Chapter 6
EMRIS
Once we’re back outside, my eyes track over the full parking lot—rows and rows of cars taking up every inch.
This fucking hole in the wall brings in way more business than I assumed it would.
It looks like it’s barely standing. The paint on the outside is peeling, and a single letter from the sign hangs down, making the bar called The Whisk instead of The Whiskey.
What a stupid fucking name.
Carson is silent next to me as we get back in the van to wait for Susie to make an appearance. I didn’t even want to take on this job, but Carson said it would be fun.
Fucking fun?
I don’t mind doing these jobs. I enjoy them, actually, but my favorite part is when I get people talking.
I just hate everything that leads to it—the sneaking around, making sure no one sees, and the countless other shit that could go wrong.
One wrong move on our part and someone will die.
Again, I’m fine with a little—or a lot—of murder, but I like to have time to plan out who and how I’m going to take someone out.
Not having a cleanup crew or a way to take care of a body is a fucking pain in the ass, so I try to avoid it at all costs.
The back door to the bar swings open, and out comes the person we need. It’s dark, only a dim light coming from the exit sign, but it’s enough. Carson rubs his hands together before he pulls the mask down over his face.
“I got this one. You stay here and keep watch over the parking lot,” he says, pushing open the door and leaving it cracked to avoid gaining her attention.
“Don’t fuck around, Carson. I want to get this shit over with already,” I tell him as I grip the steering wheel, but he only flips me off.
The dumpsters are only a few feet from the door, but she takes her time walking to them.
You can’t see her face, only her silhouette.
Carson sneaks up on her but doesn’t grab her right away.
Instead, he waits until she turns around before stepping in front of her.
When he blocks her way back to the door, it takes her a second to notice something is wrong.
Taking a step back, she almost trips, but Carson takes that distraction to grab her.
She struggles but eventually breaks free from his hold, attempting to get away from him. Before she can, he grabs the shovel leaning on the side of the trash can and hits her over the head with it. Her body goes limp as she falls to the ground, dropping like dead weight.
That is the difference between us.
He likes them silent.
I like it when they cry.
I sit there, my fingers tapping against the dashboard as Carson leans down, picking up her unconscious body and heading to the back of the van. The back door opens, followed by a thud.
When the passenger door swings open, Carson comes into view and rips off the mask. His black hair falls forward, and he runs his hand through it, pushing it out of his eyes as he hops in.
“Got her all tied up and taped her mouth closed. Found this in her pocket,” he says, tossing a small pink pocketknife in the center console.
Hmm, interesting.
I turn the key and put the van in drive. Our house is about half an hour away, and Carson is basically jumping in his seat with excitement as we drive away from the bar.
“She’s kinda hot. Not gonna lie.” Carson breaks the silence only a few minutes into our drive, but I ignore him.
Carson’s into anyone who has a pussy, so really, I’m not surprised. And if I feed into a conversation, he won’t shut the fuck up until we get home.
“Kinda sucks we gotta do this,” he says more to himself than me.
After a few more random comments about our captive, he shuts up. I must’ve zoned out because the exit I need to take is coming up already. And of course, as soon as we start exiting the freeway, a thud comes from the back of the van, followed by muffled shouting.
“Sounds like she’s awake.” Carson states the obvious as I press on the gas, making us go way over the speed limit. “Keep your eye out for cops,” I tell him, looking over my shoulder before merging.
Speeding isn’t the best option, but the faster we get home, the quicker we can deal with this. I don’t think I could get us out of another one of these. The excuse, Well, she’s really into bondage and likes it rough, officer, won’t get me off the hook again.
It takes about fifteen minutes before I pull into the driveway, throw the van in park, and hop out.
“I’ll get the door.” Carson doesn’t wait for a reply as he heads in the opposite direction.
I toss my hands in the air, and I watch him walk away.
“I guess I’ll grab the captive,” I drawl sarcastically.
The second I pull the van doors open, she jumps. I knew she was awake, but I wasn’t prepared for her to be untied and ready to attack. I lose my footing and almost fall when she wraps her legs around me. Fists fly toward my face, but she has no power here.
Not with me.
The only advantage she had was surprise—and fuck did she surprise me.
I wrap my arm around her waist and move toward the back of the van. Her back slams down on the metal floor, and all the air leaves her lungs. She struggles to breathe as I keep her pinned to the floorboard.
I drag my eyes over her face and I let out a series of cuss words.
This isn’t Susie.
It’s the fucking raven-haired girl.
I knew he never took his damn eyes off the blonde at the bar when I originally spotted Susie.
“Goddamn it, Carson!” My voice booms through the small confines of the van, my grip tightening on the woman under me.
“What the actual fuck is going on?” she screams, trying to pull her hands free. Despite the situation, I smirk at her feistiness. I don’t think telling her we kidnapped the wrong person will sit well right now, so my best bet is to just go with it.
She doesn’t need to know.
“It’s nothing personal. Just business.” Her body thrashes under me, and it makes my cock grow.
Damn it.
Get yourself together, Emris.
She gets one of her hands free and instantly scratches at my face. A deep burn begins to throb, and fuck, I love it. Wetness rolls down my cheek, and I can’t help the side of my mouth kicking up.
“Let me go, you fucking psychopath!” She continues to fight even when I tighten my grip on her.
“No can do,” I say, pulling her out of the van.
“Who the hell are you?” Her feet dig into the gravel as if that’s going to stop me.
“We’ll get to all the questions soon, promise.”
The front door comes into view, and she tries even harder to get out of my grip. She must know she’s not going anywhere, right?
“I got shit to do. Walk, or I’ll carry you,” I threaten, but she only glares at me.
“Fuck you!”
I shrug, nudging at her shoulder, but she still resists. So, I hold good to my threat. Bending down, I grab her knees and toss her over my shoulder.
“Put me the hell down right now!” Her fists pound against my back until we get inside. Carson closes the door and follows me down to the basement, still completely clueless.
“Let’s hurry and get this shit over with. Bossman keeps asking for an update, and it’s annoying me,” Carson says as we descend the stairs, making me want to throttle him more.
Grabbing the rope from the table, I walk over to a wooden chair in the middle of the room and slam her down. She fights as I wrap the rope around her wrists, making sure she is secure before letting go.
“Can someone please fucking tell me what the hell is going on?” She fights against her restraints, and I’ll give it to her—she’s not giving up easily.
Her voice grabs Carson’s attention, and that’s when he realizes he fucked up. “Oh, fuck,” he whispers, his eyes growing wide.
“Yeah, oh fuck is right, you dumbass.” I pinch my nose in frustration but get myself under control quickly.
“Someone tell me. What. The. Fuck. Is. Going. On. Now!” She grits out through clenched teeth.
“Yeah, we’ll get to that later. But for now, I have a few phone calls to make, so hang tight.” I smile down at her, and if looks could kill, I’d be dead.