Tess.
The love for her no longer had space anymore-it was swamped with lust for murder.
"Lynx told us to bring you in one piece. But he didn't say you couldn't have bruises." The two men in front cracked their knuckles, inching closer. The cramped space of the cabin was a treasonous whore, giving them the upper hand.
There wasn't much I could do. Hands bound. Honour bound. I would bide my time for vengeance.
The first punch came from behind, knocking me like a ping pong into the awaiting fists in front.
Cheekbone.
Spleen.
Ribcage.
Kneecap.
Fists kept swinging and I had no way to hide or reciprocate.
Grunts filled the cabin as they turned me from human to a piece of exercise equipment-pummelling from all angles.
Blackness stole my vision as a well-aimed fist struck my temple. I collapsed into a chair, breathing hard, tasting blood, hearing the yips and snarls of my inner demons.
Seven men to beat up one who was tied and defenceless.
Seven men who would have no intestines by the time dawn crested.
This was a playground scuffle.
The instant I touched down in Spain the real fun would begin.
*Two hours after capture*
"We're here."
The car swung into a private estate hidden down a driveway. The high hedges circling the perimeter acted as a natural fence. The property was nowhere near as big as the Mercer chateau, but it nevertheless housed fifteen rooms, numerous lounges, and at least three dungeons to rent. I'd been offered the use of one with any girl I wanted more than once.
From here it looked quaint and picturesque, with lights glowing warmly from rounded sash windows, and trees swaying in the night-time breeze.
The vehicle came to a stop outside the entrance. Someone wrenched open my car door; leaning in, he cuffed me around the back of the head. Fuck me, I ached. My entire body was bruised, hurting even worse than the gunshot in my thigh.
"Get out, Mercer."
I hadn't been cuffed since I was a fucking six years old. I wasn't about to take it when I was almost thirty.
I couldn't stop the cold smile stretching my lips.
Grave mistake. Huge mistake.
We were in a completely different country to Tess. My honour didn't cross borders-I'd kept my vow to go to Spain willingly. But we'd arrived and all promises were over.
Elegantly-or as much as I could with a beat up body-I stepped from the car. The guard moved away, grinning at my obedience. I grinned back. Another man grinned. Fuck, we all grinned at each other.
Fucking pricks.
I struck.
With my bound wrists, it didn't give me the leverage I wanted, but I managed to splay my hands on either side of his skull and tear. I jerked fast and hard as if I uprooted a tree from dirt. And in a way-that was precisely what I did.
The snap of his neck echoed in the night sky before his body fell like a useless piece of timber.
"What!" The man who was in charge stomped forward, hands raised. "You fucking-"
I propelled both arms forward, forming one giant fist. The strike caught his chin perfectly, propelling him upright, sending him slamming onto his back.
I stood over him, ignoring my bruises, cut lip, and swollen eye, and invoked more anger to flow. It was the best painkiller-it would keep me free from agony until I had the luxury of relaxing.
"Don't ever think you can touch me without paying. It comes with a price and you can't afford it, you fucking scum." I spat on him, kicking dirt over his groaning body. And I want everyone to know.
I knew I'd been stalked. I'd taken precautions but not enough. Deliberately. "Touch me again and I'll send you straight to hell."
A strike landed on the base of my skull. I stumbled forward, cursing the rush of sickness and pounding headache. At least I didn't have a migraine. A migraine only came when I tried to rein in the evilness inside.
Tonight I was free. I'd let my humanity go the moment I said goodbye to Tess.
My muscles seized as a gun bruised my spine. "Move, cocksucker." Someone shoved me forward, giving me no choice but to limp ahead with my vision sputtering in and out from the blow to my skull.
The house loomed. I knew without a doubt if I went in there I wouldn't be coming out. But there was no other option.
Trust them. Franco knows what to do. Franco had a to-do list and he would get it done.
My wrists rubbed together, searching for the hard node beneath my skin. It'd hurt like a motherfucker having it inserted. A small tracking device fully equipped with GPS, different frequencies, and indefinite lifecycle. I'd had the same doctor who'd tended to Tess insert it the morning I got her home.
At the time, I thought I'd gone overboard with precaution, but now I thanked my foresight. This would've happened regardless-I'd pissed off too many people to think I wouldn't suffer. But I would use it to my advantage. I intended to make an example of them. Slaughter their entire business-send a message to the remaining cocksuckers out there that I wasn't weak. That I wouldn't be killed easily. Lynx would be my announcement to anyone stupid enough to come for me. They would know exactly what I would do to trespassers.