Page 44 of The Russian's Kidnapped Bride
So, another will have to do.
Moving down the stairs, I meet Nikolai’s gaze while he approaches. “Still quiet?”
He scoffs, irritation aimed at the rightful target. “Very much so…and smug.”
Well aware of what that will mean for us, I exhale and push my sleeves up. “Just like they always are before they finally squeal.”
Despite being restrained with nowhere to go, the captive chuckles before erupting in a wet cough. He turns his head and spits blood onto the floor. “More Lukovs for backup. Always so eager for answers. Desperate for the upper hand and terrified of the tables being flipped.”
Walking over, I keep my expression neutral while I look down at him. “Yet you’re the one tied to a chair. You’ll be desperate soon enough.”
“You might think you’ve already won, but you haven’t seen half of it yet,” he grits out, not giving up that defiance despite his predicament. “Maxim’s coming, and he has plans. Big plans.”
“He has plans, does he? Or are they merely concepts?” I return, reaching up and backhanding him, forcing his head to the side sharply.
He groans, then tries to school his features. After a moment, he pulls in a breath to steady himself again.
“I’ve heard that same thing said again and again. There’s always a master plan, yet it never reaches execution. It sure as hell won’t in our city,” I mutter, looking him over with obviousdisdain. “You and all the other fleas hide behind Maxim’s name, but where does that get you? Stuck in a basement and beaten senseless by a Lukov.”
He sneers at me. “You think you’re untouchable. But Maxim came from the same grit you did, and he knows everything. He sees everything. He’s waiting.”
“Maxim doesn’t know shit,” I snap back, making him jump slightly in his chair. “He sure as hell isn’t anything like us. He doesn’t wait…he runs. Like a coward.”
Despite his disadvantage, the hostage grins red. “When he comes back, you’ll wish your dear Pakhan had shot him dead when he had the chance.”
I already do, but I keep that fact to myself.
Losing track of time, I have no idea how long the interrogation goes on, but even with a face looking more like minced meat, he doesn’t offer us anything useful. No locations, no other names, and no plans. Nothing.
Maxim’s men have stronger mental fortitude than I’d ever like to give them credit for.
Between my brothers and me, our fists are bruised and bloody, and the floor is tainted like a murder site.
Eventually, I straighten and wipe my forehead on my sleeve. I glance at Nikolai. “We’re done here for now.”
The hostage sits slumped in the chair, heaving in shallow breaths, while he looks unrecognizable. Even if he’s ready to speak, he’d have a hell of a time trying to.
“You sure?”
I nod, murmuring, “Let him sit in it. The ache should loosen him up soon enough. And if not, just kill him.”
Even if Nikolai still looks willing to continue, he nods, and we eventually leave the basement behind.
As much as I want to crack the hostage, I know he won’t yet, if ever.
Many of Maxim’s men are loyal to a fault for whatever reason, even if the shots he calls famously get them killed faster than anything.
I don’t know what it is about him, but when they choose his side, they aren’t gaining anything but an early grave.
Still, that doesn’t mean I can’t use the hostage later, or put an end to it if I’m feeling merciful.
While the warm air up top moves between us, my phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out, I glance down at my screen, finding a message from the driver.
“She arrived. All secure.”
That’s one good thing at least.
I take a breath and type back my acknowledgment.
