“He knew she’d give herself over to him for you.”
“Where the fuck is he?” I demand.
“I don’t know…but I can find him.”
“Was he at the cathedral?” Haidyn growls.
“No. We were supposed to stall. Just hold her until you arrived. Then give her the option…you or her.”
“So that’s why you texted Kashton.” Saint nods to himself. “You needed them both there but wanted her there first. Rough her up, and then when Kashton arrived, she’d give herself over and he’d kill Kash.” He looks at me. “Get you out of the picture.”
Haidyn frowns. “But that doesn’t explain how Eve got there. What made her go to the cathedral?”
“Evan…” He sucks in a deep breath. “He wanted to play with her.”
My teeth grind. He knows that Iplaywith my girl. He wasjealous. Wanted to have what was mine and knew exactly what he could do to get it. If he laid one hand on her, she’d fall back into the mindset she had at Dollhouse. Or maybe he planned on drugging her. Either way, he was going to leave there with her. But I didn’t show in time, and they killed her.
“I can find Evan…I’ll give him to you. I swear.”
I snort. I’ve got the kid’s cell, and it will take me right to him. “Haidyn.” I gesture with my hand, and he passes me the cell. I turn to Tyson’s men. “Find him.” Colton nods. “Next time I see you, it better be because you’re delivering Evan. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir,” Alex answers, and they rush out of the basement.
I place my attention back on Haidyn. “Give me your phone.” I hold out my hand to him again.
He does so without question.
I go through it and find what I’m looking for. “Hallelujah” by No Resolve fills the basement, and I turn it all the way up, taking a puff of the cigarette before putting it out on Christopher’s back.
This is for you, Eve.I will make sure the world pays for the cost of your life. To me, it was priceless.
SEVENTY-SIX
KASHTON
Ifill a syringe with adrenaline while a burning cigarette hangs from my mouth. Tossing the vial onto the counter, I walk over and shove it into his chest. His jaw clenches and he throws his head back.
“Once that one starts to wear off. I’ll give you another. And another. As long as it takes. Or until your heart gives out.” Either way. He won’t ever see daylight again. He’ll die down here.
Christopher cries and bows his head. “How long…what takes?”
“Ever heard of flaying?” I hold up the knife in my hand.
His wide eyes go from mine to others in the room as if someone will help him. They won’t. “Now, I will say, I’ve never done this before so we’re going to learn together.”
“You sick bastard,” he screams, fighting the restraints. The adrenaline is coursing through his veins, enhancing his fight or flight.
“From what I do know, there should be some prep work, but I just don’t have the patience for that right now.” I run the tip of the blade lightly along his leg, and he tenses to not be cut. “I’ve heard it’s easier to skin someone alive after they’ve sat outside and boiled in the sun. But we’ll try it this way first. And typically they start with the face. The point was to get it all off in one go. But I’m not too worried about how many pieces it takes.”
“HELP ME!” he screams over the song that I put on repeat. “Please…someone…” He begins to sob.
“Did you help my wife?” I shake my head. “No. You just stood there and watched. My brothers will do the same.”
I walk behind him, and he tries to look over his shoulder, but his arms are tied above his head. I cut along the back of his neck and blood starts to pour down his naked body. “I need some water,” I order to anyone.
Sin walks over to the sink and fills a bucket. He then grabs a cup and brings both over to me. He scoops up some water and pours it over the kid’s back so I can see. “Keep it coming.”
It’s tedious work—skinning someone alive. The hardest part is to not killthem. You don’t want to cut too deep and have them bleeding out. Anytime you put a knife to skin, there’s going to be blood, but there’s an art to it. And I’m not sure I have that gift.
