Hawk's Revenge

by N. M. Catalano

  Including Hawk.

  CHAPTER 17

  Hawk

  Invisibility is a powerful tool.

  Castillo stripped me of it. He put a target on my back by giving me the order to find and torture the man who’s betraying him in front of his men. I’d already made #1 on the enemy list within the inner circle of the boys by outing Bo, and now Joe, but Castillo put the bullseye right smack in the center of my forehead.

  Smart man.

  He’s killing two birds with one stone: weeding out the weak members of his team while having me eliminate his traitor, and trying to get me killed at the same time. That’s his plan.

  Played well, Castillo.

  He doesn’t trust me. No one trusts me.

  The only person I need to trust me is Jo. She has answers I need. However, that isn’t the primary reason I want her trust.

  She has no one. She was abused by Castillo, it was obvious in her reaction when I confronted her about him, she didn’t have to tell me. That’s why I’m going to make him suffer horribly. The fact he’s created his own little empire with the blood of innocent people is almost inconsequential. Almost.

  I’m good, I’m used to working alone, I prefer it. But I need information, and not only what I need specifically from Jo.

  As I stand in my appointed spot in the bar tonight, right outside the door leading to Castillo’s inner rooms at the side of the stage, my eyes fall on Dave. The bruises from the beating he got the other night are beginning to turn green. I know why Bo was given a spanking, but not Dave. And not the DJ. My eyes flick to the slim black man at the DJ booth. Tonight the sunglasses are gone leaving his blackened eye on display, the remnants of his busted lip couldn’t be hidden. His demeanor is different from the way he was karaoke night, it’s somber, most likely due to whatever the beating was about. Dave is simmering with rage. They’ve hidden it well, but I noticed the stolen glances and the way Dave has gone out of his way to steer clear of the guy.

  It's related.

  There’s a hell of lot more happening than I’ve witnessed, things I need to find out. I need information before I take Castillo out and it’s abundantly clear no one is going to say, “Hey, let me show you around.” Castillo’s empire is built on more than a single heroin lab; all these people didn’t jump on the gravy train of only one warehouse manufacturing illegal drugs. Somebody needs to talk.

  “Hi Hawk.” Daisy.

  Fuck.

  “You haven’t called,” she gives me the pouty lip, and throws in the puppy dog eyes for effect.

  My body tenses. I fight the urge to look over to where Jo is behind the bar, knowing she’s watching. This, Daisy ready to give me anything I want, would be perfect, except I’d rather take a kick in the nuts than touch the girl. Twice. I bet she’d sing like a bird and tell me anything I want. The price would be Jo.

  Son of a bitch.

  “Sorry, been busy,” I mumble.

  “You know what they say,” she takes a step closer. “All work and no play makes Hawk a dull boy.” She reaches a hand up and drags a nail down my chest. “Let me play with you, Hawk. Give you a real good Gulfport welcome.” Daisy touches the tips of her tits to my body and sways slightly. The act only serves to aggravate me.

  Across the room, I see Chief Taylor’s eyes on me as he calls over another one of the girls. He does not look happy. He motions her lower so her ear is at his mouth and tells her something as she turns her head to look at me. He slaps her ass, making her jump, then she starts in our direction. The prick I am wants to fuck with him, but not at the risk of hurting Jo. My gaze flicks to Daisy still standing too close to me. “I appreciate it, but I’m working.” Still, I don’t want to offend her, the fact I started caring about offending someone is so far from who I am, it shocks me. Someone must have cut my nuts off while I was sleeping.

  She lays her hand flat on my stomach. I want to yank it off. “I’m sure they’d let you have a break for a little while, something like occupational therapy,” her hand begins to drift downward, “if you know what I mean.” She looks at me through lowered lashes.

  I grip her wrist to stop her. “Can’t.”

  “Then how about when you get off?” she presses in closer.

  The girl who’d been talking to the chief is now standing behind Daisy, and I couldn’t be more grateful.

  “Daisy, Chief Taylor wants us.” Her eyes meet mine as she smiles coyly at me. “Hey, I’m Brandy,” her voice raising slightly.

  I let go of Daisy’s wrist. “Hawk,” I reply, it sounds like a grunt.

  “I know,” she’s still smiling.

  Jesus Christ.

  “Back off, Brandy. I saw him first,” Daisy turns on the girl.

  Brandy’s eyes haven’t left me. “He’s free game. Every inch of him,” she comments with a smirk.

  Daisy turns back to me, her expression twisted in annoyance, it almost makes me want to laugh. “I’ll be back.” Turning back to Brandy, she grabs her hand. “Come on,” then drags her away.

  Brandy turns to look at me over her shoulder, “See you later, big boy,” and waves.

  I watch them as they move through the crowd to Chief Taylor’s table, his eyes still fixed on me. I can feel the animosity pouring off him from here. That shit makes me smile.

  I hate crooked cops.

  The girls stop at his table, flanking him, one on each side. I watch as he slides his hands up each of their legs pushing their short dresses up, and actually showing their asses in the room full of people.

  Is he going to make them blow him right here as well? Maybe have them put on a show eating each other out on the table in front of him? The bastard.

  Daisy puts her hand on his arm trying to slow his ascent, but he slaps her thigh as he says something to her. She moves her hand to Brandy’s shoulder, cupping it, as Taylor’s hands slide up the inside of both girls’ thighs. He’s saying something, something that makes both Daisy and Brandy look down at him and reply. His expression turns angry as he stands and drags them with him. Straight toward me.

  My muscles tense.

  Come fuck with me. I want you to.

  Standing in front me, Chief Taylor sneers, “Move, boy.”

  I don’t respond.

  “He’s got a room back there, Hawk,” Daisy sounds embarrassed.

  My eyes flick from the bastard, to Daisy, to Brandy. Still, I don’t move.

  “You heard her. But I’d love to lock you up for obstructing the law,” he laughs.

  This is one slimy prick I’d love to put in his place. I bet he’s got a wife and kids at home, I bet they all go to church on Sunday as one big happy family after he spends the night fucking two hookers and filling his pockets with dirty money.

  “Let him pass.” It’s Bo. Where the fuck he came from, I have no clue.

  My blood is boiling. I shouldn’t give two shits, but I do.

  I do my job. “By all means,” I step to the side. “But they’d better be smiling when they come out.” Because I’m not gonna stand by and turn a blind eye to this piece of shit beating innocent women.

  I think Taylor’s eyes actually bulge trying to pop out of his skull. His face turns a deep red as he lets go of the two girls and comes at me. Daisy moves quickly, placing herself between us. “We’re his regular girls.” She says to me, her voice desperate, then she turns and presses her little body into the old man. “Aren’t we, sugar? We know exactly what you like.”

  She’s trying to protect me.

  Taylor’s got his hand clamped on Daisy’s jaw. “Next time you touch this trash,” his eyes bounce to mine, “I’m going to burn him off you.” He shakes her head. “Hear me, slut?”

  “Yes, daddy,” she whimpers.

  It makes my fucking skin crawl. I don’t say a goddamn word. If I do, it’ll only make it worse for the girls, that much I know.

  Taylor shoves her away. With a hand still gripping Brandy’s wrist, her eyes downcast, she hasn’t looked at me once, he grabs Daisy’s with
the other. Bo reaches over and opens the door allowing them entrance. Taylor leans into me invading my space. I want to rip his head off. “I’m going to fuck them both, then I’m going to make them fuck each other. I might even get Joe and Steve to fuck them while I watch. Hell, I might get every dick in here to shove into their filthy pussies. You know why?” He laughs. “Because I can.” He inches closer, I can smell the stink of his breath. “You think you’re some self-righteous golden boy. I got news for you: I. Am. Law. Me. Everything that happens here, happens because I allow it. Best you learn that lesson quick, boy. Jo did, she learned it real good,” he sneers.

  It happens slowly. Every cell in my body fires, igniting a chain along the synapses. Snap. Snap. Snap. I can feel it taking over me, possessing me, just like the day he was born. It’s not rage, it’s not fury, it’s so much more. I can feel it growing and spreading, consuming me and taking me over. A transformation growing inside me of pure evil. From the middle of my chest, my brain, legs, and arms, the burning has a sound, it’s feral and pure malevolence, getting louder and louder. I spread out my fingers as I feel it seeping through me. The demon is joyous, sick in its resurgence to emerge from the place I keep him locked up. He’s ravenous, it’s been a long time, but he’s patient, he knows the best revenge is the one worth waiting for. I feel him reach to the last parts of me, my body burning beneath my flesh, when he’s complete.

  The door slams shut behind them.

  “Dude,” Bo’s shaking his head, a humorless laugh escaping him. “You just can’t not be an asshole, can you?”

  I’m breathing heavily through my nose as I try to quell the beast inside me. “No.”

  “I told you, you need to get over the woman shit quick, didn’t I?” Bo tells me.

  I turn to face him. He did say that. Said I have to not be bothered by women getting manhandled.

  I’m not. I’m something they’ve never seen before.

  “Yeah, you did.” I can barely speak.

  “You know what all these girls are, don’t you?” Bo sweeps a hand out in the direction of the large room.

  I knew they were all prostitutes. This whole place is most likely full of everything you could possibly want. It’s the fucking retail store of all things vile and illegal. I’ve seen some of the drugs, the women are on display. It’s what I haven’t seen that’s probably the worst of it.

  A sadistic grin tugs on my lips. This is going to be so bad, it’s going to be good.

  The beast unfurls slowly inside me. I’ve never wanted to take anyone down as badly as I want to eliminate Castillo. I can hear the demon repeating Taylor’s words, his voice a fiery rasp, feeding on them, growing stronger. I can practically smell Castillo’s blood, taste his fear, hear his screams as I cut him into pieces while he’s still breathing. The sickest part is I want Jo to know everything I do to him.

  She deserves it.

  He turned her place into this. He’s made her a part of his filth, tarnished her with his degradation. And she probably doesn’t even know how bad it is. He hurt her. That was his mistake

  The door opens again.

  “Boss wants to see you,” Joe laughs at me.

  I bet he does. I walk past him, not noticing he’s in my way when I push him as I enter, not giving two fucks.

  The door to Castillo’s office is open when I approach. Taylor most likely came in here and told on me, the spineless scum.

  Any man who beats or abuses a woman is nothing but a coward, trying to compensate for their lack of self-esteem and weaknesses. It’s a sick and vicious cycle that takes more prisoners than could ever be known.

  Castillo is behind his desk when I enter. His eyebrows pulled together as he glares at the computer screen is the only indication he’s angry. I take the chair across from him and force my body to remain relaxed. The demon howls, demanding retribution.

  Patience.

  “I don’t believe I have to explain this to you,” his tone is a false timber of ease, “but I will. For amusement.” He gives me an evil grin. “Every single person is here to do a job. They all work for me. You,” he points a thick digit at me. I envision snapping it off and shoving it down his throat, making him chew on it, his teeth red with his own blood from gnawing the flesh off the bone. “Daisy, Chief Taylor. Even Jo.” His eyes flash an evil glimmer. KILL HIM NOW. I shrug off the demon’s command. “I will not tolerate a loose cannon. It will be dealt with, swiftly.” I’m not sure if he’s waiting for me to respond, which I don’t. “Everything is business. Everything.” No, it’s not, I fight the smirk playing on my mouth. It’s personal now. “That’s why you’re here. Was I wrong about you, Hawk?”

  “No.”

  “Good. Do not insult my customers. You will not like the consequences. Do your job.”

  I’m wondering if he’s referring to me, or the girls. Or Jo.

  “I need information.”

  He raises an eyebrow at me. That got his attention. “Oh? What would you like to know?”

  I have to keep this about the assignment. For now. “As much as I’d enjoy it, I don’t think you want me to start interrogating the men I would get the most satisfaction with. Care to fill me in on your suspicions?”

  He leans back in his chair, places his elbows on the armrests, and steeples his fingers in front of him, his gaze fixed on me. “Dave is fucking the DJ. That’s why he got his ass kicked the other night.”

  He’s not telling me something. “So you want me to torture him because he likes guys sucking his dick?”

  He waves his hand at me. “I could give a shit if he fucked his mother. I didn’t know. Someone who used to run for me informed me. The fact he was hiding it tells me there could be more I’m not aware of.”

  “What makes you think this person was reliable?” I continue since he’s being so forthcoming. Anything he might say could be valuable.

  Castillo gives me a sly smirk. “Jimmy was not in a position to lie with a hunting knife slicing him open.”

  Images flash in my mind of the bloody picture Castillo painted. I’ve been the one wielding the knife just like that more times than I can count. What I see in my head, is him getting his flesh torn open, Taylor too, and me holding the blade. I nod with understanding.

  “Who gave the DJ the makeover?”

  “Dave,” Castillo doesn’t hesitate. “I’m glad he didn’t kill him. It would have been a waste. I’d have missed an opportunity to get any information he knows. That’s why you’re going to do it.”

  It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. He’s a good friend of Jo’s, I’m certain of it. She’ll kill me herself, and I’m not sure I’d be able to stop her.

  “I want you to do both of them together. To test them, see if there’s more than a physical bond. Use their affections against each other.” Another twisted smirks kicks up the corners of his mouth.

  That’s what the bad guys do, use what’s most important for leverage.

  My gut twists with loathing. The clarity of my thoughts used to surprise me when this thing takes me over. It doesn’t anymore. Something’s not right, it doesn’t add up. Those two guys wouldn’t have their relationship in the middle of stealing from one of the most dangerous men in the country, they were hiding it for Christ’s sake. They’re being set up, and I’ve got to kill them.

  “When do you want it done?”

  “Tonight,” he casually drums his fingertips together. Inconvenient, but it’ll have to do. “They get a room at the hotel you passed coming into town. No one will bother you there, the place belongs to me.”

  Just like everything else.

  “Do you want them found?” I count the seconds as he considers my question, hoping he’ll tell me what I want to hear.

  “Use your judgement. But I want proof, bring me a souvenir,” this time his smile is genuine.

  I nod. “Consider it done.” Because this is what I do.

  “Excellent. I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to report tomorrow.” He straighten
s and turns his attention back to what he was doing when I entered.

  I stand and head for the door now that I’m dismissed. In the hall, I hear the smacks and whimpers of Daisy and Brandy coming from the door down the hall over the music in the barroom. The beast whips his head in that direction. He roars, Now! I keep moving toward the door I came through. I pass Joe and the other guy without a word. There is no trace of emotion on my face as I take my place again outside the door. As I look out over the crowd, I’m seeing them through the beast’s eyes. Everything is clear. Dave and his anger. The DJ and his attitude. All the security guards and the secrets they’re hiding.

  When I leave to get my tools, I don’t look at Jo. I haven’t spoken to her all night; I know she’s not happy. I’ll see her before I go and do what I’ve got to do. I’m calm and in control. It’s just a matter of time before I do what I came here for, now perfectly clear.

  It starts tonight.

  CHAPTER 18

  Hawk

  Fifteen Years Ago

  A rat runs in front of me, gravel and rocks skittering on the cement floor from his claws the only sound in the room besides my breathing. I’ve been in this abandoned building for three days, hiding like a pussy since I got jumped. The first night was the worst. They kicked my ass, it was three of them, they didn’t think I knew who they were, but I recognized them. Punks from the neighborhood, wanna be gangbangers. I’d bet my ass this was an initiation for them to get in. They came at me from the alley after I picked up the blow and slammed a bat into my side. Took me down instantly. I’d never felt pain like that before, it actually screamed inside my head. The little fuckers couldn’t even fight me fair; they’d needed a bat to take me down. They just kept kicking me when I was on the ground, until they reached into my pants to take the drugs I’d gotten to sell.