No. Hell, no. I refused to allow him to get to me. Whether a pawn or not, he was an evil man.
“Where’s your master now, Samuel? You obviously aren’t smart enough to pull off the murders. All the planning required intelligence and cunning, which you clearly don’t have. All these years you lied for someone. Was it your brother? Did he tell you that you were saving his life because his was worth more than yours?”
A slow and steady tapping sound grabbed my attention. Samuel was tapping his tennis shoes on the concrete floor. Maverick was getting to him.
“You know he’s having the time of his life while you’re in here, waiting to be executed. You have less than two weeks to live, buddy. Then they’re going to stick a needle in your veins.” Maverick mimicked an injection being given. “Your brother wants you dead. Do you hear me? Dead.”
Samuel was cracking around the edges. “Nope. Nope.” He shook his head several times, each swing more vehement than the one before.
Good.
“Yes, he does. He did terrible things, Samuel,” I added. “Horrible things to pretty girls. Pretty girls like me.”
With his chest rising and falling, he glanced at me. The man was suddenly confused.
“No, creating art. The most beautiful art.”
So much of me wanted him to suffer just like I’d done. Just like twelve other women had done. For an entirely different reason than before. Because he was protecting a monster.
Or did he not understand?
“He’s going to do it again, Samuel. Unless you help us,” Maverick added, now only a couple of inches from the shackled man.
Samuel moved back and forth in his seat until he was rocking the chair, the sound of scraping tips driving me crazy.
“He doesn’t deserve your love, Samuel,” I said quietly, unable to control the emotions. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was nuts but this poor guy had been used. By his own family. The thought disgusted me. “The fucker is a horrible monster and nothing more.”
He lunged for me out of the blue, shocking me into silence. He managed to wrap his hand around my throat, digging his fingers into my neck until I was choking. The bastard was strong, his laugh echoing in my ears as a haze formed over my eyes. I couldn’t breathe.
Maverick reacted instantly. He had his hand wrapped around Samuel’s throat, pushing both the man and the chair back at an awkward angle. The shackles kept him in place while Maverick stood over him, squeezing his neck.
Couching, I stumbled backwards, both hands wrapped around my throat. Tears had already formed out of frustration.
“You worthless motherfucker,” my hero hissed, the wildness in his eyes catching me off guard.
Samuel laughed, not bothering to try to protect himself. He truly believed this was nothing but a game.
I struggled with the fear, holding onto the table as I moved closer.
“Your brother is… not coming… to save you,” I continued, wheezing when I did. “He doesn’t give… a shit… about you.”
“Where the fuck is he, Samuel? Where is your goddamn brother?” Maverick was shaking him. Samuel’s face was beet red yet he was smiling. My fucking God.
The sound of footsteps pounded in my ears. “Let him go, Maverick,” I managed.
“Like hell I will,” he snarled. “Why don’t you tell us where the fucker is hiding and maybe you won’t go straight to hell.”
“There will be more,” the bastard whispered. “Lots more!”
“That’s enough, Wells. You’re going to die for what you did. Unless there’s something you need to tell us.”
“You are the most beautiful girl I’ve taken. Do you know that? That’s why I have some very special things in mind for you.”
I could still hear his voice, the lust-filled inflection as he’d raked his well-manicured nails down my chest. His eyes. I’d stared into his eyes that night, memorizing every line in his face, the smile that seemed perfected from years of being in front of people.
From public speaking.
Polished to perfection.
