Micah was quiet so long it seemed like he wasn’t on the line anymore.
Bates nodded to me, telling me he was still there.
What was Micah supposed to say to that?
I kept my silence so he would squirm. All the information I gave him was valid, so it would be a mistake to call my bluff.
He finally spoke again. “What do you want, Cato? You have a solid plan.”
“If it were me, I wouldn’t want to die like a fish in a barrel. I’m giving you the opportunity to crawl out of your hole and face me like a man. And die like a man. We both know how this is going to end…but at least you won’t die as a coward.”
“And you get to look me in the eye as you kill me.”
“Exactly.” He was responsible for killing Siena’s father. Responsible for my kidnapping. Responsible for crimes that needed to be punished. I wanted to see him die at my feet, not wonder if it was the explosion or the poison that got to him first. “And then I want to take your business from underneath your feet—and force your men into my ranks.” It would be a transfer of power, a diplomatic conquering. “Your choice, Micah. It’s very rare for a man to choose his death. Consider yourself lucky.”
He went quiet as he thought it over, considering something most men wouldn’t be able to think about. Death was difficult for anyone to accept, but particularly when it was at your doorstep. After what seemed like minutes, he finally spoke, his voice weaker than before. “How will you kill me?”
I knew exactly how. Siena risked herself to save me, and instead of getting my own revenge, I would get revenge for her father. “The same way you killed Stefan Russo.” It had been a gruesome death, disgusting enough to make any man vomit in his own mouth. There was no mercy in the murder—and it was completely unnecessary. They hung him from a noose with his hands tied behind his back—and stabbed him to death in the gut. I never told Siena the details because it would haunt her forever.
“I suppose I deserve that…”
“Damn right,” I said. “So, what’s it gonna be?” I wouldn’t want to choke to death on poison, but I wouldn’t want to be killed in such a savage way either. But at least the latter let him keep some of his dignity—and made me look like a tyrant.
Micah was quiet again, probably sick as he contemplated his own death. Handing himself over would give him a more brutal death, but at least he would have more respect than letting all of his men die in the hatch with him. “You win, Cato.”
I smiled. “I always win, Micah.”
My body had almost completely recovered, though I still had some pain. But even if I were at my worst, nothing would stop me from finishing this for good. Even if I couldn’t walk, I would still have made this happen.
I wore one of my favorite suits even though it was about to be covered in blood. I would have the designer make another for me, and I wanted to look like the tyrant I was as I executed my enemy. We would do it in the middle of the night and leave his body hanging from a pole outside my bank—and the world would know I was victorious.
Siena looked at me in the mirror. “I want to come, Cato.”
I tightened my tie around my neck. “Trust me, you don’t.”
“This is different—”
“It’s worse. You couldn’t stand watching me shoot those criminals in the head. This will be much more gruesome.” I turned around to face her.
She wore a pained expression. “What did he do to my father…?”
I would take it to the grave because it was too disturbing. Now that I loved her, it was even painful for me. I wished I’d been able to save her father so she wouldn’t be orphaned. I didn’t need anyone, but it was nice having my mother around. If I ever needed someone to talk to, she was always there. Siena had no one—except me. “That’s why I don’t think you should be there.”
“I want revenge—”
“And I will get it for you. Trust me, this is not something you want to see.” I cupped both of her cheeks and forced her to look at me. “Baby, please trust me on this. I know you want to see him suffer for what he did to your father and me, but this will not bring you peace. It’ll only make you think about how much your father suffered…and that’s not what I want.”
Siena looked into my eyes, the sadness creeping into her expression.
“Stay here with Martina. I’ll be home in less than two hours.”
“Alright.” She looked like she wanted to argue with me but decided against it. “Be careful.”