That’s him. The last time we saw each other was just awful.Only days before my parents died, he came to the house just for me.I’ll never forget it. I even wonder if that last time was what pushed me so far over the edge, so far it took me years to heal that part of my mind.All the while, no one knew that horror about me.They thought I’d been through enough with my parents' deaths.They never knew there was more.
The bastard he is has the audacity to smile at me.
“Well, look who it is,” he sputters.“The niece. Are you now the D’Agostinos whore?I always wondered what you kids got up to.It’s unusual for a girl to be hanging around so many boys.Now I see why.”
Before he can take his next breath Massimo throws a knife into his thigh.Lucas screams and the sound pierces through me.He looks up at Massimo like he can’t believe what he just did.I can’t either, and I have a feeling his torture has only just begun.
Lucas whimpers and it’s clear he doesn’t know how ruthless these guys can be.He must be thinking of how they were as kids.We’re years away from that.
That includes me.
I release Dominic’s hand and step forward.I take one step at a time and make my way over to my dear uncle and I don't stop moving until I’m right next to him.
I don’t know what comes over me but I raise my hand and slap him across his face so hard his body shakes.Another slap and blood spurts from his nose.Grabbing his face, I dig my nails into his cheeks and he thrashes against the chains.
“Your words mean nothing to me.They are shit and you are nothing.How dare you speak to me?” I snarl.“How dare you look at me? You bastard.This is the end of the road for you, Lucas.”
I release his face and the fear that fills his eyes makes triumph surge through me.
I back away, and Dominic takes hold of me.
“I want answers,” I tell him and he nods.
“Then let’s get some,” he says and looks at Massimo.
“Why were William and his wife killed?” Massimo asks Lucas.
“Think I’m going to tell you anything?” Lucas spits.
“Cory.” Massimo turns to Cory.“It seems our guest doesn’t quite realize he’s being tortured.Let’s take this to the next level.”
With the snap of his finger, Cory presses a button on the dashboard, and the next thing I know a jolt of electricity passes through Lucas’ body.
I wondered how they would make him talk.After seeing that, I think he’ll be begging for death well before they finish with him.
Lucas’ body continues shuddering after the shock.He’s screaming and tears run down his cheeks mixing with the blood.
“One more time,” Massimo states.“Why were William and his wife killed?”
“Fuck you.”
Another snap of Massimo’s fingers and more electricity flies through Lucas’ body.
The same scenario repeats twice, and I almost believe Lucas is going to die.
“Please… let me go. Don’t kill me,” he begs, changing his tune.
No one answers. There’s a silent hush that falls over the room that sends icy tendrils of fear down my spine.I fist my hands at my sides and plant my feet into the ground when I realize I’ve been watching this scene of torture for well over ten minutes and it hasn’t affected me.I don’t know what that says about me, or what has changed in my heart, but all I’ve been focusing on is getting the truth.I want the truth so badly that this is the answer to how far I’d go to get it.
“One more time, why did William and his wife die?” Massimo asks ignoring the plea for mercy.
Lucas lifts his head and looks at him.The fight he had is gone.
“William…” he begins and my breath stills.He’s going to talk. “William found out what I was doing to his wife.He wanted out of the job we were doing, and he knew the only way out was to expose us.He broke into my office and made copies of files.He had them on a chip. That would have lost me my job, and everything I worked for.”
“Glad to see we’re on the right track.What kind of job was it?” Massimo eyes him dangerously.
“Human trafficking. William needed the money for a debt.”