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“Antonio’s a businessman. If your friend didn’t follow through on his end, that’s on him.”
I hum, amused at the lengths these people will go to in order to justify their existence. “My friend followed through.”
“That’s what they all say.”
I let a smile unfurl his way. “What’s your name?”
“Jeffrey.”
That sounds familiar. Before Jeffrey sees me move, I have his collar bunched and pinned in one hand and my knife resting behind his ear. He freezes, feeling the metal against his skin, and I use the chance to lean in and make sure he hears every word.
“Listen carefully because I want Antonio to get every word of my message.”
He shifts, but doesn’t answer.
“If we ever meet, face-to-face, this is what’s going to happen. I will separate the skin from his fingers first. It will be slow and careful, and he will be conscious for the entire process. Then I’ll cut him from throat to groin. I’ll open him up. Puncture his lungs. Remove his heart for Bob to feast on and then unfurl his intestines and string them up over the street, maybe add some little fairy lights so we don’t scare the children. Do you have all that, Jeffrey?”
He nods stiffly.
“Good. Because if you forget a single word, I’ll also remove his cock and feed it to you, so be a good little messenger, okay?”
I let him go, and Jeffrey yanks away from my grip. “You are so fucking dead. Antonio’s going to come for you.”
“That seems like an odd choice when I just told you what will happen if I see him again.” I slip my knife back into my sleeve. “There’s nothing I hate more than someone with no self-preservation skills.”
“Speak for yourself. If you had self-preservation, you wouldn’t have come.” His eyes narrow. “Wait … I know you.”
“That’s a pity.”
“We saw you in the forest that day.”
“You did.”
“Your friend is Sasha, isn’t it?”
Oh, good. They’re not as stupid as I’d assumed they are. “Why don’t you pay me another visit and find out?”
“You tell that little fuck that we’re looking for him. And when we find him, he’s dead.”
The overwhelming urge to reach out and cut the man’s nose from his face fills me. “You’ll have to get to him first.”
“You have no idea who you’re messing with, little dude. You don’t want Antonio to find you or Sasha. Because neither of you will walk away from it.”
The more he insists, the more it amuses me. I know exactly the type of people they are, and I swore to never be scared of men like that again. And I’m not. They can threaten me all they like. They can hide behind their guns and their size and their big words, but they’ll never be as tough as they think they are.
Because take away my knives, and I’m still a survivor.
Take away their weapons, and they’re helpless.
“Why don’t we test out that theory?”
If he’s looking for fear, he isn’t going to find it. I’ve already lived through the worst thing that could ever happen to me; my death wouldn’t come close in rank.
“You remember my message?” I ask him.
“You’re going to regret every word.”
I know that despite all his promises, I’ll still end up disappointed. “Don’t forget the part about the fairy lights.”
