But one slips through…
“You’ve been a bad boy, Kazimir. Do you want my punishment or Kevin’s?”
My eight-year-old brain was confused. I hadn’t done anything wrong.
But Sophia said I had. She always did when Kevin was away on business.
I hated her punishments. She made me do things I didn’t understand.
I preferred Kevin’s wrath—punches, broken bones, blood.
I shake away the memory before I sink to far into my head.
I scrub my tattooed skin raw—once, twice—until it burns.
It’s never enough.
No matter how hard I scrub, I still feel them on me. The ghosts of their hands, the filth they left behind.
I towel off, get dressed. Tonight, I’ll get my release.
The thought makes my lips twitch—a smile that never quite surfaces.
I step out to find Keir and Dario strapping up—knives, guns, the usual.
“All I’m saying is, we should use knives—see if we’re as skilled as our mystery competitor,” Dario suggests.
Keir scoffs. “You’re fucking crazy if you think I’m walking into a gunfight with just a couple of knives.”
I grunt in agreement, securing my own arsenal.
“The goal is to take one of them alive, so don’t get too out of hand, Kaz.” Keir’s stern tone almost makes me laugh.
“No killing everyone. Got it.”
Dario’s eyes widen. It is always the same reaction when I actually speak.
“Let’s head out,” Keir says. “I want to go home. Let’s take these fuckers down while we finally can.”
Dario and I nod. We have not been home to Boston in years—too busy chasing this group.
Too busy looking for my half-sister.
We reach another abandoned house—this one much larger than the last. The same eerie atmosphere lingers, but this time, some of the lights are on.
My fingers twitch, eager for pain and bloodshed.
“Let’s move,” Keir murmurs, nodding toward the house as we snake our way up to the side door.
“Oh, come on,” Dario whisper-groans.
Keir and I glance over just in time to see him nudge a body with his boot. Another one.
You’ve got to be kidding me.
I swear, if this mystery person keeps interfering, they’ll be the next one I spill the blood of.
“Keep moving,” Keir orders, nodding toward the door.
