Fallen Empire (Dirty Empire)

“No. Wait for my text on that.” Something tells me Dad has more shit up his sleeve, and it involves tightening this noose around my neck by targeting Mercy’s father. “I want Chops moved into Duncan Wheeler’s cell, immediately.”

“Oh man.” Donny curses under his breath. “I don’t know how to make that happen, Gabe—”

“Figure it out!”

“Do you know what it took to get Chops his own cell?” He hisses, glancing around. “And now you want me to snap my fingers and undo that?”

“I don’t care. Wheeler doesn’t sleep, eat, or shit without Chops standing over him and one of you”—I jab him in the chest with my finger—“someone loyal to me, within three feet at all times. And if a single hair gets plucked from that guy’s head, so help you God…, your mother, your sister, your sweet little nephew, Blake….”

Donny swallows. I don’t need to finish that threat. He knows I’m good for it. “It’ll take a few days.”

“Get it done.” With that, I storm out, second-guessing everything we’ve planned so far.

10

Mercy

Every muscle in my body burns like I’ve been pricked with a thousand scalding needles. My skin is raw where the handcuffs have dug into my wrists against my sagging weight.

“Ooh-wee!” Bane exclaims in his gruff voice, strolling in. “It’s sure gettin’ ripe in here.”

It’s been hours since Bane left me with Vic, Gabriel’s cousin. The overwhelming smell of bleach from this morning has given way to the putrid stench of rotting flesh and bodily fluids. I’ve taken to breathing through my mouth to keep from gagging.

“How’re you doin’? Hangin’ in there?” He tips his head to peer at my face. “I’ll bet you’re regretting that little stunt you pulled earlier, huh? You got somethin’ to say?”

He wants me to apologize, to beg him to cut me down. A guy like him would. I already apologized for running, but I won’t beg. I set my jaw and fight the tears that threaten.

“Hmm. So that’s how it’s gonna be.” His lips purse in thought as he regards Vic. “Okay, then. Let’s give you a little taste of what might happen if you ever throw a bucket of piss at me again.” Bane collects a long metal rod from the table.

Panic seizes me. I don’t know what it is, but it can’t be good.

He passes me and continues toward Vic.

Apparently, Vic knows what it is. He tenses, the reaction causing the collar around his neck to dig into his flesh. He grits his teeth from the pain as he watches Bane flip a switch.

“My daddy used one of these cattle prods on us when we didn’t listen to him. Hurt like hell.” He yanks on a chain and Vic’s arms fly up over his head. He screams as the barbs dig tight against his flesh, and then again when Bane presses one end of the prod against his armpit.

“He only ever had to do it once to me. I learned my lesson. Now, my brother, he was not the sharpest tool in the box.” Bane’s tone is easy, conversational. “He was an arrogant and stubborn son of a bitch. He kept getting into trouble, and our daddy kept giving him lessons. You remind me a lot of my brother, Vic. That’s why I saved you for last. It’s gonna be fun breaking you.” Bane shifts the prod down and slides it between Vic’s legs.

Vic buckles, trying to shift away from the weapon. Blood pours freely from his neck wounds where the barbs keep digging with every twitch.

“Stop it!” I cry out. I don’t like Gabriel’s cousin, but no one deserves this.

“Aww, how cute. Did you two bond while I was away? You think this guy would beg me to stop if it were you in his place?” Bane snorts. “He wouldn’t say a damn word. Hell, he’d probably make me strip you down, and he’d get a little chubby from watching. Wouldn’t ya.” He sends another electric current through Vic’s scrotum.

Vic’s face turns red as he grunts, trying his best to stifle his screams. But the tears that slip down his cheeks betray him.

“Stop it! You sick fuck!” I shriek, the agony in my muscles forgotten.

“What? You don’t believe me, do you? How ‘bout we find out then.” Bane pulls away from Vic and moves toward me, the end of the prod aimed at the patch of exposed skin on my stomach.

I use whatever strength I have left to brace against the impending pain.

In the quiet lull, a phone rings.

“Oh, what the hell does he want now?” Bane tosses the cattle prod to the dirt floor, and slides a phone from his jeans pocket.

I allow myself a shaky sigh of relief.

“What,” he barks by way of greeting. “Yeah… yeah….” Bane’s sharp gaze flips to me and he scowls. “Yeah, she’s a real fucking peach, just like you promised. Already tried to escape once.”