Free Instinctual by Amanda Mackey Page B

to the hilt with machines surrounding the bed. A naso-gastric tube was inserted into his nostrils so that nutrients could enter the stomach directly. An IV needle pierced the inside of his well-muscled forearm and a catheter with a bag strapped to his leg collected waste regularly.
    “How’s he doing?” Stavros was more curious than concerned.
    “The man’s got strength, I’ll give him that. A true fighter. I like that. I didn’t think he’d make it, Stavros, but I’m glad he did.”
    “And why is that? He’s a spy. We all know what happens to people who aren’t loyal to The Organization. He was working with the American police to infiltrate our organization and gather information to help bring our family down. Wasn’t that enough reason to finish him off?”
    Stavros watched The Lord become enraged, a vein popping out on his neck. “Do not question me! I own you! I own all of you! You’d be nothing without me! You don’t get paid to interrogate me!”
    Talk about flicking a switch. Stavros took a step back, feeling more than a little intimidated. “Sorry, sir!”
    The Lord’s eyes had narrowed but when he spoke again it was with more control. “You do not need to worry about why I spared this man’s life. It is of no concern to you. I brought you here to meet with Carlos and Adriano tomorrow. I wanted to show you my patient here because Carlos is going to be watching over him while I attend to business.”
    Stavros, in all his years of working under The Lord, had never seen a traitor live to see another day. There was way more going on with the guy on the table than The Lord was letting on. He wasn’t game to ask, though. He would no doubt find out in due time.
    The Lord continued, “I had a top surgeon brought in to repair the damage done to his chest. So far he’s holding his own. There is a chance he may not make it but that would be a shame after all I’ve done to try and save him.”
    For the first time ever, Stavros noted a look of sentiment on The Lord’s face. It only lasted a moment but it had clearly been there. Maybe the man had a heart after all. Maybe he was softening as he got older. Stavros still couldn’t see the point of the whole fiasco but he’d just have to go along with it and see where it led.
    Both men eyed the patient before The Lord motioned towards the open cell doors. “Let us leave our friend now and move to my quarters.” They turned and walked out of the cell, locking it again on the way. The clang of the door sliding shut felt like a jackhammer in Stavros’ already throbbing head.
    As the two men walked through the long corridor to another wing of the jail that had been set up with all the luxuries one would expect The Lord to have, the wind howled like a wolf through the vacant prison that once housed notorious criminals.
    Inside The Lord’s quarters, Stavros marveled at the luxuries that had been brought in to an otherwise dull cell block. Indulgent lounge chairs and pillows sat amongst giant ferns and exotic foliage, all kept at the correct temperature via an internal controlled thermostat. Giant artwork of big breasted, naked women hung high on the refurbished, bagged walls looking out over the two men, almost mockingly with their hand-carved giant gilded frames. It was a far cry from the patient’s cell that resembled a cold room at a butchery.
    “Sit, my good friend. Tell me of our visitor arriving tomorrow. He’s also proving to be a valuable ally.” The Lord lit a Cuban cigar and blew the smoke arrogantly into Stavros’ face.
    “Carlos? Mmmm. He’s been with us for a while now and has kept his nose clean. He’s managed to keep the authorities off our back and seems to have the hunger we’re looking for.” Stavros stifled a cough as his lungs filled with the spent cigar smoke.
    “Good. Good. I’m sure he will do an excellent job looking after our patient.”
    The two men sat in silence for a long while, lost in their own thoughts, listening to