Chapter 54
FIFTY-FOUR
MASE
When the basement door opens again, I drop my head back and stare at the ceiling.
I try not to inhale the stench that is down here making it difficult to breathe.
The thoughts of Summer joining us again makes me want to wrap my hands around her slender throat and throttle her while I fuck her.
Although, given her current predicament, that’s currently off the table.
The heavy sound of shoes hitting the stone stairs has me lifting my head to face the entrance.
Luca Varros stands in all his glory, and I swallow the ball of dread rising in my throat. The man screams danger, and the darkness inside him isn’t just of a sexual nature. Nope, the man’s soul is coated in the blood of his enemies.
The small baby attached to the front of his chest makes him appear a little more human, and yet I find myself attempting to mask the grimace of him bringing an infant into this hellhole.
The little guy attached to his father kicks his feet out while making soft cooing noises, and the sight is strangely adorable. He has a mop of thick dark hair and even darker eyes, with drool seeping from his gleeful lips. A cute little guy, even if his father looks like a complete sadist.
Oscar’s following behind him, his eyes flaring with panic. “Luca. I’m simply saying the child will end up traumatized. You can’t take a baby in there. The first few years of their life are fundamental in their development.”
Luca’s gaze slices toward Oscar. “Nonsense. It’s my son’s legacy, of course I can.” His face is deadpan, and he stares back at Oscar head-on as if taunting him.
“A legacy of blood and fear. How inapt,” he clips back.
“Unlike you O’Connells, I have a reputation to protect, and when my sons supersede me, they will not shrivel under simple torture techniques.” His lip curls, like he tasted something disgusting.
“Pass me the axe. I think taking the bitch’s head off and displaying it in the staff quarters will be a good deterrent for the maid’s continuous advances on me.” He holds out his hand toward Owen, and I watch on in horror, unable to fathom if he’s being serious or not.
Oscar’s eyes dart around the room before he blanches.
“You son of a bitch,” he snaps, and I remember the story Owen told me of Oscar beheading his brother’s ex.
Then he throws his arm out. “Fine. Suit your fucking self and traumatize the next generation.” He heads back up the stairs.
“I’ll send the rest of the kids down, shall I?
Children’s tea party?” he singsongs in a tone that I don’t think he uses that often, if at all.
Luca’s nostrils flare, and he tilts his head up toward the stairs.
“O’Connell, don’t you dare!” he bellows, and the deep sound echoes off the stone walls.
“My wife will have my balls in a vise if the children see down here. This little guy won’t remember a damn thing, will you, Julian?
” he whispers, patting the baby’s stomach, then follows Oscar back up the stairs.
The moment the door is closed again, I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Did that just fucking happen?” I ask Owen, and he bursts into a fit of laughter.
“It sure fucking did. I don’t know what I’m more surprised at, Oscar handing Luca his ass or the fact Luca is terrified of his wife.”
“Your friends are fucked up,” I tell him.
“I know.” Tilting his head toward me, he smiles broadly. “Now, what do you want to use on this fucker?” He kicks a foot out at Andrew.
“Definitely the axe.” I grin back.