Page 162 of The Forbidden Villain
Swaying my metallic cane from side to side, I come closer to him, and ask, “Where would be the fun in that, Jonathan? Your victims suffered for years, and you want a quick death?”
Once upon a time, I preferred to kill them all once I caught them because, to me, letting them live was an insult in itself.
I became more lenient over the years, as long as their prolonged time on Earth entailed their eternal suffering where even hell seemed like salvation.
Their victims never got any reprieves. Why should they?
“I hurt your son so much. Do you know once I paid for him to be starved and beaten for twenty-four hours straight?” He laughs. “The boy was puking all over the floor while they kicked him over and over again.”
The thing about men like Jonathan?
They have no self-control over their hideous vices, so they think everyone is like them when we are very different.
Our rage is controlled and manifests itself in the artistic torture that’s a divine intervention.
I put the metallic tip of the cane against his neck, then press the button. The tip changes to a sharp knife and pierces his collarbone as his scream almost mutes the music. I drag it until blood drips down his stomach, and smile. “Every single day you will suffer unimaginable pain only to be patched up again and for it to start all over the next day. We won’t kill, but you will wish for it for the remainder of your miserable life.”
He shakes his head in denial, and I snap my fingers so the wall opposite him turns into a glass where he can see my most trusted men and friends sitting there, watching him as they sip their whiskey. “You know who they are?” I drag the cane upward until it reaches his chin, pressing the sharp tip in, and he stops to breathe, his eyes widening as tears fill them. What a pathetic sight. “They are my son’s uncles. And each one of them will take their turn to show you their talents. Buckle up, Jonathan. Yourpunishment is about to start.” I step back and go to my weapon table, running my fingers over the knives and settling on the drill instead.
Ah, what fun it will be.
“No,” he begs, and pulls at his arms and legs again, groaning when it only tears his skin. “Just kill me. I don’t want this.”
“Nobody asked you. In case you haven’t noticed.” I open my arms wide. “This is my domain. It’s payback time, Jonathan.” A beat passes, and I grin, curving my mouth when I turn on the drill, and thetrrrrsound fills the space. “Oh, and Jonathan, one more thing before we begin? Consider it a finalfuck-youfrom Anastasia.”
His brow furrows only for a tortured scream to erupt from his throat when I tell him the truth that’s been hidden from him.
And with that, I proceed to hurt him, not that it would ever atone for his sins.
After all, life is cruel.
Thankfully, so are we.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“Love is our greatest reward and biggest regret.
Or so people say.
For the first time ever, though.
I wish to collect all rewards and not think about regrets.
I’ve had enough of them to last me a lifetime.”
Lavender
Lavender
The annoying beeping sound disturbs my sleep, and I whimper, wanting to roll to the side, but something heavy presses on my leg, keeping me from lifting a muscle. “What in the world?” I mutter, my throat so dry I cough and finally snap my eyes open, only to gasp in shock at my brothers standing over my bed. One on either side, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think I hallucinated them or something. “What’s going on?” I lift my hand to touch my throbbing head, but an IV drip is stuck to it, and that’s when I realize I’m in the hospital.
The sunshine streaming through the huge window brightens the white-as-snow room, which features the latest equipment, TV, table, and even a couch.
“Shhh, careful with your throat,” Rush says, picking up ice chips from the table and bringing them to my mouth. I crunch them, welcoming the cold liquid that brings instant relief. “You screamed so much it must be really sore.”
The previous night’s events flash in my mind, and I whisper, “Levi?”
Rafael answers, “He’s fine. He was glued to your side. We had to kick him out so he could take a shower and change. He should be back any minute now.” I sigh at this and then try to sit up a little, groaning when my right leg feels absolutely numb while every muscle in my body aches so much, as if I participated in a marathon.
