Chapter 51

Chapter 51

Brant

"So, you’re not going to tell me who sent you to cripple me? Because whoever it was clearly didn’t plan for me to die—you were aiming for my damn leg," I said calmly, even as I worked on him. I had clamps on his toes, snapping each one… one by one with a sickening crunch, while twisting a silver knife close to his heart.

But the bastard stayed silent. I twisted the knife harder and gave Leslie a nod. She pressed the live wires against his head. His body convulsed, a ragged breath tearing from him as pain surged through, teeth grinding while a strangled cry escaped. His eyes screwed shut, a muffled groan slipping past clenched lips. The acrid stench of burned hair hit my nose.

With his toes crushed, his scalp sizzling, and cold steel kissing his chest, I knew it was only a matter of time before he broke and spilled the truth. He wouldn’t hold out much longer.

Or maybe I’d have to do something more to push him further. Believe me, I was still being lenient... for now.

I’d walked away from this life—the drugs, the blood—but some debts don’t just disappear. This was unfinished business.

"Do you want me to strip you naked and feed termites to your cock?" I threatened, my voice low and venomous. He still had his trousers on.

Leslie grinned and gave him a sharp, humiliating squeeze between the legs. He jolted violently, gasping through clenched teeth, the muscles in his neck standing out like cords, a guttural grunt tearing from his throat. His breathing quickened; sweat ran in rivers down his face.

Leslie gave a dark, satisfied laugh. "Love that, you fucking bastard."

"I could hand you over to her... maybe I’ll just watch while she flogs you and the termites get to work," I said, stepping back and walking over to the tools. Setting the knife down, I picked up a flogger, turned, and brought it down hard across his chest. The sound cracked in the air like a gunshot.

"Ein... Einstein..." he gasped.

"What?" I asked, pretending I hadn’t heard him just to make him repeat it.

"Einstein Wade?" Leslie asked.

He nodded.

"But I killed that fucking bastard," Leslie said.

"You killed him days after the attack," I reminded her, my mind working through the pieces.

"Then why the fuck didn’t you just say it?" Leslie snarled at him.

"He’s Don Franco Wade’s son," I said.

The man nodded again, his eyes filled with fear.

I walked away from him, Leslie following close behind.

"Is Frank involved in the fight?" I asked.

She nodded. "Why are you asking—or rephrasing it? What’s your aim?"

"I have no idea right now," I said.

I gestured to the man standing at the door. He stepped toward me. "Kill him and dump him," I ordered.

He gave a quick nod and moved toward the prisoner.

Leslie came closer, her fingers tracing along my arm. "I thought you quit," she said.

"This is different. If you raise a gun, make sure you shoot," I replied. "I’m going to clear my head. I need to drive."

"Ghost and Sable tried to take your car. I had to stop them," she said, smirking slightly. "You know, thinking about it... I get why that girl is so damn wise."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"She came into your life promising to make you fall in love with her. Then she threw you out of the house, even though she later came looking for you. She was so worried she barged right into my bedroom—"

"She did what?" I asked, caught off guard.

"Yeah, she came looking for you. And then you came back and ended things with me and Marirose."

"I have no fucking feelings for Sable, if that’s where your mind is going," I said sharply. "And if you see her, you should congratulate her. She’s dating my brother now."

"Joss?" Leslie asked, clearly surprised.

"Yeah. They became official today. So whatever twisted theory you’ve got, start unknotting it. Sable and I are not together."

I walked out of the basement and headed straight to the restroom. I washed the little blood I’d picked up from that dead motherfucker off my hands, then stepped out the back of the club.

Sliding into my car, I slammed the door. My foot hit the pedal, the engine roaring as the tires squealed. The sudden surge threw me back in my seat, every ounce of frustration and adrenaline pumping through me. My grip on the wheel was tight, knuckles pale.

My head was a mess, but I needed to focus on Franco Wade. Did he even know his son had sent someone to shoot me? And why the hell would Einstein do that? We had no feud. Sure, we’d gone to the same school, but we’d hardly ever spoken.

Why?

I’d get my answers—at the fight.

But then… someone stepped in front of my car.

Fuck!

It was Sable, standing in the middle of the road, arms out wide, blocking my path. I slammed the brakes hard. The tires screamed against the asphalt, and the car came to a shuddering stop just inches from her.

I stayed in the car, staring at her. Where did she even come from? Did Leslie know she’d entered her club? I knew she wouldn’t have let her in.

Why would she follow me here after saying yes to my brother? Sable Knox could be my ruin—one I would choose time and time again, a sin I will never repent for. But I won’t let her be my brother’s.

I opened the door and stepped out, walking toward her. My hand found her waist, fingers splaying possessively against the curve of her body as I drew her flush against me. I could feel her heart racing, betraying the calm she tried to wear on her face.

Tilting her chin upward, I forced her to look me in the eyes. This little minx of mine will surely be my destruction one day, and yet I can’t bring myself to let her go.

She’s my sweetest sin, and I’d gladly burn for her.

'This little minx,' I thought, my thumb brushing along her jaw as her breath trembled against my lips, 'will be the end of me.'