25. Check His Pulse

Chapter 25

Check His Pulse

Hunter

I make enough money now that I need to allow the people who work for me to handle the dirtier parts of the business.

But that’s always been hard for me.

Plus, this is personal.

Parker watches warily as I strip off my bloodied gloves and hand them to him. Megan’s living room is a mess, and the dirtbag lying in front of me is twitching with blood gurgling out of his mouth. He’s probably going to live, but he’s going to hate every minute of it.

“Check his pulse,” I say to Parker with a tinge of disgust in my voice.

It feels as if I’ve been waiting forever for Megan to share anything about the man lying helplessly in front of me, but now I see for myself why she was so reluctant to do so. Samuel is pure evil and nothing good will come from her rehashing all the horrible things I can only imagine happened to her in a home void of any love or respect for her.

Suddenly, I understand why so many Hollywood types make time-travel movies. What a fantasy. If I possessed that superpower, I’d find a way to change Megan’s entire childhood. Why does she have to pay for the sins of her parents?

My eyes dart toward the other two members of Megan’s family. I didn’t harm the stepmom even though she one hundred percent deserves it. Instead, I gave her a few threatening promises because I don’t hit women. It’s fine. I’ll leave that for the people I plan on sending these monsters to.

Clearly, the little sister doesn’t have the stomach for torture when it doesn’t involve Megan because she’s rocking back and forth on the floor, her fist stuffed in her mouth, seemingly totally checked out. I can sleep at night knowing that she’ll never forget the day of reckoning for all that her father’s done and because she never stood up for her big sister. Not once. And I can never forgive her for that. I don’t care that she was a child herself. A good person, no matter the age, instinctively knows right from wrong.

“Call the cleaners and get this scene cleared,” I order Parker. “And call Dante DeAngelo and tell him I’m sending him a gift.”

I may not indulge in the trafficking business, but I can always send this sadistic family to someone who does.

“Are you sure, boss?” Parker questions as he hesitantly looks over at the sister. I know what he’s thinking. I’ve never sent DeAngelo a gift , not like this. But all I can think about is what would have happened in this apartment if I hadn’t arrived when I did. I believe that Megan would have shot one of them, if not all three, and then where would we be?

“They get to live,” I tell him. “That’s more than they deserve.”

“I can make this right,” the stepmother pleads through mascara-streaked eyes. “I can make you feel really good.”

I’m unable to hold back the chuckle from deep in my throat. “Are you propositioning me?” I ask in disbelief.

“I’ll do whatever you want, whenever you want.”

“Your husband is choking on his own blood, and your daughter looks like she’s visiting the planet Mars, but you’re ready to find the next warm dick to suck on?”

“I’m a smart woman. I always have been,” she says proudly. “I know a real man when I see one.”

“I don’t like them long in the tooth,” I tell her, figuring that crushing her vanity is probably the best way to get under her skin. “You’re too old for my tastes.”

“I understand, boss,” Parker says out of the blue. “I’ll call DeAngelo now. It’s the only way.”

“Wait!” she begs. “Then take Rachel. She’s younger than Megan and much more obedient. Please!”

“Look at you being a mother now,” I say sarcastically. “But unfortunately for you, not for the right kid.”

“I was always a mother to Megan.”

“Not much of one.”

“Where are you sending us? Who is this DeAngelo person?”

“A man who is going to make sure that you live the rest of your days out in the manner you deserve. You’re going to love it. It’s right up your alley. Dicks everywhere.”

I make my way up to the penthouse, some of my anger relieved. When I enter, the first person I see is Lars, and I start barking out demands.

“Find out how a family of three got weaseled their way into this building and Megan’s apartment. I selected this building for security, which there seems to be little of these days. Handle that.”

Lars knows exactly what I mean when I tell him to handle it.

He hesitates for a moment as he passes by me and then says, “She went to your room, and she won’t leave. Lena tried to get in to talk to her, but she’s not even letting her in.”

“Thanks.” I nod. “I’ll handle it.”

Seeing my sister on the couch, looking miserable, I stop by her first. This is not the way I wanted a reunion with her to be full of drama at every turn.

“Megan is going to be fine,” I promise her.

“What happened?” Lena looks terrified. “She was fine before I left to go back to the car.”

I look towards my bedroom door and decide not to lie. Lena’s not much younger than Megan and she’s an adult. I have to start treating her like one.

“Her family broke in and tried to hurt her. She’s upset. I’ll deal with it.”

“I’ll…“ She looks around. “I’ll make some dessert or something. Something cold. It’ll help. It might help.”

She seems desperate to do something to help, which may just be a biological trait we both share, so I nod. “I don’t have much in the fridge, so order whatever you need from a delivery service. I’ll be inside talking to Megan.”

When I enter the bedroom, Megan is lying on her side in the fetal position on a corner of my bed, the silk duvet around her.

I sit down next to her. “You okay?”

“No,” comes the small voice, almost childlike.

“Well…” I tuck the duvet a bit tighter around her, and she lets me. “I paid your father back in blood if it makes you feel better.”

She pops her head from under the covers but doesn’t say anything just yet. She simply watches me as I lean back against the headboard of the bed. I motion for her to come to me with my hands, and when she complies, I adjust her so that she’s sitting between my legs.

“I don’t hit women, Megan, so I didn’t physically hurt his wife or your sister, but I have made arrangements to make sure that they will feel the same amount of suffering you did.”

“Does it make me a bad person to want that?” she asks in a teary voice. “Do you think I’m awful?”

“No.” I wrap my arms around her from behind. “It doesn’t. Some crimes you can forgive or let the wheels of justice handle. But some crimes have to be punished, and this will be their punishment.”

Megan is silent, and I can feel her small body move with soft sobs. I hate the sound of her silent cries. Each time her shoulders heave, it feels like something is clawing at my chest.

“Megan,” I murmur her name. “Can you live with my decision? There’s time for me to adjust the plan.”

She just cries harder.

My Megan is not usually a crier, but I can understand that she’s all torn up inside right now, so I just hold her tightly and let her get it out of her system.

I don’t know how long it takes for her to finally relax in my arms, but when she does, she begins to talk and tell me a story that I’m not completely sure I am ready to hear.