Page 57 of Marko

Desperate to remain in control, I took deep, steadying breaths, exhaling slowly. I was relieved none of the other women wanted to view this. Gracie and Sonia were pregnant, so they were better off staying ignorant about the files. They knew the general idea of what these hunts entailed; we’d all discussed it, but there was a world of difference between knowing and seeing. I knew Eilidh had witnessed some pretty grim stuff as a police officer, but even she had opted out. I couldn’t blame her. This stuff was horrific.

“Fuck, this is some sick shit,” Ash stated, echoing my thoughts.

Miki and Glowacki both grunted their agreement, while the rest of us sat in shocked silence, eyes glued to the screen. These men were hardened criminals, capable of torturing and killing others. Yet, each one of them looked as sickened as I felt. It was oddly reassuring that they were as affected by this as I was.

Marko’s family had been good to me since we met, but they were criminals. I had to admit, that thought still scared me a little. Seeing their reaction to the footage made me feel better about them. It showed me that despite their dangerous lifestyle, they had some good in them. They weren’t like the MP or the twisted souls behind Darkest Desire Productions. They were predators, sure, and not to be underestimated, but they had a moral code that the men in the videos lacked.

Thank God, I thought, glancing around the room. If they had been like those other men, I’d have been doomed. Instead, they were helping to eliminate those who inflicted such horror. These men might hurt or kill, but only those they saw as credible threats. They didn’t harm innocents or target women and children. They weren’t on the same level as the psychopaths in these videos. In their world, they did what they had to, but managed to keep some semblance of morality. I respected and admired that. It couldn’t be easy.

Screams of agony snapped me back to the screen. I watched, horrified, as a young man—barely a teenager—was torn apart by dogs while grown men laughed and jeered. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I didn’t want to succumb to the waves of nausea, because if I did, the men would make me leave the room. In some ways, that would have been a blessing, but I knew it wasn’t what I wanted. I needed to know what the MP was capable of. God, how I wished I didn’t, but I did.

The next video was even worse. I shut my eyes, trying to block out the horrific images of the woman on the screen and what was happening to her, but I couldn’t block out her cries of anguish. Dizziness overwhelmed me, and I felt like I might pass out. Suddenly, Marko was there, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close. I rested my head on his shoulder as he kissed my forehead. The bodily contact was the grounding comfort I desperately needed.

“If you need to leave, we can. Or we can take a break,” he whispered.

I shook my head. He knew I wanted to be here despite everything.

When Marko had finally decoded the files late last night and we planned to view them together today, the men had advised the other women against participating. When I insisted on watching, they didn’t protest. This was my mission, after all.

Mathieson had dragged me into this mess, and then the MP took it further. They’d compromised my safety, destroyed my home and memories, and turned my life upside down. It was my right to see this through. My right to reclaim my life and seek revenge, even if it meant enduring scenes that made me sick.

I was relieved I had never met my biological father. My dad was the best—irreplaceable. Sure, he had stolen valuable items and occasionally gambled, but he was still a good man. Thanks to him, I’d grown up with a moral compass I might not have had if Mathieson had been in my life. I shuddered to think how different my life might have been with him around.

Mathieson wasn’t truly part of Darkest Desires, but he knew about it, and only wanted to stop it by using me after his death. He committed plenty of crimes himself. I’d never wished for anyone’s death before or been glad someone was dead, but I was glad Mathieson was gone. I wished Miki would kill the MP instead of just turning over the evidence. Anyone who could do, or allow, such horrors didn’t deserve to live. In fact, I could kill him myself.

As these thoughts crossed my mind, I cringed. I didn’t want to become like either of those men, but these thoughts made me wonder if I was, even just a little. Maybe Miki was right; it was best to let the authorities handle him and anyone else involved.

Marko shifted me closer to him when I sighed, and I could feel his eyes on me. I glanced up. He was watching me, his brows furrowed in concern.

“Are you sure you are okay continuing? You’ve seen enough, you really don’t need to watch anymore,” he whispered.

I squeezed him around the waist, lifting my lips in what I hoped was at least a semblance of a smile, then nodded. I was, but only because he was here with me.

Sinking back into his embrace, tilting my head to rest on his shoulder, I continued to watch the screen in front of me.

We viewed the files for the next few hours. Every video filled me with more and more disgust and loathing for all of those involved.

The last one was the worst of all. It showed Mathieson’s sister and her teenage daughter, the aunt and cousin I never met, suffering the same fate as the others. By the end, tears streamed down my face, and I sobbed in Marko’s arms. All the while he sat there simply stroking my back, not saying anything, just offering me his silent support.

Once it was over, everyone seemed a bit shell-shocked.

“Fuck, and I thought binge watching the reality shows with Sonia for hours was bad. I’ll never complain about that again,” Romi muttered, running his fingers through his hair.

“I’ll never be able to unsee that last one,” Dariusz stated, shaking his head and looking sickened.

“Sorry, Melissa,” Daniel mumbled, reaching over to pat me awkwardly on the knee.

“Yeah, sorry for your loss. You might not have known your aunt and cousin, but seeing them killed like that has to be fucking awful,” Ash said, his voice laced with sympathy.

I nodded through watery tears.

From what Marko had told me of him, just a few weeks ago, seeing what was done to the female victims would have sent Ash over the edge, spiralling out of control in anger. Gracie had helped him get over his guilt and get more control over his emotions. He’d also gone back to counselling and this time, it seemed to have a more positive effect on him.

“We’re ending that bastard now!” Glowacki stated, his voice betraying his barely contained rage.

Murmurs of agreement filled the room.

“Marko, take Melissa upstairs. We’ll get everything sent to law enforcement first thing in the morning. We’ve done enough today,” Miki said.