Semiyon placed a tool inside Preston’s mouth to hold it open. Preston groaned and grunted because that was all he could do. I lifted the pliers I’d been holding, and his eyes widened as he struggled to break loose.
I pulled out the first tooth, and Preston screamed louder than I thought possible, considering his position. I didn’t torture niggas often, but this was personal, and I would enjoy every second of it.
When every tooth was pulled from his mouth, he was choking on his own blood. He wasn’t quite done suffering, but he may very well be dead before I’d be done torturing him.
I grabbed a bottle of acid and poured it on his fingernails. He tried to scream, but the blood filling his mouth made it sound like he was gargling. I used a pair of heavy-duty tweezers and yanked his fingernails from his nail beds.
There was no movement from him by the time I was finished, but I could see his chest just barely move up and down. I punched him in his stomach to bring him to, and he was too weak to react. I had him exactly where I wanted him.
Blood dripped down the sides of his mouth and his hands, and he was hanging on by a thread. A part of me wanted to walk away and let him suffer until he took his last breath. Fortunately for him, I couldn’t walk away until he was no longer among the living.
Semiyon handed me my gun, and I walked around the table, surveying my work. I’d done worse before, but I was pleased with the outcome of today’s torture session.
“Any last words?” I asked, voice full of sarcasm.
Even if he wanted to, Preston couldn’t talk. I stopped near his waist and watched as his body shivered.
“Rest in hell, bitch ass nigga,” I said calmly before pulling the trigger with my gun aimed at his dick.
I woke up bright and early on Sunday morning and took a moment to process all that had happened the night before. I’d taken marriage off the table for me years ago, and I couldn’t believe Russell and I were engaged.
After I admired my ring, taking pictures of it from every possible angle, I quietly crept out of bed. Russell had gotten in just before the sun rose, so I let him sleep. I showered, dressed, and went to the main house to make breakfast for everyone.
Mama and Papa Rush went to church almost every Sunday but didn’t usually leave until around ten thirty, and it was only seven thirty. I had plenty of time to cook before they woke up to get ready.
Before washing my hands, I turned on my Sunday morning playlist and sent Violet and Sage, as well as Rowdy and Noelani, a text telling them to come over for breakfast in an hour. Everyone responded that they’d be here, and I got to work.
With so many people living at the main house, there was never a shortage of food, and the refrigerator was full. Groceries were delivered every other day because something seemed to run out daily.
I removed the bacon, sausage, eggs, milk, and cheese from the refrigerator and placed them on the counter. After getting the bread from the pantry and a few seasonings from the cabinet, I got started making French toast, bacon, sausage, and cheesy eggs.
The first to join me in the kitchen were Briar, RJ, and Bliss, following close behind them. The boys were only ten and already taller than me, and by the look on their faces, they were happy that breakfast was almost done.
They all greeted me with a hug, and of course, I had to pause for a moment to kiss Bliss’s chubby cheeks. As terrible as her twos were, I was surprised by how sweet she was as a three-year-old.
“How’s school?” I asked the boys.
“It’s almost summer,” Briar said.
“That’s not what I asked.”
“I know, but we’re ready for summer. Right, RJ?”
“For sure,” RJ responded.
“Well, breakfast is almost done. Have you two washed your faces and hands?”
“No. What about Bliss? She might need her Pull-Up changed.”
“I got her,” Mama Rush said when she appeared in the kitchen. “What are you doing here so early?”
“What’s it look like, Mama Rush? Making breakfast.”
She looked around the kitchen before asking, “For everyone?”
“Yes, ma’am, and everything is almost done.”
I’d taken off my ring and put it in the pocket of my shorts while I cooked because I didn’t want anyone to see it before I could surprise them.
