Curious cat
What happened to the curious cat again? Ah yes, she got her neck snapped by her fiance's supposed best friend because she would not simply stay out of trouble.
I was fairly sure, no most certainly positive that was what Adrian would do to me as his eyes bored into me with something that looked rather far from the friendliness I had seen when we first met.
Maybe my body would be found in a nearby dumpster in a week or more.
And then it hit me. Lucas had told me he was coming here to check on security hours ago and as I stood there scanning the room briefly, he was absolutely nowhere in sight.
Oh, my God! Maybe he hurt Lucas and was now taking out whatever anger was left in him on Baron.
I thought they were supposed to be best friends.
The thought had not completely settled in my mind when a familiar figure stepped out of the shadows, wiping his hand on a towel stained in crimson. It was Lucas. He halted in his steps as his eyes landed on me, shock and a slightly less version of anger flickering in his gaze.
I was sure my gaze mirrored his as I wondered what in hell really was going on here, even though I already knew the answer or something quite close to it.
I shook my head repeatedly, my legs moving on their own volition to take a step back because I refused to believe the thought swirling in my head was really what was going on here.
I took a brief look back at Baron, he would look better if he had even been run over by a truck.
A bitter realization washed over me. If it really was true that Lucas had anything to do with what was going on here, even in the slightest seemingly insignificant way, then I did not know him at all.
This man who I had been engaged to for weeks, sleeping with for even longer, was a total stranger.
One that would not mind having blood on his hands for whatever reasons.
And wasn't that the exact reason I had left Baron months ago?
No. I would not compare Lucas to Baron, not without knowing in detail what was going on.
He was a good father, he loved his family, and he was an even better boyfriend—Fiance.
There was a good and rational reason why a badly beaten and bloodied man who by the way was supposed to be in police custody was right here in his basement.
Oh did I forget to mention Adrian was also about to chop his fingers off with a goddamn plier? Yeah, perfectly good reason.
"Why is she here?" Adrian barked, snapping me away from the long look Lucas and I shared. He took a step closer and instinctively I jumped, afraid that the vision I had of my neck being crushed under the weight of his palm was about to become reality.
"Adrian!" Lucas' voice boomed and in the flash of a second, he was in front of me, shielding me from both the sight of Baron and Adrian's furious gaze.
"We agreed no one would come down here." Adrian said harshly, with a scowl now directed at Lucas, "I don't like to have distractions when I'm conducting my business."
"Watch your tone with her Adrian," Lucas said with an annoyed edge.
"Business?" I asked, stepping to Lucas' side, so I could look between the two men. "What's going on here Lucas?"
"Why are you down here?" He looked at me, voice strained like my being here outweighed the fact that he was conducting a murder down here with the help of his big, scary friend.
I gave him my iciest glare, in the last few weeks, I had felt many ways towards Lucas, but not anger.
Today, though, I was beyond angry. I was shocked, and probably a little hurt at the truth, that I barely knew him.
"I am here because I've been worried sick all evening, wondering where you were and I thought to come find you myself, so I came here because you told me you were coming down here for a routine security check," my eyes drifted to Baron as I spoke and vomit rose in my belly again.
"You should have called me," he sighed, raking his hand through his hair.
Was that really the problem here? "What's going here? I thought the cops had Baron."
Again, his eyes flitted away in the other direction, "I never said so."
"Of course you didn't. Instead, you distracted me, so you could come here and complete the job of murdering him."
"We will not kill him, yet," Adrian spoke, and I realized he was now across the room, a few inches from baron. Again the crimson soaking the towel appeared as he wiped the plier made me almost retch up all I had for dinner with the kids.
Lucas shot him a warning glare and he returned a look that could have well meant, "okay I won't talk to her again,"
Lucas took my arm, gently leading me in the direction I came from, "let's talk upstairs Chris."
"Not happening," I forced my legs to remain fixed to the ground, "tell me what exactly is happening here."
He was silent for a while, that along with the way his jaw flexed told me I was right.
It was exactly what I thought. I placed a hand on my chest, gasping as my legs took another step back.
It brought me closer to the bleeding man but it did put some distance between Lucas and me which was good.
"You never did tell the cops about the incident at the hospital, did you? You brought him here to kill him,"
"No," he said sharply and a hint of relief and hope fluttered in my chest, "I just needed some information from him. I am not a killer."
"Well I am," Lucas and Robin's gaze snapped to Adrian and he immediately added, "joking," in a less than convincing way.
Pushing back the urge to question him in such a situation, I turned to Lucas, "what information could he possibly have for you to do that to him." I hated Baron, but the thought that Lucas had done this to him did not sit right with me.
"He knows where Sarah is," Lucas said simply, rubbing his middle and forefinger on his forehead.
"And I'm going to beat it out of the asshole," Adrian said, moving back to Baron.
Baron moved for the first time since I walked into the room, a deep, hoarse, and dark laugh that convinced me even more that I had just fallen right into a horror movie. A wheezing cough sounded from him, blood gurgling all over the place as he looked up to Lucas and said, "you could try,"
I could tell Adrian's fist was about to kiss Baron's already messed up face, but for some reason, Lucas' pointed glare made him shove his hands in his pocket angrily. He looked at me as he spoke next, "I did not get on a 12-hour flight and leave for wife alone in my hotel room for this."
"Why don't we take a walk outside?" Robin said herding Adrian who clearly looked pissed towards the basement door.
"No," I raised a hand to stop them. I had heard and seen enough for one night, and I was pretty sure if I stood here for even a few more minutes in this bloody mess, I would be on the floor, puking my guts out followed by a fresh streak of nightmares.
"I just wanted to know if you were okay Lucas.
Now that I know you are, I'll leave you to your killing business.
" Without waiting to see the effect my words left on him, I stormed out, taking the stairs, two steps at a time.
Strong hands wrapped around my arm before I could make it to the door.
I yanked my hand away, whirling around to find Lucas, his pleading gaze fixed on me as he put himself between me and the door.
"Muffin, can you please just listen to me?
I know you're upset and with every right to be, but we just got out of a fight for a misunderstanding that was absolutely not worth it.
I know you trust me and you know that I am not a killer so if you would please just come back down here so we can talk this over. "
I really wanted to believe Lucas, but the sight of Baron in that state made me wonder if I could actually trust him.
But he was right, we had spent two weeks away from each other because we had miscommunicated our feelings and I would be damned before going that long in a fight with him again before hearing him out.
I sucked in a sharp breath, willing myself to calm down, his answer to the question I was about to ask would tell me if I really knew him or if I had been fooling myself all along.
"Are you going to kill him?"
I could have slapped Lucas and he would have looked less shocked, actually, it was a little more than shock. Disappointment flickered in his gaze like I had insulted him and I felt a twinge of shame for even thinking so horribly of him. Yet, I had to know, and I had to hear him say it.
His eyes softened a fraction as he stepped closer, raking his finger through my long locs and cupping my cheeks, "No."
That simple word made my heart surge with relief, and then he continued. "It was never the plan. I am not a killer Chris."
"I know," I let out a shaky sigh, placing a hand on his chest, not to push him away. "I freaked out from seeing Baron like that and that was the first explanation my mind could conjure. I'm sorry baby."
"Don't be yet," he said simply, and before I could ask what he meant by that, he continued. "I played a huge part in making sure his face is disfigured for life."
"Why?" I whispered, not sure I wanted to know the answer. "You could have just handed him over to the cops."
"They were not trustworthy with Sarah before and the bastard got the chance to hurt you again because of their carelessness. I'm not letting that happen."
I smoothed my hand on his chest up and down slowly, silently hoping my touch would soothe some of the darkness vibrating off him.
Caring father Lucas I knew, amazing boyfriend and wonderful brother I knew and had seen too.
But this Lucas, this one that scared me just with the look in his eyes, I was sure I never wanted to get used to him. "Lucas I am fine..."
"I know you are. But I also know that as long as Sarah and this bastard are out on the streets, you would always have to look over your shoulder Muffin, and if this is what I have to do to stop Sarah from ever hurting you again, I will do it again and again and again."
"Lucas," I started in an attempt to change his mind but was cut off almost harshly.
"I won't change my mind no matter what you say, even if it makes you hate me."
"I don't hate you, Lucas. I just don't want you to become this person...this monster you are not because you're trying to protect me."
He cupped my cheeks and made me look up at him, "in case you haven't noticed Muffin, you are absolutely worth it and more. I can promise you that I won't kill Baron, but if he keeps resisting to give the information I need, I know Adrian does not mind getting that blood off my hands."
We watched each other in silence over the next few minutes and I could tell it hurt him as much as it did me that we were just about to go back into the awful state our relationship had been just before this afternoon. And then he said, "you should go upstairs. You're still on your medications,"
And numbly, I recognized myself saying, "maybe I should," but almost immediately, I recovered, shook my head, and planted a hand on my waist, the universal sign for defiance. "What information are you trying to get out of him?"
"He knows where Sarah is and all of her activities, Adrian will make him spill it all it, and then we will hand him over to the cops."
"No, you won't," I said simply, spinning around and heading back down towards the basement. I was in front of the bleeding man before Lucas or anyone else could stop me.
"Chris," Lucas's curious voice spoke from behind me, and I knew he was worried standing this close to Baron could mean possible harm for me again.
But for Christ's sake, they had the man bound and tied and beaten to a damn pulp.
How much damage could he exactly pull, especially in front of all the men here?
I turned to Lucas briefly, "I'll be fine, you're here. "
"Well if it isn't my favorite slut," Baron slurred, raising his head as if trying to get a good look at me. From the look of his face, I was sure that did not do much to help. "I never did get to fuck your sweet little cunt, is that why you have your hired goons fucking me up?"
From the side of my eyes, I could see Lucas ball his fist, ready to go at Baron again. The man really had no pity for himself and knowing Baron, none of their hits or punches would work on him. Thankfully, I of all people knew the one language Baron spoke very well.
After clearing my throat softly, I spoke, "my offer at the hospital still stands," he lowered his head, and it seemed like he was ignoring me, but if this was the same man that had barged into my hose and terrified me months ago for 50 thousand dollars, I knew I had hit a spot.
"Still reluctant? Well, there are three options for you Baron. "
"Oh now the slut is giving me conditions," Baron's humorless chuckle was cut short by a sickening sound of bones cracking as Lucas's fist landed on his face.
His screams and pained cries rang through my ears, "Fuck man, you can't take a joke."
"You will speak with respect to my fiance, or see what I can do when my patience runs dry." Lucas said simply, giving me a hard look that said, "what the hell are you doing negotiating with this bastard," before stepping behind me.
"As I was saying three options. First let them beat the shit out of you until you have no other choice but to tell them what they want to know, second, I can have you arrested and charged for assaulting a pregnant woman, attempted murder on a pregnant woman, and murdering my 2-month-old unborn baby.
" I swallowed hard at the searing reminder, nearly gasping at the sudden shortage of air in my lungs.
"and trust me, you will not be getting out of jail as easily as your boss.
Did I also forget to mention assisting a fucking lunatic in her crimes? Yeah, the list is quite long."
"The third?" he slurred, regarding me with one brow raised.
"You let me help you. I want to know where Sarah is and what she plans to do and they'll let you go." I said, simply, tossing a glance between Lucas, Adrian, and Robin. If they were not in support of my method of getting Baron to talk they did not show it.
A deep rumble of laughter escaped his chest, and I shivered when he looked at me dead cold in the eyes, "And what do I get for doing that. Sarah would dip my bolls in fucking shit if I betray her. That bitch is crazy."
"Whether you help us or not, she'll be in jail soon, you choose which side you want to be on," I shrugged, giving a diplomatic side of me I had not known existed before tonight.
"Why would I even want to help you, your boyfriend and his friends have fucked me up pretty bad, it will take a damn lot of cash to get enough stitches to fix my fucking face," he spat, glaring at Adrian.
"You will not need stitching when you're dead, and I'm sure your wounds will be taken care of while you're in jail, but if you give me what I want to know, you will have three million dollars to yourself and I'm positive that would be more than enough to even get you a plastic surgery if you want.
" It felt weird making negotiations with Lucas's money, even though he had more than he knew what to do with.
I wondered how it would make him feel if he would be offended or pissed.
That though would have to be sorted later, if he wanted to find Sarah at any cost, the least I could do was to help make sure that happened with as little blood on his hands as possible.
Baron seemed to think of this briefly, but a frown crawled back on his face when his eyes met Adrian.
And for the first time I could actually see real fear in Baron's eyes and even worse I could understand why he was so terrified.
Adrian had only done so much as speak to me, yet I would not trust myself to be in the same room as him without dropping dead from fear.
Baron though, no matter how much strength and resistance he feigned, had seen first hand what Adrian could do and while that did not make his actions justifiable, I felt the slightest twinge of pity for him.
"And what if he decided to comes back for me. "
"He won't," Lucas spoke, stepping close. I looked at him, glad to receive that reassuring look from him.
"Oh I will," Adrian gave a dark chuckle, "if you decide to stab us in the back after making this deal with us. And trust me, I won't be taking two fucking days to get rid of you like this time."
I saw Baron visibly shiver at Adrian's words and my best effort at masking my shock fell flat. What on earth had they done to him to make him so scared. Not like I really wanted the answer to that question anyway.
I cleared my throat softly, turning to Baron again, "so what do you say, Jail, death, or freedom?
" he opened his mouth to speak, but I held a finger up, "before you answer give it some good thought, tell us where Sarah is hiding, and you get three million dollars, your freedom and you never have to hang anyone upside down again for a few thousand bucks. "
To my surprise, he snorted, "I always knew there was this side to you, it only took you to start fucking a billionaire's Cock to bring out the real bitch in you."
Lucas stepped forward ready to lunge at Baron again, but I placed my hand in his, successfully holding him back, "I take that as a no.
I'm sure it's only a matter of time before the cops find Sarah, too bad you won't be alive to see how.
" with a resigned sigh, I turned my back on him ready to leave the room, "Adrian you can do whatever you want with him, at least I tried,"
Adrian grinned, like a starving man made to seat in front of a banquet, and just as I took the first step towards the door, I heard Baron's voice call out a grumbled, "wait."
I halted in my steps, taking a few seconds to smile to myself, before turning around to him again, a nonchalant expression on my face. I raised one brow up in question.
"I don't know where Sarah is or what her plans are," he started and I was about to turn to leave when he said, "Jesus I fucked her once and got paid for the job, you don't expect that she would suddenly tell me everything."
"So what do you know then?" my voice took on a stern edge.
"What I know is that woman hates you, she hates your boyfriend, but most especially she hates you, and even if you kill me or hand me over to the cops, she would only just find someone else to do the job.
" he shut his eyes, as of in pain and looked up to the ceiling.
It took a moment before he spoke again, mumbling, "god she's going to kill me for this.
" before turning back to me, "I can't tell what day we're at, but we're supposed to meet in exactly three weeks after I supposedly carried out the job for the other half of my money.
We had a deal and she agreed to give the money in person. "
"What is the deal?" Lucas asked impatiently, eyes narrowed to slits and I could tell he was on the brink of cracking.
Baron murmured something under his breath before speaking again, "well we had great sex the first time and wanted to have a celebratory fuck when she handed the money over. There, you fucking happy?"
"No I'm not fucking happy until I know you and that bitch are no longer a threat to my family," Lucas barked, clenching his fists at his sides.
"it's been more than two weeks since you attacked my fiancee.
If what you tell us now is correct—and so help me God if there's even the faintest deception or lie in your words—we have a week to get you back in good shape for your meeting with her. You will lead us to her."
His face contorted into horror, "fuck she'll fucking kill me if she knew I gave something away. That bitch is dangerous."
"And I don't care," Lucas barked, "Where are you arranged to meet?"
He was quiet for the fraction of a second and in those few moments, Adrian thought it right to slam the plier into an open wound on Baron's thighs, drawing out moire blood. His scream of anguish was followed by a cry of, "San Diego. Fuck, Jesus. We're meeting back in San Diego."
"See you receive less pain when you cooperate my man," Adrian smiled cruelly and I made a mental note never to cross the man.
"That's enough Adrian." Lucas turned to where his brother was simply standing in the corner, I could tell Robin did not want to be a part of this. "He would need some stitches. Have enough men look after him while the doctor takes care of his wounds."
That was all he said before taking my hand and leading me towards the door of the basement. "Where are we going?"
He looked down at me with a smirk, "We have to get ready, we have a plane to catch back home."
"What will you do when you find her?"
His silence was all the answer I needed.