Page 38 of Reaper's Hunt

He disappears into the hallway and makes a sharp turn toward the front door while I head for the basement. Malik’s already brandishing one of his scalpels, grinning at the way it glints in the dim light. The fucker who’s still alive is chained up to the wall, rather than strung up. I didn’t want him to die before the night ended and I could at least try to get a few words out.

Unfortunately, I’m a little too impulsive. I needed Malik’s brand of crazy for this moment. Hopefully, a little torture will get me what I need.

Malik steps forward, eyes locked on the man as he kicks his foot. The man stirs with a groan, his eyes suddenly clear as he leans back against the wall. It’s not an expression I’m used to seeing but Malik has this covered. “I hear you were trying to hurt my sparrow,” he purrs, a predatory edge to his tone.

There’s no fear in this man’s eyes and it worries me. “They warned me about you. The Carver. That’s what they call you.”

Malik pauses, cocking his head to the side as he lets out a little hum. “I have a name?” He taps the scalpel against his chin, his brows furrowing in disappointment. “It’s not a very cool one.”

The man laughs, the chains around his wrists rattling with the sound. “Everyone has a name and it doesn’t always originate where you think. Ronan’s is Wolf. There’s a whole list of who everyone is. It’s why bringing me in only slows down the process but doesn’t end it. Selene will never be safe so long as that list is out there.”

“What the fuck is this list? What’s it for, and why’s it the first time I’m hearing about it?” I’ve been in this business for too fucking long to not have heard of this before.

The guy shrugs. “If I knew all that, I wouldn’t be taking jobs for a quick few bucks. We’re given a name, an amount for the job, and no other parameters. I’ve learned not to ask questions.”

“Who else is on the list?” Malik asks, dropping to his knees in front of the man. “If we have a name, are we on the list?”

The guy shrugs again, a little too nonchalant for the position he’s in. “I guess? I’ve never seen the list. I just know it exists. If you’re problematic, you get put on the list. Selene’s a problem that hasn’t been caged so, someone’s trying to rectify that. Look, I know what happens now. You do a little torture, try to drag out more information, then give up and turn me in. That’s how this goes.”

Malik’s grin fades as he twists to look over at me. “I don’t like him. I thought I was going to, but I don’t anymore.”

I think about reining him in and then realize, I don’t care. The guy has already given us more information than anyone else and it’s at least something to start with. He already said he didn’t know who was on the list or who was in charge of it so he’s not wholly useful anymore.

A howl echoes through the basement as Malik sinks his scalpel into the man’s chest, inches away from his heart. I’m not a doctor but that looks pretty damn close to a deadly stab.

As if Malik can read my mind, he sits back on his calves, admiring his work. “He’ll stay alive so long as I don’t pull that out but it will be agony.” He lets out a shuddering, appreciative breath before leaning a little closer, his whispered words echoing in this darkened space. “You might be versed in torture, but you’ve never had me playing your body. I can’t wait to hear you scream. The only thing I’m missing is my pretty sparrow watching me.”

The man gasps, his eyes widening as Malik leaves to grab another scalpel. Then Malik returns, poking around the man’s stomach before sinking that blade into his flesh as well. “I’m going to make you a pretty pin cushion and then play Russian Roulette by pulling them all out and wondering which one ends your life.”

“You can’t save someone once they’re on the list, you asshole. If you stay under the radar, then you’re just small fry but that girl is at the top of the list. Someone really wants her dead.”

Malik lets out a little cackle as he lays out an entire case of blades beside him. “That’s funny because you’re at the top of my list. Now, pick. Arm or leg?”

“What?”

“Wrong answer.”

Malik chooses the leg, the man howling in pain. “I’ll give you a choice again. Thigh or shoulder?”

“What are you-”

“Wrong answer!” Malik screams, grabbing another blade and slamming it down into the man’s dick. “I told you the rules. You have to pick one of the choices!”

Well, this is going to be delightful to watch. I shoot Dante a text about the list, to see if he knows anything and then return my attention to Malik’s pin cushion. He’s right, the guy will make a pretty pin cushion. All I hope is that Malik lets me play the Russian Roulette part.

Even if we don’t get any other information, I’ll at least have another jolt past my morning coffee.

Dante

I’vebeenidlingforthe last hour, sitting in the parking lot as I try to find the right words to throw at Harley. And now with Ronan’s text about a goddamn hit list, I have absolutely no idea what direction to steer this investigation in. I liked it better when all of this shit was simple.

I stumble in through the main doors, heading toward Harley’s office, trying to keep a blank expression on my face. We haven’t said shit to each other since I kicked him out of Selene’s house so whatever is about to happen is going to be awkward.

I’m not ready for the genuine smile Harley flashes at me as I enter, the man waving for me to sit in the chair across from his desk. He’s got a beautiful black eye and a split lip from our scuffle but he wears it like a badge of honor rather than a notice not to fuck up again. “Mom called. Said she’d love to have dinner tonight.”

I glare at him, resentment coiling in my chest. Harley’s always taken to my mother like she’s his, something that’s always been a bit strange to me. “That’s great. If my mother wants dinner, she can text me herself.” Harley just shrugs, leaning back in his chair like he doesn’t have anything to atone for. “I get that you’ve got a lot of bullshit going on, but if you ever treat Selene like that again, I’m going to make it hurt.”

“Yeah, I called to apologize but I think her phone’s off.”

---