“You want to accuse me of brutality? What about what you and your father did to Vanni? I know everything.”

“I’m not accountable for my father’s alleged actions.”

“You lured her to his home and knew they’d set a trap for her.”

Carl crossed his arms over his chest again. “I did no such thing. I deny that charge.”

“See?” Torrent walked over to the table and sat. “He appears less female every time he opens his mouth.”

Smiley returned his focus to Carl. “Forget your laws. They don’t apply here.”

“I demand to speak to a representative of the US government.”

“Like a damn parrot bird,” Torrent growled. “Stop saying that, human. Fuck. I want to break your jaw. I’ve heard it two dozen times in the last hour alone.”

Smiley reached out and grabbed the human by his throat. He didn’t apply enough force to do damage but it was to make a point. He squeezed just enough to make the male aware of his strength.

“Let me tell you a few things before you open your mouth again. Vanni is mine now and I don’t give a damn about your court of law. You’ve already been judged and found guilty. You lured her to that home and I know about the life insurance policy you took out on her. I believe you planned to marry and murder her for money. You didn’t care what was done to her as long as there was a dead body to show to that insurance company to get your check.”

He leaned in and put his lips next to the male’s ear. “I’d kill you but I don’t want Vanni to see it. You’re a piece of shit and you’re never going to see daylight again. You never deserved her. She will be happy while you learn what hell is.” He lowered his voice even more. “That doesn’t mean she will always be on the other side of the glass. I can visit you at any time. Let’s give you six months of living in a cage and I bet you will want to hit me then. We are going to fight at some point. Know that.”

Smiley leaned back and saw fear in the male’s eyes. He let him go and put space between them. “I suggest you start doing pushups in your cell and pull-ups from the bars above your head. Get in shape. You’re going to need to be.”

Torrent chuckled.

“You can take him away now.” Smiley glanced at the glass, hoping Vanni wasn’t upset with him.

Torrent slid off the table, grabbed Carl by the arm and led him out of the room. Smiley didn’t have long to wait. The big male who was brought in next needed no introduction. He had a bandage on his neck that extended upward to the crown of his head. He wasn’t a weak human. Torrent stayed at the door, his body tense.

“This one throws sucker punches,” Torrent warned. “I have hit him. He’s a decent fighter for a human.”

“Fuck you,” Bruce spat. “I have a concussion or I would have beat you like a bitch.” He turned and glared at Smiley. Something flickered in his eyes and he snorted. “Ah. I know who you are.” He gave him a once-over. “You disappointed me.”

“What do you mean by that?” Smiley already hated the male.

“I would have messed that bitch up if I’d been you. Do you know how hot it is to make them scream and bleed while you’re fucking them? Hell, I got wood just thinking about drugging her again and stringing her up to use but Gregory said to wait until we were done with her. When I get out of here, and I will, I’ll video me giving it to that whore good and send you a copy so you can learn something.”

Smiley was on him before he could consider what Vanni would think. It felt good, slamming his fist into the human’s face. The male tried to block it but wasn’t fast enough. The punch threw him toward Torrent whose reflexes were better. He lunged out of the way and Bruce slammed into the door. It groaned from the force of his weight. Smiley advanced.

Bruce took a swing at him. It went wide. Smiley plowed his other fist into the male’s gut. He made a loud sound of pain and doubled over from the blow. Smiley backed off and rumbled.

“Come at me.”

Bruce straightened. His face was red with anger and the blood that poured from his busted nose. He bellowed and pushed away from the door. He was slow for his size. Smiley easily ducked the fist directed at his face and plowed into the human’s center, taking him to the floor. He straddled the male and pummeled his face until strong arms wrapped around his waist and hauled him off.

“Enough,” Torrent snarled. “Don’t kill him. It’s what he wants. No one is that stupid unless they are suicidal.”

The door flew open and Vanni stood there. Jericho stopped behind her. Smiley quickly stood and stepped away, realizing what he’d done. Bruce groaned and rolled onto his side. Blood spread across the floor. Smiley nodded, letting Torrent know he was in control again.

“I’m sorry.” Smiley stared at Vanni.

She entered the room, keeping far from Bruce. “Don’t be. Are you okay?”

His hands hurt. He didn’t even glance at them. “I didn’t mean to lose it.”

She approached him.

“Don’t,” he cautioned her. There was blood on his hands. “I don’t want you contaminated.”

Her lips parted but Torrent spoke first. “That is one human who probably is diseased. Smiley needs to wash all that blood off before you touch him. We’re immune to disease but you’re not.”

Bruce sat up and Smiley moved, putting his body between her and the human. Bruce spit blood on the floor and glared at him as more of it ran down his lower face to his neck and shirt. One eye was already swelling shut due to the cut over his eyebrow. He snorted.

“Fucking pussy-whipped. You’re pathetic.” Bruce tilted his head, trying to get a look at Vanni. “Why don’t you come over here, you bitch? I’ll show you what a real man can do to you. You’ll like it.”

Smiley would have attacked him again but Torrent gripped his arm. “No. I told you. He’s trying to make you kill him. It would be over too fast. He deserves to suffer for years.”

Torrent was probably right. He nodded again, too angry to speak. Torrent’s hold eased. Smiley looked at Vanni. She was close enough to touch if he reached out but he didn’t. He cleared his throat and tried to calm.

“Go wait for me outside this room. It’s not safe.” He caught movement in his peripheral vision and tensed. He watched Bruce struggle to get to his feet. “Now, Vanni.”

“Okay.”

He didn’t dare look away from Bruce. The male might try to get around him to reach Vanni before she left. He heard Jericho gasp. Movement to his right startled him and shock held him still for a second. Vanni stopped next to him and lifted Jericho’s weapon.

“Do you like this, dickhead?” She fired. The Taser dart shot out and embedded in Bruce’s gut.

The way the human’s eyes rolled up into his head as his body stiffened from the electric current that pulsed through him assured Smiley the slight noise came from Vanni, who was holding down the trigger. Smiley gawked a little. He didn’t try to stop her, aware of the blood on his hands. She actually smiled, watching Bruce finally fall over. She released the trigger and turned her head, holding his gaze.

“That hurts like a son of a bitch. I figured he should experience it firsthand. Don’t you dare feel bad for hitting him. I wish I could have.” She broke eye contact and looked at Torrent, offering the weapon to him. “Do you want this? It’s heavier than I thought it would be.”

Torrent grinned and accepted it. “Good shot.”

“Not really. I was aiming for his balls.”

The male laughed outright. “Do you want another try? We could wait for him to recover and ask to borrow another officer’s weapon. I don’t have one since we’re not allowed to carry while transporting prisoners from room to room. They might attempt to take it.”

Vanni bit her lip, seeming to consider it.

“No, she doesn’t.” Smiley was still stunned. “Vanni?”

She looked at him. He saw uncertainty there.

“Are you angry at me? I just saw Jericho’s sidearm and realized what it was. Bruce shot me with one so I wanted to return the favor.”