Chapter fifty three

Now it made sense, Nick thought as Matt drove the car through several dark alleys. He now recalled a certain period of time after Crystal's incident when Matt had simply vanished. And niw he knew just where the gut hsd been.
" Did you eat? " Matt asked with a stupid smirk on his face.
" I grabbed an apple on my way out, does that count ?"
" I suppose it does. "
Having just freshly showered, Nick stared out of the passenger seat's window and into the darkness. It was close to nine, and he hoped that Miguel would do good on his word to not leave Crystal's side. Matt had picked him up at home, and although he hadn't explained anything, Nick pretty much knew what was up.he had put two and two together . And the level of respect and care he had for Matt had just doubled in on itself. Because who else would have done such a thing for him .
But first he needed to clarify something.
" Is he dead or alive? "
Matt rolled his eyes, like that was the most absurd question he had ever heard.
" You seriously think I would have killed him and denied you the chance to do it yourself? I mean, I admit I was tempted to snap the asshole's neck but I have self control."
Nick asked nothing else. He didn't have even want to know how Matt had caught the guy. Besides, they were both skilled hitmen after all. And Hines was just a stupid guy holding a grudge. He had been acting on adrenaline.
And now he was also a dead man!!
Matt made a few more turns until they came to a rocky path, somewhere eery and quiet. Perfect.
He drove for a few more minutes until some old abandoned construction came to view.
" We're here, " he said as he pulled over. And he was about to unfasten his seatbelt and get out when Nick stopped him.
" I'll go in alone." There was conviction in the statement.Matt was confused.
" Listen, I don't think there is anything I'll ever be able to do to repay you for this. And not only this but everything else you've ever done for me, " Nick said. He wasn't an easy guy to deal with, he knew that well. But Matt had always been there through it all.
" And that is exactly why I'm going in with you. "
" Brianna. " Nick said.
And that one name was enough to make Matt rethink the idea.
" You gave this up for her, remember? I know she's the reason you chose to get an actual job. So please, for her sake, let me deal with this. "
His grey eyes peered into Matt's. That must have been the deepest conversation they had ever had. Running a hand over his face, Matt sighed.
" Okay, but if you need any kind of backup--"
" I won't, but thanks for the offer."
" Stop thanking me so much, it's getting creepy. "
Nick chuckled, the first time he had done so in days. Then he got off the vehicle and watched as Matt drove off. The main reason he had sent him away was because what he intended to do needed no witnesses.
He wanted to rip Hines apart in the literal sense. He wanted to hear the imbecile as he screamed in endless pain and begged for mercy. And he wanted to witness his last tortured breath.
He took slow and calculated steps into the building. It was dark...how ideal.
The place was dusty and more than a few rats were running around. The floor was covered in a layer of water and he found himself walking through a cobweb a few times, forcing him to take a few seconds to rid himself of the irritating nuisance.
He unlocked a few doors and checked inside, finding the rooms vacant, then he walked to the one down the hall and very cautiously turned the knob. He heard some slight shifting from inside and those primal instincts of his spiraled to life. All he had to do was think of Crystal. Unconscious on the ground....
He unlocked the the door and walked in.
The room was empty apart from a single chair in the middle of the floor space. And on that chair was Hines.There was duct tape on his mouth and he had been seriously tied down. Nick could literally see three knots from where he was standing.
Matt had really gone the extra mile....how thoughtful.
Nick walked in. And Hines trailed after him with his eyes. It was either he always knew this was coming or he was an expert at disguising his fear because he did not look the least bit frightened.
Those were actually Nick's favourite kind of people to kill. The kind that acted brave and unshaken. He was going to take his sweet time uncovering that mask of bravery.
And by the time he was done here....well, Hines woukd no longer be in existence.
Walking over to him, Nick roughly removed the duct tape from Hines mouth. He howled at the unexpected action and at the sharp pain that accompanied it. Hines looked up at Nick and there, in the depths of those grey eyes, he saw his fate.
" You're not very hospitable, and the lighting in this place sucks!! "
Nick crossed his arms and stood directly in front of Hines. He towered above him.
" Then i beg you to pardon my manners..." his voice was a feral low growl. It chilled to the very bones.
This was the worst side of him. It would have been a lot better for Hines if Nick was enraged and overcome with fury. If he went completely crazy and beat him up like a demon possessed lunatic. Maybe then his demise would have been quick .
But that wasn't the case unfortunately.
That calmness that Nick had summoned was deadly. Because along with it came patience and planning.
It would no doubt be a long night.
"..Is there anything i can offer you? " Nick began slowly pacing the space in front of Hines.
" I'm feeling quite generous tonight. "
Hines laughed. He actually had the nerve to laugh, and it was a sadistic and disturbing laugh. Nick stopped and eyed him almost curiously, tilting his head to the side as he did. His eyes narrowed.
" We'll now that you mention it, i am feeling quite perched.." he smiled after saying that. And Nick gave a single nod.
" Well, if it's any consolation, you'll soon be choking on your blood so thirst should be the least of your worries. "
That managed to wipe the smile from Hines face.
" Now let me make something clear here,.." Nick took out his gun from the back of his dark jeans and placed it down before kicking it aside." ..You hurt the woman I love..." words he had never thought he would say.
" Now I'm sure you had your reasons, but you really ought to have done a better job at running." he rolled up the sleeves of the tight navy blue t-shirt he had on.
He had bought it on one of the shopping sprees with Crystal. Thinking of her fired up his desire to hurt someone, specifically Marcus Hines.
Taking out his pocket knife, he played it swiftly through his fingers as he approached the chair. Hines eyes widened in horror. But he didn't say a word.
When he got to the chair, Nick used the knife to cut the male loose. Then he wrapped his hand around his throat and raised him from the seat and onto his feet.
" Now listen closely. You're going to scream. You're going to shout and you're most likely going to beg me to simply end it all. And when you do... I'll let you be. Then I'm going to start the process all over again!!"
He kept true to his word. Tucking the knife back into his pocket, Nick used his fists..and when Hines fell to the floor, all bloody and bruised, he kicked him nonstop. He took the gun, he didn't want to kill the guy..not yet at least. So he put a bullet through his leg. Just to spice things up.
Hines growled in pain. Tears welled up in his eyes and fell. He got to the breaking point and began pleading. But Nick all but ignored him.
Putting the knife into good use, Nick made several slices across Hines' skin. And when he felt like he was going overboard, all he had to do was summon Crystal's image to the surface of his thoughts. And that give him all the energy he needed to tear Hines apart.
Hours later, he was on his knees next to an almost lifeless Hines. He picked up the knife, ready to end it all once and for all when he heard fast footsteps approach. He immediately stood, and less than a minute later, Matt ran in.
" What are you doing here! I clearly told you---"
" She's up!! " Matt cut in, sounding tired and out of breath, his hands on his knees..." She's up!!.." he repeated.