“Danvers,” he said. He started repeating her name.
“I’m sorry, Dimitri, but you fucked that one up. You ran her off with your little stories. You really have no place talking about shit you didn’t even witness. So now, you’re left with just us, but don’t worry. My guys will take good care of you.” I spoke slowly, though I was certain it didn’t help him understand a thing I said. That condescending tone just felt so good.
I stepped back behind my boys so I could watch them work their magic on him.
“Have at him, guys,” I told them.
“Ladies first,” Juarez said, holding a hand out to allow Chase the first punch.
“Oh, real funny, but you’ve always liked my leftovers, so here you go.” He threw a punch into Dimitri’s gut.
It was like watching two kids on the playground. They talked trash to each other while they worked him over with their fists.
“Don’t kill him,” I told them. It wasn’t time to let him go just yet. I wanted him to hurt for taking Julia from me. I wanted him to pay for sticking his nose into my business and stirring up old dust from the past.
“That’s no fun anyway,” Juarez said as he shoved a fist into Dimitri’s shoulder. His voice sounded strained, as if he had lifted something heavy and held it while he talked. Dimitri winced in pain, and I was sure Juarez had just broken something.
“Right. It’s more fun to keep him alive. More torture.” Chase landed one right across Dimitri’s jaw, sending spit and blood all over his partner.
“You son of a bitch. Look at what the hell you just did,” Juarez cursed Dimitri for spitting on him. He grabbed the Russian by the back of the head and forced him to look at the blood on his t-shirt before ramming a fist into his face.
“Guys, take a break,” I urged them.
“Huh?” They both looked at me. They stood like boxers with their hands up in front of their faces as if they were waiting on the next move from their opponent, but he wasn’t going to be throwing any punches any time soon.
“Back up a second. I want to watch him,” I said.
They backed away like they were told, and Dimitri’s head fell forward again. His breathing sounded wet and phlegmy, but that was probably from the blood covering his face. It dripped on his jeans and his shirt, but at least he was still breathing.
“Let’s let him catch his breath.” I held my hands up to hold the guys back.
“Come on, Gage, don’t go soft,” Chase insisted.
“He’s still got a few more rounds left in him,” Juarez added.
“No, I think he’s had enough for now,” I argued.
The boys put their fists down.
“You know what would be fun?” Chase asked as he turned away from the Russian.
“Oh, man, I’m thinking the same thing you are. Gage, let’s untie him so he can fight back. We’ve got a pretty good head start on the guy, so I doubt he’d be able to catch up,” Juarez blabbed excitedly.
“You can even join us.” Chase clapped a hand onto my shoulder.
I looked at the worn down Russian in front of us. Those boys hadn’t seen him in action. They thought they were hurting him, but I would have put money on there being a smile on his face while he looked down and away from us. Guys like Dimitri fed on violence and pain.
“You two must be stupid,” I said flatly.
They snapped their faces toward me in disbelief.
“If we let him go, that motherfucker will stand up and show you what strength really is,” I continued.
“No way,” Chase dismissed me.
“Look at him! He’s down,” Juarez insisted.
“No, he’s just waiting. He wants you to let him go so you can keep beating him. As soon as you do, though, he’ll whoop both your asses. You don’t know him the way I do. You’ve never seen him in action,” I explained.
“Well, you’re the boss,” Chase eventually said.
Dimitri looked up when he realized we were done. Sure enough, he wore a perverse smile across his face. He was enjoying the punishment the guys were dishing out. That bloody smile and those evil eyes staring up at me just pissed me off that much more.
“Fuck it. Finish him,” I said. I turned around as the guys went back to him with smiles on their faces. I could hear him protesting as their fists began meeting their target again. The fleshy smacks of fists in his gut and across his face gave way to the deep, hard thuds of their fists connecting with bone.
Dimitri cried out in Russian as they punished the bear’s body. They weren’t talking this time. They were focused on turning the solid Russian muscleman into putty. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the honest pain in his face. I couldn’t help it when my lips curled up into a smile. It felt good to see him get what he deserved.