TWO DAYS WARNING

TWO DAYS WARNING
Damien pov

The door creaked open and I didn't bother to look. I kept pouring whiskey into my glass. It had to be Anderson; I'd sent for him.

“You sent for me, boss,” his voice came through.

“Yes, Anderson. I’m worried and tired of what is going on,” I sighed.

“It’s getting worse. I’ve always known the captive was just trying to confuse us. They’ve all made plans,” Anderson said.

““They might’ve expected we’d retaliate after we attacked his men and took them captive, but someone still slipped them information.”

“Get me the captive. I need to have a few words with him,” I scoffed.

“He might have more things to say. Whether it is true or not, we will force the truth out of him.”

“Yes, boss,” he answered and stepped out.

I gulped the drink and set the glass down.

My phone beeped.

That might be Celine. I took my phone and glanced at the message.

You sure did a good job last night by giving us that dinner. We really enjoyed it and don’t mind if you send more today.

I took a deep breath after reading the message.

Gid is more senseless than I thought. I’ll reply to his message also with a message.

Gid, Lorenzo or whatever you call yourself, you might not expect my reply, but I really have to send this. We’ve tortured the men we captured; they’ve confessed all your plans to us. I suggest you stop this revenge here. You’ve taken the lives of my men, which is driving me crazy, but I’m willing to let it all slide if you quit.

I reread the message. Is this good? I don’t think so; it makes me sound weak and desperate. How possible is it that an angry man will stop his plot of revenge just by a text message?

A confrontation might not even be enough, talk more of a text.

I cleared the message as I began drafting a new one.

Do whatever you want; I still have your men who are feeding us with every one of your plans. Last night confirmed their statements; turns out they were telling the truth. Be ready, and just so you know, we know what you’re thinking of doing next.

“Perfect,” I exhaled, then clicked send.

“Why hasn’t Anderson arrived yet?”

The door creaked open as Anderson entered, showing the captive.

“I’m sorry, boss, he loosened himself and tried to escape. I had to stop him,” Anderson said.

“Escape?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, but we intervened in time before he could be successful,” Anderson said.

I walked to the captive, who was tied up on the floor.

“You tried to escape? You really think you can escape? After what your boss did?” I spat at him.

“Please spare me, I didn’t mean to,” he begged.

“You didn’t mean to? Yet you tried to escape? You? Escape?” I thundered at him.

“Please, please,” he begged.

I walked into the weapon room and pulled out a whip, then returned.

“I need you to listen to me attentively and be completely honest with me,” I warned as I raised the whip high.

“I will, I promise,” he said.

“Tell me all Lorenzo’s plans!” I yelled at him as I landed the whip hard on him.

“Please, pardon. I don't know his plans; he doesn't let us know any of his plans,” he wailed.

He still wasn't ready to tell the truth. I began whipping him continuously and hard.

“What are his plans?!” I thundered, as I struck him harder.

“I don't know,” he cried.

“Speak up!” I demanded.

“I…I…” He paused.

I signaled to Anderson to continue the torture as I handed the whip to him.

It wasn't going to be hard for Anderson, his injuries were gone.

He hit the whip very hard on him; it tore the skin and blood gushed out.

“Please… please,” he pleaded as Anderson continuously struck him with the whip.

“What sent you?” Anderson thundered, but the captive only wailed and begged.

“Stop!” I ordered, and immediately Anderson put the whip aside; the captive at this point was already spitting blood.

“What's his plan?!” I demanded.

“He… intended to kill you all little by little, by first starting with your men then he vowed to make your death worse and painful,” he finally spoke.

“He what?” I asked, surprised.

I shouldn't be; that was the kind of death both Sina and Merina wanted.

“When did they plan on killing all my men?” I asked.

“It’s the same; we were sent as a pair each night. He knows your men aren't much, so they plan on taking them one after the other. He doesn't have a scheduled time but feels it should be done gradually,” he said as blood came out of his mouth.

“Really?” I asked, surprised.

It actually seems like a cool plan, but he'll never succeed.

“You knew all this all along, yet you kept mute,” I said as I angrily landed a heavy punch on his face.

“Take him back,” I ordered Anderson as I walked toward my table and poured my whiskey, which I began sipping.

They left and shut the door.

I glanced at the time on my phone: 2 p.m. I noticed a new message from Gid which I began reading:

You really think me stupid. How can I go ahead with any plan I choose to, even if my men had already said it all to you. And mind you, I'm not the type of mafia lord to state out my entire plan to men; I only order their task which they must carry out flawlessly, else they already know the consequence: death. If my men in your captivity had returned without getting their task done, I personally will send a bullet straight into their skull. I advise you not to listen to him, but if you choose to, it's fine.

He thinks I believe any of them? Bunch of fools. This message is of no use to me.

I kept my phone down; just then another message beeped in, also from Gid.

I just dropped a little offering, you can step out to see. This is just the beginning, expect us in two days.

What offering is he talking about? The door creaked open as Anderson walked in.

“Boss, there's…”