Page 102 of Cut Me Down

Looking at this expansive home makes me sick. The all-white stone and brick mansion is too pure for someone as evil as Hugo. But, I suppose drug money is paying well these days, because according to the real estate records Carter found, he paid nine million for it. He’s trying to back track and find out how he purchased it, but it most likely won’t lead us anywhere. The transaction said it was cash, and I doubt someone like Hugo has a bank account to keep his illegal earnings in.

I have three snipers positioned around the mansion, four including myself. But I'm not high up on the nearby buildings. I'm right across the street, waiting on the ground with my team. Once Carter accesses the camera system, we’ll have ninety seconds to do what we need before they cycle through and reboot. That’s plenty of time. We’ve already tied their bodies to the stakes, ready to drag them out. The six from today gutted, rearranged, and hung out to dry. But Cooper’s decomposing body made things a little difficult. So, I have a special plan for him.

Carter signals us a go, and I’ve had my first target in my sights for ten minutes. Moving swiftly, but precisely, I shoot all three mother fuckers in the head. I love watching them drop, it’s like I blew their minds with my skills. The thought of that makes me laugh and takes me back to the night of the concert. When things settle down, I'll have to tell Ashia my pun. With her dark humor, she’ll enjoy it.

Once the other three signal that their targets are down, I motion for us to move in. With three people on each of the bunnies from today, they drag the stakes out onto the large, centered driveway. Absorbing the sound of the wooden stands dragging across the concrete in victory. At the end, it loops around a grand, three-tiered fountain. A perfect statement piece, and I’m honored to be able to make it even better.

They place each man evenly around the fountain while I drag the guest of honor by a noose around his decaying throat. Reveling in the feeling of dragging this disgusting, vile, waste of a life around like a dog. I hope whatever hell he’s in, he’s watching from below in anguish.

Once I get to the end of the driveway, I walk up the long staircase toward the front door. Still dragging his lifeless body and listening to it thump against the luxurious, brick stairs like a base drum. Above the front door is a balcony overlooking the long concrete path, and I know this is the perfect place for him. I throw the rope over the top, looping it around the wrought iron railing, and once the rope falls back down to me, Aaron and I pull down together. Hoisting the dead weight up so it can be seen from the street. We anchor him, and he hands me our normal spray paint. Grinning about as wide as I am. Walking halfway down the steps, I stop to turn and write ‘I fucking killed him’ before signing the normal DH calligraphy.

Aaron then hands me one of the bottles we created, and I’m the first to light and throw a Molotov cocktail. Signaling the others to throw theirs and lighting the house on fire. I watch as the expensive, opulent home goes up in flames. We slowly retreat, smelling the beautiful fire pit we created mixing together well with the decaying bodies we left behind. I interact with our coms through the piece in my ear. Feeling the tingling excitement for the firework finale.

“Blow them.” I hear one explosion from afar, and that just signals that the other three warehouses also went up in flames. Each team leader signaling through the coms to confirm, and the fifth will be in a matter of minutes, once the girls are out and safe. This will cease their production for a while, and it’s only the beginning.

A part of me wishes I could stay and watch the chaos ensue, but most of me wants to get home to her. I feel like a part of me is missing when I’m not near her, but this was necessary. Not only to show that she didn’t kill Cooper, but to warn him not to fucking come near her again. Due to the number of warehouses popping up in the past three weeks, something is coming. I’m not sure what, but a part of me feels like we’re about to find out, and not in a welcoming way. It has to do with wanting to buy the businesses. I know that. I feel that in my gut, but what it’s for? I’m not sure. My mind is on edge with the possibilities of what we could be dealing with.

I need to get home. I need to inhale her and hold her to try and calm myself down. Beg her to forgive me and reassure her that I’d never let anything happen to her. Make her see that I’m still the man she’s let in, and that the monster I unleashed today would never be turned on her.

I can’t show up tomorrow feeling like this. Not when it’s so important for both of us. I can any other time, but our little get away is about the three most important women in my life, and I need it to go perfectly.

Chapter thirty-eight

Ashia

It’s been four hours since he left, and I haven’t moved from the couch. I keep watching the driveway, hoping to see him pull back in soon. Four hours has felt like four days, and I can’t breathe. What if he doesn’t come home? I don’t even know who to notify. I’m sure Carter does, but that doesn’t mean it would be any easier. I suppose I knew that this is the life I would ask for if I let him in, but I never thought I would be this terrified to lose him. Why did I let him leave like that? The last thing he’s going to hear from me is how I was yelling at him; us arguing. Why did I do that?

I’ve always heard that no matter how angry you are with someone, that you should still tell them how you feel before you leave. You know, just in case you don’t see them again. I’ve never had someone I felt the need to say that too. Most of the people in my life, I never had to worry about missing them. Serena, her parents, and Emmett, of course. But not anyone else. Should I talk to them like that every time I see them? Oh great, now I’m thinking about losing them too.

I can’t believe that those were the last words I said to him. There were so many other things I could have said. I shouldn’t have brought up Henry’s death. Not with the guilt he already feels, I’m just so worried and couldn’t control what came out of my mouth… He can act tough all day long, but I saw the bruises. The injuries. Ran my hands over them and tried to ease his pain. I can’t imagine not hearing his voice or looking into his eyes. He’s completely taken over my life, and I don’t want it to end. What condition is he going to come home in? If he comes home? He was already so hurt. Would they even bring him here? Would they even know how or where to notify me? Would they notify me at all? I need to ask him these things when he gets back. If he gets back.

I’m startled by Carter walking in from the garage. Looking tired and disheveled but not like he’s in shock or mourning. Ser and I look in his direction and his face softens when he catches me looking. Carter does seem really nice from the few times I’ve talked to him, and now that I know he’s a virgin, a part of me wonders how he does this every day. If earlier was any glimpse into what they do every day, how the hell does he do it? How do any of them do it?

“They’re done. He’s on his way to the Basement, and then he’ll be back.” Carter tells me, obviously trying to be reassuring.

“Is he okay?” I ask quietly, partially afraid of the answer.

“He’s fine.” I shakily exhale a breath that I’ve been practically holding for four hours. I’m sure the relief is flooding my face. He walks up to the couch and gently shakes my shoulder, trying to comfort me.

“How bad was it?” I ask him, but he hesitates before opening his mouth. Darting his gaze around the room like he has to think about what he’s about to say.

“I’m sure he’s much calmer now.” I just nod my head at him, not wanting to push him. It must be bad. If it was just a couple of people, he would’ve just told me. “Do you want me to show you to his room?” He asks calmly.

“No, I want to wait for him. Thanks, though.” He nods and turns as Serena stands up. The tequila bottle she’s been drinking out of still in her hand.

“You can show me to my room.” Serena says to him, drunk, and clearly flirting with him. She lowers the tequila bottle to her side, though it gently sways with her and her propped out hip.

“O-Oh! Right! Right, you need a room too. Yeah, we’ll put you right across the hall.”

“Actually, what’s the farthest room from them?” She smirks at him as she sways. Rolling her hips side to side. Slowly.

“Oh my God, Ser.” I roll my eyes at her as she shushes me and looks back at him. She doesn’t bother hiding her smirk or how her eyes are half-lidded. Partially from lust and partially from alcohol. He gently backs away and walks back over to me. Practically tiptoeing like Serena is going to lung at him. He cautiously bends down.

“What is happening?” He whispers to me.

“Is there a particular reason you’re a virgin?” I whisper back to him, and he looks at me shocked. Eyes wide with his mouth barely hanging open like I’ve stunned him. I suppose that bit of information is not common knowledge.

“No?” He says nervously.

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