Darkest Sins (Perfectly Imperfect #9)

(Kai 8 years old)

“I’m afraid not much can be done with the boy, Captain Kruger,” says the woman in a white coat as she stands in the doorway. “He can’t write and he can barely read. He can only marginally be considered socialized. When a nurse tried to bathe him, he scratched her face and bit her arm. We had to sedate him just so we could wash the blood off him.”

The man in a military uniform steps into my room. “How old is he?”

“We’re not certain, but we think he’s around eight, at least according to the child protective services’ records. He was found half-starved and completely neglected inside an abandoned apartment two years ago. When the doctors examined him, they figured he couldn’t be more than six at the time.”

“Parents?”

“Unknown. But they found syringes scattered everywhere and assumed that whoever was taking care of him was a junkie. Probably overdosed someplace else. The boy was speaking a mixof Polish and English when he was found. He spent the last two years being moved from one foster home to another because of his behavioral issues.”

“Mm-hmm.” The man takes another step toward me.

I study his body from head to toe, looking for anything he could use as a weapon against me. There’s nothing, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try to attack me. I keep standing in the corner, my back plastered to the wall, and watch him for the slightest threatening movement.

“Did you try placing him together with the other kids?”

“Yes, sir. It didn’t work out well. The other kids are scared of him.”

The man in a uniform takes another step, and now he’s in the middle of the room.

“I thought he’s the youngest here.”

“He is. But he seems to be the most violent. His records indicate an incident where he bit off a boy’s ear and stabbed another with a fork while living in a foster home.”

“The boy doesn’t look violent to me. Has he expressed any kind of regret over killing his foster parent?”

“No.”

“Interesting. Is it known what triggered him to kill the man?” Two more steps, and he stops right before me.

“The medical report showed numerous fractures and other clear indications of repeated abuse. The incident, however, occurred because the caregiver shaved the boy’s hair. Um . . . Sir, I don’t think you should be that close to him.”

The man’s eyes meet mine for a moment, then move up to focus on the top of my head. “Yes. He did do a lousy job.”

He extends his arm, like he’s going to touch my head. I kick his hand away and swing at him, trying to hit him in the balls. The man moves back, avoiding my fist, but his lips curl into an ugly smile. I charge at him with all I have.

The bastard doesn’t even try hitting me back. He dodges most of my jabs, but I still manage to land my elbow into his side—once, and graze his chin with my fist. When I try jumping on his back to get to his neck, he jerks backward and swipes at me. The heel of his palm connects with my forehead. The hit is so hard that I end up sprawled on the floor, my ears ringing.

“Nice.” The man adjusts his army jacket and glances over his shoulder at the woman in a white coat. “The military is starting an education program for troubled youth, and this boy would be a good candidate. I’m taking him. The documents will be delivered to you within an hour.”

“Oh. I’m glad he’s getting a second chance after all.”

“Indeed.” The man meets my gaze, and this time, there is a wide satisfied smile on his face. “I’ll make sure his potential is fully utilized.”

Chapter 4

“You look stylish tonight. Benito seems to be smitten with you,” Dania says, motioning toward the other side of the karaoke bar.

I throw a look over my shoulder, finding the son of one of my father’s capos nursing a drink. He winks at me as soon as our eyes connect.

“I’m not interested,” I say, turning away.

“He just texted, asking for your number.” Dania nudges me with her leg. “He’s cute.”

“I hope you didn’t give it to him.”

“Why?”