Page 245 of Bossy Hero

Lenkov reduces his speed to turn toward a staircase, giving me an opportunity to catch him.

And I seize it.

Closing the remaining distance, I leap forward to tackle him before he makes it up the first step. With my body careening against him, he plummets to the ground, smacking brutally into the metal railing on the way down.

He lands splayed on his stomach.

His pained wails are music to my fucking ears.

As for me, his putrid body cushioned my fall nicely. Aside from being short of breath, I’m fine.

Since we toppled into this position, I’ll be able to easily restrain him like I did with the Andre-the-Giant wannabe.

For a split second, I contemplate rolling Lenkov over and pummeling his face.

It would be so fucking satisfying.

He deserves it. Who could blame me?

My nostrils flare and collapse with my riotous breaths. As he moans in agony, I grab his wrists and force them behind his back. I lend him no measure of tenderness.

He’s earned far worse treatment than this. But only one of us is a monster. It’s not me.

Too bad I don’t have Patterson’s handcuffs. The tight clink of metal locking into place would be as soul-soothing as his bellows. Sadly, the ties will have to do for now.

Once he’s restrained, I yank him to his feet. “Up you go, asshole.”

Despite my harsh grip on him, he stumbles and sways a few steps. Although he must want to cuss me out, he remains silent.

“Nothing to say to me?” I sneer, my hatred of this man bringing me to the boiling point. “Huh, asshole? Nothing? You had my daughter abducted and raped. You sent a hitman after me, shooting the woman I love in the crossfire. And yet, you have nothing to say to me, man to man?”

No response.

None.

If it weren’t for the visible lingering pain from the takedown, I doubt he’d have any reaction whatsoever. As it is, all he’s giving me are glimpses of his discomfort.

Letting myself indulge in the sweet victory of his capture, I peer deep into his eyes.

It’s cold and dark. No humanity. Only desolation and darkness.

His soul is an abyss.

“You’re going to prison, you sick fuck. And you’ll never hurt another person for as long as you live.”

I give him a shove toward the engine room. “Let’s go.”

Might as well use it as our pseudo-holding room while we round up the rest of the deviants.

Mia opens her mic, letting me hear the raucous applause in the lair. My shoulders roll back, and my chest puffs.

Forgot Maddie was watching. Good thing I didn’t turn into a fucking rage monster.

Lenkov lurches down the corridor at my prodding, unflinching from my harsh grip on his arm. When we reach the spot where I left the beastly man, he’s no longer there. His vomit, however, is right where I last saw it.

If Patterson got taken out by a restrained man, I’m letting nature run its course.

“Are you back here, Patterson?”

---