Page 69 of King of Cruelty

“That’s awful. I’m so sorry.” I pulled out my phone. “But I’m starting to get a horrifying picture of what happened. If you were in criminal law, you must’ve gotten tangled up in a case that involved Luca’s business in some way. That’s why he targeted you.”

She gasped. “Oh my goodness, you must be right. If only— Who are you texting? I’m really not ready to tell my story to everyone.”

“Oh, of course not.” Someone somewhere should give me an academy award for acting. “I’m texting my sister. She’s watching my baby while all of this craziness is going on.”

Debra nodded, smiling in understanding.

I smiled back.

Me to Bane, Liam, Sunny, Adeline, River, Sienna: It’s a trap! The hostages aren’t hostages at all. They’rewith the Brotherhood, and this was all a trick to get them into the building. We have to get them out!

“I know you said that you don’t need our help, but is there anyone we can call for you?” I asked. “Parents? Friends? Brothers? Sisters?”

She shook her head the whole way through. “My parents are gone, and I don’t have any brothers or sisters. I’m embarrassed to say I didn’t have any friends either. I was one of those pathetic married-to-the-job lawyers, and look what it got me? No one even noticed when I disappeared.” Debra swallowed hard, lips quivering.

It was everything in me not to roll my eyes. “I’m sure people noticed. Your children will have noticed.”

“What? No.” She rubbed her eyes, brushing away the crocodile tears. “I told you I don’t have any children.”

“Are you sure?” My expression was wholly and entirely neutral. “So there’s no one out there who has a reason to call you... Mom?”

Debra’s brow twitched—so quick and gone in a flash that I almost missed it.

Almost.

“No,” Debra said, pulling on a confused mask. “There isn’t. Of course there isn’t. If I had children, I’m pretty sure I’d know.”

“The Brotherhood.”

“What?” She blinked at me, overdoing the puzzled act. “Who is—?”

“They’re the people who held you hostage in that house. They’re who Luca worked for. I know you’ve got to respect attorney-client privilege, but did any of your cases involved the Brotherhood?”

“I... uh... Oh, let me think.” She paused, scrunching up her face like she was thinking about it. “No. Sorry, no. That name doesn’t come to mind for me or any of my colleagues.”

“That’s all right. It doesn’t really matter now.” I gestured out the window. “The Brotherhood is finished. Wiped out and exterminated like the infestation they were. Now, all the people they preyed on can get their lives back, and be happy.” All the smiles I was forcing was making my face ache. “That’s all I want for you, Miss Debra. For you to be happy again.”

“I will be.” Another lone tear traveled down her face. “As long as there’s breath in me, I’m not beaten.”

I stood up, not able to stand her presence a second longer. “I won’t take up any more of your time.” I crossed to the door. “Enjoy the rest of your morning.”

“Wait—”

I didn’t. Throwing open the door, I stepped out and came face-to-face with River and Bane.

The scream trapped in my throat.

My boyfriends knelt on the floor, their hands both bound with stolen curtain cords from the drapes, and steak knives pressed to their throats.

Four women and one man held them down—all of them bearing faces more beaten up than ground beef.

“He—!”

A hand seized me from behind, snapping me back against a soft chest. I didn’t have time to think before a flash of silver flew across my vision, and dug into my throat.

“Don’t scream. Don’t fight. Don’t think,” Debra hissed. “Just do exactly as I say. Understand?”

Carefully, I nodded—feeling the blade’s merciless kiss.

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