Page 7 of A Pawn in the Game
“Yes.” My teeth grind together.
“Are you a total and complete idiot? Aren’t there hundreds of people just above her?”
“I know you’re under a lot of stress but mind your fuckingtone when talking to me. I’m not a child, and I know what the fuck I’m doing.” Our relationship wasn’t like this. Not before Father’s death. “The dungeon is perfect. We have everything we need here. It’s soundproof. Our people can go in and out without being noticed and I can work on my newest project while monitoring her.”
“And what if she manages to escape?”
“The folks upstairs will think it’s part of a scene.” I shrug. “It’s more likely they will return her, thinking she’s my sex slave, than set her free.” A shudder runs through me. This place is a work in progress. “Besides, I’ll have you know she feels so relaxed here she fell asleep already.”
“Look, sorry.” He sighs. “I’m just… There’s so much to do. So much to think about. But I trust you.”
“I know you do. When will we contact Landers?”
“We can do it as soon as tomorrow. You’ll record what we need?”
“Sure.”
“Talk to you soon, brother.”
“Sweet dreams, Leon.”
He does something akin to a snarl, making me chuckle, before I end the call. He was always the serious older brother. I’m, on the other hand, the fun one. But I’m no less effective, especially when it comes to shit that matters. And this, revenge for the most important person in our lives, matters.
I pull my phone and wallet from my pocket so I can drop it on the small table, and a piece of paper dips to the floor.
Crouching, I find a worn-out photo of Leon, Father, and I, smiling side by side. The colors are faded and there are a couple of tears, but it’s obvious the three of us have the same dark eyes, sharp jawlines and unruly, thick hair. Unlike the jet black hair Leon and I have, Father’s had become more salt than pepper over the last decade.
He was old-school, so he had us take pictures and print them out. We found a stack of them in his nightstand after his death,and I slipped this one into my wallet. My chest tightens, so I rub my hand over it, as if that’ll help. I’m barely aware of my surroundings when a quick movement catches in my peripheral vision, followed by a sharp pain in my shoulder.
“Motherf—” I grit out, turning around to grab the culprit by the neck and slam him into the wall.
A high squeak escapes, and I realize that terrified, sleeping Sophie hit me with a motherfucking chair. I ease my grip, not to crush her throat. I’m really not used to kidnapping women. My typical victim would already have his head bashed in, but staring at her wide, frightened eyes and the dark circles underneath them, it’s hard to imagine doing such a thing.
“Are you out of your damn mind?” I grit out.
“Let me go.” She’s trying to keep it together, but her voice breaks.
“I don’t fucking think so. It’s obvious you’re not to be trusted. Do you need to pee?”
Her jaw clenches before she shakes her head.
“Good. Get on the bed, then.”
Terror flashes in her eyes, and I’m almost sorry for scaring her. Until I move my arm and feel the pain in my shoulder.
“Bed. Now,” I repeat, patience running thin.
“What are you going to do to me?”
I huff a laugh, though I’m not sure I find the whole thing funny. “I’m going to tie you the fuck down, so you don’t get another idea like that.” I purse my lips in disappointment. “You could’ve had free rein over the space, and now you’ll be chained.”
She nods as if accepting her fate and heads to the bed. I move the covers and gesture for her to lie in it. The bed swallows her whole, making her look even smaller and more afraid. I reach for the chains above her head and grab an arm, securing her wrist with a leather cuff. I could have tied her spread eagle to the bedposts, but one wrist is enough to make sure she doesn’t try to escape again.
“Now sleep,” I say, grab the photo that distracted me, and slip it back into my wallet.
It’s admirable, really, the way she pretended to sleep to make me feel comfortable. But she must be barely keeping her eyes open.
“What time is it?” she asks, her voice small.
