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Vengeance is My Name

Waking up with no memory of who I was, where I'm from, nor why I'd been shot in the head, my intention from the moment I wake up is only one thing. Find the man who shot me and return the favour. But it is during this trial and after that I find myself drawn into events outside my control, and possibly the only man with the influence to shape the future of the Mojave and New Vegas, one way or another.

hackwriter29 · Videojogos
Classificações insuficientes
20 Chs

Gomorrah

"Marjorie?" Cass asked as I walked into the penthouse.

"What?"

"I remember that smile last time you spent the night with her. You must like her."

"I do. She's a lovely woman." She passed me a drink as we walked to the window overlooking the Strip. "They're both backing whatever I do, at least."

"Suck Swank off to get him to agree?" I gave her a look, which made her giggle. "Hey, he's a handsome man. Wouldn't blame him or you if you want a little fun together."

"I wasn't planning on staying with Marjorie but, you know, one thing led to another…"

"I've met her. It was obvious how much she already liked you. Hung on your every word when you were discussing the future. In fact, I think there are quite a few people who like you." She cuddled into my side. "Definitely me at the top of the list," she added softly.

"Feeling good about life yourself?"

"I have no reason to complain. I'm living in relative comfort on the Strip. I've made some very good friends. And I'm provided with excitement every now and then. Plus, I know this one man who fucks me like no-one has before."

I glanced her way and grinned as she continued cuddling into me. "I'm not going to wait too long to make my move."

"What are you going to do?"

"Cut the head off the snake. Assure their loyalty by promoting the people underneath them. Swank and Marjorie have assured me their full support in whatever I choose to do, but after what Joana told me, blood is going to flow, Cass."

"Good. I only heard briefly what she had to endure."

"Exactly. I'll be ensuring there will be changes. People want drugs and booze, people want sex, people want to gamble. I understand that. But not in some of the conditions they have to put up with."

"How will you handle it all?"

"Joana suggested I approach Cachino first. Apparently he's been a very naughty boy. After that, I make my way up the chain until I'm eye to eye with Nero. He's dead, no matter what. What I will do is scope out the Gomorrah some more the next couple of nights before I make my first move. I want to see the main players so I know who I'm looking for."

That's exactly what I did. Heading inside incognito as before, even going so far as to not be armed, I spent time around the casino before heading to the Brimstone, where I knew Cachino based himself. Heading downstairs to the private rooms might have proven eye opening to others, though I knew what to expect there, doors left open where drug taking took place and sexual acts that even had me stopping to watch for a few seconds.

I made sure I splashed the caps and that eventually had me invited to the Zoara Club, a small lounge where I knew Nero and Big Sal would be located each night. I made sure I spent the caps while I was there so I didn't look out of place, finding myself in a booth with a girl and guy beside me, both of them being very friendly though I wasn't actually interested in having sex with either of them. The girl was drunk while the guy was strung out on I didn't know what. But I was playing a part, though I eventually wandered out alone.

Halfway through the third night there, I wandered out earlier than the previous two as I needed to have some fun, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it at the Gomorrah. Wandering into the Ultra-Luxe, I headed straight for the bathhouse, leaving everything in a locker before grabbing a towel and wandering through to the steam room.

It was certainly busy, at least a dozen men already there. Stopping and looking for anyone available who might be interested, I met the eyes of one man, glancing up and down his body, appreciating what I could see and walked towards him. Dumping my towel next to him, I sat down on my knees between his legs.

"Want your cock sucked?" I asked.

He grinned and I lowered my mouth, not even bothering to tease. I just wanted cock in my mouth. It had been quite a while since I'd been with a man and was feeling the need to spend a night with one or more. His cock wasn't quite as large as mine, all my lovers, whether I'd fucked them or not, letting me know I was packing heat. But I certainly enjoyed taking nearly his entire length, head soon bobbing up and down quickly as I wanted to bring him off. As I focused on him, I felt lube applied to my arse, glancing back to see an attractive man behind me.

"Make him cum, then I'll fuck you," he stated.

The man I was blowing filled my mouth within five minutes, giving me plenty of compliments as I swallowed spurt afters spurt of his cum. Once he was empty, he moved aside so I could rest my head on the bench, glancing back to see a thick cock ready to slide inside me. I grinned as he pressed it against me before I felt it pop inside, groaning as he wasted no time giving me entire thick length.

Then he fucked me. Wasted no time building up a tempo. He leaned forward to grab my shoulders and fucked me. God, it was just what I needed, resting my head on my arm as I stroked myself with the other, leaving a load on the ground within a few minutes.

"Nice tight arse," my anonymous lover said.

"Your cock is fantastic," I moaned in return. I glanced around, noticing I wasn't the only one being fucked, and I already noticed that men were moving about to fuck each other. I met the eyes of another guy being fuck, sharing a knowing grin, the guy fucking him certainly doing the job.

"Love coming in here," he stated, "Nothing better than anonymous dick."

"Fuck yes. Don't need your name, just give me that dick." My current lover grabbed me by both shoulders and started to slam his cock into me. "Just like that," I groaned, "Fuck yes, just like that."

"I'm going to cum and keep fucking you," my lover stated, feeling him lean forward so he could really start to drive into me, hot breath by my ear, "Love a man who loves to be fucked."

My new friend moved towards me as his current lover came inside him. He was rather cute, definitely younger than me, but when he leaned over to kiss me, I couldn't help grin and return it, though he was quickly distracted by a new dick being slid inside him. "You a regular?" I asked.

The question made him grin. "Five nights a week usually," he moaned, "Would love to every night, but a man needs a break."

To be honest, that's how the pair of us spent the next couple of hours. On our knees side by side being fucked. It was amusing when the same guy would fuck me or him, then him or me afterwards, and it was obvious we were both bottoms, as I wasn't interested in fucking him, and he was enjoying being fucked too much himself. But after a couple of hours, we had both enjoyed enough, sitting back side by side as we waved away any other offers, simply watching as we chatted away.

Wandering out to the pool, we enjoyed a dip, no surprise he ended up approaching me again and kissing me. He was definitely younger than I was, and the longer we made out, the longer I was starting to change my mind. He had a pair of lovely blue eyes, dusty blonde hair, and barely had a hair on his body.

We ended up on a bench by the pool, him on his back, lying on a tower, as I leaned over him, feeling our cocks press into each other, his fingers on my back. "You here often?" he asked.

"Occasionally. I enjoy the company of men but…"

"Ah, you're bisexual?"

"Yeah."

He just grinned as he reached down, taking both our cocks in his hands, caressing them together as we made out. I eventually met his eyes and grinned, telling him to wait a minute, as I wandered back into the steam room to grab what we needed. Returning to my new young friend, I lubed him up again as I lubed myself up, helping spread his legs before I gently pressed my cock against him.

"Not done this before," I admitted, "With a man, at least." I paused and added, "Actually, not had anal with a woman either."

"Give me that cock," he moaned.

Sliding it inside him, god he was tight. I kissed him immediately as I gently buried my cock. "Holy shit," he exclaimed quietly, "Your cock is fantastic."

"Haven't even started yet!"

Once he was ready, I started to gently thrust and I found myself thoroughly enjoying it very quickly. Watching his face light up with every thrust was nice to watch, though the bench wasn't exactly comfortably, eventually moving onto the ground, which although just as hard, was far easier. Spreading his legs nice and wide, I started to pump him a little harder, one hand on the ground, the other gently caressing his cock.

"Oh god, please fuck me," he moaned.

"You've got a lovely tight arse… what's your name?"

He grinned. "William, though everyone calls me Billy. You?"

"Don't have one. Call me the Courier."

His face lit up. "You're him?" I nodded and he leaned up to kiss me deeply again. "Wow, I… I didn't think…"

"Not a lot of people know about my personal life. You're the first man I've fucked though."

"Fuck me," he groaned.

Having cum a couple of times inside the steam room, I fucked him for longer than I expected, and I think we both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I stroked him nearly the entire time, and was certainly thrilled when left a load all of his stomach, licking my fingers clean before leaning down to kiss him deeply. That's when he wrapped his legs around me, begging me to fuck him harder and cum.

Lying side by side once I was done, we glanced at each other and chuckled. "Well, hope I see you again, Courier. Though I'll admit watching you being fucked was a real turn on too."

"Same as you. Enjoyed watching you take one dick after the other."

"It's why I love the Ultra-Luxe steam room. One of the unwritten rules. Anything goes, no names required. I've had so many anonymous dicks in me since I first found out about it… Some nights, you can barely move in there because of all the men wanting to fuck."

"Where do you live?" I wondered.

"Oh, I'm with the NCR. Based at McCarran. I know where you are. Everyone knows now."

"Face isn't that well known yet though. I'll use that to my advantage long as I can."

Washing off in the pool again, we headed to the lockers to get dressed before walking out back onto the Strip itself. Walking toward the monorail station, he was turning towards me, no doubt ready to say something, when I took his hand and led him towards the Lucky 38. He couldn't stop smiling as I led him towards the elevator, stepping out into the penthouse. Only Cass was about, who took one look at us and laughed.

"I'm assuming he's staying the night?"

"Yeah. You mind?"

"Of course not. I'll just share with Veronica and Emily whenever you're with someone else."

"You're his lover?" Billy asked.

"One of the few he does have. You're the first man he's brought back though. What's your name?"

"Billy."

"How old are you?"

"Um… I'm twenty-two."

"So looks like our friend likes his men young, at least."

"I don't know how old I am, Cass," I retorted with a chuckle.

"Why not?" Billy asked.

I glanced at him and figured most of my story wouldn't be known. "I'll tell you after I've fucked you again."

"Can I watch?" Cass asked. We both looked at her as she smiled. "I've seen you fucked plenty of times, but watching you fuck him? So hot."

"You mind, Billy?"

"Long as you're fucking me, I don't care."

He was on his arms and knees on the bed within five minutes, my cock buried in his arse. Cass was naked on the bed beside us, watching us intently with her fingers playing with her pussy. I met her eyes occasionally and she was loving me fuck him, perhaps thinking it was about time I fucked her arse in the future. My young lover thoroughly enjoyed every minute, particularly when I adopted the same position I loved receiving, leaning forward and starting to really drive my cock into him.

"Fuck yes," he moaned, "Already love your cock."

"Your arse is something else," I grunted into his ear.

"We'll have to meet up again. Steam room?"

"I fuck you, someone fucks me?"

"Wow, I'd love to see that," Cass moaned.

We both glanced at her again and chuckled. The fact she was so turned on surprised even me. I had no idea the sight of two men fucking could be such a turn on to a woman, but there we were. I focused on my new young lover, now slamming my cock into him as he turned his head to I could kiss him. Little wonder that I felt the urge to cum again rather quickly, and I knew once I did, that would probably be me done for the night.

"Cum in me," my young lover moaned, "Cum in me again."

I did. It was one hell of an orgasm, enough that I relaxed on his back as I continued to pump into him, filling him up again until I was done, leaving my cock buried deep as he relaxed down on the bed. I left a gentle kiss on his cheek, noticing the smile, as Cass laid back, a sleepy smile on her face, the sign she'd got herself off the same time. But considering the noise we'd been making, I'd barely heard her.

Pulling out of my young lover, I sat back on my knees and couldn't help grin, Cass sitting up and kissing my cheek. "I'll see you in the morning," she whispered, turning to see her happily traipse towards the door, as she would go sleep in the same room as Veronica and Emily. Lying down, my new lover cuddled into my side, little surprise we fell asleep quite quickly.

The next morning wasn't awkward. Walking out into the kitchen together, I introduced him to Emily and Veronica, both of them nothing but friendly. He ate with us before dressing, admitting that he was actually required back at base early that morning. So I escorted him to the elevator, and we agreed to meet up again in the steam room when we could, though he knew I couldn't make any promises, aware I could be rather busy.

Joining the others once he was gone, I told them that I would start dealing with the Omertas that night. If I could solve the issue within said night, even better. All three told me to simply be careful, but I let them know I would be going armed and armoured, using one of the vests we'd taken from the Silver Rush for added protection. I would introduce myself to certain people, and if they wanted to exchange gunfire, I would happily agree to it.

What did amuse me between then and later was how affectionate Cass was with me, spending most of the day sitting in the penthouse, managing to keep myself occupied, but she proved to be a rather pleasant distraction. I did eventually have to ask her what was going on, and she confessed that watching me with my new friend had turned her on more than she thought possible. She'd seen me bottom for her, and that was one thing, but seeing me fuck my new friend had been something else entirely in her mind. Plus, she'd also really liked him, thinking he was very cute.

Enjoying dinner with my three female companions, one a regular lover, one a sometimes lover, one a probable future lover, I checked the time more than once before I readied myself, making sure anyone inside the Gomorrah would know exactly who I was this time. I now carried a weapon on my left and right hip, revolver in its holster on my right, pistol on my left. Shotgun and rifle slotted on my back. I was tempted to carry a shotgun but figured that would be overkill.

Before walking into the elevator heading to the ground floor, Cass, Emily and Veronica waited for me. The latter hugged me first, warning me to be careful. Emily kissed me on the cheek, simply hugging me tightly. Cass gave me one hell of a kiss. I had no doubt about her feelings for me now, leaning back just enough to caress her cheek with the back of my hand. "Just come back," she whispered.

"I will, and once I've cleaned off the blood, we'll make love," I whispered back.

She kissed me again, eventually pinning her against the wall, making her almost whimper into my mouth. "Wow," Veronica whispered.

"Think you need some of that soon," Emily whispered next to her.

Pulling back enough to meet her eyes, Cass gazed into mine with such intensity, I almost had to gulp. "If you ever… I mean…"

"Just come back, Courier. That's all I want right now."

I stepped back and tipped my hat. "You bet your pretty little arse I'm coming back."

Riding the elevator downstairs, I took a couple of deep breaths. I would be walking into the lion's den alone. The Omertas had numbers, I would be alone. I wasn't just going to walk in and start shooting anyone that looked like they worked for the Omertas. I wasn't going to just start shooting period. But the Omertas would be put on notice, and to be honest, I didn't plan on leaving without leaving a few bodies behind.

I strode out the doors of the Lucky 38 and towards the Gomorrah, noticing more than one person stop in their tracks, watching me walk with purpose to the brightly lit building, hearing the noise flood out the doors that continually opened and closed. Guards obviously noted my approach, counting three of them form up to block me walking inside.

"Can't allow you in with those weapons," the middle one stated. Slightly taller, slightly broader. Ugly scar down his cheek.

"Know who I am?"

"Should I?"

"Maybe. I'm the one you would have heard on the radio the other day. I'm the one who walked across the Mojave to put a bullet in the head of Benny. Then I entered the Lucky 38 and put a bullet in House. Sure you want to try and stop me?"

I enjoyed the concern on the face of the middle one. The other two looked at me with nothing but fear. They were nobodies, but this was the first test. Were they willing to die to stop me?

I had my answer within seconds as they split apart and gestured. "Who do you wish to speak to?" the middle one asked, now being nothing but friendly.

"I know who I wish to speak to. Rest assured, your politeness at this moment won't be forgotten."

"Shit," one of the others muttered.

I glanced his way. "If you value your life, and perhaps the lives of close friends, I would spread word that things are going to change in the next couple of hours. How in the know are you?" The three of them scoffed, so I thought I'd let them in on the secret. "Your bosses have made a deal with the Legion."

"They what?" the middle one asked, the anger in his tone understandable.

"I plan on hearing the truth from them after interrogation, but I've had it confirmed from sources I trust. So the decision is now yours. I won't tell you what to do, but as I said, if there are lives inside you value, I would spread the word now."

"Thank you, Courier," the one to the right said, "We'll spread the word. Hard to believe but…"

I met each of their eyes, receiving a nod in return, stepping through the doors and strolling forward. I have no doubt that, within a couple of minutes, word spread through the lower ranks, as I was stopped by a few guards, but after a quick conversation with a colleague, I was allowed to stroll onwards. Although I had no doubt that they all owed loyalty to those in charge, I liked to believe their ultimate loyalty was to the Strip itself.

I think my own reputation put a bit of fear into them. My hands were free, but I was clearly tooled up for a battle. Hell, I'd have gone to war, one man against the entire organisation. The crowds barely took any notice of me, the drunk and the stoned more amused by my appearance more than anything. More than one recognised me, though most were smart enough to stay back.

My first target was Cachino. I was intending to kill him after everything Joana told me, but she also told me he was someone I could perhaps blackmail into working for me, then I'd kill him. Looking around for someone pretty in their uniform, I approached a nearby desk. She looked up from her paperwork and almost cried out, seeing the weapons at my back.

"I'm the Courier," I stated.

She knew I wasn't just there for a friendly conversation. But my reputation also meant something too. "Who do you want to see?"

"Three people I wish to speak to tonight. First, Cachino."

"You'll find him around the Brimstone. He's always around there, watching events."

"Thank you. After him, I'll be having a conversation with Nero and Big Sal. Where are they?"

"Their offices are just off the Zoara Club. But the entire area is heavily guarded."

"I know, I've been down there before. Okay, I'm going to make a suggestion, same as I made to the guards outside. My issue is not with any of you, those at the bottom of the rungs. If you have friends here, spread the word for them to either leave, or at the very least keep their heads down lest shit hits the fan. Know what I mean?"

"Of course. What do you plan on doing?"

"It depends. Tell your friends that your bosses were going to sell you out to the Legion."

"What?" I just met her eyes to show I was telling the truth. "Holy shit. That's… awful. They'd kill everyone."

"Now you know why I'm here."

Heading through the club, any guard I walked by didn't move a muscle, simply meeting my eyes, returning a brief nod. I'd noticed more than a couple of guards run past the desk I'd been standing at, so figured word had spread quickly of what I was up to, so could only hope no-one would spread word to those in charge.

Walking down to Brimstone, it was full of guests sitting at the bar, and others around the stage, watching the pair of strippers gyrate at a pole each. I noticed a couple of guard, neither of them making a move in my direction. But a third gentleman, dressed in a grey suit. Tall. Balding. Green eyes.

Cachino.

I strode towards him, and before he could get a word out, I put a fist straight into his gut. Hearing air rush out of him, I grabbed the back of his jacket and threw him across the ground, taking my revolver from its holster. I heard a couple of screams as the music scratched to a halt. "You should all have heard of who I am by now," I stated, "If you value your life, leave now. My argument is not with you. Head towards the front of the building. You will be informed there. Anyone who wishes to involve themselves in this matter will be shot without hesitation."

"Who the fuck…"

Pointing the revolver, Cachino fell silent. "We're going to have a conversation in private." I glanced around. "Now. Do it calmly. I don't want people coming to investigate."

Once we were alone, I walked towards Cachino, grabbing him by the shirt and hauled him up onto one of the lounges. I sat on a table in front of him revolver in my knee. He glanced by me more than once. I just smiled at him. "No-one is coming unless they have a death wish. I already know what's going on. Joana told me all about it. Told me what they're planning. Told me what you're doing. She slipped me quite a bit of information you certainly wouldn't want anyone finding out, including your bosses." His face lost all of its colour. "Now, normally I would have just shot you for what you did to Joana, but I now hold leverage, and I will be using it. You're going to tell me everything you can about their plan, who is involved, how you are involved. Anything I want to know, you will share. Do you understand me?" He nodded. "Do you know who I am?" He nodded. "So you know I'm not one for bluffing."

"Where's Joana?"

"I'm the one asking questions. Now, tell me what Nero is planning."

Cachino spilled his guts. Told me anything I wanted to know. Certainly confirmed what Joana had heard, but Cachino added numerous other details I wasn't aware of. Cachino tried to convince me that he wanted nothing to do with their plans, but it was obvious to me he was neck deep involved with everyone else. Once he was done, I aimed the revolver, enjoying the fact he cowered.

"Please," he whimpered.

"Did Joana whimper and plead like that when you raped her all those times?"

"She wanted it. She loved me!"

I shot him in the head. Standing up, I looked down into his lifeless eyes, blood trickling out of the bullet wound onto the leather cushion. At least they could wipe that off, or just flip the cushion over. Turning around, no-one came bursting in, investigating the gunshot. I now had two others I needed to track down before I dealt with the bosses.

Heading downstairs to where the suites were, they had not heard anything from upstairs. Plenty of sex and drug-taking, thought I found the man I wanted. He was in what could only be considered some sort of dungeon room. Had a young woman chained to a wall by chains, whipping her back. She was gagged, though she turned back in time to see me enter, hearing her cry out though the gag stopped her cries.

"Cry all you want, bitch. No-one will hear you. No-one will miss you."

He didn't hear me coming. Revolver to the side of his head. "You Clanden?"

"Who the fuck are you?"

"Are. You. Clanden?"

"Yes, I'm Clanden. And you'd bett…"

He didn't finish his threat as I pulled the trigger. He collapsed to the ground, and I put another bullet in his head for good measure. Holstering my revolver, I immediately helped the bruised and bleeding young woman, releasing her from the chains, binds and gag, before I helped her get dressed. She sobbed almost uncontrollably, gently wrapping an arm around her waist as I helped her upstairs. The same woman I'd spoken to earlier saw me and approached.

"Clanden?" she asked, immediately taking the frightened woman in her arms. I nodded. "We'll take care of her."

"He's dead. Two down. Three to go."

"Word has been spread, Courier. There are quite a few here who'd love to take them out for betraying us like this."

"Not necessary. But I will be talking with all of you once this matter is resolved."

I found the man named Troike elsewhere. He was stoned out of his mind, but the revolver quickly sobered him up. Making him aware I knew everything, he proved incredibly co-operative, explaining everything he'd organised, trying to convince me that he was being blackmailed himself into helping them. I'll admit, he was rather convincing, though I insisted he prove it by helping me.

He asked me to follow him, leading me to a hidden section of the casino, eventually walking into a room that was full of gear. Weapons. Armour. Grenades and mines. Boxes and boxes of ammunition. Enough to equip a small army. "Fucking hell," I muttered.

"It was going to be carnage," Troike said, "The Omertas were going to sell the entire Strip out to the Legion. They spoke of the Strip running red with blood."

I met his eyes. "You're being blackmailed by Big Sal?" He nodded. "I wouldn't worry about that now. But I would suggest you make yourself scarce on the Strip. You know who I am?"

"Everyone knows," he murmured.

"Good. So if you know who I am. Cachino is dead. Clanden is dead. Nero and Big Sal are going to join them. I should kill you for this, but there will be enough death tonight. But your presence is no longer welcome here in New Vegas."

He nodded immediately. "I'm going back west. This place is a tinderbox just waiting to explode. My own damn fault for falling in with these lunatics."

Before we blew it up, I took a couple of things I figured I might need in the near future. We laid the charges and got out of there. When he pressed the detonator, the entire casino seemed to shake to its foundations. If Nero and Big Sal didn't know what was going on, they did now. I wandered the casino. The courtyard was still busy, no doubt the drunks and those that were high barely taking any notice of what was going on. But considering they were not my targets, I wasn't overly concerned with them.

Wandering into the Zoara Club again, this time it was empty of patrons. Gunfire erupted immediately, sprinting and sliding into cover by the bar. "I don't know who the fuck you are, but you're dead!" one of them called out. They opened fire every so often, but it was wild, proof they didn't know where I was. I managed to move from my position to one closer to them. Taking one of the grenades I'd taken from their stockpile, I pulled the pine, counted down then rolled it down the hallway.

"Oh shit!" one of them cried out before it exploded.

Rushing down the hallway, I stopped at the corner, chancing a quick look around. Both were on the ground. Revolver raised, I pointed from one to the other. "Which of you is Nero?"

"I am, you fuckwit." I aimed at the other one and put a bullet in his head. "You son a bitch! You shot him!"

I aimed at Nero and put a bullet in his shoulder. "I'd be more concerned about your current predicament."

"Who the fuck are you?"

"The Courier."

There was a moment of realisation before a whispered, "Oh fuck." Stepping forward, I smacked him across the head, knocking him out.

He woke up an hour or so later, stripped to his underwear, tied to a chair. In fact, his predicament was much the same as Benny. He was the second head of a Family I found myself dealing with. Mortimer had dreams of taking care of the White Gloves, but I'd since solved that issue, Marjorie's position now unassailable, as it was obvious to everyone that, not only did I support her, but we were intimate, so that was a warning if any not to fuck with her.

Struggling against the ropes that held him, I grabbed a handful of nearby salt and put it into his wound, enjoying the sound of his cries. I then sat back and let him understand the situation he was in. Anyone who had been loyal to him was either dead or had now turned away. We were in his private quarters. I had no doubt he'd been up to nasty shit when he was on his own.

"You're a dead man," he finally stated, gritting his teeth at the pain, "You're a fuckin' dead man. Caesar is goin' to fuck you up somethin' else, man. You ain't got a hope in hell."

"Never met the man. Maybe we'll manage to come to an understanding."

He laughed. "Understanding? With him? You're an even bigger idiot than you look."

I put picked up my revolver, put the barrel to his knee, and pulled the trigger. Placing it back down on the table next to me, he roared with pain for a good few minutes. I sat back, lit a cigarette, and waited. I was a patient man and was in no rush to end this. Once he'd calmed down, I leaned forward. "Now, listen to me very carefully, Nero. You are going to tell me everything I want to know. About your operations here. About your operations around the Strip. About your plans with the Legion. Tell me what I want to know, and I promise you, I will make your death quick. Don't, and I will ensure your last hours on this earth are filled with nothing but pain."

"Fuck you," he said, adding a mouthful of spit to my face.

I returned a grin, using my sleeve to wipe it away. "Slow and painful it is. But you will tell me what I want to know in the end. Every man has his breaking point, the limit of pain he can endure before he will beg for it to stop. I guess we're about to find out your threshold."

I had the tools necessary, and buried in my broken mind were all the methods needed to torture someone into divulging everything I wanted to know. It took longer than I expected, impressed at how much he could tolerate, but once he lost fingers and toes, and the carpet around him was soon started to soak with blood, even he needed it to stop.

He told me what I wanted to know. He told me everything. By that time, death was a release. I was polite, thanking him for telling me what I needed to know. Standing up, I put the barrel of the revolver to his forehead and pulled the trigger.

Walking back into the casino itself, I wasn't surprised to find it full of guards and staff, all the guests no doubt having been told to depart for the evening. Having spent the last couple of hours torturing Nero, I no doubt had a look in my eyes that had nearly all of them looking at me with concern and not a little fear.

"The Omertas by the name of Cachnio, Big Sal and Nero are now dead. For those not aware, your organisation was planning on allying itself with the Legion." For those that didn't know, I could see the shock and anger on their faces. "Do you all know who I am?" Everyone nodded their head. "You now owe your allegiance to me. I am aware there are structures to organisation such as this. Tomorrow morning, I want six of you to approach the Lucky 38, six of the highest ranking members remaining. From those six, I will choose the next head of this Family." I paused a moment, glaring over all of them. "And if I even get so much of a whiff of any disloyalty, I will ensure tonight is but a preview of the blood-letting that will take place. Do I make myself clear?" Everyone nodded their heads firmly. The fear was now palpable.

Good.

"Those of you with strong stomachs, you will find Cachino in Brimstone, Clanden in a suite nearby, Big Sal and Nero in Zoara. Ensure their bodies are disposed of thoroughly."

"Burn them?" someone asked.

"Burn them. Dissolve them. I don't care. But their names are to be forgotten from this moment on, only whispered in tales to put the fear into others of what happens when you fuck with the wrong person."

Striding forward, the crowd parted, some almost leaping out of the way, as I made way out of the Gomorrah for the Lucky 38. An enormous crowd was waiting outside, no doubt aware of what had taken place inside. I headed straight up to the suites, where Cass was waiting for me in my bedroom. After I undressed, she took my hand and led me to the bathroom, enjoying a hot shower together. Though it was intimate, there was no missing the coloured water that flowed down the drain.

"Is it solved?" I nodded. "So who next?"

"I'm not sure. I will probably work my way out from the Strip, so next will be the Kings in Freeside. But I need a day or two to… decompress. What I just did…"

"Was necessary." I met her eyes and she immediately kissed me, moulding herself into my body. I had a slight reaction, but she would have known it wouldn't lead anywhere. "They were planning on selling us all out to the Legion. Nothing you did in return could come anywhere close to what they would have been capable of."

She hadn't seen what I did to Nero, just like what I'd done to Benny. It did concern me what I was capable of when I put my mind to it, though I only carried out such things against those who I deemed worthy of such treatment. If she continued to believe in what I was doing, though…

Heading to bed, she cuddled into my side, her fingers trailing up and down my chest. She was asleep far quicker than I was. No real surprise.

I would certainly hear the screams Nero made for a number of days ahead.