“It’s not going to happen,” Marcus finally says. “Not yet at least. We still have time, and if we keep you off his radar, then it should be alright.”
“You’re full of shit.”
“Well what would you like me to say?” he throws back at me, frustration swirling deep in his eyes. “He’ll probably tear out your throat if you look at him the wrong way? For fuck’s sake, babe. I’m trying to make this easier for you.”
I let out a heavy sigh. “I should have fucked his wife when I had the chance.”
Levi laughs before quickly smothering the grin that stretched across his face. The mood in the SUV immediately eases and I roll my eyes, glancing out the window as the world zooms past us. “Why are we rushing? You have all week to find this person who doesn’t even exist. Why can’t you just make up some random dealer and tell him that you killed him?”
“Why make one up when we can throw someone else under the bus?” Marcus says. “But that’s not the reason we’re rushing.” My brows furrow as he glances back at me, his eyes sparkling with a sick excitement. A shiver travels down my spine. “We have a surprise for you, and if we don’t get there soon, it might just be too late.”
34
Roman drives the SUV right around the back of the castle before pulling into what looks like an old parking garage. My brows furrow. “What in the ever-loving psycho bullshit is this?” I question as he slows his pace, heading down a steep ramp that puts us right below the old castle, only nothing about this looks old. It’s probably one of the only parts of the castle that looks like a big gust of wind isn’t going to tear it down. “I thought my torture chamber was underground.”
“It is,” Roman says, his headlights hitting the cold concrete walls and lighting our way down. “But this is even further underground.”
“No shit,” I breathe, scooting to the center seat to see better out the front windshield, my thigh pressing right up against Levi’s. “What do you have down here?”
Marcus grins and looks back at me, his eyes sparkling dangerously. “All sorts of things, but only one that you need to know about.”
I roll my eyes, already exhausted from the bullshit business dinner I just sat through. It’s only been a few days since the attack. I’m tired and sore. I’d give anything to climb straight back in bed and pop a few more pills. I really don’t have the patience for his twisted games tonight. “What’s going on, Marcus?”
“Come on,” he laughs. “Do you really think I’m going to ruin the surprise like that? You’ll have to wait and see.”
I groan and flop back into my seat, immediately regretting it as the pain shoots through my body. “Fuck, I can’t do this right now. Just take me back up to the castle. I need some painkillers, a hot shower, and my bed. Can’t we do this tomorrow?”
Roman just keeps driving, ignoring my pleas to turn back. “No painkillers,” he says. “You’re going to want a clear head for this.”
“For what?” I ask, the nerves slowly seeping into my body the further down we go. The ramp winds deeper below ground and the further we go, the darker and creepier it gets. “How much further is it? This place is giving me the creeps.”
“Really?” Marcus questions, glancing back at me, disappointment in his eyes. “This is my favorite place in the whole world. I thought you’d love it.”
“Just how much were you guys messed up as kids?”
“You’re not ready for an honest answer to that question,” Levi says as Roman hits the bottom of the ramp and drives out into a wide-open space. He brings the SUV to a stop near the far wall and the three boys climb out.
I bail out of the SUV and watch as Roman strides toward the wall. He grabs a lever and pushes it up, and one by one, big overhanging lights flood through the dark room. “Welcome to our playground,” Roman says with pride.
I stare in shock, my mouth hanging open as I take in the massive space. It’s like a big concrete box with reinforced walls holding up the castle above it. Cells line either side of the creepy playground and as I scan over them, I count at least fifteen on either side.
There are private rooms complete with drainage systems and hoses to wash away evidence while heavy chains and hooks hang from the roof. “What the fuck is this?” I breathe, shivers rushing through my body and sending a cold sweat over my skin. “Is this some kind of slaughterhouse?”
“Majority of the time,” Marcus says, that same wicked darkness flooding his gaze. “Though when it’s not in use, it can hold some pretty epic parties.”