“How is S?” I asked, meaning Serena.
“She’s fine. She parked her pretty little ass on his lap and he was gone. Apparently, he couldn’t get his dick out fast enough once she got him back to the flat. It was just as well I turned up when I did. I think she found him revolting.” He laughed and I chuckled along with him. I should imagine a lot of my girls felt like that most of the time. I never forced them. I just asked that if they weren’t up for the job, they should leave. They always had the right to refuse a client. I just asked that they had a decent reason why.
I calmed and took a look at Pinzano hanging there, practically burning alive. Every now and then, he would whimper or howl as the burns got to be too much. It was time to put him out of his misery.
Crouching down, I gazed at the face of the man who ruined my life. Raising my hand, I untied the bandana from around his eyes, getting ready to look into them one last time.
Once it was off, Pinzano blinked a few times, then his gaze settled on me. He frowned, trying to place who I was, but then a spark of recognition flared. There it was. That look I had been waiting to see for the last thirteen fucking years. The euphoria inside felt like nothing I had ever experienced.
“Pinzano, you sick fuck. How the devil are you?” I smiled like he was my long-lost friend.
“You!” he cried, although it was pained. “I should have sent my men to look for you that night.”
I nodded. “Yes, you should have. You underestimated that skinny, fragile-looking boy. Not so skinny and fragile now, am I?”
“Mi metterò per questa (I will get you for this)!”
I shook my head, tut-tutting as I took my knife out. “That’s no way to greet the boy whose parents you took away from him, is it? But I’ll let you in on a little secret, shall I? You won’t be getting me at all. And do you know why? Because in approximately, say, five minutes time, you will be dead.”
“You fucking asshole!”
I looked up at Jimmy and shook my head. “He’s not happy, is he, Jimmy?”
Jimmy shook his head, smiling. “No, boss. He’s not happy at all.”
Turning back to look at Pinzano, I frowned. “Do you think I should try and put a smile on his face?” I looked back up at Jimmy.
“Oh, yes,” he said, nodding. “It’s the least we can do.”
Positioning my knife, I held it horizontally in his mouth. Pinzano started screaming, panic radiating through his veins. With one forceful shove, I pushed as hard as I could, hearing the flesh being cut as I went. Pinzano screamed and even whimpered, but I couldn’t give a fuck.
I stepped back, the heat from the fire pit getting to me. I stood there with Jimmy, our heads cocked to one side, admiring my handiwork.
“I think I could have done a little better with the left side of his face. What do you think, Jimmy?”
Jimmy bent his head further down to get a better look. He frowned, then nodded. “Yeah, just a little bit crooked there, but it’s better to see him smile now. He was starting to depress the fuck out of me.”
Leaning forward a bit, I wiped my blade on Pinzano’s clothes. “It’s awfully fucking messy, this killing business.” I patted Pinzano’s protruding belly. “Don’t you worry, sunshine. This will all be over in a bit. There’s just one more thing I need to do before you rest with da fishes.” I laughed and could hear Jimmy laughing, too. He knew just what I meant, though, so he fetched me the Samurai sword I had designed just for this day. Jimmy walked back from the corner of the room, handing it over. I inspected it for a moment, admiring its shine. At the base of the sword was an inscription of a lotus flower. It was truly magnificent.
Pinzano saw it and the panic rose again as I positioned it to his right wrist. “You know, I’ve always wanted the day to come where I get to chop off the hands of the scumbag who killed my parents. Now that I am here, I think I need to take a breather. You know, just to take it all in.”
Closing my eyes, I took a deep, relaxing breath. I could hear Pinzano whimpering. He knew what was coming and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.
As I opened my eyes, I struck. It didn’t take much effort to chop off his right hand. It was on the floor within a fraction of a second. Pinzano screamed, but it was a little difficult considering half his face was cut up. “That was for killing my mother, Isabella Scozzari.”
I didn’t waste any time. I walked over to the other side and struck at his other hand, watching it fall to the floor. By now, there was blood everywhere. It amazed me how he was still alive. “And that, my little shit-bag friend, was for my father, Michael Scozzari.” I handed the Samurai back to Jimmy and retrieved my serrated knife.
I knelt down again, looking into the pained eyes of my nemesis. “And this,” I said, placing the knife at his throat, “is for the family they left behind.” With one quick swipe, I cut his throat. Pinzano gagged and gargled but, pretty soon, his body went lax.
Pulling out Pinzano’s handkerchief, I wiped the blade again, then placed the handkerchief back into his top pocket. Once I was ready to leave, I turned to Jimmy. “You okay with taking care of the rest.”
Jimmy nodded. “I have Nicky waiting out front. He’ll give me a hand. Don’t worry. We have it covered.”
As I walked towards the door, I patted Jimmy on the back. “Thanks, my friend. The rest of the money has been wired already.”
Jimmy nodded. “It was my pleasure.”
Nodding to Nicky on my way out, I made my way back to the Vanquish. I had to get home to make sure I was there in the eventuality Carmichael would want to leave—after being fucked into oblivion, of course. I knew the girls would have their work cut out for them. No doubt that the minute Katie had her mouth around his cock, he probably came within ten seconds. Fucking chump.
I looked at my watch, noting that I had been gone for forty minutes. Everything was going according to plan. I just needed to make sure I got home in a hurry—and without being spotted by the police. Every instinct in me wanted to put my foot down and embrace the speed. I wanted to wind down my window, have the cold breeze hit my skin, hear the roar of my V8 as it raced down the road. I couldn’t, though. I would have to save that for another time. For now, getting back without being caught was my number one goal.
I couldn’t help the smile, though. I couldn’t get the image of Pinzano upside down like the pig he is, being burned slowly and roasted alive out of my mind. How many times had I dreamt of this night, planning it down to the very last detail? Now that the scumbag was gone, I could concentrate on Tyler a bit more. No doubt she was a little pissed at me for leaving her for so many days, and she would probably be pissed at me for not using a condom.
My dick strained against my trousers, seeking out her soft, wet pussy. It wanted more, craved more, like she was the beat to my heart. But I didn’t have a heart. If it did exist, it was black with rage, filled with an everlasting void of hate and desire. Desire to crush, desire to hurt, desire to avenge my past. It coursed through my veins and raced through my blood like an endless tide. Never stopping. Never quitting. Never backing down.
With a turn of my steering wheel, I eased the Vanquish back into the garage where Humphrey was waiting. He smiled reassuringly and I knew that was my answer to whether everything was okay.
I switched off the car and got out. “Fifty minutes, Dean. I’m impressed.” He patted my back as we entered the kitchen.
“I take it everything is okay here?” I asked, wanting to get to the point.
“Of course. The leeches are still downing your booze like it’s the last they’ll ever get, Katie is with Carmichael, and Samantha is still upstairs in her room, just as you requested.”
I nodded, but I was anxious to get this night over with. “Good, but I got to go up and make sure I’m in that room before he comes out and catches me running up the stairs.”
Humphrey nodded, knowing that explaining what happened would just have to wait a little while longer. Straight away, I had an idea, and rac
ed to the fridge. I pulled out a bottle of champagne and fetched two glasses. I pulled my top off, discarding it in the laundry room. Humphrey, as loyal as ever, handed me a bottle of aftershave. “Put that on. You reeked of smoke with that shirt on, but even with it gone, I can still smell you.” I nodded, grateful that he had thought of everything.
Racing up the stairs, I was in the middle of the third flight when Carmichael appeared. “Oh, there you are. I was just about to come out and find what was taking Samantha so long.”
I laughed, but was fucking thankful I had this bright idea. “I was just bringing Samantha and me a bottle of champagne. She gets even kinkier when she’s had a few.” We both laughed, but I had to carry on my act. “Are you done with the lovely Katie already?”
Carmichael shook his head. “Of course not. In fact, I’m glad you’re here so I can ask.” He whispered the words, so I knew he wanted me closer. I walked up the rest of the stairs to hear what he had to say, but I was conscious that I may still smell like smoke. I couldn’t have things shot to shit now, not after everything I’d done to make this night go smoothly.
“The girls,” he said, motioning with his head to the rooms. “Do they ever, you know…get together sometimes?”
With a knowing smile, I patted his shoulder. “You want to see some girl-on-girl action, don’t you, Mr Carmichael? I swear, you surprise me every day.”
Carmichael laughed, his fat belly bouncing in the robe that he was provided. “Well, it’s every man’s fantasy, isn’t it?” He winked.
I nodded. “I guess so. In fact, I was tempted to ask them when we were in the lounge, but I was just too keen to get Samantha in my bed.”
Carmichael threw his head back, laughing. I could see his double chin wobbling as he chuckled. “I can understand that. Hey, why don’t we go back to my room and they can put on a show for both of us? We can enjoy it before getting some pleasure for ourselves. What do you think?”
I didn’t want this. Every bone in my body repelled against giving into this chump, but what was I supposed to do? I had to keep up with this fucking charade; otherwise, Carmichael would get suspicious. So I sucked in a deep breath, fetched my phone out of my pocket, and dialled the number.
“Humphrey, fetch me another bottle of champagne and two more glasses, please. Carmichael and I have a party to attend to.” With a wicked grin, I looked at Carmichael and saw the absolute joy in that pig-like face of his. He kind of reminded me of Chief Wiggum from the Simpsons. He was fucking dumb if he was letting himself get roped into this. He must know that Samantha and Katie were working girls. The trouble was that his dick ruled that pea-like brain of his, but it worked to my advantage. I just never thought my evening would end up like this. I thought he would use the girls, get everything he could, and fuck off. It seemed that he wanted to get me involved now. Did he somehow not believe me tonight when I said I was disappearing upstairs? Did he see right through me? I inwardly shook my head. Of course not. He couldn’t have been suspicious. I was acting too well in my role. Of course he believed I went upstairs and fucked Samantha’s brains out. Why wouldn’t he?
Shutting my mobile, I motioned for the stairs. “After you,” I said, closing my eyes as he turned.
How the fuck do I play this now?
Chapter 27
Tyler
Buckinghamshire, 1999
“Dean, what’s wrong? Why weren’t you at school today?”
Dean smiled, showing me that lopsided grin that always sent my heart racing. He looked tired, though, and it worried me a little.
“I’m fine. I just didn’t get much sleep last night. My parents took me to a club that my uncle owns.”
My eyes widened. “Why did they take you there, Dean? It was a school night.”
He chuckled a little and held his hand out to me. I instantly took it and sat down beside him. “I often go to my uncle’s club. It’s no biggie. I get to sit and drink as much pop as I like and listen to all the great music.”
I rolled my eyes, but felt an uneasy sensation rise through me. “And I suppose you get to see all the hot dancers there.” It flew out of my mouth before I could even register I was saying it. The green-eyed monster hit with a force unknown to me before.
“Are you jealous?” he asked, the look of tiredness now replaced with my fresh, jovial Dean.
“No!” I snapped, trying to look away.
Grabbing my chin, Dean made me look at him. “Knowing you feel jealous about me possibly looking at other girls makes me think things I shouldn’t be thinking. I’m sixteen and you’ve barely turned fourteen, but you make it so hard for me.”
My breath caught as I gazed into the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. I would never tire of those eyes.
“Tyler, the only person I ever look at is sitting right here, penetrating me with those hazel eyes of hers.”
An ache I didn’t know existed throbbed and burned between my legs. I really wanted him to kiss me right now. I really wanted him to do whatever he wanted to me.
“Stop looking at me like that, Tyler.”
Snapping my head back a bit, I frowned. “Like what?”
Dean shook his head. “Like you want me to kiss you.”
I didn’t know where this brave new Tyler came from, but my body was overruling my head right now. “Don’t you want to kiss me?”
Dean laughed, but stroked my cheek. “Tyler, I have to restrain myself from kissing you every day. If I do, I worry I won’t be able to stop. I refuse to touch you like that until you’re sixteen.”
My shoulders sagged, but my heart swelled at the knowledge that he wanted me. Thoughts of us getting married and having children filled my head. I had only ever wanted Dean. I will only ever want Dean.
“Don’t worry, Tyler,” he said, squeezing my hand. “Our time will come.”
*****
The next morning, I woke up with a pounding headache. Not because I had drunk too much last night, but because I slept too deeply after such an eventful night. I dreamt a lot of Dean and my stranger, the dreams kind of morphing themselves into one, becoming both my nightmare and my ultimate fantasy. I dreamt of Dean’s tenderness and my stranger’s rough touch as they pulled at me from both sides. It was almost as if my dream was asking me to make a choice. Who did I want, Dean or my stranger? I couldn’t deny that I wanted both. I wanted Dean’s gentle touch, but I also wanted my stranger’s grip as he tugged at my hair and pushed his fingers deep inside of me. In my dream, I waged a war, screaming and shouting inside my head. I arched my back, parted my lips with a moan, unable to hide my desire these two men sparked within me. As the dream continued, I suddenly had both of them beside me. Dean gently stroked one nipple, while my stranger pulled and tugged at the other with his teeth. Every touch, every pinch, every caress, and every bite had me careening towards that orgasm I knew would rip me apart at any moment. I thought that Dean and my stranger would fight, but all they did was concentrate all their efforts solely on bringing me to that beautiful precipice. I was wanton, and I felt selfish that I could demand such an act from these two men. Who was I to ask such as task from them? And why on earth were they giving it to me? They were offering themselves freely, worshipping and adoring, and my stranger was even using every part of my body.
With Dean on one side and my stranger on the other, Dean lapped my nipple into his mouth and gently sucked. He rubbed my clit so gently, so tenderly, my body cried for its release. At the same time, my stranger had my other nipple in his mouth, sucking hard and fast. He was pounding my pussy with his fingers, sending me into delirium. The gentleness, combined with the brutality, had my orgasm coming thick and fast. It blew and the sound of fireworks went off in my head. Bright colours seemed to dance before my eyes as I screamed and writhed beneath their every touch.
It was the most erotic, intense dream I ever had. I had never fantasised about two men like that before, but the dream seemed to open my eyes. I knew it was only because it involved Dean and my stranger,
but the thought of them worshipping me like that had my pulse react quickly. I wanted that dream to be true. I wanted Dean’s caress and my stranger’s rough hands on me. It filled me with a desire I never thought I could ever imagine.
I threw my duvet off and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water and some aspirin. I didn’t know what time it was, but I knew it must have been quite late. I got back just after one in the morning, but I couldn’t fall asleep at first. I just kept thinking of Lotus and what he did to me last night. As always, I let him command me. Instead of punishing him, he ended up throwing it back around on me. I could have hated him, but all I wanted was for him to smack my ass and throw me over the kitchen table. My god, what was wrong with me?
With a shake of my head, I made my way to the shower. I glanced at the time as I went and, immediately, went into panic mode. Shit, it was after twelve and I was supposed to be at the hospital at one.
As quickly as possible, I jumped into the shower, then got dressed and headed straight out the door. I didn’t bother putting make-up on. I barely even brushed my teeth. I had to get to the hospital and I had to make sure it all went according to plan. Jeremy was my priority today and I was determined not to let him down. I was determined to give him the best sixteenth birthday he could ever dream of.
Racing to the hospital, I got to the ward with only a couple minutes to spare. I walked in, and Jeremy looked up and smiled, making my heart light up.
“What are you doing here? It’s not visiting hours yet,” he said, smiling brightly. “Oh, by the way, you look like shit.”
I stopped dead in my tracks, eyeing him with an unamused grin. “Well, good afternoon to you, too, you little shit.”
“Hey, you can’t say things like that. I’m young, remember?”
“Well, now that you’ve turned sixteen, I can talk to you any way I like. Suck it up, birthday boy!”