Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Julian
Originally, I’d planned to grab Corey once he was released on bail, and that was what I was still going to do, but for Wynn to see the deepest darkest part of me I had to show him with someone he might not feel bad for.
I’d told Wynn to spend the day with his friends and that I’d see him later that night, that I needed to get some things together.
He’d appeared to be nervous and that was probably a good emotion to have.
I didn’t doubt that by the time tonight was done, Wynn would want to be away from me… but I wouldn’t let that happen.
First, I made a stop at a rundown bar in the seedy part of Thrindell.
It was a usual stomping ground for me whenever I was in need to scratch my itch.
There was a man named Bear who frequented it.
He was there in the morning and always left before nightfall.
He was a big guy and not kind. In disguise, I’d asked some people about him after he’d lost a game of pool and gotten rowdy.
“That’s Bear.” The bartender rolled her eyes. “I’d steer clear of him; he’s not good company…more so if you’re a woman.”
Ahh, so he was one of those guys. I discreetly took a photo of him and put it through some software Edward had given me. Using facial recognition I could pull up his name, age, and if he had any run-ins with the law. It helped if I was searching for a victim but none stood out.
Sure enough he’d been arrested for sexual assault several times, but apparently the women either had never testified against him, or they’d disappeared. He’d do nicely.
I paid for my beer and slipped out. I’d need a double dose of sedatives for him. Especially since I had to make one other stop before I brought him back to my place.
He stumbled out fifteen minutes later, thankfully, and over to his truck.
He dropped his keys twice, and it was clear he shouldn’t be driving.
I came up behind him (he was too out of it to hear me) and jammed two syringes into his neck at the same time.
He jolted forward, and I ducked as he spun with intent to punch whoever was attacking him.
Between the drugs and the alcohol, he was out in a number of seconds. I looked around, and the lot was empty. He was fucking heavy, but I managed to drag him to my car and, with a lot of sweat and muscle, tossed him into the trunk.
One more stop to make.
“Where are we going?” Wynn asked that evening as I told him to follow me.
“To the basement.”
His steps faltered, but I caught him and prevented him from going face first into the door. “Basement?”
“Did you or did you not say you wanted to know all of me?” I spun and faced him. “Is this not what you now want?”
“I do, just…” He eyed the door that led to the basement. There was a small box I had to open with a key, then put in the code, then my thumbprint.
“Speak now, or forever hold your peace.” I smirked. This was all about marriage and forever, and I found humor in that. Wynn’s glare said he did not.
“What’s down there, Julian?”
I didn’t want Wynn to fear me, but he did and in a few short hours, he’d be petrified. I could only hope that at some point, he’d accept me and maybe even love every part of who I was.
“The answers to your questions.”
“Why are you being so vague?”
“Wynn.” I cupped his cheek and gave him a chaste kiss.
“I could tell you, but I think you’ll question if what I say is true.
If you see it, that’ll be it, you’ll know.
You will know everything about me.” I slid my other hand behind his neck and squeezed.
“But remember what I said—after you know, you can never leave.”
“You can’t keep me.”
“Wynn, staying will keep you safe. If you see the secrets in the dark and run, my family will find you simply to protect our legacy. I would try to keep you safe but…” I sighed. “This is your last chance.”
His gaze flickered to the door and then back to me. He licked his lips, and I followed the movement with my eyes.
“Show me,” he whispered.
I released my hold on him and unlocked the door. I opened it, and motioned for him to go. “You first. Don’t worry, nothing will bite you.”
He took the first step, and lights turned on. I closed and locked the door behind us. He was very slow as he descended into the room, and I let him take his time.
This part of the basement was finished. There was a cream carpet, a big L-shaped couch, even a large-screen TV. Wynn looked over his shoulder at me.
“Your secret is some sort of man-cave thing?”
I chuckled. “No, keep walking.”
I gestured to the wooden door in front of us. This led to a hallway and to where Wynn would discover all my skeletons.
He turned the knob and again, lights came on; these were dimmer. As we walked down the corridor I heard the sounds of one of my visitors.
“Are there people here?” Wynn asked, halting his steps.
“There are.”
His eyes widened. “What the…”
I leaned closer. “Keep walking, Wynn.”
He swallowed loudly. “Maybe uh—”
I shook my head. “It’s too late for that; keep going.”
After a few shuttered steps we got to an open area.
I watched Wynn’s face as he took in everything he was seeing.
To the left there was a cage, and Corey was currently inside.
His eyes were wide, but he was quiet as he stared in fear at us.
To the right, naked and chained to the wall was Bear.
He was still out of it but beginning to wake up.
All the way in the far corner of the room was what appeared to be a furnace, but it was actually a vat.
Inside was an acid blend that would break apart a body.
I couldn’t have a crematorium chamber in this castle. My uncle had built this in its place when he worried I’d do something stupid.
“Julian, what is this?”
I stepped up to the cage. “This is Corey, the man who assaulted Hannah.” Then I pointed to the naked guy. “That’s Bear, a.k.a. Leonard Mitchem.”
Wynn’s coloring paled. “Why do you have them as prisoners?”
“Well, you see. Corey hasn’t told us who paid him. I figured if he watched me kill Bear, he’d start talking.”
“I don’t know who paid me!” Corey shouted.
I tapped the bars. “It’s soundproof, so feel free to yell louder, and I think you’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
I nodded and moved over to Wynn. “Bear there, he’s sexually assaulted quite a few women, and whenever it comes to trial the victims either get amnesia or disappear. Why do you think that is?”
Wynn was breathing heavily. “Julian, you’re a killer?”
I see-sawed my hand. “My great-grandfather liked to call us inevitable executioners.” I shrugged.
“Truth of the matter is, I’m a psychopath, Wynn.
I wouldn’t say I’m devoid of all feeling, but it’s not like what you have.
The need to kill is like a person’s need to breathe.
It runs in the family, and we’ve found ways to make it work. ”
“Make it work?” He waved his hand at Corey, then Bear. “You’re going to kill people.”
“I am.”
“You’re going to kill me?” Corey whimpered, but I ignored him in favor of pointing at Bear.
“He deserves death. I only kill those who deserve it.”
“Who are you to decide what a life is worth, Julian?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I’m the future king, Wynn. This is my land to rule, and scum like him aren’t worthy of living under my rule.”
He motioned to Corey. “And him, what he did was worthy of death?”
“He hurt your friend. Would’ve hurt you if you got the drinks.”
“I didn’t mean to hurt her, just scare her, make a scene.” Corey was pleading with Wynn.
A moan caught all our attention. Bear was trying to sit up and was having some difficulty. Between the sedatives and copious amount of liquor in his system, it was no shock.
“Oh, good.” I crouched close to the man. “You’re awake.”
“Julian.” Wynn’s came over to me. “Don’t do this.”
I stood and cocked my head. “This is who I am, my last secret. The one you can’t run from, Wynn. I’ll make you understand, this man deserves death.”
“I—”
“Have a seat.” I motioned to a chair out of the way.
He knew he couldn’t fight whatever was happening here. His terror was palpable, and I was sure that right at this moment he didn’t love—let alone like—me. But I’d make him, he’d see.
I smiled at Bear. “You ready?”
“For what?” he mumbled.
“To die, of course.”