Chapter 74

MARK

"Mary, that's okay," Giulia laughed. "Let's give him a break, shall we?"

"We shouldn't," the reply came back, firm, with a touch of disgust.

"Mark, you look... breathtaking," Giulia said, finally deciding to ignore her bodyguard. "I'd have kissed you, but... you know, Mary would have your head if you come three steps closer." To confirm what she said, two icy glaciers were shot at me by the guard.

Shit. Could Mary just... I don't know, go home and take a nap.

I sat on the chair facing the bed and blushed as Giulia dished out compliments to me.

*~*~*~*~*~*

I left the hospital moments later. Mary was already joining in on the conversations Giulia and I had, smiling softly when something funny was said. Guess I would just have to approach her later on to seal off the truce.

Beneath the smiles was a wave of intense sadness.

The grief was unbearable, and beneath it all, a burning rage simmered within me. Edith. The name alone ignited a fury that coursed through my veins like wildfire. She had to be found, and she had to pay for what she had done.

Since Kristen had contacts of only detectives and the police, I had called upon Marco, the leader of an underground cartel in Seattle. I had no time to waste on formalities or slow processes; I needed results, and I needed them fast. By evening, we had arranged a meeting in a secluded warehouse on the outskirts of the city. Funny how it was always easy for mafia lords and kings to identify and meet with cartel members.

I gave a flimsy excuse of doing a little sightseeing before running out that evening. Of course, I rejected Kristen's offer to take his car. I wanted to avoid incidences of plate number tracking.

The taxi I took dropped me at a bar downtown, while I walked into the wastelands some kilometres away.

The warehouse was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of oil and metal. The boys from the cartel were waiting, their eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and suspicion as I approached. Marco, as he introduced himself the first time we met at the grocery shop, stepped forward, his gaze steady and assessing.

"You must be the one looking for a bitch," someone said, his voice carrying an edge of respect.

"Yes," I replied, then proceeded to hand Marco a photograph of Edith since it seemed he was the one in charge. "That "bitch" needs to come back in one piece. I need her complete."

Marco studied the photograph before passing it to his men who soon turned it into a staring contest. I knew what they were doing. It was easy for someone in my line of work to see that they were memorizing her features. By the time they set out, anybody with a slight resemblance to that photo would be rounded up for confirmation. "We'll find her. But we never discussed what's in for us."

"Don't underestimate me, Marco," I said, my voice a little taunting. "Let's say five million to help you guys-" I waved my hand through the warehouse and shrugged. "-put your place in order and attend to your needs."

A murmur rippled through the group, their expressions shifting from shock to recognition and respect.

Marco nodded, understanding the weight of my words. "Be rest assured that we will get right to it. I'll have all my contacts in Seattle checking through cameras and running a recognition search through footage."

Oh, just the right person I needed for the job.

As the boys dispersed to begin their search, Marco stayed behind, his curiosity piqued. "Why Seattle? Why us?"

"Personal business," I replied to the first question. "And when we met in the store, you sounded reserved and organized." My eyes went through the warehouse again. "I can see the army you are building here. Great work." The pain of Giulia's condition and our lost child was slowly coming back. "I want this done ASAP because this is about family... and I don't joke with family. I'm sure you should understand that."

"Yes, sir. I do."

"Good."

....

Hours passed, each one an eternity as I waited for news. Finally, just as it began to get dark, my phone buzzed. They had found her. Even had her captured.

I knew I could count on Marco. There was something in the way he had deployed his people that had infused hope into me. Well, the pay was also a motivation.

My heartbeat doubled, pounding the anxiety and pain and sadness into every fibre of my being. I changed my mind about telling Kristen and June. Kristen would probably inform the detectives, and I didn't want that. I could call them to witness her painful execution after I had satisfied myself. Giulia might want to bat her abdomen with a stick before I let the force of life slowly seep out.

The boys brought Edith to the warehouse, bound and gagged, her eyes wide with fear and defiance. As they shoved her into the center of the room, under a bulb, I stepped forward, my heart pounding with a mix of rage and anticipation. Oh, the bitch...

"Hi, Edith," I said, my voice echoing in the stillness of the room. The circulation of adrenaline was making my ears ring. I wanted to crush something, and Edith's head was the first thing on my mind.

"Who the fuck are you?" she asked, her voice muffled through the gag. I walked into the light and showed my face. Her eyes widened in shock. "Ma-Mark?"

A smile curved my lips. I pulled off the gag. "Surprise, Edith." Oh, she looked scared. Beautiful... "Marco, this warehouse should be left alone until late in the evening tomorrow. I'd like to make this space mine till then."

"Yes, sir." He signalled his boys and was already stepping out before I called him back with a question.

"Did you get the tools I asked for?"

"Right there on the table," he responded. The sound of engines in the distance made me pause. Good, I'd be alone with Edith as soon as all the boys left.

"Good, Marco... Good. Send your account details. You'll get your prize and an extra reward for your speed."

He appreciated it and left.

A car revved outside the warehouse, signalling the exit of Marco who was the last man.

The room fell silent, save for the sound of Edith's laboured breathing. I approached her slowly, grabbing a baton, a grim promise of what was to come. "You took everything from me," I said, my voice shaking with barely contained fury. "Now, I'm going to make you suffer." The iron met with her right knee with a piercing scream that brought momentary tranquillity to my heart. The second strike was to the other knee.

"Mark, please!!!" she cried out, her face getting red as she tried jerking out of the chair she was tied to. Tears rolled down her cheek. I circled her, baton tapping my thighs.

"Oh, Edith, tears already. We just started." My heart blackened. "Why don't we work with those pliers? I'd like to hear the sounds you make when I pull out your nails."