Patrick stood by the door, offering me a silent nod as I slid past him. Cool metal stung my palm as I pushed the door open, closing it behind me with a loud click. My brow furrowed at the oppressive stench of sulfur corroding the air.
An iron chair sat bolted in the center of the room, William Sterling restrained in it. Dark bruises marred his cheeks, thin cuts caked with dried blood under them. Impulsive as he was, I wasn’t surprised Liam took a few swings.
A shadow of the arrogant man stared up at me, his dark eyes emotionless. No longer did a powerful senator grace my presence. Instead, a broken, pathetic monster trembled under my glare, anticipating what was to come.
Beady eyes tracked my movements as my boots echoed over the stone floor. On the small metal tray sat a pair of pliers, a lighter, some cigarettes, and a few of my other favorites Liam knew to leave for me.
I pocketed the lighter and cigarettes, moving until I stood in front of Sterling.
Without a word, I tore his dirty shirt from his body, the buttons raining over the concrete. The other alpha snarled, yanking his bound wrists. The metal restraints dug into his skin, making blood drip onto the floor.
My hand shot out, pinching his chin, my nails biting into the flesh.
“Why? Why did you torment your daughter and wife?”
Silence.
I didn’t expect an answer. Men like Sterling didn’t have a reason. At least not one they’d ever admit out loud. Because it’d be admitting they were weak.
The flames from the lighter danced in the dim room as I lit a cigarette, Sterling’s eyes bulging. I twirled the Marlboro around for a moment, admiring it before I snuffed it out on his chest, under his collarbone.
A piercing howl mixed with a sob rang out as he bucked. The acrid scent of melting skin burned in my nose. I ignored it, burying the butt deeper into his flesh, smirking as ashes floated to the floor.
Once done, I tossed the cigarette aside, lighting a second one.
Sweat clung to my nape, my heart oddly steady despite the rage coiling inside me like a flaming serpent.
Every fiber inside me demanded vengeance. Commanded me to gut him, to make him pay for the things he did tomywife. I sucked in a breath, pushing the cigarette into his skin. I rotated my wrist, urging it harder into him.
“St-Stop. Stop,” Sterling babbled, still thrashing uselessly in his bindings.
Freezing, I gave in to the white-hot anger. I burrowed my hand in his greasy hair, yanking hard.
“Tell me, Senator. Did Willow cry and beg for you to stop?”
He stayed quiet, with only the sound of his ragged breathcutting through the silence.
“No. I suppose not. Because she’s strong. Stronger than you. My wife probably stayed stoic, waiting for you to leave before showing any signs of distress. She’s a warrior. And you’re a coward.”
More screams filled the air, reminding me how much of a demon I was. Satan reveling in the screams of his condemned. The metal pliers sat heavily in my hand. Pure fear blazed in Sterling’s eyes.
And I fucking laughed. Grinned like the demon I was, bathing in the flames of hell.
Hours later, and still an endless stream of adrenaline fueled me. Discarded, bloodied teeth and nails littered the floor, Sterling’s face covered in blood, snot, and tears.
“Plea—please. Kill me,” Sterling slurred, both his eyes swollen shut.
“You’re lucky I miss my wife,” I hissed.
He lasted longer than I believed he would.
Time lost meaning in the dark, soundproof room, but I guessed the moon had long since risen. The bond beat with a residual warmth. My omega was pleased. Content. And I wanted nothing more than to clean up and join her, holding her close while I licked my bite.
“You only ever did two good things in this world, Sterling. Fathering Willow and bringing her to me.”
His lips parted, and the blade in my hand sliced cleanly across his throat, blood pooling in a wet puddle at my feet. The senator slumped over with a final, gasping, wet breath. His body twitched before going limp.
Turning away, I removed my cell, texting Sweeney.
