Sold to the Capo-Chapter 138: RED ROOM

VINCENZO’S POV

TWO WEEKS LATER

I had dragged this out for too long.

but it doesn’t bother me. Not today.

The two men had been tied up for weeks now and they were a thin line away from death.

I should kill them. Lay waste to them like I did to Henry but I wanted to take my sweet time with both of them. I couldn’t prolong it for long but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was going to make it count.

Because today, I feel fucking fantastic.

As I entered, I paused at the door, my eyes darkening. Julius and Lord Rossi are right where I left them—strapped to rusted chairs, bodies slumped, clothes stiff with dried blood. Their faces are swollen, their skin riddled with bruises and cuts. I did a good job keeping them alive, but that was never the hard part.

I flicked a hand to the guards who were standing by the side of my red room. There was something so majestic about this place whenever I tortured someone who fucking deserved it. "Out."

The guards obey without a word, the heavy door slamming shut behind them.

I take my time rolling up my sleeves, my fingers tracing the smooth fabric as I study them. Two men who thought they could take everything from me. Who thought they could break me. Two men who didn’t succeed.

The Bratva had asked for their Don back but be damned if I would do that. They could go appoint another Don for all I cared, he was weak enough to get caught, to not have escaped, he didn’t deserve to be Don anyways.

Julius groans first, lifting his battered head. His left eye is swollen shut, his lip split wide open. "Come to kill us today?" His voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper. "Or are you still a coward?"

I had been toying with them for weeks now and I knew they were dreading the day I would actually kill them. Before I was still trying to recover but today, I felt fucking great. I was limping anymore and with muscle therapy, I had gotten back firm control of my hands and all.

Lord Rossi chuckles. It’s a rough, wet sound, like he’s swallowing blood. "You should’ve stayed dead, boy," he rasps. "It felt damn good to break you... and that woman of yours." He smirked, red-stained teeth flashing. "She screamed so pretty."

That familiar rage flickers inside me at his words. Damn, that was fucking stupid.

But I don’t lash out. I don’t move.

I smile.

"Did they keep you entertained while I was gone?" My voice is smooth, conversational. "I hope so. It would’ve been boring, waiting for me otherwise." I tilt my head. "You thought you were rid of me." I step closer, my fingers brushing the cool metal of the tools laid out for me. "But I’m not so easy to kill. Death doesn’t look too pretty on me."

Julius spits blood onto the floor. "Then stop fucking talking and do it already."

I sigh. "No patience. That’s always been your problem."

I pick up the knife—a thin, surgical blade, sharp enough to cut through flesh like butter. The first slice is shallow, barely more than a lover’s whisper across his forearm. A test. A tease.

Julius tensed, sucking in a sharp breath.

I hum while maintaining eye contact with him. "I always found pain fascinating. Done wrong, it’s over too fast." I press the blade down, carving deeper. The skin peels back almost too easily, revealing raw, red muscle beneath. Blood wells up, spilling over his lap. "But if you take your time... well." Another slice. Another strip of flesh curling away. Julius shudders, his breath coming in harsh gasps as he fought to keep himself from letting out a bloodcurdling scream. "It lasts."

I grab the small bowl of salt from the table, taking a handful. I press it into the exposed wound.

Julius jerks violently, a strangled scream ripping from his throat. His entire body locks up, shaking so hard the chair creaks beneath him.

When he had his fun with me, surely he didn’t think that I wouldn’t return the favor, hm?

I lean in, my voice barely above a whisper. "Did it feel this good when you tortured me? Hoping that I would break? Watching me break?" I press harder, grinding the salt deeper. "Did you enjoy watching me bleed?"

He gasps, chest heaving. "F-fuck... you..."

I chuckle, stepping back. "Still talking big. Let’s fix that."

I turn to Rossi. He’s shaking now, trying to mask it, but I see it in his eyes. Fear.

Good.

The bastard didn’t deserve an ounce of my wife’s company.

I pick up the thin, steel needles from the tray, holding one between my fingers. "You know," I murmur, "I was thinking about Adriana earlier. About how she looked at me when I was bleeding out." I twirl the needle, watching the dim light catch the metal. "I think that moment broke something in her." I look him in the eye. "And you? You’re going to break too. Just like you did to me. You toyed with my nails, right? Let’s see if I can do the same"

The first needle slides under his thumbnail.

Rossi grunts, jaw clenched. Blood wells up around the metal, staining his fingers red.

I push it in deeper.

His breath hitches, his fingers twitching involuntarily.

"You’re holding up well," I remark. "Let’s see how long that lasts."

Another needle. Another nail. Rossi trembles now, his teeth grinding together.

"You always liked running your mouth," I continue, voice casual. "Let’s fix that, too."

I grab the pliers from the tray.

His eyes widen, panic bleeding through the cracks in his composure. "Wait—"

I use the opportunity of his open mouth and clamp down on his tongue, yanking it forward.

"Shh."

Then I pull. Hard.

His scream is raw, gurgling, blood pouring from his mouth as the severed muscle flops to the floor. The wet slap echoes in the room.

Julius stares in horror. His breath is ragged, shallow. "You... fucking monster."

I smirk and turn to face him, a sadistic glint in my eyes. "You’re just now realizing that?"

I grab the chains securing his arms. Tighten them.

Then I yank.

The crack is sickening. His shoulders pop out of their sockets, his entire body seizing up as an inhuman wail tears from his throat. The veins in his neck bulge, his face turning a shade too close to purple.

I step back, admiring my work. Both men are drenched in sweat and blood, trembling, barely holding on. Good.

With a scoff, I exhale, rolling my shoulders. "Now," I say smoothly, "I could end this right now. But where’s the fun in that?"

I turn to the corner of the room, where a large barrel of water sits beside an exposed electrical wire.

Julius groans, his head lolling forward. "No... no more..."

"Oh, we’re far from done." I grinned. "She begged too. I lost people...my men because of you..."

I effortlessly pull the chair towards the barrel, grab him by the hair, yanking his head back. "Time for a little shock therapy." I grin.

Then I shove him under the water.

He thrashes violently as I grab the wire and plunge it in.

Sparks explode. The water crackles with electricity. Julius’ body spasms, his muffled screams bubbling beneath the surface.

I hold him down. Five seconds. Ten. Fifteen.

This was getting boring.

Then I yank him out. He gasps for air, his body twitching, smoke rising from his soaked skin.

I crouch down, gripping his chin, forcing him to look at me. His good eye is rolling, unfocused.

I whisper, "We’re not done."

Julius shudders, barely conscious. Rossi is slumped, his mouth a bloodied ruin.

Surveying my artwork, I inhale deeply, exhaling in satisfaction. "I’ll see you both tomorrow."

Tomorrow, I end this. Tomorrow, I get rid of them. Tomorrow.... I let go of the past.