I walked off, noting that Samantha was going up the stairs with a not-too-pleased expression on her face. This was one of the reasons I never touched my girls. They could get clingy, which would complicate matters. When I did fuck girls, I made sure I vetted them beforehand. And I also made sure they knew it would only be a one-time affair. I never fuck a woman more than once. It had been my motto since I was eighteen. Well, it was until I met Tyler again. She was the exception to the rule. She was my puppet for revenge.
Walking through the garage, I took the keys of the hook for the Aston Martin Vanquish. I felt like I needed style for today. Something sleek and soothing to help me relax before what I was about to do.
“Taking the Vanquish this time?” Humphrey noted from the shadows, as I placed one foot in the car.
“I feel like I need the change. Be back in forty-five minutes.” He nodded, I got in and, with one click of the button, the garage door opened. I drove a little forward and, just before I left, I looked out the open window at Humphrey. “Make sure all our guests are taken care of, old man.”
With that, I sped off, noticing Humphrey scowling, throwing something in my direction. I laughed, but soon had to concentrate on the task at hand. Pulling out my phone, I rang Jimmy. “Jimmy, is he still ready for me?”
I heard him laugh, then a smack. A cry came reverberating through the phone. “Yep. I’m keeping him warm for you.”
“Good. I’ll be there in fifteen.” Tossing my phone onto the passenger seat, I pressed my foot on the accelerator, listening to the purr of the V8. It got me every time. It was hard not to resist closing my eyes and just giving in to that sound.
The cold coming in through the window filled my nostrils and invaded my lungs. I needed this now—this bite. I needed to keep alert, stay focused. I had been planning this for years and I was finally getting my ultimate revenge.
Once I pulled up outside the warehouse, I flicked open my glove compartment and pulled out my knife. It had a nice serrated edge, and I was going to use it to my full advantage tonight.
As I stepped out of the car, the smell of pollution from the River Thames hit with a pungent force. In a sense, it soothed me, knowing this was where Antonio Pinzano’s final resting place would be. He deserved to rot in a polluted river, as he was just polluted as it was.
Feeling my breath hitch with adrenaline, I walked over to the sliding door and pulled it open, saying hello to Nicky as I went. I walked in and the smell of burning flesh hit me. I could never get over that smell. No matter how used to it I was, it still caused me to gag.
I breathed it in, forcing it down my throat so I could get used to the smell quicker. It never left you, though…even long after you had left the dead.
I walked up the stairs to the landing and all was quiet…until I heard the hissing sound of a hot poker on skin. A voice cried out in Italian, screaming that Jimmy was a fucking asshole. I had to laugh at that. Even after all this time of being tortured, Pinzano still tried to show some balls. The thing was, he wouldn’t have any left once I was done with him.
When I walked in, Pinzano was hanging upside down over a burning pit. Most of his hair had been singed away, causing blisters to form at the top of his head. The smell was worse up here, but I forced down the urge to gag. I didn’t know how Jimmy managed it. He looked as cool as a cucumber.
As he hung there, I watched the blood dripping from all the various burns and cuts that Jimmy had inflicted on him. With each drip, the fire hissed, causing the flames to burn brighter. That certainly wasn’t good news for Mr. Pinzano.
“Ah, our star guest has arrived, Mr. Pinzano. You will be pleased.” Jimmy beamed towards me, and Antonio Pinzano strained against his restraints. He couldn’t see me because he was blindfolded. I requested that. I wanted to be up close when he finally saw me. I wanted to be up close when I stared into the eyes of the man who ordered my parents’ deaths. To see the shock and the fear in his eyes when he realized who was behind his sudden kidnapping.
To be honest, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. His love of alcohol and women was ultimately his demise. I got one of my girls, Serena, to coax him to a flat nearby that I owned. I hardly ever used it and it was in a perfect spot to plan my revenge. I never wanted the flat. It was just a strategic buy. That was how long I had been planning this day. Pinzano was becoming weak and predictable. He was using the same bar time and time again. He picked up women and left his men outside whilst he went in to fuck them. He was getting complacent but, just like always, I was watching him. For years, I studied his daily routine and quickly picked up his pattern. Ultimately, it was his downfall.