“Indi.” Haze moved closer to me. “We don't know who this guy is…I need you to go back to the apartment where I know it’s safe.”
“Haze—”
He shook his head. “No.” The single word took me back. “I need you to trust me, little sis.”
And as much as I wanted to argue, I knew he was right. Besides, what could I do? I wasn’t a member of Charlotte’s Web.
“Fine.”
FELIX
“Did Indi get back safe?” I asked Haze, smoking my cigarette while he circled the unconscious man. My head tilted as I observed him closely, noticing micro muscle spasms in his face. One of the many things I’d learned in my time of serving washow to read people. To notice the smallest tell in their faces and bodies and use that against them. Haze wasn’t trained, and he was so emotional…so raw and new to this world. The only reason I even let him participate in this little interrogation was because of how close he was with our baby sis. But fuck, he really needed to learn to manage his rage better. He was a loose cannon.
“Haze,” I growled, eyeing my brother closely.
He stopped and took a large hit from his vape. “Indi’s good. Aiden’s got an eye on her, so I know she’s safe. Unlike this motherfucker.” He spat at the unconscious man, now tied to a chair and fully restrained. Haze walked over to my side and took another hit of his vape. “Aiden’s going to keep an eye on things over there until we finish.”
I nodded and raised the cigarette to my lips, now exposed as I had rolled my mask to my nose. “Good. We’re really going to owe him after all this shit.” I chuckled faintly to myself.
I eyed the strange man closely, wondering why he was following Indi.
Who the fuck are you?
Thankfully, one of my web contacts was nearby and helped us move the man to an old warehouse, abandoned and far enough away from prying eyes. No one would find us, let alone be looking for this creep all the way out here. It was the perfect setting for what I had planned. Because what I had in mind was going to get messy…and loud.
The man slightly groaned, rolling his head beneath a plastic bag.
About fucking time.
Haze removed his jacket and exposed the black tank he had on underneath. His arms swelled as the veins bulged, and I knew he wouldn’t be able to stay calm for long. I raised my arm and stopped him before he could move any closer. “Let me ask the questions, baby bro. I have more experience in this field.”He snarled, but listened. “Don’t worry.” I placed the cigarette between my lips. “You’ll get your chance. Now, put this on.” I tossed him the Halloween mask, similar to the one I knew he’d preferred. “Can’t have him making us.”
Haze smirked and tugged the mask over his face. “Now that’s more fucking like it.”
He stood back as I approached the man while he came to. I reached out and ripped the bag off his head. His eyes, burned and reddened, bolted in all directions as he desperately looked all around, confused. His mouth was duct taped, but even still, you could hear his muffled moans and cries. “Good morning, sunshine.” I leaned in real close and blew a cloud of smoke into the man’s face. He flinched and pulled away, terrified. It made me giddy. “I’m sure you’re wondering where you are…who we are.” I motioned to Haze and myself. The man’s bloodshot eyes moved between us. “Well, we have questions too.” I pulled back and smacked his shoulder roughly.
I slowly walked over to a small table we set up prior, running my gloved fingers over the many tools laid out. My hand stopped over a large combat knife, a personal favorite. “I’m going to make this really fucking simple for you.” I picked the knife up and admired it in the flickering warehouse lighting. “Tell us what we want to know, and we won’t hurt you.” I looked back over my shoulder at the man, grinning. “Much.” The man tried to wriggle free, squirming in his chair, but it was no use. I had no intention of going easy on him. Not after he laid a hand on Indi.
Haze crossed his arms, visibly itching to get his hands on the little fucker. He had strength, but he sure lacked self-control…something I’d have to teach him if he wanted to keep our baby sis safe. Especially now that he was a part of Charlotte’s Web.
My focus returned to the man who was now sweating and pleading through the duct tape. I played and toyed with the sharp combat knife as I began to circle him, smokingmy cigarette. “Let’s start with something simple, shall we?” I stopped directly behind him and harshly gripped his shoulders, still holding the knife. I leaned down close to his ear and could smell the fear as it rolled from his pathetic body. I carefully dragged the sharp blade along his rough skin and whispered loud enough for him to hear me. “I’m going to let you use your voice.” I tapped the duct tape with the tip. “But you better use it to tell me what I want to hear, or I’ll give you a real reason to use it. Understand?” The man didn’t respond.
Oh, someone wants to play tough.
I took a final drag of my cigarette before pressing it into the man’s cheek, pushing as hard as I could. He groaned and struggled, trying to break free from the burning sensation as it seared his flesh.
“Well?” I flicked the bent cigarette aside, admiring my work. “Do you understand?” He glared at me with watery eyes, answering my questions with a single look. “I see.” I grinned. My hand snaked through his hair as I pulled his skull back and rested the blade along his exposed throat. “I said,” I growled as I pushed it into his skin, “do you understand?” Blood trailed down his flesh and stained the collar of his shirt. He winced and groaned while trying to fight back. His body wiggled and rocked, which only made it worse on his part, making the blade cut him some more. “This is the last time I’m going to ask.” I pushed harder and gently glided the sharp edge across his skin, cutting him deeper. “Do you understand me?” My voice broke through clenched teeth. After struggling for a few moments, the man finally broke and nodded in defeat. “Good.” My hand pulled the knife away, his blood dripping from it as I ripped the tape from his mouth. He cried out with a large inhale, gasping and groaning. His reddened eyes shot to me as his brows furrowed. He licked his lips and glared between Haze and myself.
My brother stepped forward and addressed the man. “Let’s start with something simple. What’s your name?”
The man smirked through heavy breathing before spitting on the floor. “We both know that’s not the real question you want to ask me.” His smile grew. “Go on, ask me the real question itching inside your skull.”
My gaze moved between the two as Haze approached the man. It was interesting to watch him work, but the man wasn’t wrong. Haze didn’t give a fuck who he was. What he really cared about was why he was targeting Indi. A question I also wanted answered.
My brother stopped directly in front of the man and crossed his arms. “Why her?” he asked in a low voice. “Why Indigo Osvaldo?”
Clever move, baby brother.
Had he said Indi, it would’ve given him away immediately. By using her full name, it kept his identity a secret. For now.
