Russo: His Untold Story (Blacklisted #3) by Maria Delaurentis Page A

promised; I’d like to make you pay for what you’ve done. Especially to Brie.” I rose my eyes to her again, knowing I didn’t want her around for this.
    “Brie, go to the bedroom and close the door. Put the TV on.” I can’t imagine what my expression must have looked like because she was gone in seconds. I tucked my gun back into my jeans and pulled him up into a sitting position. I pulled his tie from around his neck and force the wide part of it into his mouth, tying it tightly behind his head. It felt surreal to finally be at this point; to know that my serenity waited for me on the other side of this nightmare.
    I never thought I’d find such delight in torturing a man; but there is evil in everyone. I reveled in the muffled screams that escaped him as I slammed one of my knives straight through his thigh. With the other I took my sweet time, carving gashes into his face, his arms, his chest—his eyes drooped, he wouldn’t be around for much more of this. With a final prayer to the Madonna herself, I plunged the blade through his chest. I couldn’t believe he was gone.
    I took the time to drag the two bodies into the kitchen, not wanting Brie to see what I had done. I left them in a pile against the fridge, dreading the knowledge that I’d have to come back and get them later tonight.
    I pushed open the door of the bedroom a few moments later, my body shaking as I looked over her frame.
    “Brie.” Before I could say another word she was throwing herself on me, her arms wrapped around my blood stained frame.
    “Can we go back to your place, please?” she asked, while the tears slipped down her face. I’d never fucking forgive myself for putting her through this. I slipped my arms under her knees and hoisted her up, holding her close to my body. As we made our way through the apartment she looked around, curiosity written all over her face.
    “In the kitchen. After I take you home I have to come back here. I have to make this look like a business arrangement gone wrong.” I didn’t give her any more detail than that, and she didn’t pry. I carried her down each flight of stairs, and to my SUV. I secured her in her seat, and was glad to see her fall asleep only minutes after. When we made it to the warehouse I carefully scooped her back up and took her inside. She began to stir by the time we reached the bathroom, so I placed her down on the sink. I wanted to take care of her—I wanted to avoid the inevitable. I turned on the bath and let the water run before I turned back to her and began to remove the clothes that clung to her frame.
    With each new inch of exposed skin, I grew angrier with myself. She was covered in bruises and scratches, fresh and glaring right at me.
    “Oh, Brie.” I couldn’t hold it together. I could barely look at her. ”What did he do to you?”
    “He didn’t rape me, if that’s what you’re asking.” I could still hear the attitude in her voice, but it wasn’t the same. She sounded smaller; there wasn’t as much vibrato to her voice.
    “Brie, I’m so so sorry.” I pulled her to me, not wanting to look at her eyes anymore. How could I tell her the truth? How could I explain it?
    “It’s okay. You couldn’t have known he would do this.” Fuck. There was no way out of this.
    “Brie…I…”
    “You didn’t know this would happen, right? Michael?” Her voice was teetering on the edge of insanity, and picking up speed fast. She was putting two and two together, and there was nothing I could do.
    “Gabriella, I told you I’d do whatever it takes…” Fucking cop out. I’m a shit head, there wasn’t a fucking excuse in the world that could change that. She was screaming now, and every word that came out of my mouth sounded more pathetic than the last. She had every right to hate me. I tried to hold her to me, but she was pulling away.
    “No. Don’t fucking touch me. I’m going to clean up and you are going to take me home. I want you out of my life, for