Page 117 of Jagger's Remorse
"Eduardo wants video proof of your death," I say conversationally. "Very specific. He's testing me."
Blade goes gray. "Oh God?—"
"But," I continue, "Eduardo's never been good at details. Leaves that to people like me."
Jagger catches on first. "You want to fake it."
"I want to make it real enough that Eduardo believes it." I look at Blade. "Question is, how much pain can you take?"
"To stay alive? To see my mom?" His jaw sets. "Whatever it takes."
"Good answer."
Two hours later, we're in the warehouse. Raven's there, along with Doc.
"This is insane," Doc says for the fifth time. "You want me to hurt him enough to look fatal but not actually kill him?"
"You've done it before."
"In combat situations, not?—"
"This is combat," I interrupt. "Just a different kind of war."
I've got the camera set up, angle perfect to catch everything while hiding what needs hiding.
"Ready?" I ask Blade.
He's stripped to the waist, already sweating. "No. But do it anyway."
"Raven, you sure about this?"
She nods. "Boy's mom is dying. We don't punish family for that." She looks at me. "Besides, you vouch for him. That's enough."
The trust in her voice hits harder than any bullet.
"Okay. Blade, this is going to hurt. A lot. But you stay conscious, stay vocal. Eduardo needs to hear you suffer."
"Understood."
I start recording.
"Blade Thompson," I say clearly. "You've been found guilty of stealing from the Iron Veins. The punishment is death."
"Please," he starts, and it's not all acting. "I'm sorry. I'll pay it back?—"
I hit him. Hard. Blood sprays from his nose.
The next twenty minutes are brutal. I work him over like the trained professional I am, making sure every blow shows on camera.
Doc guides me—where to hit for maximum visual impact, minimum actual damage.
But it has to look real.
Blood. Screams. Begging that becomes very real very fast.
"Please," Blade sobs, and I know he's not acting anymore. "Please just kill me."
"Soon," I promise, hating myself. "Eduardo wants suffering first."
