Hill, Persephone and Gary looked to Sondrio who had appeared to have fought through his fear to speak up.
“She’s your company,” Hill explained, his tone hospitable. “Gary agreed to take time away from her girls to spend time with you and you know how much she enjoys time with her girls.”
“Oh he knows,” Gary’s tone was bland. “He tried to pick up more than a few of them our first night here,” She winked at Hill. “Wish I’d thought about breaking an arm.”
“You’re more than welcomed to.” Sondrio offered.
Hill and Gary burst into laughter.
“That’s quite a sacrifice, Son,” Hill grinned broadly. “But we both know Gary prefers her own methods.”
Sondrio struggled against his restraints, but resorted to gasps and moans when moving his injured arm sent pain exploding.
Hill caught Persephone’s eye, tilted up his chin to indicate it was time to go.
“Hill! You cocksucker-don’t leave me here! You’re takin’ this shit too far!” Sondrio raged while one orderly restrained him so that his partner could administer an anesthetic.
“Haven’t you taken enough? Haven’t you?!” Son persisted until Hill faced him again. Hair matted to his forehead, Son’s gaze was wild, desperate. Little of the suave, sharply tailored Casanova was evident then.
“I worked my ass off to get those fat bastards to trust me!” Sondrio continued to lash out verbally, his only remaining weapon. “I worked like a dog for respect that should’ve been mine at birth like it was for you! They had to beg you to take your place in the family-to assume command over this corrupt dynasty built on a foundation of blood-my father’s included. You people think you’re gonna deny me? No way!”
Hill lifted a brow to Persephone. “Guess he didn’t lose as many teeth as we thought,” he tapped fingers to his brow in a mock salute. “We’ll leave you and Gary time to get reacquainted.”
“Hill! Don’t leave me with her, goddammit!”
Hill threw Gary a wave. “Thanks Gary. Folks should be clearing out of here in a day or so, but the staff’ll be on hand to see to the needs of you and your people.”
“Ooooh!” Gary responded with a delighted shiver. “I’ve dreamed of having this place to myself for years.”
“I won’t talk, Hill! Fuck you!” Sondrio still raged.
Hill sent a playful smile to Gary. “Looks like you’ve got everything you need. Including a patient you might have to get creative with.”
Gary gave another shiver. “My little vacation is getting better and better.” She looked to Persephone again. “It was lovely to meet you, beauty.”
“Same here,” Persephone moved to shake hands with the doctor again.
“You know, size isn’t everything.” Gary slanted a measuring glance toward Hill and then back to Persephone. “You ever get tired of that beautiful giant, come give little old me a try. I take exceptional care of my girls, especially the smart ones.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“Be sure you do,” Gary reached up to smooth the back of her hand along Persephone’s cheek. “Hilliam, come take her out of here before I forget we’re friends.”
Hill rejoined the women, but pulled Gary
back against him. “Call me when my cousin starts sharing his
secrets.” He kissed the top of Gary’s head and then escorted
Persephone from the cellar.
~~~
When the heavy black oak doors bumped shut at their backs, Persephone demanded clarification. “Dysfunctions of the male anatomy? Not...erectile dysfunctions?”
“Not exactly,” Hill chuckled and rubbed an index finger along the corner of his eye while he worked up a response. “Gary’s patients don’t have much of a problem getting erections, until they go to see her, that is.”
“Ah…” Persephone didn’t know whether to gawk or laugh.
“Our Gary has a well-known and well-feared name in prison systems around the world where she plies her trade.”
“Jesus…” Persephone sighed, “I get why Sondrio was so terrified.”
“I don’t think we’ll have to wait long before he talks,” Hill moved ahead, going to hold a door at the end of the winding hall and lifting a hand for Persephone to precede him.
She hesitated. “Hill um...how? How’d you know? Before…”
His easy expression tensed. “You were supposed to stay in my sight. When you weren’t, I noticed.”
“I-thank you.”
“Don’t mention it,” his gaze faltered then. “I’ve been wanting to put Son’s head through a wall for years.” Bracing, he put a cool smile in place when he made eye contact with her again.
“Sorry if I rained on your parade, Goddess. I’m sure you didn’t need my help back there.”
“Hill-”
“I should get cleaned up, Persephone- sick of that asshole’s blood on me.” Again, he encouraged her to precede him.
Persephone nodded and moved on ahead.
***
The shower helped...to rid him of his cousin’s blood. As for cooling his temper… Hill felt it still simmering long after he’d toweled off and dressed.
