Page 54 of Merciless Monster

Paolo does as he’s told and brings the trembling girl closer.

“I’ll ask you one more time. Who are you working with?”

Kyle’s lips are pressed together in open defiance but his eyes are pleading with me not to hurt the girl. I shove the business end of the silencer against her temple.

“You’d better start talking, Kyle, or she’s going to be the prettiest stiff in the morgue tonight.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes, you can.”

It’s clear that whoever Kyle took orders from scares the shit out of him. I think he needs a bit more convincing before he’ll start seeing things my way.

“They’ll kill my family,” he pleads.

“And I won’t?”

A look of fresh panic darkens his brow, as if he never considered the fact that I am as capable of destroying his world as any other.

“There is no one else,” he whimpers. “I did it by myself.”

“Bullshit! You’re a nobody, a skidmark on the underpants of society! You couldn’t think of this on your own even on your best day!” I shout at him.

I’m getting bored with this. If Kyle isn’t going to talk, I may as well get rid of him. That will send a clear message to the others.

I nod at Paolo, who snaps the girl’s neck like a twig. Her lifeless body collapses to the ground. Kyle cries out in frustration.

“I told you,” I say before I put a bullet between his eyes.

“Let’s get out of here,” I sigh.

“Shall I clean up?” Paolo asks.

“No. I want the others to know I’m coming for them.”

“Yes, Boss.”

* * *

Mia

Dante is out. It gives me time to cook while Angelo and Splash chase each other around outside. I’m a ball of nerves. Tonight is the night I’m finally going to tell the man I’m so in love with that my son is also his.

I pour myself a glass of Chardonnay before I start chopping away at the vegetables. I decided on Steak and roast veggies. It’s my signature dish, so I’m comfortable with it. This is no time to try something new. The way I feel I’m guaranteed to make a hash of anything unfamiliar.

Angelo rushes into the kitchen with Splash hot on his heels, nearly knocking me off my feet.

“Boys! Not now, I’m cooking.”

“Sorry, Mommy. I need a snack and Splash is thirsty.”

“Yeah, okay. Here.”

Angelo stares at the object I just handed him. He looks at it for a while then back to me.

“A carrot?” he says, incredulously.

“Yes, Angelo. It’s a carrot.”

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