Chapter 34 #2
That’s the first thought that pops into my head.
The second?
Why is this ogre of a man staring at me like I’m his next meal? I’m guessing this is the douchebag who caused Leo’s accident.
Fuck.
Leo.
If Adrian touched even a hair on his head, I’m going to—
“Rise and shine, sweetheart,” a familiar voice singsongs somewhere out of my line of sight. My hands and feet are bound, but I force myself to a sitting position. Which is a mistake because as soon as I’m upright, the room spins.
Whatever they gave me is still working its way out of my system.
“Jesus Christ, James, help her up,” the man snaps.
The large creep smiles wide, almost tripping over himself to follow his boss’s order. I want to bite him, claw his eyes out, anything to stop his grubby hands from touching me. But my body still feels limp and weak.
“That’s better,” Adrian says, finally coming into view. My eyelids open enough to take in the full room he’s stashed me in.
I think it’s a guest room, judging by the vanity, side tables, and the bed he has my restraints tied to. There’s a window too, which faces a thick forest. We must be in the suburbs somewhere.
I attempt to move my lips to cuss him out, but the sound is muffled from the duct tape. Fucking asshole.
“Take off her muzzle too. I miss that pretty voice of hers.”
Half of my body is still numb, but I feel every ounce of pain that tears through my nervous system when Shrek rips off the tape.
He’s definitely losing his fucking hands. Maybe more if I have time.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” Adrian says, taking a few steps closer. I flinch at the movement. “It’s been a while since I’ve done a good kidnapping. I’m a little rusty.”
“You mother fucking, no good, ass hat of a –”
“Ass hat? That’s a new one,” he smirks, cutting me off.
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard it,” I choke out, my voice dry and rough.
Adrian laughs, crossing his arms casually like we’re two old friends catching up. “There’s that cheeky personality I’ve been hearing so much about. I was worried the drugs dulled your sparkle.”
I scowl, struggling against whatever is wrapped around my wrists. It feels like rope from the way it cuts into my skin. “First, I’m going to kill you, and then I’m going to teach Shrek over here to keep his hands to himself.”
James’ face winds up into a little pout that does nothing for his facial structure. I glare at him to get my point across.
Adrian sighs, dragging a chair across the carpet and right in front of the bed. He spins it around and straddles it before resting his arms on the back. “Straight to threats, huh? I was hoping you’d plead for your safety. Or at least your friend’s.”
My spine stiffens, internally cursing myself for forgetting the way Keith’s body crumbled on the ground in front of me. “What did you do to him?”
“Relax,” he says, quirking his head. “He’s safe for now. That’s unless you choose to make this next part difficult.”
My stomach churns. I can’t let anything happen to Keith. He wasn’t even supposed to be involved.
“Well then, let’s get on with it then, shall we?” I smile, a challenging look cresting in my eyes. It only feeds the same look igniting in Adrian’s.
“Leo was right about you,” he says, grabbing the back of the chair and pushing to his feet. Every step he takes toward me feels like a punch in the gut. Then his slimy hand caresses my cheek. “Once this is over, I think we could have some fun together.”
I jerk my face away. “Touch me again and I’ll bite your fucking finger off.”
He grins, making my stomach turn even more. “See? Fun.”
I swallow the bile threatening to come up. I need to focus. Adrian wants me to react. Every time I flinch or tremble, it probably goes straight into whatever sick little scrapbook he keeps in that deranged mind of his.
So, I change tactics and smile. I smile my fucking ass off.
“You kidnapped me to flirt? I’m flattered, but Enzo’s sloppy seconds aren’t really my type.”
The corner of his lip trembles slightly before snapping back into place. “That’s cute. But you’re not the star of the show tonight. You’re simply bait. I need your boyfriend to start playing his part.”
That means he’s alive.
And free.
A shard of fear dislodges from my side.
I keep my mouth shut, hoping he’ll become a real Bond villain and reveal his entire plan to me while I figure out my escape.
Adrian circles the bed, letting his finger drag along the comforter. My skin prickles watching the movement like a hawk.
“Here’s the thing, Emilia. I’ve known about Leo’s true intentions for a while now.
Wasn’t hard to figure out after a quick background check.
And I was content to let him continue his suicide mission.
I even started rooting for him. Until I realized he wasn’t just after Enzo’s head—no, he wanted to burn the entire Caruso operation to the ground.
The operation that I risked everything to protect. ”
He stops, lifting his soulless eyes to me. “And then he decided to team up with Vince Russo—basically a neanderthal,” he explains. I break character for a moment, attempting to snap forward, but my restraints hold me back.
Adrian grins from ear to ear, looking pleased with himself. “I wasn’t planning on him being smart enough to uncover my identity. But it all worked out. I decided to kill Vince and frame Leo—killing two birds with one stone.”
I crane my neck, trying to line up all the information in my head. It’s hard to do when my head is pounding.
“Then why did you help him? I was already investigating him until you used your connections to stop me.”
He grips the wrought iron at the foot of the bed, using it to lean on. “Because he was helping me out in other ways. I couldn’t let my pet get locked up until I was done with him.”
Realization hits me, coming out of nowhere but still taking my breath away. “You wanted Leo to get rid of Enzo for you.”
“Exactly,” he grins. Then the corners of his mouth slip into a shape more suited for his face. “And enter the seductive detective that just had to steal his attention away.”
His knuckles turn white as he squeezes the bedpost tighter. “Leo used to be focused with an ego that was fueled by revenge. But then you came along, and suddenly he had something to lose. To protect.”
I glare at him. “You’re giving me too much credit.”
He lets go of his anchor and takes a few steps closer. My heart beats loudly inside my chest. Thankfully, he stops at the edge of the bed, but he’s still too close.
“Oh, no,” Adrian says. “You made him reckless, and now he’s a liability. One that I have to get rid of sooner than I expected.”
I lunge forward again—this time with enough force to shake the entire bed. The rope digs into my skin, but nothing beats the pain I feel when I think of losing Leo.
He chuckles to himself. “Relax, sweetheart. I’m not going to kill him. I have a much better plan in mind. As for you,” he says, leaning down and gripping my chin. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do with you. But you need to start playing nice, or your partner is going to pay for it.”
I open my mouth to tell him off. Anything to drown out the gut-wrenching feeling of loss I can’t bear to go through again. But his phone rings, cutting me off.
Adrian slides the device out of his pocket, smiling when he checks the screen. He must put the phone on speaker because I can hear Leo’s voice clear as day.
“Where is she?” Leo growls, a mix of fury and panic.
I want to scream out and tell him to stay away, but it’s no use because Shrek reappears just in time to reattach the duct tape on my mouth. Adrian winks, placing a finger over his lips.
“I thought you didn’t care about her.”
“If anything happens to her, I’ll carve this city apart until I find you.”
Adrian chuckles under his breath like the psycho he is. “No need. I’ll tell you exactly where I’m at.”
And then he hangs up.
My mouth goes dry, true fear taking over.
Because Leo is coming. Running headfirst into whatever trap Adrian has laid out.
Which is why I need to get Keith and me out of here before that happens.