Chapter 113
I crouch back down in front of him.
He’s breathing hard now with sweat clinging to his temples. Blood runs from his mouth in thin, uneven lines, he’s chest rising too fast for someone who claims he doesn’t know anything.
“You didn’t see anyone?” I ask quietly.
He shakes his head. “I swear. I got there after. I was told to watch the aftermath and make sure she’s taken that’s I it. When I got there the car was already wrecked, I didn’t see the lady. Didn’t see anyon
My jaw tightens.
“And you expect me to believe that p>
“I’m telling you what I know p>
I study him for a long second. His pupils are blown wide, he’s clearly terrified but not in the way someone is hiding something.
“You were sent to watch and confirm,” I say.
“Yes p>
“By who p>
He hesitates.
I lift the knife again, letting the metal catch the faint light under the bridge.
“Donald’s foreman,” he blurts. “I don’t talk to Donald directly. I don’t I swear p>
I shift closer, lowering my voice.
“You understand something,” I tell him. “Someone went after my family tonight p>
His brow creases. “I I p>
I position the knife over his fingernail.
“Don’t they?” I murmur. “You went after my family tonight, so it’s only fair that I return the favor p>
Thin beads of sweat roll down his face as I tighten my grip on the knofe
“I was just told to be there when it happened,that’s it.” he gasps. “I swear on my kids p>
I tug the knife on his finger nail and jerks violently.
I keep my eyes fixed on his face as I pull the nail free from its bed. He throws his head back and a strangled hiss cuts through the air, echoing off the concrete above us.
When he looks back at me, his composure is gone.
Aha! There it is.
Real fear no more defiance
Fear.
“I will rip you apart and leave you bleeding,” I tell him, my voice low and steady. “You’ll beg me to end your life. If that doesn’t work, your family will learn about consequences the hard way p>
His breathing turns uneven.
“You don’t have to p>
“I do,” I cut in.
Because if I don’t, they’ll think I won’t.
I rise slowly to my feet and hold out my hand.
Fredrick places a large leather bag into it without a word.
I open it deliberately, inside the tools are neatly arranged.
I can feel the prisoner watchin and measuring, Wondering how much he can endure before his body betrays him.
I roll my shoulders once to remove the dull ache settling there.
Then I reach for the small silver chainsaw.
The man’s entire body goes rigid.
“No no, please. I told you what I know. That’s it please believe me p>
I don’t start it.
I just let it rest in my hand.
“Then tell me something useful,” I say calmly.
“I didn’t see the woman,” he cries. “When I got there, it was just the wreck. Your men hadn’t arrived yet. I was told to confirm the crash and report back. That’s all p>
“Report what p>
“That the vehicle went off the bridge. That’s it p>
“And you didn’t see her p>
“No I swear p>
The word cracks in his throat and I stand staring at him for a long moment.
If he’s lying, he’s good.
If he’s telling the truth, then this wasn’t as simple as a grab-and-run.
Maybe she got out and she ran.
Maybe someone else intercepted.
My thoughts move fast now too many fuckin possibilities.
I hand the chainsaw back to Fredrick.
Relief floods the prisoner’s face for half a second before I slam my fist into his jaw.
He collapses sideways, groaning.
“Wrong place,” I mutter. “Wrong night p>
Fredrick hauls him upright again.
“I need names,” I say. “Who else knew about the crash p>
He rattles off three. Low-level enforcers and a logistics guy
If Donald had her, word would’ve spread differently.
This feels sloppy.
I step back finally.
“Finish it,” I tell Fredrick quietly.
The prisoner’s eyes widen.
“Wait…wait, I can help p>
I don’t look at him again.
Fredrick and another man drag him away, boots scraping against gravel. The smell of blood thickens as they disappear further beneath the bridge.
I stand there alone for a second, the river rushes past like nothing happened.
Like my world didn’t tilt tonight.
One by one, my men finish their sweep and retreat.
Soon it’s just Fredrick, Thomas and me.
He returns, wiping his hands with a cloth that used to be white.
“Nothing else here,” he says.
I nod.
I’m still scanning the ground, If she wasn’t taken from here p>
Then where is she?
“Vehicle?” I ask
“Being processed p>
“And Aaron p>
“Stable now He’s awake.
I turn.
“He said what p>
“He doesn’t remember much, just the impact Then nothing p>
Of course.
I inhale slowly.
Leaving the house means I’m exposed, every move I make outside the grounds opens me up. Too many people waiting for a mistake.
And tonight, I’ve already made one.
Fredrick waits until I move toward the car before following.
I slide into the backseat without speaking.
The door shuttingwith a dull thud.
As we pull away from the bridge, I stare out the window at the dark blur of the city.
I go over everything maybe just maybe I missed some thing.
If she’s out there alone p>
My hand curls into a fist, I should’ve forced her to stay.
I should’ve doubled the security knowing how stubborn she is.
I should’ve p>
No.
Regret is useless but action isn’t.
“We lock down the estate,” I say finally.
“It’s already done p>
“No one in or out without my approval p>
“Understood p>
“And find Donald p>
Fredrick glances at me in the rearview mirror.
“You think he’s behind it? You believe what that man said p>
“I think he benefits from the chaos p>
Which is enough.
The car turns through the gates of the estate.
Home.
But it doesn’t feel like it anymore, somehow it feels it feels empty.