Chapter Seventeen ~ Pinky’s Out

The sound of bone-cracking and snapping off from another one can be oddly satisfying like drinking a cup of coffee in a nice cozy blanket. The smell of blood in the air now a normal scent as if a candle was lit to enjoy it. The horrifying things that could make any normal person gag even if viewed from a slasher movie on tv. Those things were normal for me except for right now because the wimps in my stomach wanted me to get out of the room.

Zach handed me a black mask to help cover my mouth and nose, "Thanks, babe. We need to teach the little ones how to do this too." He laughed, "We can start teaching Leah, and once the other two turns five we can begin training." I turned back around to the man on the metal chair who was passed out with his hands and arms tied to the handles of the seat.

I had cut open the skin of his few fingers to his arm up to the elbow where you can see his veins and bones on both arms. Normally a person would be sedated for such cuts but victims are always better alive and awake to remember everything. On the table, to the side of me, I got the taser and carefully angled it to his neck where I knew the sensitivity was at its worst.

Zach sat on a chair a few feet away from us observing my work and asking questions every now and then. This man, Rodrigo Santiago, was found in an alley boasting about working for a super-secret organization after having a few drinks. After interrogating him we found the crescent moon tattoo on his shoulder towards his back. The difference between any regular moon and this one is that on the bottom corner outside there is a black star and on the top corner inside there is a white star.

Electricity flowed out into him making the man scream in pain and jolt awake to continue our session. The man's tanned skin was covered in blood, tears, snot, and tattoos then his facial hair had been growing due to being captive for three days. "I'd like for this to be the last time I ask, who is the King that you work for," I asked taking the shears putting it in between the Scaphoid and Radius bone. He only kept screaming, "I won't tell you!"

I sighed annoyed I didn't get anywhere and the babies were beginning to move around a little more so I had just about had it. My hands swiftly closed the shears and with the amount of pressure I put in it, his right hand fell off spurting blood on the floor.

He screamed bloody murder as his body splurted blood as if on some cheesy horror movie. This wasn't getting anywhere, all we got out of this was drugs, weapons and stopped a shipment of human trafficking. I threw the shears onto the table motioning for Zach to finish him since my feet began to hurt.

With a snap of his fingers, a cushioned chair was immediately set up for me along with an ottoman and when I sat down a cup of Arnold Palmer was placed in my hands. The sounds of screaming and slashing hadn't interrupted the calmness spreading through my body while I watched my future husband digging the man's eyeball out of its socket.

"Hmm it's still connected to your head so does that mean you can see yourself," he asked Rodrigo while holding out his eye for him to see. Rodrigo thrashed trying his best to be released from the restraints, "KILL ME!"

Zach tsked Rodrigo, "If I kill you, it won't be the easy way I can promise you that but if you tell me something useful then I can make it quick." Rodrigo sat there balling his eye out as snot and drool dripped down. "I'm going to give you ten seconds to give me an answer because if not I'm sure that family of yours will be delighted to join you in hell."

Ten

Nine

Eight

Seven

By Seven Zach pulled up his phone showing a live video with the camera pointed to a window where a woman was busy cleaning up a kitchen then it moved to the side showing one of our men waving hello with a hunting knife and spare key.

Six

Five

Four

He was now walking to the back door ready to insert the key and the sound of a crying toddler could be heard in the background.

Three

Two

"Wait!" Rodrigo yelled thrashing in his seat enough to shake it a bit off the ground. Zach smirked telling our man to abort his mission, "Did you suddenly gain your tongue to tell us something useful?" Rodrigo hesitated in speaking biting his bottom lip then sighed signaling his defeat, "Beware the eyes of a supposed innocence for family blood is thickest of all."

Family? Supposed Innocence? Whose family do we have to worry about? Of my family by blood, it would be Ducky but she is.....a mental image of Ducky appeared of her picking her nose. Yeah, the answer is definitely no. I'm racking my brain here.

In the end, all we got was a riddle so we had Ryan and Danny take out their stress on Rodrigo's body till his heart stopped beating. Zach sent me up to shower and prepare for the party today hosted by Mr. Rivera while he stayed to see the boy's skills at torture. A shower will do some good. While in the shower, I thought about preparing some movies and snacks for Leah and Leo to enjoy before leaving, or maybe they can even bake something.

I took my time to dry myself before sitting on the bathroom counter to do my make-up for a natural look to match the dress. Ugh, I'm breaking out. A heavy sigh left me knowing I'd have to "work" at this party pretending to be a woman and socialize with bastards. I could be at home wearing slippers with sweats while being silly with my little family.

I opened the bathroom door letting the steam flood into our bedroom only when it cleared a woman wearing only a t-shirt and underwear was reading a magazine on top of our bed. A half-naked woman is contaminating my bed with lady germs.

She looked up at me moving her black hair from her face for a moment before going back to reading her magazine as if this scenario was normal. "You are?" I asked her as I leaned on the frame of the door. She put the magazine down with a sigh and a look of annoyance, "Look here little hoe, I'm Zach's wife. If you don't like it then go talk to the two-timer. And while you are at it, when you come back up from killing him, can you bring up some popcorn."

"Why should I believe you?" Her eyes narrowed, "You don't have to believe me, either way, I'm still married the ass. I still wear my wedding band and here look a pic of our certificate." She pulled out her phone swiping on the screen until a photo of a marriage certificate with both of their names and signatures were in place.

I'm tired. Tears ran down my eyes as Isabella smirked at me going back to reading mumbling how stupid I was. I'm tired. I tied my blue robe properly before leaving the room hearing Isabella laugh at me. Believe me when I say that I can laugh too.

Her laughing face quickly disappeared when I showed up with a Double Barrel at the doorway pointed right at her face. "Oh, Shit!" I wasted no time pulling the trigger but instead of blood, it was feathers and paper pieces floating around.  She jumped from the side of the bed and rolled her way into the bathroom closing the door as I pulled the trigger again creating many holes in the door.

"If you think he is the only one going down to hell you have been sadly mistaken, bitch. Get out here and fight me you coward or so help me god that white bathroom will be painted red with your blood." "Crazy Bastard! Zachary get your ass in here," I heard her yell out while I tried kicking down the door with my foot and reloading the gun. If she thought I was just going to run away and cry like some little bitch, she was terribly mistaken because I've had just about enough of everyone's bullshit.

I heard footsteps coming to the bedroom door so I shot at it hoping to get the bastard manipulator. "Skylar sweetie put the damn gun down!" How dare he. "Don't you sweetie me you fucking asshole! I trusted you and was even going to marry you," I yelled out shooting the wall where he should be just on the other side of it.

I'm just tired. Tears clouded my vision as I slumped down to the floor wiping my face with one hand while reloading clumsily with the other. Zach and Isabella came out from their hiding spots carefully getting close to me but I pointed the gun at him staring at him angrily. "Bastard." He smiled at me grabbing ahold of the end of the gun letting it point right at his heart.

"Sky, I want you to meet Isabella Jones. She is my sister and your sister-in-law that you just tried to kill." I put my finger on the trigger, "Why is her last name different and why should I believe you?" Isabella walked to the bed then threw something at me and Zach put his hand on his face to cover his vision from her. "Ugh, Izzy why can't you have the decency to wear pants? No wonder he took your joke too seriously."

Isabella flopped on the bed getting the torn-up magazine again, "I like him. He didn't run away to cry like some Disney princess. I am half-naked because my husband isn't there ready to pounce on me just because I don't have pants on so I will wear or not wear whatever I want ya old bastard." He rolled his eyes looking at me, "Why does everyone call me old when I'm not even thirty yet?"

The statement made me laugh as I picked up the cellphone Isabella had thrown earlier. I scrolled through it seeing many pictures of a young-looking Zach and Isabella with what looks like their parents from pictures of training to celebrations and a need to photograph first kills. He sat in front of me gently rubbing my feet with a smile waiting for me to finish viewing the photos of his life.

I sighed throwing the phone back at her successfully hitting her arm with it, "Bitch." She gasped, "Well you know what, right back at you Hoe." We laughed as I layed down on the floor groaning because this little charade took up most of my energy and I have non left to finish getting ready or to play pretend for a couple of hours.

A pinch to my leg fat woke me up from my thoughts, "Get ready the both of you. The party starts in one hour and you know how others like to chat up the higher ranks." Izzy and I groaned from our positions, "I don't want to go anymore." Izzy agreed with my statement since she had only just got here and wanted to meet her new Niece.

"We are going now, you both better be ready in thirty minutes, or you'll be pulled to the car however you are," he said picking me up bridal style before dumping my body on Izzy crushing her under me. "Agh, you're heavy!" I pinched her thigh fat, "Well sorry for carrying the future! Now move your fat ass to get ready."

"Well, the future is fat like you. Agh, what are you like two fifty!" I kicked her off the bed, " What are you like forty ." She sat up quickly glaring daggers, "How dare you!"

As far as getting ready, both Izzy and I helped each other before we could feel the rath of Zach. Don't get me wrong I can handle him but I mean probably not when I have a protruding stomach and slightly swollen feet. I filled the small secret compartment in my handbag with throwing stars and what not because you just never know.

In thirty minutes of us getting ready and name-calling, we made it to the car where we explained to Izzy what was going on between the Kings.

"While Izzy was doing my hair, Jay found out Rodrigo was part of Rivera's group a couple of years ago. It explains why some of his fingers and toes were missing. Maybe they got chopped off before he could leave the group." Izzy made a disgusted face while looking at her own hand.

I quite like the Japanese tradition, it lets us know easily who can and can't be trusted. "Jay provided us with a map and guest list for this event so maybe we can do some snooping around. From some of my other sources, I was able to obtain a blueprint so it can show us if any hidden rooms are available."

"Do you think Rivera could be connected to the hidden King," Zach asked looking over at the tablet showing the blueprints. "I think it's worth a look into because we can't underestimate any doubt in mind. Make sure you memorize the exits before we get there," I say handing the tablet to Izzy. Always know your exits.

"A younger kid who I just met is giving me orders," she said with a defeated look as she viewed the screen. After a while I felt her shift so her body was facing to me then she poked my right boob, " Are they real?" I smacked her hand away, "Are you real? Mine are just slightly stuffed but once these babies are out, like my stomach the boobs will be gone too."

We bickered again until we got to the Rivera's estate where many guards were stationed around the premises. I heard different guards from different families were participating including some from our groups to keep the guests comfortable.

"The both of you better be on your best behavior on being civil. No bickering. Angel, you're a boss so act like one. Isabella your twenty already so act like an adult or so help me I'll let that husband of yours know where you are," he said putting a hand on either of our shoulders and squeezing it.

We both quickly agreed with him then he got in between us with his elbows out so we both were to escorted by him. The entrance to the mansion was grand and detailed meaning a lot of thought was put into it to impress. Walking inside, we headed straight to what looked like a large conservatory where the walls were floor to ceiling windows allowing a view to the courtyard.

As Zach led us to the couches, some people cleared the area making some seats available. I carefully sat down while Izzy went straight to the buffet table where a chocolate fountain was stationed at the end. She better brings back chocolate strawberries or I'll kick her.

Zach noticed I was looking at Izzy piling a plate of a chocolate mess, "Why don't I see what I can put together for us to snack on. The strawberries look just as delectable as your lips." What a charmer. "Hmm I don't know dear I'd say the bananas look just as thick as I like them and long enough I could fit it all in my mouth."

He tilted my head up with his fingers under my chin then licked my bottom lip before making sure to kiss me as lewdly possible. "Eww get a room we are out in public take your PDA elsewhere," Izzy said planting herself next to me with a plate that looked like a child made it.

Zach sighed leaving to get one for me while stopping to say hello to a few people in the crowd by the table. One of the babies began to move around so I started to caress the area they were as I looked around the room. I wasn't surprised to see the little girl I met at the annual party which I believe her name was Delilah.

She spotted me right away and jogged over to us hugging me and asking fast questions about my pregnancy. "What! When! Omg, can I touch? Please please with a cherry on top!" I laughed grabbing her hand to where the little rascal was moving and she was awed by it. Izzy got curious and hesitantly put her hand on my belly as well feeling them for the first time.

Delilah's eyes looked up to me and I couldn't help but stare into the green gems. They were the shade of my mother's favorite color.

My belly touching moment ended when a pretend cough came from the host himself Alejandro Rivera. He stood in front of us, "Sorry to interrupt but I just couldn't miss the opportunity to say hello to the beautiful King of the Blackwood group."

I shifted to get up and greet him properly but he knelt down grabbing my left hand to place a kiss on my knuckles but he paused noticing the ring. I thought I caught a slight smirk spread across his face but he stood up straight motioning for someone to come.

Zach came just in time passing me a small plate of chocolate-covered strawberries and marshmallows. Kinda wasn't joking about the bananas but okay. A woman and child came over beside Alejandro, "My dear guests this is my wife Natalia and my son Lorenzo. He just turned thirteen this past week so he will be training to do business and well much more. I hope in the future we can all be partners."

Lorenzo looked at my stomach then at me sticking his hand out to be shaken with a smile I know wasn't real so I made one back at him while Zach shook his hand. "Show us you have what it takes when the opportunity comes, short stuff, " the kid turned his smile to my husband. "It's an honor to meet a legend and a King of the Underworld so I hope I don't disappoint either of you."

The hairs on my nape and arms tingled making me hold onto Zach's arm. We are being watched. I knew the difference between the gazed of the guests and the glare of a person. We haven't even had the thought to start snooping around and we already have a follower.

I turned around grabbing Izzy's and Delilah's hand, "If you would excuse me it seems I must use the powder room and I'll need some help." Zach noticed the subtle expression knowing what my real pee face looked like, "Yes, please excuse us Alejandro I must see to it my wife feels okay."

"What a shame. I did hope we could have all gotten aquatinted with each other since I like your company." My company? The only time we've spoken was at the dance but even then all he really said was his name.

We began to walk away slowly pacing ourselves so we didn't get out of character but the more my jitters crawled up me the more I actually had to pee. Once in the bathroom, Zach waited for us outside while Izzy and Delilah helped me do my business by holding my dress from outside the door. Girls bathrooms are pretty clean.

"That man has always struck me as weird and his family was even weirder," Delilah said as we washed our hands and checked out for touch-ups. "I agree, at the dance every guy I danced with tried to make conversation or deals with me but he stayed quiet the whole time. Lorenzo didn't seem interested in meeting us either and his wife looked like a doll or a puppet to be more exact."

Izzy touched up her lipstick, "If I remember correctly she was a model a few years back until she suddenly quit without giving any rea-" Everything went dark and Izzy instinctively grabbed my hand, "Stay calm."

"You guys are trained for fighting and shooting but I'm not," she said slightly shaking, "I only tagged along for the damn food."

The bathroom door creaked open so I pushed Izzy behind me while I felt Delilah next to me with her little arm in front of my belly. I pulled a throwing knife out ready for blood but Zach's voice softly asked if we were okay. I sighed in relief hearing him come closer to us only we were able to hear shots firing and screams filling the conservatory. "Zach you better not let us die here! I'm not even at my best looking," Izzy whispered screamed.

We were in the closest guest bathroom connected to a hall that goes further into the house and there is a picture frame with a tunnel behind it. "Guys isn't there a tunnel nearby," Delilah asked as her voice sounded closer to the door. Before she could open it, I grabbed her hugging her close, "You may be a trained killer but you are still a child so stay close."

I felt her huff in frustration but held my hand in hers. Zach grabbed my hand as we heard AK-47's going off and the ground shook slightly most likely from grenades. A red light illuminated from the other side of the door allowing some vision to come back.

Zach passed me a Canik pistol motioning us to stay quiet, "You run as fast as possible and don't look back."

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