Nikolay was stoic as always, but I could feel his edginess. We all couldn’t wait for those bastards to stop breathing.
I would make sure to end their lives as painfully as I could, because they didn’t deserve anything less.
My steps echoed around the silent walls as I walked into the basement. Phoenix and Nina were there, standing over the limp bodies.
“Stop,” I growled. Nina immediately stopped her cruel ministration, but it took Phoenix longer to snap out of his killing haze. Viktor had to pull him away.
“You have to learn control,” I hissed at Phoenix, leveling him with a hard glare.
He swallowed, his vengeful eyes still on Artur. “I’m sorry, Boss. The sight of his face makes me sick. He needs to pay.”
For what he has done to Maddie. Silent words but they still rang loud in our ears.
Clasping his shoulder, I gave him a firm squeeze. “He will pay,” I said, looking at the bloodied body in front of me.
I walked closer to Alberto. He was on the floor, his arm twisted in an impossible angle. I almost laughed at the pathetic sight in front of me. Actually, I did laugh.
I kicked his side, and he groaned before lifting his head up. Alberto stared at me with swollen eyes. I could see the hatred there, but it didn’t faze me.
His hate for me didn’t even come close to how much I loathed him.
I gripped his hair, matted with blood, and smacked his head into the hard floor. He yowled in pain, but even that sounded weak, like a newborn lamb.
“How does your ass feel?” I hissed in his ears. “Feels good, right? To have a taste of your own medicine?”
Alberto whimpered, and I chuckled darkly. “The only difference is that Ayla is safe and alive. She is loved and still breathing. My baby is safe. But you—you. Are. Dead. Meat.”
“I gave it to him plenty last night,” Nina drawled, coming to stand beside him. “I think I even heard him say he enjoyed it.” She laughed, kicking the bloodied man. “Can I have another go?” she asked innocently. I shook my head. Without looking, I knew she was pouting. Only Nina would pout about not getting a chance to torture and kill someone.
“Move out. We need to go,” I said with loud authority. My voice went low with dominance. No one questioned me.
“I think it’s time we pay the Abandonatos a visit,” I continued.
Alberto’s head snapped up in surprise, and I smiled. “It’s time for your men to see your downfall.”
They would watch him take his last breath while I rose as King. As the motherfucking Boss.
He tried to say something, but only gurgling sound came out. Shaking my head, I stood up. “Let’s go.”
Viktor went to grab Alberto by the hair as he dragged him out of the basement. Phoenix had Artur by the hair, while Nikolay had Enzo.
It was going to be a parade. Let everyone watch these men as they fought for their lives. It was a lesson to never cross me.
I walked first, Nina behind me, while the others followed. The air smelled of death, and I reveled in it. I fed on it, drawing my power from their hopelessness.
It was too sad for them. They angered the wrong man.
I heard my maid gasping as they watched the scene in front of them. Some of my men smiled as they watched the limp bodies go by.
Some hollered almost victoriously. Then they bowed as I passed them.
From the corner of my eyes I saw Maddie standing near the stairs. Tears streamed down her face as she choked back her sobs.
Her whole body shook. Lena stood beside her, trying to console her daughter.
Maddie’s eyes followed Artur’s body. My steps faltered, and I swiveled around. Nina gave me a curious look but didn’t utter a single word. My eyes moved to Artur to see him glancing at Maddie too.
His face was pained, and I knew it wasn’t because of his wounds. He looked like a heartbroken man as he stared at Maddie.
I looked at Phoenix, but he was already shaking his head. “He is not even going a foot near her. I’ll snap, Boss.”
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. Before I could make a decision, I saw Maddie come closer.
“Stay away, Maddie,” Phoenix snapped loudly.
She ignored him, approaching even closer. “Maddie, I’m warning you,” he growled, his eyes glowing furiously.
“Don’t order me around, Phoenix. You will regret it,” she hissed at him.
“Maddie…”
“You don’t get to make any decisions for me,” she snapped back.
I felt my eyebrows reach my hairline. It looked like things were still messed up between them. Maddie was hard to crack. Phoenix was going to have a hard time with this spitfire.
Maddie stopped about two feet away from Phoenix and Artur.
“Release him,” I ordered.