Page 16 of Stay Little Fighter

RYKER

NOW

The monster pushes at my skin, desperate to be allowed to take control.

In any other circumstance I would let him out, giving him free rein to cause this asshole as much pain as possible, but I have to play this smart.

Not because I want to torture him for weeks on end, although I do, but because I need him to be able to talk.

I need him to tell me where my girl is and that means I have to rein myself in, even when every instinct I have screams to force as much pain as possible on the man responsible for her abduction.

Dragging my thumb along the blade, I revel in the bite of pain when it slices into my skin.

Perfect.

A sharp knife is best when working on someone you want to keep alive for the time being, even if a blunt blade makes them scream louder.

I step up in front of Sebastian, glancing at the binds around his wrists and ankles. It’s rare I work with the team, normally preferring to work alone, but they’re efficient, I’ll give them that.

Remy leans against the wall by the door, his eyes locked on the floor at his feet while Rocco steps out into the cold early morning air. It won’t be long before the sun rises, and I want answers before that happens.

His dull green eyes glare up at me, and for the first time I allow myself to take him in. Normally I’ve had days to observe my victims. I’ve trailed them, learned everything about them, right down to the freckle on the back of their neck.

It’s rare that I get someone in the hot seat without some level of understanding of what makes them tick, but I’m nothing if not resourceful.

I don’t say a word as I slice through his suit, leaving it in a pile of fabric around his bound body. It’s more unnerving this way, and if you can make them talk first, you’ve got them exactly where you want them, and Sebastian doesn’t disappoint.

“You’re going to pay for this,” he spits.

I chuckle, sliding the blade through the waistband of his slacks. “Do you know how many times I’ve heard those words, Vega? I’ve been doing this a long time. You’re going to have to get real creative if you want to hit me with a threat I’ve never heard before.”

His glare falters for a fraction of a second, but the mask that comes from years in a crime family slips into place as quickly as I can blink. “You don’t scare me.”

I sigh. “I’ve heard that one too, bud. You guys have got to get a little more imaginative.”

On any other day, one of my favorite parts of killing the assholes that find themselves in front of me is the mental toll being tortured takes on them. Chatting to them as if I’m not slicing chunks of flesh from their body.

Today won’t be one of those days.

Not when Chloe is in danger.

The thought of my siren makes my chest tighten. Not knowing if she’s okay is making me sick to my fucking stomach.

Once I have all his clothes pooled around him and he’s left in nothing but a pair of too-tight boxer briefs, I stand back and assess my options.

Sometimes a blank canvas can feel overwhelming, but not today.

Today I’m itching to start. Itching to feel this asshole’s blood on my hands and have his screams fill my ears.

“You’re wasting your time. I’m not going to tell you shit.”

I scoff. “That’s what they all say, but let me tell you a little secret.” I lean in close until my face is so close our noses almost touch. “I’ve never walked away without answers, and I don’t intend to start today.”

Without giving him a chance to respond, I glide the blade over his thigh, slicing lightly and reveling as blood pools around the wound.

It’s not much, but that’s by design.

I can’t have him passing out on me just yet.