Gareth freely divulges some information, too, when I probe a little—the right amount of little that won’t trigger his suspicion.
So I know a lot more than the Heathens would let out.
I arrive at the half-open metal door at the end of the hall. Ordinarily, they’d close it to dispel any unwanted attention, but they must’ve been in a hurry this time.
My steps are inaudible as I push the door open and step inside.
The scene I find freezes me in place.
The room is stark white from the walls to the floor and to the shelves on either side. It’s almost blinding.
And those shelves? They’re full of all types of knives, metal objects, canes, and baseball bats. And those are just the ones I recognize. There are other different tools I can’t begin to name that shine with bad mojo and the promise of torture.
My gaze flits to the reason I defied all rules and reason and came here.
Creighton.
Thick rope straps him to a metal chair as he sits there, unconscious, his head lolled forward at an awkward angle.
Nikolai picks up what looks like a cane and glides his fingers over it. “I vote for caning him and paying tribute to his Middle Age ancestors.”
Killian presses on a Taser, creating a spark that echoes in the silence. “This will be more effective in making him talk.”
At that, Nikolai swings the cane in the air and it makes a whooshing sound before he slaps it on his hand. “This will leave a mark and that’s more important in teaching the motherfucker a lesson.”
“Whatever you’re doing, get to it.” Gareth leans against the wall, arms and ankles crossed, appearing bored with the whole conversation between his brother, Killian, and his cousin.
“We can’t push violence, Gaz.” Nikolai breathes heavily. “There needs to be the right preparation.”
I take a few seconds to lock up the strong emotions roaring inside me. If I let them loose, I’ll only be emotional, and feelings don’t work on these guys.
If anything, they’ll use them against me.
After putting on my cool fa?ade, I stroll inside, easing my previously clenched fists. “Whatever you’re thinking about doing, stop it.”
Three pairs of eyes slide in my direction, all dark and intimidating. Usually, that would give me immediate anxiety.
I can feel the pang of discomfort rushing through my chest and clogging my throat, but I squash it down.
“And what are you doing here?” Nikolai tilts his head in my direction, still stroking his weapon of choice. His state of half-nakedness coupled with all the tattoos and the deadly look in his eyes would’ve made me bolt not too long ago.
Not today.
“I know you’ll torture Creighton, and I’m here to tell you it’s not going to happen.”
“This is not the place for you, princess,” Killian says, voice becoming mocking at the princess part. “Go play with your dolls. That is, if they didn’t get burned in the fire.”
“The dolls can wait.” I match his mocking tone. “And I’m not leaving.”
Gareth pushes off the wall, walks to me, and takes his time to sound calm—human. “This is a lot more serious than you think, Annika. You shouldn’t concern yourself with it or waste your breath on it. How about you go check on Jeremy?”
“Not until you let Creighton go.”
“No can do.” Nikolai swings his weapon in the air. “This motherfucker thought he could burn our compound and walk away as if nothing happened.”
I take a step backward, my back nearly meeting the wall.
Doubt slaps me across the face when his words and the events sink in.
What Nikolai is saying could be true.
After all, Creighton attempted arson in this same place before. What’s stopping him from widening his scope and going after the whole house?
My limbs tremble at the thought of him doing that and not caring if Jeremy and I died.
If everyone in the house died.
I internally shake my head. I’m not going to believe those suspicions unless there are hard facts.
Besides, Creighton wouldn’t burn the house while I’m in it, right? True, we haven’t known each other for a long time, but he doesn’t hate me.
I hope.
So instead of falling into whatever black hole my brain is forming, I laugh, head tilting back for extra effect.
“What’s gotten into you?” Nikolai watches me as if I’m an alien. “Did you hit your head earlier?”
“I’m just laughing at how ridiculous all of that sounds.” I wipe the tears from the corners of my eyes, pretending to make a huge effort to stop being amused. “Creighton was with me from the time I went to bed.”