Book 2 Chapter 19
Colton
Benjamin drove one town over and went down a dirt road. I eyed him warily and asked. “We’re not going shopping, are we?”
Benjamin pulled up to what looked like an old, abandoned warehouse and grinned. “Oh, we are. Just as soon as we take care of some unfinished business.”
I nodded my head towards the warehouse and clenched my jaw. “Tommy is in that building, isn’t he?”
“He is, but my guest hasn’t arrived yet.”
“What guest?” I was so confused right now.
“Remember when I told you Jeff still has connections? Well, it just so happens it pays to know people, and it also comes in handy to have money. Ah, there he is, the man of the hour.”
“Who’s that?”
“Angelo Valentino, a businessman from Las Vegas. He owns all the hotels and casinos. Whatever you do, don’t disrespect him. It could end very bad. For both of us.”
A man in his early forties steps out, wearing dark sunglasses and a black suit. Benjamin and I step out of the car and meet him halfway. There are two standing on both sides of him as if they are guarding him. Angelo takes a puff from his cigarette and throws it to the ground. He holds out his hand for Benjamin to shake. He takes it and bows his head in respect.
“You must be Benjamin, Jeff Scott’s friend. It’s always a pleasure to meet a friend of the man who was my best man in my company.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Valentino.”
Angelo turns to me and holds out his hand, “And, you must be Colton. Jeff’s told me all about you. All good things, I assure you.”
“Really? Because I was told I’m kind of a dick.”
“He did mention that, but he also told me you’re a changed man.”
“I am.”
“So, who are we torturing today?”
“Tommy, the man who kidnapped and put his hands on my woman.”
Angelo shook his head and glared at the building. “Come. Let’s get to cracking bones, yes?”
Benjamin and I led Angelo and his two men to the building. Benjamin took out a key and unlocked the padlock, opening the doors. We stepped into the warehouse to a halfway beaten Tommy tied to a metal chair. His head was tilted back with his eyes closed. Dried blood was caked to his face as well as stained on his clothes. Jeff came out of the shadows and picked up a bucket of water, dumping in on Tommy’s head.
“Bastard!”
“Wake up, we have guests.” Benjamin sneered as he yanked him by the hair.
“Fuck. You. Let me go!” Tommy hissed through gritted teeth.
Angelo lit a cigarette and looked at Tommy in amusement. “Tommy boy, you’re in no position to be making demands.”
“No. You’re not real. It can’t be—”
“So, you do remember me, yes? I’ve been looking everywhere for the man who stole from me.”
*What. The. Fuck.
Stole from him?*
Tommy shook his head viciously, “No, this isn’t real. It’s not—”
Angelo stepped forwards and pressed the butt of his cigarette to Tommy’s cheek. “Does this feel real? Can you smell the burning flesh?”
“Fuck!” Tommy screamed as Angelo put his cigarette out on his cheek.
I smiled to myself, knowing Tommy was hurting. Just like he did to Jenna. Angelo grabbed Tommy by the hair and forced him to face me. “Do you see this man?”
Tommy squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, “I said fucking look at him! Open your fucking eyes and look the man in the face. Apologize to him.”
“I-I’m—” he choked, “I’m sorry!”
Angelo released him and snorted as he watched Tommy snivel as sweat dripped down his face. “Are you really, though? Were you sorry when you killed an innocent and stole my money?”
“Please, just let me go.” He whimpered.
“I’ll let you go—just as soon as you suffer at the hands of my men. I promised a friend I’d make you suffer, and suffer you shall. Vito, Matteo, you know what to do. Make him hurt. Real bad.”
After an hour of both men beating Tommy, he looked up to me through swollen eyes. “I’m sorry. I only wanted her to love me like she loved you.”
I stepped forward, spitting on his face. “You make me sick. You were going to rape her the night of the party, and I bet you don’t feel a bit of remorse for that. If it wasn’t for me, you would have. A fucking bastard is what you are. I really hope you have fun in hell. Maybe Satan will have his goons drug you and rape you, just like you attempted on Jenna.”
I reared back my fist and punched him in one of his swollen eyes. Then, again. Again. Again. Until someone held me back. Benjamin whispered, “Stop, you’ll kill him. This is what Jeff hired Angelo to do, so you don’t get your hands dirty. Tommy is paying the price.”
I closed my eyes and breathed through my nose. My chest heaved from the anger washing through me. I opened my eyes and sighed, “You’re right.”
Angelo snapped his fingers and commanded, “Vito, Matteo, load him up in the trunk. We’re taking him with us.”
Vito and Matteo untied him and threw him to the concrete floor. They duct taped his ankles, wrists, and mouth before hauling him outside to Angelo’s vehicle. Benjamin, Angelo, and I walked back outside, stopping at Angelo’s black SUV. He opened the door and pulled out two suits on a hanger covered in clear plastic. He held them out and smiled to Benjamin. “These should fit. Congratulations on getting married. I do hope I get an invitation from you. I do love weddings. They’re—fun.”
“Thank you for everything, Mr. Valentino.” I said, slightly bowing my head.
“Please, call me Angelo. We’re friends now, yes?”
“Of course.”
Benjamin and I got into the car, and we both let out a breath. I grinned to him and said, “So, suit shopping?”
He winked, “Yeah, I even have the suits to prove it.”