Page 68 of The Broker

“Don’t be a bitch,” Chase shot at his love. “Go tell Matteo that we have a lock on our boy.”

They all exchanged excited smiles before Levi darted from the office.

Finally! They had something to go on!

24

ISAAC

Flinching, Isaac cursed under his breath as another burst of heat hit his skin.

“Oh, come on. Don’t be a pansy. Let’s hear what you really think of me?”

Seething, Isaac glared up at his brother as the asshole threw another lit match at his shirtless body.

“Come on. Let’s hear ya,” his brother taunted, giving him that terrifying grin that often appeared only in children’s horror tales. It was the kind of grin that Isaac always imagined the old witch would have given Hansel and Gretel while she attempted to gain their trust.

Isaac spat at his brother. He wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of reacting to the pain inflicted by each searing match that struck his exposed skin. He was tougher than that.

They had been at this little game for the better part of an hour now. Declan swiveling in his rackety desk chair, sipping on his whiskey as he randomly flung lit matches at Isaac’s skin.

At first, the pain was nothing. But after being hit over and over in the same area by tiny balls of fire, your skin eventuallybecomes raw, and the pain becomes excruciating. His brother knew this and reveled in watching Isaac fight against the pain.

“You’re still ugly as sin. I pity the guy who had to stick his dick in your mouth while you were in prison. Guess he had a thing for decrepit mongrels with bad teeth and underdeveloped brains.” Isaac smiled as he watched his brother try and figure out what mongrel meant.

Another lit match. Another flash of pain.

Isaac adjusted his arms, trying to get the blood to circulate through them once again. His brother had tied him to a metal latch a few feet from his desk.

“So, tell me, little bro, who was that fancy man you were working for? He married? Have kids?”

Staring at his brother, he tried to figure out why the Neanderthal was asking such questions.

Tossing another match, Declan flipped his hand at his brother and leaned back in his chair.

“I may have to pay the man another visit. See how much he’s willin’ to pay to get back his wife and kids. If he has any, that is. If not, I’ll find someone else dear to take.”

Isaac remained silent, hating every fiber of his brother’s being. He refused to give his brother any information on Matteo or any of the other guys he worked with. All Declan knew was that Isaac and some guy with a buzz cut had come looking for him in Ireland. He had no idea that Matteo was actually the one who had sent Isaac to see his uncle. The less his brother knew about Matteo and the gang, the safer they were.

Eventually, he would figure a way out of these ropes, then sneak into his brother’s room while he slept and slit his throat. Then, they would be safe. All of them.

Isaac smiled.

Yes, the bastard deserved to die.

The thought of his brother’s blood sliding down his throat and coating Isaac’s hands brought a warm and fuzzy feeling to his gut.

When did his fantasies become so dark?

Probably around the time you found out that your brother was a monstrous psychopath.

“What are you smilin’ about, ya freak?” his brother snarled, tossing another lit match at Isaac’s face.

This one connected with the corner of his eye.

Ow! Fuck.

Yes, the man would suffer a most excruciating death. Preferably one lasting several days, involving several torture techniques. Perhaps Matteo would lend him access to one of the old dungeons buried deep beneath the château. This way, he would have privacy and uninterrupted access to his brother’s dying body. Hell, maybe Matteo would even let him borrow Raj for a few hours. He was pretty sure that tigers enjoyed the taste of toes.

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