Page 180 of Tempting Little Thief

Chapter 33

Bass

Two Hours Earlier

Slowly, I climb to my feet, making my way over to the man strapped up like a sacrifice but loose enough not to cause any damage unless I decide I want it to. That’s not why we’re here though.

His muscles constrict, the veins in his neck throbbing alongside the one on his temple as he growls around the gag, the heavy yank of the chains clanking around the room and echoing off the high ceiling.

My smirk only grows and I don’t pause until I’m right in front of him and slowly remove the gag from over his mouth.

As expected, the threats start instantly.

“I will fucking destroy you, boy. You have no idea what you’ve done. I’ll have you in pieces and sent back to whoever it is that paid you to come here. I can promise you no amount of money would ever be worth what I’m going to do to you when this is over.”

I smile, jerking my head to the side when he spits, just as I knew he would.

Making a show of looking all around, I slowly bring my eyes back to his. “Not sure what you’re seein’, old man, but it looks to me like I’m the one running the show.”

He scoffs an obnoxious sound but clamps his teeth shut into a snarl when the basement door clanks open, simultaneously slamming shut with a loud thud, alerting us both to a new arrival.

His eyes are alert, keen and flicking around every single inch of the place as he waits for who I’m assuming he believes is the boss, the big bad man who “paid me” to bring him here. So, when it’s only my boy Hayze who walks through, his eyes narrow, more of that confusion filtering across his face, but he tries to keep himself as guarded as possible. I’d say he’s doing pretty well, but over the last few months, I’ve become familiar with his many expressions, so it’s easy for me to see when his mask slips over his face.

Hayze gets one look at the dark-haired man and lets out a little whistle. “Goddamn, my boy. You weren’t playing.”

“This is Hayze.”

“You’re both dead.”

“Says the man with chains attached to his every limb.” Hayze grins.

When Hayze looks to me, I give a jerk of my head, and without asking, he moves to grab the small table, bringing it closer, and sets it at my side, placing the small stool right behind me.

I reach into the back of my waistband, eyes trained on the man before me as I pull the small, lightweight custom toy out. With my last three fingers wrapped around the handle, my pointer resting along the barrel, I draw the weapon up between us, my eyes flicking from it to him.

Rage causes him to shake, the chains rattling with the movement as he focuses on the small golden crest carved into the handle.

“Thief,” he spits the word with pure disdain, so sure the only answer is a sticky-fingered me.

Nodding, I bring my other hand up, and I don’t miss the way his muscles tense, but I don’t call him out on it as I slowly remove the empty clip, pull back the hammer and pop the final bullet waiting in the chamber out.

I set the gun and clip beside me before lowering onto the stool and lifting my hands, giving my fingers a little wiggle for spite.

He keeps his expression blank, waiting for me to speak.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why you’re here—”

“I know why I’m here.”

“Oh yeah? So let’s hear it then.”

“Because someone hired you to take me out, too weak and fearful to dare do it themselves, so they sent a boy in place of a man to do their dirty work.” He yanks on the chain for sport and an attempt to show some form of dominance while being completely dominated in his current state. “Well, let me let you in on a little secret to how this world works. The grunts who do the big boys’ bidding? They don’t live to breathe another day. I guarantee the second you step out of this room, there will be someone waiting for you in the next one, and I will relish in the screams that follow.”

My chuckle is low, and I give a small nod as my tongue sweeps along my lip ring. “You got one thing right. There is someone waiting for me on the other side of this room, and don’t worry, I have every intention of showing you who that is, but not until we’re done here. Not until I’ve got what I want from you.”

He holds for several moments, I’ll give him that, but then he asks the question I’ve been waiting for. “What is it that you want?”

“Easy, and only one single thing.” Cocking my head, I grin and say, “Your daughter.”

---