14. Felix #2
Kief laughed, ordering his men to stand down. “What’s your plan here, Felix? You going to shoot the place up? Take us all down with you for this—Dream?” He turned to look at her. “Is she really worth it?”
I took a step forward, clenching my jaw as I steadied my breathing, preparing to take the shot.
“You don’t get it, do you, cousin?” I spit my last word.
“Up until now, I’ve been playing nice…killing with restraint and trying to keep what little humanity I have left.
But the minute you laid eyes on her, on my Dream, you signed your own death warrant.
” I stopped in front of him, the barrel of the gun touching his forehead. “One I’ve come to deliver personally.”
Kief’s grin grew. “There he is…the infamous green-eyed devil.” He clapped his hands together as I remained still like a statue. “Tell you what, I’ll let your… Dream, go. But on one condition.”
“Name it.” I didn’t even hesitate.
Kief straightened his head, leaning into the barrel. “Switch places. Give up your guns and let’s settle things between us, just you and me. What do you say?”
Dream shook her head. “Felix…no…you can’t…you promised. You pro—ahhh!” One of Kief’s men grabbed the back of her head and tugged it back, then slapped her in the face.
I swung the gun and shot the man, killing him instantly.
Kief laughed. “What do you say, cousin? Your life for hers.” I looked back at him. “Tick-tock. I haven’t got all day.”
My eyes returned to Dream. “Felix…no.” I walked over to her, carefully lifting her chin. “Felix,” she cried.
I wiped her tears and kissed her softly. “It’s okay, hey, it’s okay. I’m here. I’m here, Dream.” Her head fell against me as she sobbed. I held her close, knowing there was no other choice.
I kept my eyes on her but spoke to my cousin. “Deal.”
“Wonderful! Men?” He snapped his fingers and they surrounded me, ripping me from Dream. She screamed, watching as they took all my weapons and began to beat me, knocking me to the floor.
“Felix!” she shouted, helpless and chained.
Kief’s laughter mixed with Dream’s screams as everything blurred. My head ached as the loud ringing pierced through my skull and I tasted blood in my mouth. “Enough.” His men stopped and stepped away as he came closer.
I glared at him. “You have me. Now, let Dream go.” Kief didn’t speak. He just smiled and walked away. His men approached, carrying more chains. “Kief…Kief! Let her go! Let her go!” They restrained me, rolling me around until I was facing Dream.
My cousin paused and spoke over his shoulder. “You know what to do.” He then left the room and his men shut the door behind him.
“Kief! You fucking bastard! Kief! You said you’d let her go! Let her go! Kief!”
A guy with a bat advanced on me and when he swung and beat me with it, I grunted. Dream screamed as another man stood behind her, gripping her head as he forced her to watch. “Felix!” she sobbed, trying to break free.
I took a large swing to the face, briefly losing consciousness. “Dream…” I whispered her name, my vision blurred. “Fuck.” She shouted my name again as my vision settled. “Dream—”
Another man joined, hitting me with a crowbar this time.
The beatings and torture went on for what felt like an eternity.
By the amount of pain I was in, I knew they’d broken a few of my bones and fucked my face up.
Dream rubbed her wrists raw from trying to escape, her skin peeling as blood trailed down her chains.
“Felix,” she cried. “Stop! Please!” She shook in her chair, knocking it over.
She hit the ground, her face a few feet away and parallel to mine.
“D-Dream,” I breathed. “It’s okay…I’m…okay.”
Her tears fell from her face as she stared at me. “No…you’re not. You’re not okay. Please…please, stop!” she screamed at the man behind her. He kicked her in the face, telling her to shut up.
“Hey!” He looked at me. “You keep your fucking hands off her! You hear me? You leave her alone!”
The door swung open as Kief strolled back into the room. “Oh, still alive are we?” He moved to the center of the warehouse room. “Impressive.”
“Let her go,” I spit. “Take me. But please, Kief, please let her go. I’m begging you.”
His brow raised in surprise. “Begging? Why, that’s new.” He grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you beg before.” He bent down and smiled. “Do it again. Beg like a fucking dog.”
I lifted my head, trembling as I stared at him. My face showed burning hatred, the veins bulging in both my forehead and neck as I glared at him. “Let her fucking go.”
He made a disappointed face. “Not good enough.” He snapped his fingers. “Kill him. And then get rid of her.” He walked away, taking his sweet time, listening to the sounds of my screams.
“No…No! No! Kief!” I screamed so loud my throat hurt. “Kief!”
Dream cried as she watched his men continue to beat me. “Hey, eyes on me. Dream? Eyes on me!” I coughed up blood, watching her bawl her eyes out. “It’s okay…it’s okay,” I spit, coughing as I tried to keep my own eyes open.
“Felix,” she sobbed. “Please…don’t leave me.”
I smiled as best as I could, straining to speak. “Remember what I said…death can’t keep me from you.”
“Pinky promise?”
I nodded. “Pinky promise.” And just then, a sharp pain hit my stomach.
My vision trembled, the sound of Dream’s scream reverberating through my head as I looked to see Kief pulling a knife from my body. He swung his arm, stabbing me again and again, grinning like a fucking mad man.
“Kief—” I struggled to stay awake, feeling a cold weight wash over me.
My cousin stumbled back, retrieving the knife in my gut. “Goodbye, cousin. Say hello to the rest of the family for me.”
No…No…
I slowly turned my head and locked eyes with Dream. “Cotton…tail…”
And then…everything went black.
Dream…wait for me.