Chapter Twenty-Five Dixie

I'm waiting for Delphine's response and find I'm okay with either response. Being an assassin was something that came easily to me and I can't deny that I enjoy the work. Taking the lives of those who add nothing but pain and evil into the world is rewarding. However, I don't need to work for Sigil to achieve this. The Demon Dawgs often go up against the worst humanity can offer.

"Does being an assassin make you happy?" Delphine asks, as if reading my mind.

"Yes," I say simply. "I know killing is a sin, but I've never believed that all lives matter. Some men and women make this world better only by leaving it."

She nods as her eyes glaze a bit. It's my turn to read her mind, and I know she's thinking of the man she killed.

"You want me to give it up?" I ask again, but she shakes her head.

"No, I want you to do what you want," she responds. "I only ask that you stay safe. If Hex and the others can help you cover your tracks, then let them. If you ever need me to give you an alibi or help with your cover, all you have to do is ask."

I open my mouth to protest, but she places her finger over my lips. "I'm putting the offer out there, knowing you likely won't take me up on it. But keep the thought in mind."

I bite her finger and offer her a grin. "I love you, Delphine."

"I love you, too. You promised to help me go to sleep. I'm still pretty wired. What are you going to do about it?"

Well, I did promise. Rolling on top of her, I wear my woman out.

When my alarm goes off a few hours later, I roll out of bed carefully so as not to wake Delphine. When she doesn't move, I grin. Definitely wore her out. I dress in silence and step outside my door to find Zip waiting for me.

"Where's Irish?" I ask him.

"Car trouble. He'll be here later this morning," Zip says.

I shake my head and chuckle. "I swear he has more bad luck than anyone I've ever met."

"Why do you think we call him Irish? He lacks the luck of a good Irishman," Zip says, clapping me on the back.

"I thought we called him Irish because he couldn't hold his whiskey," I reply.

"Either works. We really need more prospects," Zip says with a yawn.

"Agreed."

We don't say another word once we're outside. Don't want to risk our trespasser hearing us and bolting. We move silently past the garden and into the overgrowth. As we near the building, we hear a commotion that has us picking up our pace. We burst into the clearing in time to see two figures grappling a third to the ground. By the time we reach the threesome, the third man has his hands behind his back and he's no longer struggling. Abra turns the guy over and shines a light on his face. Mikel. Golubrev's former henchmen.

Abra lifts the man up and tosses him over his shoulder as Zip leads the way to the Farm. As we walk, I pull out my phone and send a message to Hex, who replies that he's on his way. The Farm is a simple square made of cement blocks. It sits away from the clubhouse and hidden within a circle of trees. The trees have been here for centuries and used to guard a small, dilapidated shack. We tore it down and replaced with something sturdy and, more importantly, soundproof.

Inside the Farm, Abra hangs Mikel from the chains hanging from the ceiling. He leaves Mikel fully clothed for now. Whether he stays that way is up to Mikel. Hex, Lake, and Pirate enter just as Abra finishes.

"He's out?" Hex asks.

"Not for long," Abra says as he picks up the nozzle on the spray washer.

"Wait a minute," Pirate says, picking up Mikel's phone that Abra tossed on the table. He holds the phone up to Mikel's face to unlock it, before stepping away and leaning against the wall.

Abra turns on the spray, soaking Mikel with cold water until he sputters awake. His eyes dart around the room until they land on Hex, who's grinning.

"Welcome back," Hex says, causing all but Mikel to laugh. "Guess you missed us more than we missed you."

"Fuck you," Mikel spits, making us laugh again. He scowls but remains silent. I guess he's waiting for our next move. He's not the only one. I'm uncertain what Hex's plan is regarding Mikel or what he hopes to learn from him. Other than how he found his way back onto our property.

"No thanks. Let's get started," Hex says, glancing at Abra, who nods and heads toward the table that holds many of his torture tools. He picks up the serrated hunting blade before turning back toward Mikel.

"Do your worst, I'm not talking," Mikel says and I admire how he shows no fear.

"Oh, we don't need you to talk," Hex says. "Didn't I say? No, I guess I didn't. You see, we didn't bring you here to torture information out of you. You have nothing we need. No, you're a gift. From my father."

Mikel frowns at Hex in confusion. I blank my expression and see that the others have as well.

"Your father?" Mikel finally breaks down and asks.

"Maxim Zoloth. He's my father. Didn't you know? You work for him, right? Worked for him even while pretending to work for Nero Golubrev. I know all about you being Maxim's spy. He told me you were useful, but he agreed to hand you over to me."

"What the fuck are you talking about? I don't work for Maxim," he denies.

"He seems to think you do," Hex goes on. "He told you to come down here and spy on us so we could grab you."

"You're lying," Mikel argues.

Hex shrugs. "I don't care if you believe me or not. Go ahead," he says to Abra, who moves closer. The knife flashing in the light.

"Wait. If you don't want information, what do you want?" Mikel asks, his confusion making him less confident.

"Nothing. You have nothing I can use. You're just one of Maxim's lackeys. I doubt you'd know anything that I can't learn from him or my brother, Vladimir. You're just here so I can watch you die." Hex nods again, Abra takes another step.

"You can't kill me," Mikel says with confidence. "I have information that will rain down destruction on your woman if you don't let me go."

Hex scoffs and gestures for Abra to get on with his slice and dice. Abra takes his time cutting off Mikel's clothes, making sure to knick the man with each slice of the blade. Hex and I watch Abra work until a gesture from Pirate has us moving to his side. He looks concerned as he holds the phone out for us to see.

On the screen is a map of New Orleans, with lines going between different points of interest.

"What have you got?" Hex asks, lowering his voice so Mikel can't hear us.

"These lines show where Mikel's been for the past seven days. Five buildings are ones owned by Golubrev Shipping. Buildings Cleo inherited from her father. Mikel shouldn't have any reason to visit these locations, unless he's still working for Zoloth or he's working for himself. Cleo is still going through all the properties that she owns. She hasn't visited them all. Golubrev could have been using these locations for his illegal activities. Mikel would know of them."

"You think his threat is valid? That he has information that could ruin Cleo?"

I shrug. "We can't take the chance. We should check out these locations and see what's going on before we kill him."

Hex nods before turning back to Pirate. "See if you can find anything more on his phone. Maybe his contacts can tell us more."

Pirate nods and leaves with Mikel's phone while Hex and I return to watching Abra. Hex gives Abra a tiny shake of his head to let him know not to go too far. Abra nods before slicing what's left of Mikel's pants, so he's left only with his boxers. Blood trails down his arms, legs, and torso. He hasn't lost enough blood to kill him, but he's feeling pain.

"We can make a deal," Mikel offers.

"You want to share information? Share," Hex says in a bored tone.

"Not until you promise to release me," Mikel says.

"You think you're in a position to negotiate?" Hex says with a chuckle. "There is nothing you can do that will touch Cleo."

"You'll find out differently," Mikel threatens. "Golubrev tied Cleo to everything he did, just in case he needed to control her. He didn't have time to use his leverage, so I'll use it. Let me go, or she goes to prison. Your choice."

Hex gives a nod to Lake, who approaches with a syringe. He shoves it into Mikel's neck before pressing the plunger.

"He'll be out until we bring him back around," Lake says.

"Good. Stick him in a cell. Make sure he's locked in tight. No one is to let him out. I'm not having him escape again."