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CHAPTER EIGHTY-SEVEN ETHAN'S POV Mum's words from the nightmare slam back to me. Could it be a warning about the truth? 'Who is he?" I ask Rolan. 'Who's my father?" He releases a long laugh that echoes in the space around us. 'Ah. Isn't this grand? Ye lived with the Russians for years and still didn't recognize yer father? A bastard is a bastard, after all." 'Who the fvck is he?" 'Don't ye worry, my lad. I already called him and gave him evidence that ye're his boy, so if he does want ye, he'll show up. Though, I doubt anyone wants a filthy bastard whose only use is killing from the shadows." 'Was he the one from that night? The one who came when my mother tried to escape?" 'Probably. Yer mother was smart, but not fast enough. My idiot brother promised to protect her and ye, but she knew I'd kill ye both the first chance I got, so she decided to leave. But that didn't turn out grand for her, did it?" 'I'm going to kill you," I mutter through clenched teeth. 'I don't care how or when, but it's going to happen." 'Grand threats from a wee boy." He taps my cheek with his gun. 'Ye're nothing, Ethan . Ye always were nothing since ye were born. I told the Russians they'd get ye once they give up territories, but here's a secret." He leans in to whisper. 'I'll kill ya anyway. This time, I'll make sure ye join yer mother's side." He steps back and motions at his guards. 'Take good care of him and make him scream." 'Aye, boss!" Two guards follow him, leaving me with Fire and two others. 'Guess I should start." Fire appears bored as he heads to the table and retrieves the nail clippers, muttering under his breath. 'What a pain in the arse." I'm actually impressed with his Irish accent; it almost sounds authentic. He stands in front of me, his eyes gleaming with pure sadism. 'Shall we, lad?" The fvcker is so engrossed in his role. 'I don't usually waste time." He taps the nail clippers on his hand. 'I know people start with the least painful torture then go up, but I prefer hardcore stuff from the get-go. It's more fun, innit, lads?" The other two nod like idiots. I glare up at him, and he hits me in the face with the device. 'What are ye looking at, ye little fvck?" I groan as pain explodes in my temple and hot liquid cascades down my face. The fvcker. 'Blood—yum." He grins, and he's definitely not faking it. The sick fvck does enjoy the sight of blood more than anything. 'Let's start with those pretty nails, eh?" He steps behind me and takes my hand in his. I tense, holding my breath. If he hurts my sniper arm, I'm going to bloody murder him. 'Oh wait." He motions at one of the guards. 'Pass me a knife, would ya? I want to cut his skin at the same time." The younger of the two, obviously eager to please, goes to the table, snatches a knife, and comes to our side. His entire attention is on me as he hands the sharp object to Fire. That's his mistake. Fire jams the knife in the man's jugular and slices. A bloody fountain splashes on my face and clothes. I close my eyes so it doesn't get inside. The bastard always goes for the most gruesome methods. The other guard realizes the situation and yanks out his gun, but he's by no means faster than Fire. My mentor gets his gun out first and shoots him in the forehead, killing him on the spot. 'Ah, pain in the arse." Fire snatches the knife from the man's throat. The victim grabs his neck, choking on his own blood, but to no avail. A few seconds later, he's on the ground, drowning in a pool of crimson. Fire uses the knife to cut the ropes. I spring to my feet and yank a gun from the bloodied man's hand. 'Now, I got blood all over me." He switches to his bored—and normal—English accent as he wipes his face with the back of his hand. 'Then maybe you shouldn't have slit his fvcking throat." 'It's more fun that way." Crazy fvck. 'Now what?" I head to the entrance. 'Is there a clear exit?" I need to get out of here before the Russians actually decide to save me. That would mean Rose would get involved, and there's no way in hell I'll let her near the bastard Rolan. 'Not really." Fire clicks his gun. 'We'll have to get out the old-fashioned way." 'Which is?" He hits me upside the head. 'Kill our way out, punk. Did playing house with the Russians make you lose your skills?" 'Piss off." I narrow my eyes on him. 'You were going to clip my nails." 'He said screams." He grins as he types in a code on the door, causing it to open. 'You know I like those." 'Fvcker." 'By the way, the beep of the door alerts all the other guards. They'll be swarming us any second now. Ready?" 'Always." 'Though, there should be backup coming up." 'Who?" He rolls his eyes. 'Your beloved godfather." I don't want him involved either, so I'll just get out of here on my own. We rush in different directions, but unlike what I expected, only two guards come by. We shoot both as we make our way up the stairs. 'Where are they?" 'They should be around." He studies our surroundings. 'Unless Rolan has them." 'Even better. Take me to him." 'Bloody annoying." He shakes his head, but leads me up the stairs to a lounge area. I stop short at the scene in front of me. Rose is here. With Rolan. Just like in the scene from my nightmare.