Chapter 95 Choose or Lose Everything
DAVID
The hum of my Lamborghini's engine filled the silence between Janet and me as we sped down the private road toward the mansion. The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on my chest like an iron hand.
“Who do you think wants to kill Bella?” Janet’s voice was soft but insistent, breaking through my thoughts.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened, the leather groaning under my hand. “I don’t know,” I said, running my free hand through my hair. “If I claimed to know, I’d be lying. The ones I know who’d want to hurt Bella… they’re already rotting in prison.”
Janet frowned, her lips pressed into a thin line. “Unless they’ve got someone out here someone willing to avenge them.”
“That’s possible,” I admitted, my mind racing through the possibilities. “But I’ve had them locked down so tight they shouldn’t even be able to breathe without me knowing.”
We reached the mansion gates, and they swung open smoothly. A line of guards stood at attention as we drove into the driveway. Janet followed me as I stepped out and strode purposefully toward the interrogation room. My jaw was set, and my mind was made up I was going to get answers.
The moment we entered, the metallic tang of blood hit me. The man was tied to a chair, his head slumped forward. His shirt was soaked in crimson, his face barely recognizable under the swelling and bruises. My eyes swept the room: a bloodied knife, a soaking towel, a cane with jagged edges, and glowing coals in a brazier. My guards had been thorough.
I dragged a chair across the cold floor, the sound echoing like a scream in the tense silence. Sitting in front of him, I studied his face or what was left of it. He groaned, his head lifting slightly, blood dripping from his split lip.
“I never pegged you as someone capable of hurting others,” I said, my voice calm, almost conversational. “Why Bella? Who sent you?”
His swollen eyes fluttered open, and he tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he rasped, the words barely audible.
I leaned back, my gaze falling on the brazier of glowing coals. Standing slowly, I crossed the room and picked up the bloodstained knife. Its weight was reassuring in my hand as I held it over the fire, watching the blade turn red-hot.
“You see,” I said, turning back to him, “I didn’t expect you to give me answers right away. Men like you? You think you’re strong, unbreakable.” I walked toward him, the knife glowing in my hand. “But everyone has a breaking point. And I think we’re about to find yours.”
His breathing quickened, his chest heaving as he struggled against the restraints.
I crouched in front of him, tilting my head as I studied his reaction. “Now,” I murmured, “what do you think will happen if this touches your skin?”
“Wait!” he croaked, terror flooding his eyes. “Please, don’t!”
I grabbed a fistful of his hair, yanking his head back so he was forced to meet my gaze. “Then start talking. Who sent you? Why Bella?”
He whimpered, his resolve crumbling. “I’ll talk! I’ll talk!” he cried, his voice shaking.
I let go of his hair and stepped back, watching as he sagged against the chair, trembling. “Start now,” I ordered.
“They… they threatened me,” he stammered. “Said they’d kill my son if I didn’t do it.”
“Your son?” My voice was sharp, cutting through the room like a knife.
He nodded weakly, tears streaming down his battered face. “He’s in prison. They sent me a video of him being beaten said if I didn’t kill Bella, they’d kill him next.”
My grip on the knife tightened. The desperation in his eyes was unmistakable, and it hit me harder than I expected. If I were in his position, what would I have done?
“Who are they?” I demanded, my tone colder than before.
“I can’t…” He shook his head violently, panic flashing across his face. “If I tell you, they’ll kill him. He’s all I have. Please… don’t make me choose.”
I stepped closer, leaning down until our faces were inches apart. “You’ve already made a choice,” I said quietly, my voice a dangerous whisper. “Now, it’s time to deal with the consequences.”