Page 43 of Ravaged By the Dark (The Righteous 2)
Cody woke as someone cracked him across the face with a hard whack. He sat up and pointed the gun he slept with at Tyson.
Tyson smiled as he threaded his leather belt back through the loops on his jeans. “Put that fucking thing away,” his boss ordered. Cody lowered the weapon and rubbed at his jaw.
“What the hell was that for?” he said, his voice unable to hide his anger which was uncharacteristic for him.
“I thought I told you to talk to your sister about her attitude?” Tyson walked over to the door of the rat-shit place they were currently bunking in and leaned against the door jam. The dim hallway light made the man look crazier than normal. Cody didn’t think that was even possible, but there it was—he looked like a mother fucking demon sent from hell. Cody had his suspicions that was exactly what Tyson was. It was the only explanation for the sick shit this man did for fun.
“I said I would, and I will.” Cody swung his legs out of bed and rubbed at his hair.
“You better.”
“What is this about anyway? What is the rush, and how did you know I hadn’t,” he asked as it dawned on him that Tyson wasn’t asking if he had—he was telling him he hadn’t yet.
“Your sister insulted me tonight at my meeting. I took our newest partners there to have a little fun, and when I requested for her to come and sit at our table, she took off.”
“Were you really surprised?”
“No, I kinda wanted her to fuck off the way she did.” Tyson picked at something in his teeth. “Gave me all the reason I needed to let her know exactly where she and I stand.”
Cody’s body went rigid as he tried to envision what exactly Tyson meant. “So, what did you do?” The hair was standing up on the nape of his neck in anticipation of what Tyson would say next.
“I paid the little bitch a visit. She claims she didn’t know I was there. I don’t think I believe her, but she was convincing enough that I didn’t slit her throat.” Cody’s hand tightened into a fist at his side. “Her attitude was much better once I had her alone, but I still want you to speak to her. I want you to make sure she stays compliant. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, of course, I’ll talk to her.”
“Good, now that we have that settled—get up. I want to have some fun, and I want you to join.” Tyson smiled at him. Cody knew that Tyson only did this when he was feeling particularly cruel.
Cody’s throat tightened. To be pulled into Tyson’s games was like being dragged down the pipe of insanity into a different world where you clawed and screamed, but there was no escape. That was the biggest mind fuck of it all. You knew you couldn’t run or hide, and yet you willingly walked the plank because if you didn’t, the punishment was worse. “I have that big meeting tomorrow morning—in a few hours, actually. Don’t you want me at my best?”
“Are you refusing me?”
“No, of course not. If you want me to play, I will play, but it’s a big contract for you.”
Tyson pushed away from the door jam and walked out into the hall. “Yes, it is. I expect it to be landed and you to get your cock downstairs. Bring your large blade.”
“Fuck!” Cody mouthed, his fist slamming into the mattress of the bed, but then he took a purposeful steadying breath and thought of Renee. He was doing this for her. He would keep in line for as long as he had to, to keep this sick fuck away from his sister until she left town, and then he would get out or die trying.
Cody rolled his shoulders and stared at himself in the dirty mirror that was so thick with grime he could barely see his reflection. He cracked his neck, his face becoming hard, as he pushed all emotion aside.
Reaching over, he grabbed his favorite knife from its hiding spot. He stared at the blade that had seen so much death. Resolved at what he must do next, he marched for the door.
He was the Ice Man.
