\[Rosco’s POV\]
“Now,” I begin, taking in the three on the ground. “Someone better tell me exactly what was happening when I walk in.”
I speak slowly as my anger rises and falls. I didn’t need a response to know what the hell it was that Anastasia had planned, but I wanted to see if she would continue to play the victim.
“I...” she begins, taking the bait. “I only came here to speak with Denali, but she...” she continues, snapping her gaze at Elise. “She tricked me!”
“Yeah, right.” Elise huffs with a growl. “Man, I hate bitches like you the most who play the poor me victim thing.”
“I’m not!” Anastasia argues. “And who are you anyway? What have you done with my sister?”
“I ate her.” Elise responds sarcastically. “There’s really no way you’re so fucking stupid you don’t understand what is happening here.”
I hold back the laugh that wants to escape as Anastasia’s expression shifts. I guess she was really too stupid to understand what was happening. I knew that she wasn’t the brightest, but damn, this was an all-new level.
“Then why are you pretending to be her? And why?” she says, snapping her gaze at me. “Are you with her and not Denali? Don’t tell me you both did something awful to her. Please, do what you want to me, but don’t.”
“Shut up!” I snarl, letting my aura trickle from me. “Denali is safe and sound, but she wouldn’t have been if she came here today. I’m going to warn you; my patience is limited, so you better start singing before I force the fucking answers I want out of you.”
“Y-you wouldn’t hurt a woman, would you?” Anastasia gasps, her eyes growing wide. “There’s no way.”
“You’re right; I wouldn’t.” I respond. “But, she…” I continue nodding toward Elise. “Would.”
“Oh,” Elise giggles, perking up. “Are you giving me permission to have some fun?”
Fun. I roll my eyes over how eccentric the woman truly is, but I guess that just came with the territory of being a criminal.
“I am.” I confirm. “Do what you want with her and leave the two men to me.”
As I speak, I examine the one who is still squirming while his face slowly heals. I couldn’t help but wonder if his sight would be ruined by Elise scratching his eyes. If it was, that would be good; it would make dealing with him that much easier.
Moving forward, I grab both the goons by their shirts, but stop as Anastasia reaches out and grabs my wrist.
“Please,” she begs, fake tears beginning to fall from her eyes. “You have to believe that this was all that woman’s set up! I’m a victim here. I just wanted to help my sister in her time of need.”
“You,” I say, yanking my wrist free. “Have had nothing but ulterior motives when it comes to Denali, and for someone who wants to help, you sure as hell know things only someone who is already involved would know.”
“I… I only found out because...”
“Because you’re another pawn of Roger’s.” I finish for her. “Elise, come and get her and do whatever it is you want.”
“Ten four.” Elise chirps, attempting to break free of William’s hold, only to be stopped. “What?” She snaps, lifting her gaze to his. “What the hell are you doing?”
Instead of responding, he whirls his body around, dragging Elise with him, and then he is pulling off his shirt.
“Wear this.” He announces.
A wave of annoyance rolls through me as I watch the scene unfold in front of me. Maybe I thought too lightly of William’s growing affection for Elise. With how possessive he was acting toward her, it was becoming clear that maybe they were much deeper.
“What are you, my dad?” Elise grumbles, pulling the shirt's hem past her thighs. “It isn’t like someone here hasn’t seen breasts before.”
“Keep arguing with me, and I’ll drag you out of here.” William counters.
‘Earth to Rosco.’
Fabian’s voice drifts through my head, snapping me out of my daze and drawing my attention from Elise and William.
‘You need to focus on the bigger picture.’ He continues.
‘Right,’ I agree, pulling the goons I still hold to their feet. ‘You two are coming with me.’
Ignoring their feeble attempts to break free, I pull them across the floor and into a room that is attached to the one that we are in. Once inside, I slam both men against the wall and fix my narrowed gaze on them.
“Which of you is going to tell me where the fuck Roger is?” I ask slowly.
For a moment, neither man speaks as they take me in, like they’re wondering whether or not they should actually appease me. When they clamp their lips, I know that they aren’t going to make it easy.
Sighing, I pull them from the wall and slam them together. Groans of pain escape their lips, but they continue to remain quiet.
“I’ll let you know that I’m not in the mood for this shit.” I sigh, throwing them on the ground and placing my foot on each of their chests. “So fucking answer me or choose which of you die.”
Honestly, I didn’t need two people to answer my questions, and it would be much easier to ask one.
Extending my claws, I bend down and begin to dig them into both men’s faces.
“Who the fuck wants to die first?”
“Do it.” One laughs, making it clear he was going to be difficult.
“Alright,” I shrug, shoving my fingers into his eyes and pushing slowly so they begin to dig in. Groans of agony escape the man while his buddy writhes in an attempt to save him, but I intend to keep my promise, and before he gets the chance to even try to overpower me, I give a strong push until my fingers are digging into my victim's brain.
Removing my hand, I watch in satisfaction as the bastard doesn’t move, allowing me to focus solely on the other.
“I’ll say this again,” I smirk, cleaning my fingers on his shirt. “My patience is limited.”
Growing quiet, I wait as the remaining bastard watches me with wide, fear-filled eyes, and when he opens his mouth, I know he is going to spill everything he knows.
“The old sawmill factory!” He announces before I can even ask. “They’ve moved there.”
“And how do I know that you’re telling the truth?” I push.
“I’ll… I’ll lead you there.” He insists.
Lead us there. Was he truly that willing to betray his friends for his own life? Honestly, I didn’t know, but I was willing to play along, especially if it would end all of this.
“Come on.” I growl, pulling the bastard from the ground and beginning to move. “Since you insist on helping, I’ll give you a chance.”
Giving him a strong tug, I head out of the room and stop when I find Elise stradling Anastasia. Her hands are covered in blood, and when I look down, I find that Anastasia’s face is mauled.
“What the hell?” I hiss, looking from one woman to the other.
Both William and Marty stand aside, watching the scene with looks of unease on their faces, but neither bothers to stop Elise as she moves to scratch a long line along Anastasia’s skin.
“What?” Elise asks.
“What is this?” I ask slowly.
“This is how I do things.” She responds with a shrug. “If you don’t plan on taking over, leave me to do my thing.”
“Rosco!” Anastasia wails. “Get this crazy woman off of me! My face! My beautiful face is ruined!”
“It simply matches what your inside looks like.” Elise sighs. “Someone sick enough to kill their own child is as ugly as they come.”
Kill her own child. Did that mean that Elise wasn’t the one who pushed Anastasia? I guess I truly misjudged her.
“Will one of you separate them so we can go?” I ask, ignoring Anastasia and looking at William and Marty. “This one sang like a canary, so there’s no reason to stay here.”
“What about the other?” Marty asks.
"Oh, him!” I laugh, looking toward the room. “He’s dead.”
“Man!” William whistles, moving forward and plucking Elise from Anastasia. “You and this crazy woman are one in the same.”
"No, we aren’t.” Elise and I both growl at the same time.
“Sure.” Marty laughs. “Poor Denali.”
“Shut up and let’s go.” I snap, not wanting to put up with any more of their digs. “I’m done listening to this.”