Page 43 of Vicious King

Good.

“So, you moved to Portland and became a janitor,” I say, pacing back and forth in front of Nico. “That’s quite a downgrade from high-level mobster. Was custodianism your true passion all along? Because I’m sure if that’s the case, Julian’s dad would have given you another assignment.”

“Fuck you,” he manages to stammer out, but he’s shaking. He can’t hide that behind brave words.

“Who do you work for?” Julian asks, choosing a pair of pliers from the table.

“The Portland School District.”

Julian smirks, then grips onto Nico’s earlobe with the pliers and yanks it clean off his head.

It’s messy as fuck and makes Nico cry out with pain, so Spider reaches around and covers his mouth with a pot holder.

My man is smart.

“If you don’t keep quiet, I’m going to fucking waterboard you,” I say. I can’t believe how calm I am right now. I’m never chill, especially when it has to do with Rina. All anyone has ever had to do is mention Damien’s name and I go ballistic. So the fact that I’m staring at an asshole who’s been watching her and my son and I’m not tearing the prick apart is admirable.

I’m growing as a human being.

I can still taste her on my lips, and I know she and Charlie are perfectly safe, and that’s really what’s keeping me calm.

“Who do you work for?” Julian tries again. “Because it sure as fuck isn’t me.”

“I never worked for you,” Nico spits out. “You’re nothing like your father. I hate what you’ve turned his empire into.”

“Then it’s good that you don’t work for me,” Julian replies, seemingly untouched by Nico’s words. “Answer the fucking question.”

When he’s still stubborn, I wrestle him out of the chair, over to the sink and hold his face under the water. He kicks and pushes, but he’s no match for my strength. I could do this all fucking day.

But before he completely drowns, I shut off the water and turn him so I can see him.

“You’re going to die today, Nico. It’s going to hurt, and it’s going to be bloody, but just how much it hurts depends on you. You’re going to answer our questions, or you’re going to suffer for fucking weeks.”

He’s sputtering, trying to catch his breath.

“Good. Now, I believe my brother asked you a question.”

“I don’t work for anyone,” he spits out. “I work with.”

“With who, exactly?”

He huffs out a breath and I turn the water back on, but he shakes his head.

“Leonidas Vlahos.”

My gaze finds Julian’s. We figured as much, but now we have a name, so I walk Nico back to the chair, slam him down into it, and cross my arms over my chest. I nod at Julian, giving him the okay to take it from here.

These are men from his organization, after all.

“When were you sent here to watch Rina and her boy?”

Nico’s eyes close. “Three years ago was the first time.”

What in the actual fuck?

“How long has Leonidas known that his daughter is alive?” Julian counters.

“I don’t know.”