Sometimes it felt like me and Kairus were progressing into something I couldn’t explain, but I liked it. Other times I felt like I was going crazy and imagining something that wasn’t there. I was starting to confuse his ways and behavior with him caring. His words shouldn’t make me yearn for his approval. It was sick, I knew that, but knowing he refused to remove the cameras and got off watching me caused erotic ideas to flash through my mind and epinephrine to flood my veins.
“Did you believe you would be able to run for forever and we wouldn’t catch you?” I glowered down at Bryant with my top lip curled. He was tied to a chair in the middle of the warehouse. If he was smart he would have left town before we got wind he was hiding out at his mother-in-law’s house. He was moving around like he had no cares in the world, not even checking his surroundings. It only pissed me off more because he took me as a joke.
“Fuck you,” he grunted and spat on the ground near my feet.
Nolan grinned, stepping forward and sending his fist across Bryant’s face. “Speaking of fucking, your baby mom is fine as shit. I might have to slide back and show her what it’s like to be with a real man.”
“Stay the fuck away from her!” he bellowed, struggling against his restraints.
“Shut up!” Nolan hit him again. I stared at him with a bored expression on my face.
“Your right hand was loyal. I have to admit you picked a solid man to be at your side. He refused to give you up.” I pulled myblack leather gloves out of my back pocket and put them on. “He was loyal until the very moment I cut his tongue out for the continued disrespect.” Bryant flinched when I pulled my knife out next and flicked the blade out. He eyed it and for a second a flash of fear passed through his eyes.
“I might lose my life, but at least I know you won’t get your money,” he choked out and laughed.
“Oh you mean this money?” Nolan grabbed a book bag and brought it in front of Bryant. His eyes widened with realization.
“Where did you get that!” he shouted.
He grinned. “Your baby mom thought if she gave us the money it might spare your life. Tsk, tsk. I hope you had more for her and your kid put up somewhere.” I had already counted the money and it was all there and then some. While I took what I was owed, I let Nolan have the rest.
“Now.” I rolled my neck between my shoulders. “I wanna play a game.”
I stepped forward. Bryant eyed me warily. The once stubborn attitude he had was fading. “I’ve always wondered how long it would take for a person to bleed out as I cut his fingers off, piece by piece.”
He started shaking his head and tried to break free again. His arms were tied to the arms of the chair. He balled his hands and I grinned as if that would stop me.
“You’re one sick fuck.” Nolan laughed but I focused on Bryant. He saw me as a joke and disrespected me. For that he had to pay. His death would be slow and painful, just the way I liked.
“You’re free to go.” I told Crusher. “Go meet Rock at the warehouse for cleanup.”
“Got it, Boss.” He started the truck.
I walked to the front door of the Marks’ house and rang the doorbell. I was still riding the rush from torturing Bryant and needed to lay eyes on Azeira sooner than I expected.
The door opened and Jeremy stood on the other side. His lips pressed together tightly and his eyes narrowed.
“What are you doing here?” he questioned.
I smirked, not bothering to respond and stepping forward, pushing past him.
“Hey!” he called out after me.
“Take me to where Azeira is,” I called out over my shoulder.
“She’s with her mother. Where she belongs.” His words were tight as he spoke.
I chuckled. “Foolish man. She’s mine and belongs at my side.” I continued walking through the house.
“I need to talk to you,” Jeremy mentioned. Pausing, I turned to face him. He glared at me with deep hatred embedded in his eyes. “I’ll have your money sooner than expected. Once I give it to you, I want my daughter back and you out of our lives.”
His words sent a violent dip through my stomach that caused my blood to run cold. Narrowing my eyes, I stepped closer and glowered down at him. “In case the hospital didn’t tell you enough, I’ll make it clear. Your daughter is mine. Even if she tried to live her life as before, she’ll never forget me. I’m permanently embedded in her.” Jeremy didn’t know I meant that in the literal sense but that didn’t stop his nostrils from flaring and his eyes from growing tighter.
“I don’t know what kind of Stockholm syndrome you brainwashed into my daughter. The daughter I know would never engage in anything with you.” His voice shook slightly.
“Maybe you didn’t know your daughter as good as you thought.” I tilted my head. “Know this, Jeremy. Now that I’ve had your daughter, I’ll never let her go. Anyone who interferes will be dealt with. So you better get used to being myfather-in-law.” He was steaming from the ears as I turned and walked down the hall. I followed the voices until I got to a bedroom.
Looking inside I saw Azeira and her mom laughing with one another. They didn’t notice me right away and I took the moment to study her mom. Although she was in a fragile state, she was still an attractive woman. Azeira favored her more than she did her dad and it gave me a glimpse of what to expect when she was that age.
