“Because I didn’t do nothin’ to them.”
Julian hummed and walked over to a metal closet. “But you did. Helga Tomlinson is in a wheelchair now because you beat her so badly, you damaged her spinal cord.” He reached into the closet and pulled out a black rope.
“Who?” Bear smirked, and it was like ice water through my veins.
“Kelly O’Shea committed suicide two months ago.”
Bear grunted. “You’ve mistaken me for someone else. Let me go.”
Jesus. “What happened to the other four women?” I found myself asking.
Both Julian and Bear looked at me.
“Answer him.” Julian moved to a small table and picked up a syringe.
“How am I supposed to know where those bitches went?”
In my heart, I knew he’d killed them. I just knew. Was it horrible? Had they suffered, had it been quick? I glanced at Julian; he held the needle in his hand.
“He killed them, didn’t he?”
“I didn’t kill nobody!” Bear shouted, chains rattled against the wall. “Let me fucking go you motherfucker, or?—”
Julian was on him in a second, plunging the syringe into his neck. “You’ve met your match, Bear.”
Then the big man slumped against the wall and slid to the floor. He wasn’t dead, his chest rose and fell.
“I never killed anyone.” Corey’s voice was soft. “I’m so sorry for hurting your friend; I needed the money.”
“What did you need it for?” I asked him, and his shoulders sagged.
“Food. I was starving.”
Fucking hell. “Julian, you can’t kill him.”
He tilted his head. “He’s seen me, Wynn. There are rules.”
“Whose rules?”
“Ones I abide by and others that protect the royal family.”
“I won’t say anything.” Corey jutted his chin toward Bear. “I get why killing him is a service to everyone, though. I’d do it too.”
Julian turned to me. “Would you?”
“Kill him?”
“Knowing what you know now about him. If you were given the chance, would you end his life?”
I didn’t think I was capable of murder. “I don’t think I could.” Julian watched me. “But I doubt I’d stop someone else from doing it.”
Julian didn’t smile or comment. He simply wrapped the rope around Bear’s throat and yanked. I closed my eyes and hung my head.
The action seemed to revive Bear somewhat, judging by the grunting and gasping. I peeked through my lids. He was turning purple, and Julian’s face was so close to his. His arms shook with the obvious strength it took to strangle him. Once more, I looked away. I couldn’t watch anymore.
I buried myself into my mind, cutting off the noises, smells, everything. I had no idea how much time had passed, but suddenly I felt a presence hovering and knew it was Julian.
“Wynn.”
