by D. M. Burns
“I told you to shut the fuck up.” Rebel growls at Crellan. Crellan’s eyes snap back over to Rebel and that look is one of pure manic fuckery. “This motherfucker right here took off with Lena. He refuses to spill the shit, but I have some creative carvings conjured up in my head and he’ll talk before I’m through.”
Rebel opens his coat pocket, retrieves a pair of sharp shears then tosses them out on the table that makes a nice thwack on the wood. Then he produces a syringe that holds a substance with a nasty green tint to it. I don’t even want to know what’s in that god damn thing. The shit he used on Jake Sellers was a chemical warfare nightmare, unlike anything the professionals had ever fathomed.
“What do you mean he knows where Lena is?” My eyes bounce from Rebel to Crellan.
“Mmmmhhhh. Mmmmhhhmmm.” Crellan jerks around in his chair while nodding his head at Rebel. His eyes are shooting death glares the entire time.
“I watched him knock Rance out at Lena’s apartment. Then he made her get into his car, but I lost them in traffic. There were too many witnesses, so I had to fall back, but I caught back up with him after a couple of hours though, didn’t I fucker?” Rebel chuckles. “But Lena wasn’t with him and he won’t tell me where she is. He’s a stubborn bastard but that shits about to change.” Rebel winks at Crellan. “I’ve got some party favors that are sure to change his mind.”
Walking across the room, I jerk one of the empty chairs out from under the table and position it in front of Crellan then sink down. I reach out and unlatch the ball gag contraption from his mouth letting it fall to the floor and growl, “Where the fuck is, she?”
“Fuck you and fuck your soon to be dead brother too.” Crellan cuts his eyes over to Rebel and smiles a sadistic grin. “Just know, I’m going to fuck your world up when you least expect it, you cyber cunt.” He grits out.
“What makes you think you’ll be leaving this god damn room, asshole? If I was you, I’d watch my tone.” Rebel picks up the carving shears that he seems uncomfortably familiar with and moves for Crellan. I hold my hand up at Reb but Crellan simply smiles at him tauntingly.
“I bet you didn’t wake up this morning thinking about a Rebel fucking up your criminal career, huh?” I chuckle. “If you don’t tell me where Lena is, I’m going to let my baby brother play out his evil hauntings. I can assure you that’s something your wiseguy ass won’t survive. And if by chance you do, I’ll finish the job.”
“Lena’s not really your concern anymore now is she, Rampage? Plus, I’ve already told you that I answer to men higher than you, so go fuck yourself. I’ll tell you this though if you don’t untie me both of you motherfuckers are going to die a brutal fucking death.” Crellan says.
“You wanna beat, fucker?” Rebel chimes in. Crellan looks up at Rebel with those bottomless black holes and chuckles.
“I can’t wait to get my hands on you. I’m going to enjoy hearing you cry lika little bitch as I peel back layers of your skin.” Crellan rumbles.
“Shit, that’s my definition of a spa date, you prick.” Rebel shrugs his shoulders then flips him off. He’s a mini Rage made over with added cryptic chaos.
Just then the door opens and in walks a face I’ve never seen before. He’s followed by Lucas Merinettie. Both men break out into fits of laughter as they take in Crellan. Rebel looks like he’s about to pounce but I shake my head slowly no. That would be a bad mistake, for them of course.
“Well, well… Crellan, this is a new look for you.” The menacing newcomer's voice is oddly familiar. This guy is intimidating in size. His jet-black hair and olive-colored skin hints to his Italian descent. God damn… Could it be? Is this Kemp Krugger in the flesh? I’d probably feel honored if it weren’t for the fun fact that I’m two seconds away from killing his lead capo.
“I wasn’t expecting this crazy fuck to hit me upside the head with a god damn brick,” Crellan says while lifting his chin at Reb.
“It was a ball bat, asshole.” Rebel deadpans.
“If he doesn’t tell me where Lena is, it’s going to be his last fucked for life fashion statement,” I growl.
“Fuck you, Carter?” Crellan spews those words out at me like acid. He’s embarrassed that the bosses of the family are witnessing this and rightfully so. My little brother has him hemmed up in a chair looking the part of a disgruntled sexual partner; ball-gag and all. “One of you, assholes untie me. Except for you-you crazy fuck.” He nods his head at Rebel. “You don’t fucking touch me.” Rebel blows him a kiss.
“Crellan actually did you a solid, Rampage. That apartment building where your woman was at just blew up. Turn on the TV and see for yourself.” Lucas points at the TV on the wall as he moves to the side of Crellan’s chair. “It’s another warning sent your way. Somebody is really pissed at you.”
“She’s not his woman anymore.” Crellan chuckles and Rebel’s head snaps my way. It’s not lost on me that Crellan says that with optimism lacing his tone-fuck him. I ignore Reb and speak directly to Crellan.
“It’ll never happen. I’ll gladly gut you first.” I growl.
“I forgot to tell you about her apartment building getting blown.” Rebel says as he grabs the remote, cuts the TV on then flips over to a local news channel where we see Len’s apartment building engulfed in flames.
“Son-of-a-bitch.” I scrub my hand over my face.
“Sorry, to show up unannounced but it was necessary as you can plainly see.” Krugger nodes his head at the TV. I stand and tuck my chair back under the table then shake the infamous Don’s hand. “Untie our guy.” Krugger cuts his eyes over to Lucas. “It seems like we’ve got a few loose ends to tie up here. Then I’m going to see if we can come to an agreement that suits both of us. Losing Aces Down, as well as you, are hits I don’t want to take.” Krugger says.
“It’s already done but I plan on keeping Aces doors open to the underground. A welcoming common ground for all as long as my transition out is amicable.” I say.
“That’s unfortunate but understandable seeing how your lady of interest is FBI. Our kind don’t too much like associating ourselves with cops. But I’m sure everyone can agree that it’s in our best interest to strive for a peaceful coexistence. So, once Crellan closes out his last job here you can pass along the underground's book of dues to him and our business will be concluded.” Krugger says and I nod in agreement.
Lucas pulls out a switchblade and cuts the tape off Crellan’s hands. Once the soulless asshole is freed, he stands and drops the tape onto the floor then looks to me.
“If your god damn brother would’ve slowed down long enough with his bondage bullshit, I could’ve clued the fucker in.” Crellan growls. He looks to Krugger and continues, “It would seem that someone is wanting us to believe that Director Wallace is behind all of this but that’s not the case. Plus, Lena quit when she figured out shit wasn’t adding up.”
“I told you she wasn’t given full open disclosure before you set your sights on her. I also told you she wasn’t a part of this shit. I’ll handle Lena. Now, tell me something I don’t know, yeah? Like where she is, asshole,” I say.
Over the last couple of months, Crellan has been working to uncover the informant that has weaseled their way into Aces Down. He’s thorough, focused, and deadly. Normally, I leave him to his job, but Lena’s not a part of this. She’s mine to handle. Not to mention, shit was being leaked to the FBI before she showed up. It’s not her.
Hell, I knew Lena was the FBI. To be honest, I sorta liked that about her. I just couldn’t figure out what she was after; Aces Down, the underground, or me. Probably a mixture of all three.
“She’ll call you if she wants to talk.” Crellan smiles wide and I actually growl. Krugger slowly shakes his head in a disapproving manner at Crellan. It’s frowned upon to mess with another mob man's woman and especially one that was FBI. “If you men will excuse me, I have shit to take care of starting with this motherfucker’s slip in judgment.” He points at me.
“Wh
at the fuck are you talking about?” I ask.
“You remember that little hit you took out for this little batshit crazy fucker?” Crellan points at Rebel.
“What’s he talking about, Ramp?” Reb asks.
“We’ll talk later, Reb. Spill the shit,” I say to Crellan.
“Did you bother to do your homework on that hit before follow through?” Crellan asks. I tilt my head and stare at this asshole while giving him nothing. “Yeah, didn’t think so, you fucking amateur. That dirty agent had family and well here the fuck we are. I don’t have time to explain your fuck up.” He looks over at Reb with a set of vacant eyes. “It goes without saying that you had better stay the fuck out of New York.”
“I’ve never cared that much for the urine scented streets or that of the assholes that fill them. But fuck you very much.” Rebel flips him off on a low chuckle.
“Crellan, keep me posted about our little FBI friend. Whoever is responsible needs to be dealt with.” Krugger says.
Crellan gives him a chin lift then steps around me and walks toward the door but throws one last verbal kick in the dick before exiting. “No need to worry. Lena’s in good hands.” His dead voice filters through the room right before his body disappears on the other side of the wall. That motherfucker.
chapter 29 - lena
At first, I thought the stone-cold killer I had read about was charting me off to a desolate place so he could chop me up into tiny little pieces. Not even going to lie; I had multiple real-life horror flicks acting out inside my head. My mind was replaying my last conversation with Slade too.
All I could think about was the untouched design of his life. I want to cultivate a beautiful masterpiece out of his heart using my existence and presence. And chopping me up into unrecognizable pieces would foil those blueprints I had drafted up, period. Regardless, I was scared shitless.
That was until I heard a familiar sound blast out from behind us as Crellan sped down the street. When I whirled around in the seat of Crellan’s sleek ass ride, I gasped while peering out of his back windshield. My apartment building had exploded fueling angry ass flames into the heavens above. It was right then that I realized he had actually saved me from a fiery fate. I still don’t understand why shit keeps blowing up all around me though.
In a state of shock, I turned to him and whispered out my gratitude, but he never once acknowledged my thanks. His jaw twitched but his eyes were firmly set on the road ahead of us. I think the grumpy demon was as shocked by his life-saving act like normal people such as myself are shocked by his life taking deeds.
Crellan wasn’t going to share any information either. In his experience and profession, the only thing he shares is death. No matter his reasons for saving my insignificant life, he was still a killer. It doesn’t matter that I’m an exception to his deadly ways, right?
When we pulled up in front of what looked like a dead industrial site, I was rethinking that lively exception that I considered myself to be. My entire body locked up when he leaned over and popped the glove box. His darkened eyes slowly lifted to mine as he pulled out a garage door opener and flashed it at me. I merely shrugged my shoulders while he solemnly shook his head. My thought process was not that farfetched.
Seriously, on the outside, you’d simply assume it was an abandoned building. Nothing more than a place to drop dead bodies at. How was I supposed to know that on the inside it was an architect’s wet dream?
Crellan dropped me off a few hours ago. He said he had to take care of a few things but when he got back, he’d happily take me wherever I wanted to go. The only thing he asked me not to do was give away his location. No phone calls; no Uber service. But he never said that I couldn’t explore the place though.
Making my way down the stairs, I let my eyes take in the building’s bones surrounding me. The high ceilings are massive and the dark rafters creak ever so often as if acknowledging my presence. Slow swaying drop lighting hangs throughout the space and is made of large cracked glass globes that filter the atmosphere with soft awareness.
The walls are covered with nothing more than a coat of dark slate gray paint and the concrete floor had been painted a matte black with dark blood red spiderwebs sporadically tossed about. It looks like an angry painter stabbed the life out of a can of paint while running manically throughout every square foot.
There’s a large vampire red circular couch sitting in the middle of the vast space with recycling chairs on either side. The fabric color matches the spiderweb markings on the floor. Without a doubt, the amount of blood-red décor is unsettling. It’s a striking and revealing theme, with this guy.
Directly across the room is an open concept kitchen that flows into the space. There’s a ridiculous amount of distressed white cabinets with black high-end appliances. The island that separates the two areas runs the length of the kitchen with over ten black bar stools and vamp red cushions accompanying the look. His marble countertop is distressed white with spiderweb angry painters’ red and black splatters slapped about.
It’s freaking beautiful and my hat goes off to Mr. Haze for his interior design abilities. Unless he hired someone then I’d like their contact information because it’s that damn good.
To the left is a flight of distressed white wooded stairs that matches the cabinets and island. They lead to the second floor where numerous bedrooms are for the taking. I stopped my nosey tour after opening door number ten. That amount of unused space is ridiculous. Each room I stuck my head in occupied a bed and nothing more.
“You’d never know by staring at the outside of this place that it’d hold so much beauty on the inside,” I whisper to myself, or at least I think I’m by myself until he clears his throat from behind me. I whirl around clutching at my chest to find a bleeding mobster. The blood matches the décor well. What the ever-loving fuck?
“Holy shit… What the hell?” His head is leaking blood and his lip has a slight cut at the corner, but the toothpick is still firmly in place. That must be a habit he has sorta like fingernail biting or bedwetting without the bad aftereffects. I step in his direction and he shakes his head from side to side while loosening his tie. His tongue pokes out at the corner licking at the dried blood but he doesn’t disturb the position of the toothpick on the other side.
“Before I take you wherever it is you want to go, I need a shower and food. We’re going out to eat. You have ten minutes, so get ready.”
“What if I don’t want to go?” I prop my hands on my hips unable to add my usual amount of snark behind my tone because he saved me, and the gruesome gangster is bleeding.
Crellan simply smirks at me like I’m an adorable child he has to contend with. He turns on his heel and heads up the stairs taking two at a time to his bedroom, I presume. How do I know that’s where his bedroom is, you ask? First off, it’s the biggest room on the second floor and because I rummaged through his personal belongings like a hired house maid, that’s why.
Sitting across from Crellan at a quaint Italian restaurant, I toss my napkin on the table and release an overstuffed but satisfied sigh. The food here is off the chain. This place is only a few miles from where I used to live. How I never knew about it before now is beyond me. That reminds me that I need to start looking for another place to call home since my apartment was blown to bits earlier.
My eyes are latched onto the right side of his Crellan’s head where I spotted the blood earlier. His black hair may cover the harm, but I know it’s there. I’m glad to report that he looks like his crisp but cryptic little self again. Not that the gash made him any less of the gangster that he truly is.
He hasn’t spoken a word since he materialized back at his house and made his declaration for food known. Although when I made my appearance ready to accompany him to dinner his dark eyes sparked a hot seam over my body. I guess a little black dress kinda night is this little gremlin’s after midnight wake-up snack. His deviant little mind isn’t that hard to read. Hell, he may be a dangerous man b
ut still a man all the same.
“You can stop staring. It’s nothing.” His low voice startles me and I sit up straighter in my chair while lowering my hands into my lap. If it weren’t for his face being planted in my direct line of sight, I’d have forgotten that I was dining with him. He’s a silent observer and not much for conversation.
“What?” I act like I have no clue what he’s talking about even though my eyes shift right back over to where I know the cut is hiding under his hair. “Maybe I just think your looks are interesting.” I shrug.
“Interesting, huh?” He shakes his head then tosses his napkin on the table while digging through his coat pocket retrieving another toothpick and places it in his mouth. “Have you decided where you’d like me to take you?” He asks.
“Yeah, my mom’s, I guess. I don’t really have any other friends here anymore after I took off for college.” I shrug my shoulders. “Hey, how come you have so many bedrooms?” My question is out of left field, but it’s been nagging at me. His eyes are staring right through my forehead. It’s weird.
“Did you go snooping while I was out, Red?”
“Don’t call me that.” I lean forward and hiss at him.
I treat this man as if he’s not carrying two deadly hand cannons that are currently strapped under his expensive coat and he’s unwilling to pop a cap in my ass. Hell, I can see the outline hugged against his ribs underneath his arms.
“I have a name, Crellan. Call me Lena or Miss. Carter. Either will work but drop the nicknames.” I can feel the splotches coating my chest. He’s pissing me off.
“What’s wrong with Red?” He tilts his head at me looking amused by my reaction.
“Simple, it’s not my name. Plus, there was that whole thing called adolescence. Kids are cruel.” I look down at my hands. “And for your information, I wasn’t snooping through your house.” Yes, I was. “Your place is space huge. I’d turn that beautiful place into my design house. Each room would hold different materials. It would be fantastic.” He’s staring at me like I’m crazy. “Anyway, the food here was amazing. I’ve lived just down the street from this spot and never knew it existed.” I look up at him.
