Page 55 of Brutal Captivity

Peadar doesn’t even look up. He gestures to the seat in front of his desk with a wave of his hand. I sit quickly, almost too quickly. Trying to cover it, I casually rest my ankle on the opposite knee, attempting to look as relaxed as I normally do in Peadar's presence.

I clear my throat, dislodging the nervous tremor that has taken up occupancy there and continue, “I wasn’t sure if you wanted one since I sent the other boys to explain everything we found out last night.”

“That’s alright.” Peadar lets the paper fall on the desk then sits his glasses down on top of it. He finally gives me his undividedattention.

Peadar doesn’t say anything else, a deafening silence falling on the room. He stares at me for a few minutes through squinted eyes, as if studying me. I force my body to relax, even though my heart beats madly in my chest. Peadar’s stare strips me bare, exposing every secret. As if he smells the betrayal right on my breath, forcing me to stop breathing entirely just to kill the scent. I force air in and out of my lungs.

“That’s not what I wanted to discuss with you, anyway,” he finally says, breaking the silence like a thick tree branch snapping under a storm.

“Oh,” I say, the word coming out on a held breath-so much for breathing. I don't know if I should be relieved or horrified. I cannot imagine what else Peadar would want to discuss, but at least I won’t be grilled about the events of the night before. I am a good liar, but I have no idea if I could be that convincing to Peadar. That’s like lying to my father. Peadar would probably see right through me.

“Yes. I wanted to discuss Callisto Santos.” I freeze for a split second, my entire body like a vinyl that skipped when the needle hit a scratch on its surface. It’s only for a second, though, before the record spins once more. If Peadar notices, he doesn’t let it show.

“Did his parents agree to pay his ransom?” my question comes out quickly. I’m sure they did. It's been almost a week. How could they not?

I should be relieved. I’ve wanted Callisto out of my life since the very beginning, but there is only dread. I should have been preparing myself for this moment. I knew better than to get attached. I knew this was coming. The Santos were always going to answer the ransom. Callisto leaving my life for good was inevitable. I will never see him again, and I should be elated. Instead, my heart feels like it has been ripped out of my chest and put into a blender.

“They aren’t cooperating at this time...” Peadar steeples his fingers, watching me, and I was not expecting that.

“What do you mean they aren’t cooperating?” I ask.Was Callisto right to say that his parents don’t give a damn about him? How could they not care that monsters have their only child?

Callisto may be annoying, but he’s also very kind. He’s funny in a very unintentional way. I’ve become quite fond of the way his voice raises an octave higher whenever he’s outraged. The way his nose scrunches when I do something he wasn’t expecting. How could his family not love that?

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve come up with a different plan,” Peadar continues, and the images of Callisto’s cute mannerisms all but disappear. What in the everloving fuck could that be? Apprehension grips the pieces of my blended heart and squeezes them, creating a juice made up of fear and anxiety.

I swallow, forcing the next question from my throat, “What’s that?”

“His father has some priceless pieces of art in his private collection. We’re going to put a bomb vest on Callisto and tell them to give us 10 million dollars, and certain art pieces, or we will detonate it and kill everyone in the house.” An evil smile curls on Peadar’s face.

A bomb vest? Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I know next to nothing about bombs. None of my friends do either. There is no way we could rig it to not go off. I’m not even on good terms with Peadar’s bomb guy. Fuck.

“Can’t I just steal them? Then we can let Callisto and Nico go.” It seems so logical. I could easily steal something from a rich guy. We got into De Luca’s house, no problem. He probably had more security than Giuseppe Santos. CEOs' lives aren’t commonly in danger, so Giuseppe would have minimal security. I could handle it.

“They’re in a vault. Not even you or Daron could crack it. We need Callisto’s father to open it. I plan to blackmail Callisto and his father so that when he is released, they’ll stay quiet.” With Peadar’s words, the hope that had swelled in my chest deflates. Fuck.

What could he possibly have on Callisto to use as blackmail. I obviously don't know Callisto’s family secrets, but they’re rich aristocrats. They don't seem like the type of people to have done something that is blackmail worthy. Evan would have told me if he found anything, but he hasn’t, which makes me suspicious. I won’t press the matter, though.

“What about Nico? “I ask because Peadar hasn’t mentioned him a single time in his plan.

“He is just an assistant. Once you leave here, tell Daron to kill him and dispose of the body. You know the drill.” Peadar’s instructions are so nonchalant, as if he’s talking about a piece of trash.

I may throw up. Goddamn it. They can’t kill Nico. He’s Callisto’s only friend. It would destroy Callisto. He would think Nico’s death was his fault. I want to curl up into a ball, but if I show any sign of weakness to Peadar, we will all die. I have to stay strong. If not for myself, then for the rest of the boys. I can’t imagine seeing the life leave Nico's eyes. Callisto would never forgive me. I would be a monster.

“Why can’t we blackmail him to keep him quiet, too?” I ask the question before I think better of it. Peadar looks at me suspiciously, something akin to anger dancing in his beady eyes. I try not to show any fear. I don't questionPeadar’s authority that often, but I’m desperate. My mind races, trying to think of a way to get us all out of this safely, without Peadar ever finding out.

“He’s not worth our time and resources.” Peadar leans forward, resting his elbow on the desk in front of him and clasping his hands together. He levels me with his gaze. “Leo, have you grown fond of the pair?”

I freeze at the question, like a child with his hand caught in the cookie jar. Peadar looks at me as if I’m a puzzle that he’s seconds away from figuring out. I try to keep my breaths even, my body from trembling. I’m going to be lucky to make it out of this office alive at this rate. Peadar is clearly suspicious. This will make getting us out unscathed that much more difficult. I need to think of something quickly.

“No. Not at all, sir. I just thought it may be easier than trying to hide a body,” I lie, the explanation coming out easily from my jumbled brain.

Peadar is still looking at me, his eyes squinted, thin lips a harsh line. I have never seen this expression on his face. Not even when he was killing someone for being disobedient or a snitch. It’s chilling, and I barely stop a shiver from running up my spine. The office feels ten degrees cooler, as if Peadar’s very mood is affecting the environment.

“I disagree. We found no traces of a family. I think he’s a liability that we are better off getting rid of instead of spending time and resources to keep him quiet,” Peadar responds, the words sounding almost rehearsed. Fuck. He found out Nico doesn't have anyone looking for him. I have no idea how, but he found out.

At this point, I have two choices: Get back in Peadar’s good graces and survive or put my life on the line to try and save Callisto and Nico. I would have to leave everything I have ever known.

“I understand, sir,” I say, hardening my voice. Peadar smiles, so maybe I have gained back some trust with that comment. Good. I need that for what I’m about to add to the conversation. It’s a long shot, but I need Peadar to agree to it. I keep my tone nonchalant.