Page 121 of Power & Punishment

Whatever they gave me is still working its way out of my system.

“Jesus Christ, James, help her up,” the man snaps.

The large creep smiles wide, almost tripping over himself to follow his boss’s order. I want to bite him, claw his eyes out, anything to stop his grubby hands from touching me. But my body still feels limp and weak.

“That’s better,” Adrian says, finally coming into view. My eyelids open enough to take in the full room he’s stashed me in.

I think it’s a guest room, judging by the vanity, side tables, and the bed he has my restraints tied to. There’s a window too, which faces a thick forest. We must be in the suburbs somewhere.

I attempt to move my lips to cuss him out, but the sound is muffled from the duct tape. Fucking asshole.

“Take off her muzzle too. I miss that pretty voice of hers.”

Half of my body is still numb, but I feel every ounce of pain that tears through my nervous system when Shrek rips off the tape.

He’s definitely losing his fucking hands. Maybe more if I have time.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Adrian says, taking a few steps closer. I flinch at the movement. “It’s been a while since I’ve done a good kidnapping. I’m a little rusty.”

“You mother fucking, no good, ass hat of a –”

“Ass hat? That’s a new one,” he smirks, cutting me off.

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard it,” I choke out, my voice dry and rough.

Adrian laughs, crossing his arms casually like we’re two old friends catching up. “There’s that cheeky personality I’ve been hearing so much about. I was worried the drugs dulled your sparkle.”

I scowl, struggling against whatever is wrapped around my wrists. It feels like rope from the way it cuts into my skin. “First, I’m going to kill you, and then I’m going to teach Shrek over here to keep his hands to himself.”

James’ face winds up into a little pout that does nothing for his facial structure. I glare at him to get my point across.

Adrian sighs, dragging a chair across the carpet and right in front of the bed. He spins it around and straddles it before resting his arms on the back. “Straight to threats, huh? I was hoping you’d plead for your safety. Or at least your friend’s.”

My spine stiffens, internally cursing myself for forgetting the way Keith’s body crumbled on the ground in front of me. “What did you do to him?”

“Relax,” he says, quirking his head. “He’s safe for now. That’s unless you choose to make this next part difficult.”

My stomach churns. I can’t let anything happen to Keith. He wasn’t even supposed to be involved.

“Well then, let’s get on with it then, shall we?” I smile, a challenging look cresting in my eyes. It only feeds the same look igniting in Adrian’s.

“Leo was right about you,” he says, grabbing the back of the chair and pushing to his feet. Every step he takes toward me feels like a punch in the gut. Then his slimy hand caresses my cheek. “Once this is over, I think we could have some fun together.”

I jerk my face away. “Touch me again and I’ll bite your fucking finger off.”

He grins, making my stomach turn even more. “See? Fun.”

I swallow the bile threatening to come up. I need to focus. Adrian wants me to react. Every time I flinch or tremble, it probably goes straight into whatever sick little scrapbook he keeps in that deranged mind of his.

So, I change tactics and smile. I smile my fucking ass off.

“You kidnapped me to flirt? I’m flattered, but Enzo’s sloppy seconds aren’t really my type.”

The corner of his lip trembles slightly before snapping back into place. “That’s cute. But you’re not the star of the show tonight. You’re simply bait. I need your boyfriend to start playing his part.”

That means he’s alive.

And free.