“What would the point be in that, Mason?” he asked, shaking his head. “Then we wouldn’t get paid.”
My lip turned up in disgust. I’d had enough. I’d had enough before I’d even arrived. Turning away from them both, I headed toward the door to leave what I’d forever call The Cell.
“Where do you think you’re going?” John called from across the room.
“Far the hell away from you assholes,” I gibed as I turned the knob and exited the room.
I flew through the hall and made my way down the stairs, ignoring the eyes which followed my every step along the way.
I had no idea what I was doing. I knew not to push Donicko, but there was no stopping the hatred I felt for the man. He wasn’t the number one reason my life had been fucked-up, but he definitely wasn’t a bystander, either.
Fuck him and John. I would no longer be subject to anything they did ever again. One day, they’d get what was coming to them, and I’d enjoy every minute of it.
Twenty
Mason
I pulled up to the circular drive in front of the red-bricked manor and sat there with my engine running. Memories of the last time I was there plagued my mind. I knew I was psyching myself out; too much time had passed since that night. I highly doubted he’d invite me to his home after all this time to show me the same thing again, but I couldn’t help but wonder what he had up his sleeve.
Without delaying another minute, I cut the engine, got out of my car, and made my way up the stairs leading to the massive white oak door.
Nerves filled my stomach as I knocked and waited for it to be answered. I hated walking into the unknown, but I came prepared, and I couldn’t deny that I was curious to find out exactly what he needed to say.
The door opened and an old man with thinning white hair stood in the entryway.
“Please, come in.” The old man gestured and I walked into my Hell on Earth.
Thoughts of all the women who had been inside these walls entered my mind. I tried not to think that there might be women there, in that very moment, under duress in The Cell while I was about to meet with the man that put them there.
“Right this way, sir.”
We walked through a grand entryway and past the stairs. I noted the décor looked just as it did all those years before, but the manor seemed to have some upgrades. The shabby tile which ran throughout the rooms was replaced with cherry flooring, and the wall color had all been changed.
The old man led me into a living area, and I stopped to look around. The entire room had that ‘old money’ feel. All the décor looked to be ancient.
“Please have a seat. Mr. Black will be with you in just a moment.”
I turned my head to thank the old man, but he’d already left the room.
I glanced down at the couch. I’d debated taking a seat, but resigned that idea. I wanted to be able to leave as quickly as possible at all times.
I stood there waiting for Donicko to arrive and looked over the paintings he had on the walls. One in particular caught my eye; it was very similar to the one Emma had admired in my own home. It was disturbing to see our tastes were similar, but I quickly blocked that from my mind as the devil himself walked into the room.
“Mason, so good to see you.”
He sauntered in, and the air in the room changed. I could feel the dominance flowing off him, and the anxiety I felt prior to my arrival was clawing its way out. It was a weakness I wouldn’t let him see.
“Let’s cut the shit, Donicko. Why don’t you just tell me why I’m here so I can leave?”
“Have a seat, boy.” He gestured to the chair that was angled to the couch, then reached into the cigar box beside him and pulled one out. “Would you like a cigar?” he offered.
“No.”
I reluctantly watched as he grabbed the cigar cutter and clipped the end off, then picked up his lighter and slowly puffed until it was lit to his liking.
He draped an arm on the back of the couch and turned his body to me, getting comfortable like we were old friends.
“Let’s get on with it, shall we?” I prompted.
He blew out smoke and smirked at me.
“So, tell me, Mason. How’s your friend Ms. Blake?”
Anger built in my core at the sound of her name. I capped it down, but there was no hiding the glare I was shooting his way.
“Ms. Blake is none of your concern,” I stated sternly.
“No need to get riled up, son. She really is a lovely woman. I had the pleasure of escorting her to her sister’s office the other day. She’s really quite beautiful.”
I ground my teeth together as I tried to garner the patience I needed to get through this Hell.
“I’d greatly appreciate it if you were to get on to the reason I’m here. You said there’s something you wanted to talk to me about?”
Donicko leaned forward to tap out his cigar then stood.
“Would you like a drink?” he asked, making his way to the liquor he had on the shelf across the way.
I continued to stare at him as he finally went back to his seat.
“I was told some rather interesting information.”