Page 168 of Wicked Minds
“Tell me exactly what happened. Everything. Don’t leave out a single detail,” he orders, shifting the car into gear and pulling onto the road.
I do exactly that, explaining how I heard Riley scream and exactly how I found her when I got into that office, side-eyeing him as his fury reaches a boiling intensity, his hands clenching around the steering wheel and arms vibrating with rage as he flies through the streets of Halston.
We make it to Lux in record time, and despite me assuring him that Ben didn’t crossthatline with Riley—thank fuck!—he stomps inside like a grizzly bear coming out of hibernation, ready to devour the first thing he sees. He knows where he’s going as he heads straight for Ben’s office, and I follow.
Tara is sitting behind the desk when we get there, grinning with her feet kicked up on his desk as she plays with what looks like a letter opener. Roman is standing to the side, arms folded across his chest as he glares at her like she’s a disobedient child.
Royce doesn’t spare either of them a glance as he goes straight to Ben, who is still unconscious where I left him on the floor.
“He’s been out the whole time,” Tara states without any emotion.
“You two can go,” Royce says, eyes cataloging the damage I did.
“No fair,” Tara pouts. “Things were just getting interesting.”
Roman sighs like he’s used to her shenanigans. “Suits me.” He darts a glance between Royce and Ben. “Call if you need help with that.”
Royce’s only response is a grunt as Roman manhandles Tara out of the office, and I hear her protesting all the way down the hall before the door slams shut behind them.
I walk over to stand beside Royce, the two of us looking down at Ben. I take some satisfaction in the fact is face is barely recognizable.
“Not a bad job,” he states.
“Thanks.”
“I would have done better.”
I roll my eyes. “What’s the plan?”
“This fucker’s Halston days are done. Search his desk, see if you can find a home address or something.”
Dismissing me, he bends down beside Ben’s face, staring at it before he delivers a loud slap. Ben groans, but that’s it. I move to rifle through the desk as Royce attempts to wake him.
“W-what…” Ben slurs.
“Welcome to your nightmare,” Royce purrs in a tone that is pure steel wrapped in malevolent shadows.
My eardrums nearly burst as Royce drags the fucker to his feet, screaming.Fuck, why didn’t I punch him in the throat?
Pinning him to the wall, Royce continues in that creepy-as-shit tone, “I warned you, Ben. I told you to stay away from my girl. But you just couldn’t help yourself, could you?” Another scream as a loud snap echoes around the room, and I peer up,noticing one of Ben’s fingers is now pointed the wrong way.Sucks to be him.
“Thought you were owed something because you’re the boss in here, but you see, I told you before—the power you have here is imaginary. And now I’m going to take it all.” Another crack followed by a pained whimper.
“See, I’m a possessive bastard. I don’t like people touching what’s mine. And I especially don’t like when someone touches her against her will.” This time, he snaps his entire wrist, and Ben howls in agony.
“When someone makes her cry.” There’s the distinctive snap of another bone breaking, and Royce loses himself to the violence as he systematically breaks every bone in both of Ben’s hands.
When he steps back, Ben collapses to the floor, cradling his hands against his chest as he sobs. It’s a disgusting sight. Pathetic. And so fucking satisfying.
Royce isn’t done, though, and as he pushes Ben onto his back with the toe of his boot, I grab a letter off the desk and move to stand beside him.
“Let’s see how fucking powerful you feel with busted balls and a crushed dick.” Lifting his knee, Royce brings his foot down on Ben’s crotch, and he wails like a dying cat. With a sick smile on his face, Royce does it over and over and over until Ben is on the verge of losing consciousness.
“Do you have that address?” he asks me, not even sounding out of breath.
“Yup.” I hand him the letter with Ben’s home address, and holding it in one hand, he leans down and fists the front of Ben’s shirt, dragging him halfway off the ground.
“Now, given account of your… injuries… I’m going to give you forty-eight hours to get your sick, perverted ass out of this town,and if you don’t, I’m going to find a new home for you six feet in the dirt with the worms and maggots.”
