Page 55 of My Addiction
After placing my plate in the sink, I thank Franklin for everything, especially with Ollie. I find myself excited at the prospect of learning to cook. It will be my way of taking care of Ronan.
I follow Xavier into a large living room. It’s filled with comfortable-looking couches. I smile when I see the baby toys in one section. This family has already fully integrated Ollie into their lives. We’re joined by a clean Ollie and a smiling Alessia. We play for a bit and talk. Alessia shares stories of the boys growing up. We thankfully steer clear of my childhood.
Kenji rushes into the room. “We have an attempted breach on the south side of the property. Perp is unknown at this time. I would like for you four to stay here until I go see for myself. I’m leaving four guards inside the house.”
Chapter 29
Ronan
By the time we reach the compound, I’m vibrating with anticipation. This is the beginning of the end of Colton’s nightmare. The thought coils in my gut like a living, breathing thing. I go through the list of things I’m going to do to these fuckers. My inner monster wants to come out to play, but I know I need to hold back until I get answers. Then I will fucking end them all. I’ll have their blood on my hands, relishing every scream.
Taylor meets us at the door. “We have them all in the big room, bound and gagged. I figured if you work on them as a group, at least one will break.” I nod in agreement.
I feel a hand on my shoulder and know that it’s Declan. He is usually the one who handles the interrogations. He learned a long time ago of the consequences of not doing it properly. I hardly ever do them. I have no patience for people’s stupidity. They’re going to die either way when they’re brought here.
“I know what you are going to say, Declan.”
“And what’s that?”
“That you need to be the one to handle things. I can’t let you do that. These fuckers hurt and threaten Colton and Ollie. They’re mine.”
“Well, that’s where you’re wrong. If anyone understands your need, it’s me. I was going to suggest that we do it together. You handle the pain, and I handle the information. All you need to do is follow my lead.”
I study his face. He is good at what he does, and we need this to go smoothly. So I nod in agreement. I’d do this for Colton. We enter the large, clinically white room. The floors are sealed, and drains are strategically placed throughout them. A cart of tools has been brought in—tools I will use on these assholes. I take in the three men.
“Who’s in charge?” Declan asks. I watch as the two on the left both glance at the larger man on the right.
Walking directly in front of him, I snatch the tape from his mouth, ripping dry skin from his lips. His gasp and scream cover me like a blanket. Even if I did have emotions, I would still feel nothing for this piece of shit.
“There’s been some mistake,” he starts to say. My fist to his gut stops him. He wheezes, trying to draw in air.
“The only mistake is that you think you are in charge. What’s your name?” Declan asks the man.
“Brother Tobis,” he finally gets out.
“Earl Pearlman,” Finn says from the other side of the room. “Age thirty-four, originally from fucking nowhere, Mississippi. Joined Children of the Fallen five years ago. In charge of transporting the kids that the cult sells.” Finn reads off his stats from a tablet.
“Tell me, Earl, where are Moses and the others? Who’s helping them here in Philly?”
Earl’s eyes move from Declan to me and then back. “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”
I don’t understand religion to start with, but I know it’s important to most people in this world. It really irritates me when evil people hide behind it and spout scriptures like it will cleanse them of their wrongdoing.
“2 Timothy 4:18, nice. I personally like Jeremiah 14:14: Then the Lord said to me, ‘The prophets are prophesying falsehood in My name. I have neither sent them nor commanded them nor spoken to them; they are prophesying to you a false vision, divination, futility, and the deception of their own minds. I think it’s more fitting.” Liam says.
Liam has never read the Bible, to my knowledge, but he memorized certain verses just for targets like this. I don’t wait for Earl to respond. I punch him in the face, once, twice, and watch as blood pours from his broken nose.
“Who is helping here in Philly? And don’t waste your breath on spouting bible verses.” Declan walks to the cart and picks up a drill. He pretends to examine it before handing it to me. I press the button, and the large drill bit whirls and then stops. I wait. Earl opens his mouth and then shuts it again. His bloody lips press into a hard line.
“Ronan, I don’t think he is going to need his knee cap anymore.”
I take my cue and press the tip of the bit to his left knee. His legs are strapped to the chair, so no matter how much he tries, he can’t move away. I put pressure on the drill as it starts. First through the fabric on his pants, then the thin skin. I feel the resistance as I hit bone. The screams are like a symphony playing in my ears. I don’t stop until I feel the drill free spin. It went straight through. I switch to reverse and yank the drill from his knee. Earl’s eyes roll back in his head, and he passes out from the pain. I slap his face a couple of times, but he is out cold.
“Pussy,” Finn spits.
“Next,” Declan steps in front of the next guy, who looks like he is about to vomit. The green tint to his skin is a dead giveaway for what is going to happen as soon as the tape is removed. Declan sees it too. He steps slightly to the side when he rips the tape off. Bile rushes from the man covering the front of his shirt and pants.
“So fucking gross.” Finn grabs a hose from the wall and sprays the man down, the water taking the vomit with it to the drain.
