Page 164 of Brutal Knight

Gritting my teeth, I forced my feet to move, to follow beside Antonio as he took me to a chair, pulled it out and waited for me to sit.

I sat, gaining control over my senses, or, at least, pretending to. I forced my lips upwards in a feral smile, then looked my worst enemy in the eyes, ready for battle.I will kill you.

* * *

A lotof society's psychopaths have learned to blend in so well, that it has been shocking when certain serial killers are brought to light because they'd been such pillars of the community.

But at six foot five inches, Manuel could never blend in, not even if he wanted to. He was not only tall but large, with bulging muscles that he used to his advantage.

Some say that he was handsome, despite the large scar on his face and neck that looked like melted wax, but it was all I could see because I knew the truth of how he'd gotten it.

When he was young, a fire started, and ended up taking out four houses on the block, killing two people.

Only I knew that he'd been the one to intentionally start that fire because he hated his nanny.

He was trying to kill her. At six years old.

And, as I sat across from him, I saw through his charming smile, meant to disarm, and instead knew he was pleased by my reaction to him.

He'd forgone his usual suit coat and tie, instead wearing only his signature red, button up shirt with the collar open.

There, lined in thick pink, was another scar, slashed across his throat.

When my eyes landed on it, pride filled my chest, knowing I'd been the one to put that there.

He deliberately showed it off for me--like a badge of honor. He'd survived.

All I thought about was the pain he must have gone through to recover from something like that, andthatmade me happy.

Besides, it had given me a freedom I could only dream of, a chance to escape him, until now.

"Where's Honey," I said, as soon as a plate was placed before me. The succulent smell made me want to gag.

Manuel's lips pressed together in a firm line, and I had the feeling that he'd expected something else from me.

Of course, he wanted the focus on him, and only him.

He may have used Honey to lure me to him, but somehow, he'd wanted me to forget her as soon as I'd gotten here.

He was just about to find out how wrong he was. "I want to see her," I demanded, my fists tight in my lap, as if I was using them to hold myself together. To hold in all the pain and anger I wanted to belt out.

I wanted to jump across the table and stab him in the eye with this stupid, shiny fork!

"You're not happy to see me?" He finally responded.

"Should I be?"

"I would think you would be a little more grateful, after everything I've done for you over the years."

"You?" I replied, scoffing. His back straightened, his eyes glinting with expectation. He wanted me to ask him what he'd done for me. No doubt he'd turned some small and insignificant thing into something bigger in his mind.

I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Instead, I yawned, faking boredom. "Is this all you had planned."

In answer to my question, Manuel barked out. "Bring him here."

The cold sound sent a chill down my spine, but I held my head high, not wanting him to see how it affected me, despite what had happened only moments earlier.

Doors slammed against the back wall as two guards dragged in someone else--he could barely walk.

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