LEV PETROV (Wild Men Series #3) Book 2

Chapter 12 Part 2

LEV

"AN idle mind is a playground for the devil. Are you familiar with that? Sagot." Kalmadong tanong ko, the end of my blade was carving the skin on our captive’s clavicle. Umagos ang dugo sa espada ko't tumulo iyon sa semento.

Urat na napa atras ako. Mamantsahan pa ng gago ang paborito kong sapatos. Malamig kong muling tinitigan ang lalake. Nakaluhod siya sa harapan ko, duguan is an understatement. Basag ang buong mukha nito’t lungayngay ang ulo. Mukhang hindi pa rin naiintidan ng gago ang ipinupunto ko kaya’t lalo kong ibinaon ang dulo ng espada sa katawan niya.

A muffled scream and pained groan filled the space of the derelict warehouse we were currently in.

I leaned forward, grabbed him by his hair. "f*****g stupid. Alam mo ba kung anong ginagawa ko sa mga tulad mo?"

His eyes go wide like a freaking saucers. Then, after a few scant seconds, I smell the stench of his urine mixing with his blood.

Fucking perfect. Ngumisi ako.

"Seems you have an idea."

"Stop with your intelligent shits, Lev," ani Trace.

"f**k off, Patricio."

Pumalatak ang siraulo kong kaibigan.

"Bakit nagsasabi lang ako ng totoo. Kita mo hindi lang nag nosebleed ang animal, naihi pa. Isa pa, kahit one plus one pa itanong mo d'yan, hindi n'ya masasagot. Maawa ka naman."

Nilingon ko siya. My eyes narrowed into slits.

"Coming from the one who break this son of a b***h’s face and carved the 'Stupid' word on his stomach? Awa talaga, Trace? Bigyan kita piso, hanap ka mauuto mo. Gago.”

Trace smiles sadistically. Itinaas ang hawak na bote habang petiks na sumasandal sa mono block chair na kinauupuan.

"What can I say? I'm inspired. Matagal pa ba 'yan? Gusto ko ng malaman kung sino ang tarantadong nagpapakalat ng mga texts sa VIPs natin sa isla." Bakas sa tono ng kaibigan ang galit.

My gaze flitted to the man in front of me and the puddle of blood and urine he created. I’ll give him credits for having the balls to break my record. Marami ang hindi umaabot ng limang minuto sa mga kamay ko. Ngunit ang isang ‘to, nakaka seven minutes na.

I sigh. I want this over and done with cause I have some important things to attend to. A black-haired and sexy as f**k something who’s probably fussing over her cat right at this moment.

Triple s**t. I’m a goner ‘pag dating kay Bree.

"Let's stop wasting each other's time, da? Map." Sinenyasan ko si Theo na agad tumalima.

Bago ako tumungo rito, I received a file from Keros. It contains information of this moron who thought na malulusutan niya kami. Hinack n’ya lang naman ang system namin, sent that freaking text to our VIP residents and even planted a bag to our system. Little did he know that we let him do that.

A few weeks before his stunt, I ordered Keros to lower the security level of our firewall. Nagtataka man, sumunod ang gagong iyon sa ‘kin. Batid kong may binabalak ang grupo nila Cordero, hindi ko lang ma-pinpoint kung ano.

And what better way to trap a rat? Build a freaking mousetrap.

Keros does his magic and that leads us to him. Now, we only need the address, the names, and the offshore accounts that were used to pay the fucker. Pero matigas ang hunghang, panay ang tangging wala siyang alam. It’s time to shake his brain.

I fixed him with my dead psycho stare as I put my palms on top of the map between us. Kumurap ang kanang mata niya. He trembled virtually.

"Mark the places where you pick up the burner phone and the bag of money they paid you." Inalis ko ang busal n'ya sa bibig, malakas na sinampal ang pisngi ng bihag.

Pilit nitong idinilat ang mga mata but his gaze is unfocus. I can hear him wheezing, panay iling lang ang isinagot sa akin. He's borderline unconscious and I don't know if he can still form some coherent words. Or, if he can understand a single word that I'm saying.

"Anong pangalan ng tarantadong 'to?" Baling ko kay Keros na kasalukuyang inaayos ang web cam at ilang cords na nakakabit sa lap top.

I shake my head, I swear that old man is a creep.

"Luis, Master."

"Of course you are a f*****g Luis. Hey! Listen. You need to wake up and give me what I want." I growl at him, pulling his hair. “Wala akong pakialam kung gamitin mo ang kamay mo. Bibig mo o mga paa. Right or left?"

Luis blinked, confusion was painted on his battered face.

I growl.

"Lev, tantanan mo na nga kita mong tulog–Damn it!"

Wordlessly, I grabbed Luis' right hand, splayed it on top of the table, and stabbed it with my blade violently. Napangiwi ako sa nakakatulig na palahaw ng lalake. He's trashing. Pilit na inaabot ang sandata kong nakatarak sa kaliwang kamay niya. But he's too weak to reach or even pull it. Eventually, his whole body sagged.

"I hope tama ang hula ko. You were saying, Patricio?" I asked and looked over my shoulder, goading my best friend.

"Stop gloating. You're f*****g unhinged, Tanders. Nagpauso ka na naman. Daming pako rito, iyang espada mo pa talaga ginamot mo. Tsk."

I ignored Trace. Na kay Luis ang atensiyon ko.

"Mukhang nahimasmasan ka na. Uulitin ko ang sinabi ko kanina. Mark the places where you picked up the burner and ATM cards." Inilagay ko ang marker sa kanang palad niya.

Shaking, he started scribbling on the big map of Agrianthropos. Wala pang apat na segundo, may markang X na ang isang lugar sa isla. Three seconds more, Luis marked a place I certainly knew. One of Randy Cordero’s properties.

"See? Madali lang hindi ba? Hinintay mo pang mahirapan ka.” I jut my chin at Trace who’s now sauntering toward us.

"P-please, maawa k-kayo sa 'kin."

Nilingon ko si Luis. There was a glint of hope in his eyes as he begged. Tumaas ang sulok ng bibig ko. Then, I reached for my Glock and fired. His body fell to the ground, dilat ang mga mata. Two bullet holes were sitting between his eyes.

"Clean this mess. Work on the first location, Patricio. Quietly,if you may.” Mahinang saad ko habang inaalis ang suot na gloves.

Taas kilay na sinalubong ni Trace ang mga mata ko. He glanced at the lifeless body of the man on our left then at the laptop that’s been sitting on the top of the table, facing us.

“Quiet is my middle name, Lev. Kung alam ko lang na mag la-live ka habang pinapakita mo ang Hannibal Lecter side mo, sana nagbihis ako ng matino. Tsk. Hindi mo naman ako na-inform na may panauhing pang dangal tayo.”

He’s referring to the man who’s been watching this whole s**t show via webcam.

I waved my hand in the air dismissively. “Huwag ako, Patricio. I know how your twisted brain works. I know how this whole f****d up torture s**t excites you. Don’t mind him. I’ll handle him later. I’m dead serious. Ayokong ma-timbrehan sina Cordero na alam na nating sila ang nasa likod ng Coup na ‘to. Hindi sapat na ebidensiya ang mga iyan. We need more.”

Hiniklat nito ang mapa sa ibabaw ng lamesa. His eyes burn with fire. I could feel my friend’s rage.

“Ba’t ba hindi na lang natin balatan ng buhay ang animal na ‘yon, Lev?”

“You know why.”

Marahas na napa-buntong hininga ang kaibigan ko. Ilang segundong tumitig sa akin.

“Because of those motherfuckers.”

“Yes, Trace. Because I need to know the location of Randy Cordero’s bastard of a son before I annihilate them one by one. So hold your f*****g front. Ayokong mauwi sa wala and lahat ng plano ko. Tell the others we’ll have a meeting tomorrow. Lumayas ka na.”

“Kung maka utos ka. I thought ako na ang leader ng Foedus?”

“Akala ko ayaw mo? Napilitan ka lang hindi ba?”

“Tang’na mo, gurang.” Urat na tumalikod ito matapos mag dirty finger, bumaling sa web cam. “Bye, Don Nap. May orgy pa ako. Ikaw nang bahala rito sa kaibigan naming pinaglihi sa sama ng loob.”

The head of The Council laughs at Trace. I stride toward the chair Trace vacated while on my back, Keros and the others were dragging the corpse. Leaving me and Don Nap Marquez alone.

I plopped on the mono block. Ipinatong ko ang mga kamay sa ibabaw ng baston, sumandal at matamang tumitig sa screen ng laptop kung saan naroon ang mukha ng matandang Don. Like me, he’s wearing his everyday uniform. Aka, three piece Armani suit with a cigar on his mouth. His salt-pepper hair was greased back. Smoke curls around the head of the Spanish-Filipino Don while his brown eyes pierced through me.

“Apologies if I keep you waiting. But I’m not late, am I?”

“That was entertaining. You earn that name and reputation. El Diablo, si?”

“Da. Do I need to say thank you, Don Nap?”

There’s a barely there smile on his lips as he regards me with his icy cold gaze.

“No. Of course not, Petrov. I am not into fancy speeches, alam kong ikaw rin. First, I know that congratulations are in order.”

“Cut the crap, Don Nap. Alam mong ikakasal ako kay Bree bago ko pa man atakihin ang simabahng iyon three days ago.” My voice was not loud nor forceful, but it cuts through the room.

Don Nap was silent for a moment, dragging smoke from his cigar.

“What do you want, old man? I killed Senator Narvaez gaya ng napagkasunduan natin.”

“And you killed his son.”

“A deed I will gladly do a thousand times more.”

Pumalatak ang Don.

“The Council wants to send their thanks for the remarkable thing you did for us.”

Malamig na tingin lang ang naging turan ko sa kanya. He’s spewing bullshits. He knows very well why I did that. ‘Cause of Bree. And I will kill every man who’s fool enough to touch my wife.

“What’s the point of this whole meeting? I thought you hate beating around the bush.” Sarkastikong saad ko.

Naniningkit ang mga matang idinutdot nito ang tabako sa ashtray. I didn’t budge nor blink. Kung akala ng matandang ‘to ay mai-intimidate ako sa kanya, puwes, maling tao ang kinausap niya.

“You got temper, boy. But what I like about you is that you have the biggest balls amongst the men I’ve encountered. You’re also cunning to the point na nakakatakot na. And that is the sole reason kung ba’t ako pumayag sa plano mong nakawin at pakasalan ang anak ni Genarro. Kung bakit taos puso ka naming tinanggap sa Council.”

“Taos puso, my ass. We’re heartless. Nagpapatawa ka. With or without your help, I can pull that off. No one’s allowed to claim what’s mine.”

“Yes, you may be right. Pero madadagdag ang Council sa napakahabang listahan ng kaaway niyo.”

My lips turned into thin lines as I tried to quiet the fury that surged in my brain. Aminin ko man o hindi, may punto ang matanda.

“Guess you got my point. Going back to the agenda of this meeting. As a gift on your wedding, we decided to hand you two of Genarro’s men. I will send you the coordinates of the warehouse where we keep them. Isa roon ang may alam ng buong kalakaran ng negosyo niya. The other one is the head of his muscle. Based sa napanood ko kanina, alam kong madali mong makukuha ang impormasyon kailangan–”

“Hindi mo ako tauhan para sumunod sa’yo. Hire some mercenaries. I can recommend you some, kung gusto mo.”

“That or you want the whole Council to see Brethany’s body habang nilalagay sa buong likod niya ang tattoo ng bawat pamilya ng Council? That is kung makayanan niya ang mga parusang naghihintay sa kanya matapos ang hearing nila ng kaparid niya. We don’t treat traitor and their families so well.”

Napatayo ako’t malakas na napukpok ang baston sa sahig. Nakipagsukatan ng titig kay Don Nap. But I am seeing past through him. My visions is plagued by Bree’s image, nakaluhod at haos hubad. A man on a balck mask was holding a hot marking iron against her back. Ang luhaan niyang mukha matapos ang matinding hagupit ng mga latigo.

I shake my head vehemently. For a second, nakalimutan ko ang calm and collected kong mask. I’m seething with anger. I want to gouge the old man’s eyes and put it on his tumbler. How dare he disrespect my wife like that?

No, not happening. Over my fuking dead body.

“You and your archaic sadistic rituals.”

“Its traditions, Petrov. Don’t be a hypocrite. Hindi ba’t may latigo rin kayo sa Foedus bago niyo tanggapin ang mga miyembro n’yo? At least, sa amin we give the brides an option. Sa kaso n’yo, mas espesyal pa nga.”

Ilang beses akong huminga nang malalim. Pinayapa ang sarili.

“Do we have a deal now, Petrov?”

Tumango ako. “There’s an addedndum.”

“Nakikinig ako.”

“Two De Veyras will be spared. My wife and Allesio. If we’re doing this partnership you are brokering, it's on my terms.”

Ikiniling ni Don Nap ang ulo sa kanan. Hinimas ang baba.

“Fair enough. Deal. Paalala lang, Petrov. I want these snitch captured alive, Petrov. You’re free to kill them pagkatapos kong makuha ang mga perang nilustay nila.”

Begrudgingly, I nod.

Lumawak ang ngiti ng matanda sa screen.

“Welcome to the Council and the family, Petrov. There’s a ball next Saturday and I’m expecting you and Bree.”

“Busy ako hanggang next year, Don Nap. Sorry.”

Humalakhak s’ya.

“You will find time. Isa pa gusto kong i-discuss in person ang isang business venture na tiyak mag- aakyat ng limpak na salapi sa ‘ting lahat.”

Tumaas ang kilay ko.

“I want to join the bid on that parcel of lot on your island.”

“We don’t allow anyone na magtanamim ng kush sa isla.”

“This is clean money, Petrov. Or, sort of. Not drug related.”

“What then?”

“University. A school for our kids.”

Ilang minuto ng tapos ang online meeting namin ni Don Nap subalit nakatitig pa rin ako sa screen. That old man is absurd kung inaakala niyang papayag ang Foedus sa iminumungkahi niyang eskwelahan. Paano? At sa Agriantrophos pa talaga?

But despite it beng far-fatch, aaminin ko napukaw noon ang interes ko.

“f**k. This will be a headcahe. Totally.” Inis na tumayo ako’t tinungo ang naghihintay na sasakyan.

I told Theo to drive me to my club. I still have four meetings on my schedule. Nasa may downtown na kami nang pahintuin ko ang tauhan. Mabilis akong umibis ng kotse’t tumitig sa mga naka display sa shelves ng isang pet shop.

“Master, anong gagawin mo d’yan?”

“Bibili alangan namang magnanakaw,” pilospong sagot ko sabay tulak ng pinto.

Natigilan ang dalawang store staff nang makita kao. Binitawan ng mga ito ang ginagawa at sabay na bumati nang mapagsino ako. Bakas sa tono nila ang takot.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Petrov. How can we help you po?”

Inilibot ko ang paningin sa loob ng malaking petshop sa isla. Huminto ang mga iyon sa may bandang kanan.

“This, here. I-punch n’yo. Here’s my card.” Inilapag ko sa ibabaw ng counter ang black AMEX card.

“Alin po d’yan?” Tanong ng pinakabata sa dalawa.

“All of it.”

Their jaw hits the floor. Ilang segundong kumurap ang mga ito bago nagkukumahog na kinuha ang laman ng eskaparate. Habang abala sila sa pag-punch ng mga cat supplies and toys, I’m raking my brains for reasons why I am doing this.

Isa lang ang naiisip ko. Bree’s beaming face whenever she saw that freaking Brad. So despite my hate for that cat, and yes jealousy, I’m willing to buy all of the stuff he needs kung kapalit naman noon ay ang ngiti ng asawa ko.

Pwede ko namang gawing siopao ang tukmol na ‘yon kapag nalingat si Bree.

I smirked at that. Then, I do something else. Something curious that even myself was surprise. I grabbed a dark blue cat collar and put it in front of the busy ladies.

“Can you engraved a name here?”

Tumango ito. “Ano hong ialalgay na pangalan, Mr. Petrov.”

“Badong.” I sigh then added. “Petrov.”