Assassin Deception by C. L. Scholey Read Free Book Online Page A

wonder my wife cowers when he comes over. The man’s relentless when it comes to tracking. No one is safe.
    Chloe snapped the book closed, eyes raised. Her shaking had increased. She realized she was looking at a diary of executions. She also had heard James referred to as ‘The Iron Hand’. Her first instinct was to hand the book over to Dirk. He was in charge now, he would know what to do with it.
    Her mind became clouded with indecision. Curiosity overcame her rational thoughts. The temptation was too great. After all, the man had been her father. Once more, with trepidation, she opened the book, morbidly curious. Perhaps she could garner insight as to what had made the man a ticking time bomb.
    Damn that was wild! What a way to go. Sealed in a tempered glass case, gagged and bound, with his terrified eyes begging up at me pitifully for mercy, buried alive and then having cement dumped over him. Christ I’m glad I’m on Iron Hand’s side. I never knew anyone so cruel.
    Once more Chloe slammed the book closed. With a shaky hand she swiped at her eyes, which had begun to ache. How could he! Her thoughts screamed. No! James would never do that to someone. A cold feeling swept over her. Even if James had ordered it done it was her father who had watched and aided, he had carried out the crime. He had been truly evil.
    Why a glass case? She wondered, brows knit. A sick feeling filled her belly. So he could see death coming? So his killers could witness his unbearable fear? How could anyone watch a man being buried over with cement?
    Knowing his terror, seeing his pitiful face, his frightened tears, his thrashing and muffled screams. How long would he have lain there alive and suffering before he died? His mind crying out for his family to save him. Would he have been crushed quickly? Would he have suffocated? Would he have died of a heart attack, frightened to death? Maybe he had lain there for hours until he went mad with terror?
    Chloe shuddered as the images assaulted her mind. The man’s face would have haunted her forever. Perhaps that was why her father drank so much—to relieve himself of the horrifying images. Perhaps he was haunted even while awake. It would serve him right! Chloe felt as though she may vomit. She pressed her hand pressed her mouth as she gagged.
    “How are you doing?” Chloe jumped, frightened, and shoved the book back into the box. She spun to face Damien, stumbling to her feet in her haste.
    “Don’t sneak up on me like that! I’ve only just convinced myself there are no ghosts here and then you scare me half to death,” she snapped to cover up her turbulent emotions. She couldn’t help but feel she was betraying James by reading the book.
    “Hey, sorry,” Damien replied, eyebrows raised. He held out his hands in supplication. “I only thought you might like a break. Maybe some lunch?”
    Chloe rubbed a dusty hand across her tired eyes. Was it really that late already? Looking around at the strewn boxes, she realized she had been reminiscing for hours. No wonder she felt drained.
    “I’m sorry I snapped at you, Salvator. It’s just that all of these memories are crashing over me. With every picture I remember. Some things are better left alone. I feel so worn out.”
    Damien moved to embrace her. Chloe cuddled her head into his chest, eyes squeezed shut, now grateful for his presence. She trembled against him.
    “I’m sorry this has been so hard on you, sweetheart. Can I help?”
    Chloe sighed and disengaged herself from him. “No, I suppose it’s one of those necessary evils of life.”
    “So is lunch,” Damien cajoled, and winked.
    “All right, all right. I can take a hint. What was that your niece called you at dinner last night, your new nickname…glutton, wasn’t it?”
    “Very funny. You stay away from Carrie. I can see she’s going to be a bad influence. If you don’t recall, I am wonderful!”
    “Wonderfully hungry all the time. I remember when we were kids;