Page 5 of Brutal Captivity

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Thankfully he can’t hear my heart beating. Peadar likes to let people feel safe and secure before he releases the guillotine.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

He loves power. He survives on it. One of us will break, and it won’t be me. It will never be me.

“So… you expect me to just… ransom him?” Peadar finally breaks the silence, his somewhat nasally voice reverberating throughout the large office. My body starts to sag in relief, but then I remember where I am and I stop it halfway down my spine. My muscles relax marginally, no longer on the verge of spasm. I keep my breathing shallow, and my tone even.

“Yes. His family is worth billions. It will be the easiest money we’ve ever made.” I know this plan is solid. It was the only reasonable thing to do. How could Peadar not see that?

“What about the other one? I was going to have Brown kill him.” Peadar’s tone is bored, as if he’s barely even thought about it.

“I think you should let him live for a little while longer, sir,” I suggest. Peadar is a strong and powerful leader, but he doesn’t always see the big picture. He is quick to pull the trigger, without looking at the whole board. I have a feeling that there is something more to Nico Mendoza, but we will never find out if he’s fish food. We need to keep him alive for the time being. I need to convince my boss of this.

“Why’s that?” Peadar’s expression is as skeptical as his tone.

“Evan researched the guy. He had no record until he turned 18. It's like he didn’t exist. And Evan is the best out there. If he can’t find it, then someone is going through a great deal of trouble to hide it. There is something more to the guy, and we’ll never know that if he’s dead.”

“There are a lot of reasons someone’s records could be hidden while they were a minor. That doesn't really mean anything.” Despite his words, Peadar’s hand rests on his chin. Thinking. Contemplating. Perhaps planning.

“It’s a hunch, sir. You always told me to trust my gut,” I say. Peadar doesn’t look fully convinced. I swallow.

When the silence lingers too long, I add “Plus, we could potentially use him to get Callisto to do what we want. As much of a spoiled brat as he is, he seems to care about his employees.”

Silence again. No pen tapping this time. Peadar’s stare bores into my soul, as if he’s trying to decide something. Nico’s fate or mine. I’m not sure which at this point.

I swallow again, my throat scraping dry. “Keep him alive. If I’m wrong, we lose nothing.”

Peadar’s eyes flicker in interest. He points at me with one long finger, his large silver claddagh ring glimmering in the light of the office. I’m not sure if he will concede or sentence me to death for even arguing.

“That’s a fair point.” Peadar leans back in his chair. “Have Lynch keep digging.”

“Already on it,” I nod.

“Also, get a picture of Santos with the Polaroid camera, so it can’t be traced. Have him hold a newspaper with today’s date on it or something to signify that it isn’t old. I’ll have someone call with a burner phone and a voice distorter to deliver the message, then send the photo with instructions to their house.” Peadar nods his head as if his plan is ingenious.

It isn't. I’m sure I’ve seen that exact plot in every kidnapping movie ever, and it’s the same one Peadar has always used for as long as I've known him. He’s old school, though. And to be fair, the reason why it is the procedure shown in movies is because it’s relatively flawless. If it’s not broken, then why fix it.

“What should we do with them in the meantime?” Daron asks, and I dread the answer. I don't want to spend any more time around the pompous dickwad than I have to. I want him out of my hair and to be done with the situation. Hopefully his family answers quickly.

“You are both to keep an eye on them. I haven’t quite decided what I am going to do, but while they're here, they need to be under twenty-four-hour surveillance. I trust both of you to ensure that this happens. Got it?” Peadar asks, and I catch the thinly veiled threat in his words. Damn it. Of course, this is left up to me.

“Yes, sir,” Daron and I respond simultaneously, nodding our heads, even though I desperately want to protest. I want to tell Peadar to get one of his other minions to do it.

Fletcher and Evan don’t have lives other than fucking each other when they think no one is looking. They could easily do it because Daron and I have shit we have to do. Things that are expected of us within the organization. I oversee a few teams, having to plan and organize various operations before getting Peadar’s final approval. This is a business after all, and I am practically the vice-president. I don’t have time to babysit a fucking spoiled brat.

“Dismissed.” Peadar waves his hand, but watches us as we leave, like he still has a plan to punish us, but it will be when we least expect it. I don’t break eye contact with him until the door firmly shuts behind us, wanting him to know that I’m not afraid of whatever punishment he has in store.

Daron and I quietly make our way out of Peadar’s office. Once the door firmly shuts behind us, my body physically slumps and I breathe for the first time in what feels like hours. A sigh escapes Daron’s lips. I hate those types of meetings. I never know if I’m going to come out of them honored or dead.

We don’t say anything as we make our way down the hallway, quickly finding Fletcher and Evan standing outside of the room Callisto and Nico are being held in. They’re talking, Evan’s loud laugh at whatever Fletcher said floatingdown the corridor. I’m sure it wasn’t that funny, but Evan laughs at everything that comes out of Fletcher’s mouth. It’s disgusting. Fletcher smacks Evan on the arm when he sees us coming, the smile quickly fading from Evan’s face.

“What else did you find out about them?” I ask as soon as they are close enough. I keep my voice down, not wanting anyone I don't trust to overhear. The only people I trust are the three men standing around me, and Peadar somewhat.

“Callisto Enea Santos. Son of Giuseppe and Lucia Santos. Giuseppe is the CEO of some sort of company. Couldn’t really find much on it, which is strange. Callisto seems to be a trust fund baby.”

“I already knew that. Can you tell me something I didn’t know?” I ask.