32. Henry

32

HENRY

I feel like I'm going to be sick. Seeing Lana strung up, her back bloodied from Peter's whipping, the sight of her in pain, twists my gut. But I force myself to maintain a cool, cruel exterior. I have to play along, to buy time for Elio to arrive. It's the only way to save her.

My hand twitches toward my holster, wanting more than anything to put a bullet in Peter's skull. But with Rogers and Johnson here too, I'd be assuring Lana's death along with my own. No, I have to be smarter than that. Even as it guts me to see the way she's looking at me, believing I'm a part of this horror. I'd hoped she'd understand my words to her. "Hold on, baby. This will be over soon," and, "That's the spirit, Lana. Keep fighting," were meant to let her know that help was coming. But I can see that she doesn't. How could she? It's not like I can say them in a reassuring tone. Not with Peter and his goons watching. I have to sell this act, no matter how much it kills me inside.

"You know, there are so many ways to violate a woman," I say, letting my gaze roam over Lana's body. "Pain is just one."

"I'm all ears," Peter says.

"There's always this." I trail my fingers down Lana's neck and lower, fighting the urge to vomit.

Peter lets out a low whistle. "Who knew you were such a kinky bastard? I like this side of you, partner."

I smirk, though inside, I'm dying a slow death at the cruelty I'm inflicting on the woman I love. "What can I say? Some appetites can only be satisfied through domination."

My fingers continue their path along her collarbone, my touch light but invasive. Every fiber of my being revolts against this act, but I have to make it convincing. I let my hand wander lower, skimming the swell of her breast.

"Such a beautiful body," I muse, loud enough for Peter and the others to hear. "It's almost a shame to destroy it."

Lana jerks away from my touch, her eyes blazing with fury. "Don't fucking touch me."

I'm going to hell for this. As well I should. "Oh, sweetheart, I'm just getting started."

My fingers slide between her breasts where her shirt hangs in shreds. Lana thrashes against her restraints, trying to knee me in the groin. I sidestep her attempt, tsking mockingly.

"Feisty little thing, isn't she?" Peter laughs.

"You goddamn bastards!" Lana spits. "I'll kill every last one of you!"

The other cops guffaw, clearly enjoying the show.

"That's it, Lutz!" one of them calls out. "Show the bitch who's boss!"

I grab Lana's chin roughly again, tilting her face up to mine. "Keep talking, sweetheart. I love it when they fight." But in my gaze, I'm trying to tell her to knock it off. I love that she's strong and defiant in the face of such cruelty, but there's only so long I'll be able to keep the others at bay. Her pissing them off will only make it worse for her.

Lana snaps her teeth at my fingers, nearly catching them. "Go to hell, you fucking bastard!"

The men hoot and holler, thoroughly entertained by Lana's defiance and my performance.

Where is Elio? The clock is ticking down. Every second that passes is another moment Lana suffers, another chance for these bastards to hurt her further. My stomach churns as I realize I might have to follow through on my threats if Elio doesn't arrive soon. The thought of actually violating Lana makes me want to put a bullet in my own head.

"Come on, Lutz," one of the cops jeers. "Stop teasing and get to the good stuff!"

I force a lecherous grin. "Patience, boys. You can't rush perfection or pleasure."

My eyes lock with Lana's, and the hatred I see there nearly breaks me. Even if we make it out of this alive, I don't know if she'll ever forgive me. But her life is worth more than any chance at a future together.

"While we have her here, we might as well find out what she can tell us about the other families. Get them before they try to castrate or blow us up. What do you say, sweetheart?" I purr, holding her chin, willing her to see my act. "Ready to start talking? Or should I show these boys how it's really done?"

Lana spits in my face again. "Fuck you!"

I wipe the saliva away. "Oh, I intend to."

"We all intend to," Rogers says. If I get the chance, I'll castrate him myself. The lust in his eyes makes me sick.

"Alright, Lutz," Peter says, clapping me on the shoulder. "You've had your fun. Let someone else have a go."

Panic surges through me. I can't let them touch her. I have to stall.

"Now, now," I drawl. "I'm just getting started. You wouldn't want to ruin my rhythm, would you?"

The tension in the room ratchets up as Peter's patience wears thin.

"We're not here to fuck her. We're here to fuck her up. To make her pay for my father's death." Peter shoves me aside. He grabs Lana's face, fingers digging into her cheeks. "Tell me about my father. Why did you kill him?"

Lana's eyes blaze with defiance. I can see the pain and fear she's trying to mask, but her spirit remains unbroken.

"I don't know anything about your father."

Peter's face contorts with rage. He pulls out a knife, the blade glinting in the dim light. My heart nearly stops as he holds it up to Lana's face.

"Maybe you need some motivation to jog your memory," he growls. "How about I carve out those pretty eyes of yours? See how well you can lie when you're blind."

I tense, ready to intervene. This is spiraling out of control fast. Where the hell is Elio?

"She's not going to talk if she's bleeding out or in excruciating pain," I say quickly.

Peter puts his knife in a holder, which gives me a momentary reprieve. But then he wraps his hand around Lana's neck. "I'll squeeze it out of you, then."

Lana doesn't flinch. She meets Peter's gaze steadily. Her voice, strained from his fingers choking her, says, "Go fuck yourself."

The shock on Peter's face quickly morphs into murderous rage. "You little bitch."

I watch in horror as Peter's fist connects with Lana's face. Her head snaps back, and her eyes roll up as she loses consciousness.

Something inside me snaps. I can't maintain this charade any longer, not when Lana's life is on the line.

"Stop!" I shout, lunging forward and grabbing Peter's arm. "That's enough."

The room falls deathly silent, the tension crackling in the air as every eye turns to me.

Peter wrenches his arm from my grip, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "What the hell are you doing, Lutz?"

I stand my ground, positioning myself between him and Lana's unconscious form. "I said it's over. We're done here."

The other cops shift uneasily, hands moving to their weapons. The hostility in their eyes builds as they realize I'm no longer on their side.

"You're protecting her?" Peter snarls in disbelief. "After everything these bastards have done?"

I don't back down. "This isn't justice, Peter. It's murder. And I won't be a part of it."

The atmosphere in the room grows even more tense. My hand hovers near my holster, ready to draw if necessary, even knowing it's the death of me and Lana.

"You son of a bitch," Peter spits. "You've been working with them all along, haven't you?"

I take a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady as I face Peter. "No. I work for the Chicago Police Department. I know you're angry. I know you want justice for your father. But this isn't the way."

Peter's eyes narrow, his hand reaching for his gun. "Don't pretend you understand, Lutz. You have no idea what I've been through."

"You're right, I don't," I admit, holding my hands up in a placating gesture. "But I do know that there are some things you can't come back from. Hurting Lana, that's one thing. But maiming her? Killing her? That's something else entirely."

I take a cautious step forward, my eyes locked on Peter's. "You're not that kind of man, Peter. You couldn't live with yourself if you killed her in cold blood."

A harsh laugh escapes Peter's lips. "You clearly don't know me at all, Henry. I thought we were partners. I thought you'd have my back when it really mattered." The betrayal in his eyes is palpable.

"I am your partner. That's why I'm trying to stop you from making a mistake you can't take back. I'm not protecting her. I'm protecting you. Your father wouldn't want this."

"You don't know shit about what my father would want."

"I do, Peter. He was a good cop. I admired him. Emulated him. Don't throw your life away for revenge. We keep working the case and get them the way your father would want. With the law on our side."

Peter shakes his head. "You're just like my last partner, too chicken to do what needs to be done when the law can't handle it. I don't mind breaking the law to get revenge. I've already done it before."

He holds his gun toward me but then turns it on an unconscious Lana. My heart stops.

"You like your Mafia whore so much, watch me end her life."

"No." I pull my gun, knowing all is hopeless.

The room erupts into chaos. It takes me a moment to realize we're not alone. A flood of armed officers pours in, their weapons raised.

"Police! Drop your weapons!"

At first, I wonder if my sergeant realized his error, but then I recognize one of the men as an officer involved in the Gabriel and Piper Collins domestic violence call. These are Elio's men. They're as dirty as Peter, and I've never been so happy to see corrupt cops.

Johnson and Rogers freeze, their eyes wide with shock. They look to Peter, uncertain what to do.

"I said drop your weapons! Now!" one of the officers bellows.

Slowly, they lower their guns and raise their hands. Two officers move in quickly to disarm and cuff them.

Peter stands there, a gun still in hand, his face a mask of disbelief and rage. His eyes dart around the room, looking for an escape, but he's completely surrounded.

"It's over, Peter," I say softly. "Put down the gun."

For a moment, I think he might try to fight his way out. But as he takes in the number of guns trained on him, the fight drains from his body. His shoulders slump, and the gun clatters to the floor.

"On your knees! Hands behind your head!" an officer orders.

Peter complies, sinking to his knees as an officer moves in to cuff him.

"You too." An officer points his gun at me.

"But I'm the one who called."

"Down!"

I drop my gun and lower to my knees. Elio's men start to cuff us. I don't like it, but I understand it. They don't know me from Adam. Lana is safe, and that is all that matters.

Peter, still on his knees and handcuffed, suddenly loses it. "You see? The D'Amatos have the police in their pocket! The whole city's corrupt!"

I turn to face my former partner, watching as he thrashes against his restraints. His eyes are wild, filled with a mixture of hatred and desperation.

"They're criminals!" he shrieks. "And you're all just letting them walk away! What kind of justice is that?"

One of the officers who came with Elio steps forward. His expression is one of cool disdain as he regards Peter. "That's rich, coming from you. We have a recording of you saying you don't mind breaking the law to get revenge. So, tell me, who's really responsible for making the city corrupt?"

Peter's face pales at this revelation. His mouth opens and closes, but no sound comes out. I can't help but feel a twinge of pity for my former partner. He'd been consumed by his need for vengeance, and now he's lost everything. But I push the feeling aside, reminding myself of what he was willing to do to Lana.

The officer continues, his voice hard. "You're going away for a long time, Hartley. Kidnapping, assault, conspiracy… the list goes on. Hope it was worth it."

As Peter is hauled to his feet, his eyes meet mine one last time. The betrayal I see there makes me flinch, but I stand my ground. I made my choice, and I'd make it again in a heartbeat.

Another of Elio's men calls out, "All clear."

Elio and his underboss stride in.

"Oh, Jesus, Lana." He rushes to her. "Unlock her. Fuck… unlock her now."

"I can—" A hand pushes me down while one of Elio's men goes to help Lana.

"What the fuck?" Elio's underboss says, helping lower Lana until Elio can pick her up. He cradles her, murmuring something to her, his voice too low for me to hear, but I can see the tenderness in his actions. Not monsters. A family full of love.

"Which one is Lutz?" the underboss asks.

"I am."

The underboss nods to the cop who cuffed me. He rummages through my pockets until he finds my ID. "Yep. Henry Lutz."

"Let him go."

As the cop uncuffs me and I stand, the underboss steps in front of me. "You're free because you saved her. But you need to stay away."

It's a warning. A deadly warning.

I turn to Lana, limp in Elio's arms as he makes his way out of the room. I move toward them, knowing I'll likely end up with a bullet in my head. But I need to see her.

Elio's eyes lock onto mine, and the intensity of his glare stops me in my tracks. "You did this," Elio snarls, his voice dripping with venom. "She trusted you."

I open my mouth to protest, to explain, but no words come out. Elio doesn't wait for a response. He turns on his heel and strides out of the room, Lana's limp form held tightly in his arms.

I watch them go, my heart sinking. I've lost her for sure, if the betrayal in her eyes is any indication. Elio's fury and protection will ensure I don't have a chance to explain to her. I've lost her for good. But she's safe. That's all that matters.