Radmir
The man breathed heavily, his legs barely supporting him as he stood, but the chains that were hanging from the ceiling and wrapped around his wrists helped keep him upright. Blood slid down from his head to his chest, which was covered with small cuts and purple-blue bruises from all the beatings he had gotten.
“I don’t know anything,” he whispered, which only caused me to laugh more as I lit a cigarette, taking a slight break from the torture.
“Let’s get back to the story, shall we?” He blinked at me in confusion but nodded as I opened up the window. The smell of his sweat was seriously playing on my nerves. But then he had been tortured for the last seven hours, so he probably shouldn't be blamed for that. How come all those weak men managed to put me behind bars while they didn’t even stand a chance in a fight? They always got a fair chance, but they blew it so easily that I wondered if I should even keep doing it. Just wasting much-needed time.
Finally, he started talking. “I was working as a courier in a company that delivered fast mail. A man came up to me and asked me to give you a message to show up in a specific place. That was it. He just paid for the delivery. I don’t know anything else.” Then he begged, “Please, I have a girlfriend. We are getting married in two weeks.”
“Fascinating,” was my only reply, as if I didn't know this information already. Funny how he thought this should change my mind. I had a woman and wedding plans when he ruined my life. And they asked me for mercy?
However, putting me in prison was the only bad thing he had done, and he was young for his twenty-seven years, so it worked in his favor. He reminded me of those stupid, young mafia recruits who first did shit and then regretted it when it was too late.
But he deserved to suffer, because he was lying to me and thought he could get away with it. I wouldn't kill him, but I’d never hesitate to hurt him.
Not until he told me the truth anyway.
“Too bad that’s all you remember.” I threw the cigarette butt through the window, closed it, and turned around to the table with various instruments that made people talk fast. Up until now, I hadn't used much on him, beating him here and there, cuts, and stuff. Running my fingers over the metal, I settled on pliers and played with the tool on my way to him as he swallowed loudly and gazed at me with fear. “Looks like we’ll have to ruin that marriage finger of yours. Pity.”
I went for his hand, picking the finger, and was about to cut, when he shouted, although it was more of a whisper, considering his condition. “I’ll tell you, I will!” He licked his dry lips as he cast his eyes down. “The man wore a dark hoodie and sunglasses. He would ask me to send different packages on different days and paid good tips. One day, he asked if I wanted to make more money.” He cleared his throat. “My sister was sick. I had no choice, which probably doesn't mean much to you. He asked me to watch you for a day or two to learn your habits and then deliver the message on a specific day and time because he had a surprise for you. That’s what he called it anyway.”
Stepping back from him, I questioned, “Anything else?” He shook his head.
“He transferred the money into my account the next day. When I saw you on the news, I understood something was wrong… but honestly, I didn't care.”
The truth shone in his eyes, so I placed the pliers back on the table and took out my phone.
“Da?” Vitya answered on the first ring.
“I’m done. Get him to a hospital or something.” Hanging up, I rubbed my chin and asked one last question, which was an important piece of the puzzle.
“He never showed you his face, but would you recognize his voice? How much did he pay you?”
“One hundred thousand dollars. His voice always sounded funny, as if a robot was speaking.”
Fuck. How fucking rich and obsessed with his plan was he to pay so much to just a kid for information? A man like him didn't plan anything needlessly. The more people I asked, the clearer the picture became.
He wasn't just a man who hated me.
He was a man who despised me so much he didn't care what he used to eliminate me from the game, and since I was never hurt in his games, I came to only one conclusion.
The stranger who had ruined my life never wanted to hurt me or kill me; he just needed me to get out of his way for his grand plan, which somehow involved Vivian.
And it meant with me out and seeking him, I put myself on his hit list. Fisting my hands, I thought back to my woman.
She needed more protection, but what if it was her husband?
After all, Alex Jordan was the only man in this world who had reason to hate me and want Vivian at the same time.
A Few Hours Later
Soundlessly entering the house, I dashed toward Vivian’s room. Her husband was away on business in Houston, giving me the perfect opportunity to get inside the house. Visiting Houston without seeing her…It was an impossible task to ask from a man. She was visiting her parents, and thank fuck for that, because those assholes didn't change the security code, and I already knew how to get into her room from the orchids alcove located right under her balcony. Learned this shit when I came back for her six years ago when her father took her from me.
Finding her room, I opened the door and quickly shut it as she stirred on the bed. Removing my shoes, I walked closer only to stop when I noticed her son lying next to her in his airplane pajamas. He had long hair for a kid, black locks similar to mine. His chest rose and fell as he slept, his mother’s arm thrown over his belly protectively.
Why would she be scared for his safety even in her sleep? Instead of sitting on her side of the bed, I chose the place next to Jake and gently removed the hair from his face. I couldn't stop myself from patting his head; the sight of him awoke something inside me I couldn't explain. They looked perfect together, and for a second, I closed my eyes, imagining what it would be like sneaking here to see my family. To watch Vivian take care of our son.
But my eyes snapped open as I realized, I couldn't care about that, because something inside me said if the woman belonged to me, then her child did too, even if my blood wasn’t running through his veins.
