Roman's Vow (Riley's Pride #4) - Sandra R Neeley Page 0,62

happen. I’m going to let you go. I’m even going to allow you to deliver yourselves to the police. I don’t give a rat’s ass if you sit up there in the police station and paint yourselves as innocent and Frederick as guilty, or if you take responsibility for your part of it, or if you turn in his mother for her part in all this shit or not. What I do care about, is that you make it perfectly clear that Talie had no part in any of it, nor was she aware of any of it, and you’re going to explain in detail what you saw when Frederick here killed the man she’s accused of killing.

And just in case either one of you is thinking about running, let me be clear… there are things worse than death.”

Lazarus yanked Frederick’s body off the sofa and stomped on his legs, then his lower back.

“It’s very easy to crush your spine and leave you completely alive and your mind intact and aware, trapped inside a body that won’t move while you piss and shit all over yourselves for the rest of your lives — after I let you watch your family suffer and die because your punk ass couldn’t take the rap for your own actions. I’ve decided that sounds like more fun than killing you. Let’s let you live a fucked-up life, carrying it all inside and unable to care for yourselves.”

“And I can track you because I have your blood in me now. Don’t forget that. Running will get you nothing but a longer suffering when I catch you,” Lucas said.

Lazarus hid a smile when Lucas claimed to be able to track them because he’d tasted their blood. “So, ya’ll run along now, make your choices. You will turn yourselves in now, this night. Or you and your family will be spending some time with me,” Lazarus said.

“And me, too,” Lucas added.

“And if you think to tell everybody that you happen to meet about us, and what happened here tonight, go ahead. They’ll think you’re nuts and either ignore you, or lock you away. Either way, I’ll get to you,” Lazarus said. He allowed his face to shift a bit more so it was apparent he was a huge Panther. “I like to climb. I can get into anywhere.”

“I’m going straight there,” Mark said totally freaked the fuck out and thinking the police was the best idea he’d heard in years. “May I go now, sir?” he asked, standing up.

Lazarus gave him a single nod.

Mark wasted no time and didn’t look back a single time as he rushed out of the house.

“What’s your choice?” Lazarus asked Brett.

Brett swallowed. “I’ll be turning myself in, too. I’m telling them everything,” he said.

“Get out of here, then. If you do not turn yourself in, I’m coming after you,” Laz said.

“I know,” Brett said, getting to his feet and walking hurriedly toward the door. He looked back at Frederick. Then he looked at Lazarus. “What about him?”

Lazarus laughed. “He’s gonna hang out for a while.”

Brett turned and left the house without further questions.

“Now what?” Lucas asked.

“Now, we dump his stupid ass,” Lazarus said. “Leave him in the middle of the street, somebody will report a body in the street. They’ll probably take him to the hospital, and he’ll still be there when our boys give the police their stories. They’ll just take him into custody from there.”

“You break his back?” Lucas asked.

“Nope. But I think I broke his legs,” Laz answered.

Lucas shrugged and grabbed Frederick by the back of his jeans and his collar. “I’d have broke every damn thing.”

“I just wanted to make a point, used him as an example. I need him healthy enough to stand trial,” Laz said.

“I’m good with that,” Lucas answered. “Let’s go.”

“You can’t just drag him over to the truck,” Lazarus said.

“Go get the truck?” Lucas asked.

“No, man. You head on back,” Lazarus said. “Take those cell phones and dump them along the way off any bridge you pass, and the wallets, too. I’ve already got the home addresses right here,” Laz said, tapping his temple.

“You sure?” Lucas asked.

“Yep. I’m good. I got the rest of this. You go home, I’ll let you know how things turn out,” Laz answered.

“If you’re sure,” Lucas said.

“I’m sure.”

“Okay,” Lucas answered, then he looked down at his chest and arms. “Do I have any blood on me?” he asked.

Lazarus looked Lucas up and down. “Naw, man, not on your clothes. But,