“How do you know about Ana?”
“You’ve been too high to notice before, Stevens, but I know everything. What I can’t figure out is how someone as beautiful and giving as Ana shares the same fucking blood as a parasite like you.”
“Oh yes. Saint Ana. Let’s all take a minute to bow at her feet. If we’re lucky, she might spare a minute to turn her nose up at us.”
His words turn me cold as I hear them. I don’t think about it. I grab the fucker by the neck, slamming him up against the wall.
“Do not say one thing against Ana. You’re only alive right now because for some unknown reason to me, she cares about you. Be grateful, motherfucker.”
“How did straight-laced, holier-than-thou Ana get hooked up with you?”
I apply pressure to his neck, squeezing until he can no longer take air. He brings his hands up to try and claw at me, his face turning blue. “She’s been putting herself at risk to try and save your fucking ass. Something I have a feeling she’s done her entire life. So do yourself a favor and do not mention Ana to me unless you can be a grateful fuck. Because I warn you, Stevens, one more bad word about my woman and I’ll cut your tongue out and feed it to you. Are we clear?” He doesn’t answer, but then he can’t. I ease my hold just enough to allow him a breath. “Are we clear?” I ask again. His fear of death must be larger than I gave him credit for, because his red, splotchy face nods in agreement quickly. A pity. I think I would have enjoyed cutting out his tongue. I give him one last shove. He doesn’t go anywhere because he is still against the wall, but it makes me feel better. Then, I step back.
“Why are you here?” Allen asks when he can talk again. His neck is red from where I held him and I feel a certain amount of satisfaction from seeing it.
“Since I’m letting you live, I thought it would be a good time that you and I come to an understanding, especially about your sister.”
“And if I refuse? You’ll kill me? You might as well do it now.”
“No.” I sit in a chair just beyond the reach of Allen’s chains. “If you insist on being a fucking idiot, I’ll do worse.”
“Worse than dead?” He laughs. Jesus Christ, he is na?ve. No wonder Ana has worried herself sick over him. She’s done him no favors trying to protect him and take care of him, though. He’s weak in more ways than just his penchant for sampling his own merchandise. “Good luck with that.”
“Much worse,” I assure him, staying on course. Today’s visit is all about putting real fear into him. “I’ll turn you over to Kuzma,” I tell him, naming the head of the Russian mob. “I’ll be sure to tell them you’re the fucker who’s been messing with their business in town.”
He pales, and I know my barb hits home. Even he’s not that stupid.
“He’ll just kill me too. Either way, I’m dead.”
Apparently he is that stupid. Again, I’m amazed that he and Ana share the same blood in their veins.
“He’ll make you pray for death and eventually he will kill you. It’s what he does from the time he has you until he grants your prayer that you need to worry about.”
“What do you want from me?” Allen asks after a few minutes of silence.
“Just your cooperation. Well, that and some information.”
“About what?” he asks, hate shining in his eyes.
“Ana.”
He gets this weird look on his face, but he nods his head in agreement. Finally.