible when he questioned people in the past, clearly some part of his plan.

Language is now a barrier between Nico and Thomas as Nico names the tools in a different language. Not knowing what they are is far more terrifying than knowing. Porter nods and smiles as if he has some idea.

Finally, Nico turns back to Thomas and strokes his hair.

“You are going to die at twenty-one in the evening, on Tuesday.”

“Twenty-one is nine pm,” I call across.

“It is entertainment for evening, booked for all ship crew,” Nico continues. “Alive I will keep you. But not well.”

“You-” Thomas swallows thickly.

At some point this man will realise how hopeless his situation is. Nico doesn't offer life to anyone in his care. He offers death. And then he makes sure they beg for it.

Detailing how the only cock Thomas will ever experience will be his own, Nico talks only to Porter. It is genius. Telling Thomas directly will allow him to put on a brave face, telling someone else means he just helplessly watches.

“I ask you one question, you give one answer. Each answer saves one part. I ask six questions.” Nico points his large knife under the man's nose. “Or you will be stubborn and cut you up I shall.”

“I'm not telling you nothing.”

“Question first is who sent you.” Nico points the tip into Thomas's left testicle. “Romanian?”

“No,” Thomas snaps.

Nico gives the testicle a little jab, then moves to the right. “Russian?”

“No, you dumb shit.”

Nico jabs again and then moves to the man's dick. “English?”

“Yes. Fine. You got more home-grown enemies. That don't help you none.”

“I am very sad when my English is better than yours.” Nico shakes his head. “But truth telling has saved your hooded man.”

“Now three more questions.”

“So, you’re just going to keep jabbing at my dick until I stop talking?”

“Is it Slayer cartel?” Nico moves the knife to the fucker's eye.

“What?”

“You save dick, now save eye. Was it someone from this family?”

“No.”

Nico jabs at the eye, and I see my first drop of blood.

“Ow, fucker. I told you.”

“And you are to keep telling or pain be far worse,” Nico retorts.

“OK. I'll just tell you. It was Gregory Turnbridge.”

Nico glances around at me for directions. His only orders were to get a name.

I just nod.

“Take him away.” I'm too tired to do anything more. I just want to hug my boy and make sure he is OK. If Gregory Turnbridge tried to kill his half-brother, he will pay dearly. But while I believe this man thinks he is telling the truth, I'm not sure I'd believe it. “I'll call the blood brothers. They'll get to the bottom of this.”

“We'll keep him in the special room until Tuesday, in case they have more questions for him,” Caeo nods.

“Painfully,” Nico adds.

I'm going to enjoy giving this one to the blood brothers. They are my favourite non-family guys to hand crap to. I've got better things to do on my honeymoon,

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