The Criminal's Captive (Unpunished Book 1)(10)

"Levi, don't fuck around."

"Don't worry. I'm invested now."

He swiftly ended the call. Levi raked his hand through his hair, exhaling before talking to himself. "Totally invested."

****

Tessa pulled on the ropes holding her to the bed. She was irritated to be back bound to it, but she was more upset about Levi's demeanor when he'd walked outside. There was obviously something bad going on. Did it have to do with her dad or maybe just another criminal job?

Sam let out another annoying laugh, and Tessa rolled her eyes. How much longer would this torture last? She was hungry, and her muscles were sore from being in the same position.

Just then, Levi burst back into the room. He was agitated. She could tell by the way he moved and how his eyes darted around the room. Sam turned to stare at him. He started to stand from his chair, but Levi skirted past him. He came straight to her side of the bed, kneeling down.

"Tessa, love. I have to make a quick run, but I'll be back. I promise."

"No." Fear gripped her. "Don't leave me here. Please!"

"Pet, if there was any other way, I wouldn't, but there's not. I swear, one hour. I'll be back."

"Levi, please." Tears began to wet her eyes. "I need you here." Those words were one hundred percent true.

He tilted his head to the side, looking conflicted. "Love, one hour."

He bent down and kissed her forehead. She was only slightly worried that Sam would see.

Levi swiftly stood and walked toward Sam, who was already ignoring them again. "Man, I have to go get something for the boss. I'll be back shortly." He pointed at Sam's chest. "She better be in the same condition I left her in when I get back."

Sam barely looked up. "Yeah, yeah. Hey, bring me back some chips or something. I'm starving."

"Damn it, Sam. You are one annoying fuck."

"What?" He turned to look at Levi, but he was already leaving.

He opened the door and paused for a second, looking back at her. A few tears pooled in her eyes as she shook her head. Levi exhaled a rough breath before walking out and closing the door.

More fear made her stomach hurt as Tessa turned her attention on the man who was now in charge of her. Sam still sat watching the TV. What now? A sob worked up her throat as she started to intensely miss Levi already.





Chapter Eleven


Levi walked around the backside of the rotting hotel to where his motorcycle sat. He quickly grabbed his helmet, put it on, and climbed onto the black bike. He started the engine, and in less than a minute, he was on the road heading home.

He lived about twenty minutes from this part of town. That fact might surprise some people. He didn't look like the type to live in a spacious, five-bedroom home in the suburbs, but then again, people probably wouldn't guess by his tattoos and his line of work that he was independently wealthy.

Levi broke most of the speed limits until he was rolling up his driveway. The wheels were just barely stopped before he was removing his helmet and running into his house. He went straight for a large closet in one of the completely empty spare bedrooms. The closet, however, wasn't empty.

He made quick work of opening the large floor safe that sat in the closet. He pulled several things from it. After a few minutes, he relocked the safe and walked out of the closet carrying a full black backpack and his Beretta. On his way out the front door, he flung the backpack on and slipped the gun into the back of his waistband.

"Stupid fuck." He clenched his fists as more rage filled him.

Levi climbed on his bike, talking to himself. How could her dad be this shitty? I need to keep my cool. Murder hanging around my neck won't help us. He liked the word "us" and how it made him feel as it stuck in his mind.

Levi revved his engine and headed out.

****

Sam stood up from his spot in front of the TV and went to the door. He never spoke a word as he left. Tessa waited, holding her breath for a few seconds before she tried to use this momentary alone time. She pulled violently on her arms. The ropes didn't budge. In fact, the skin on her wrists was soon raw and painful.

Tessa let out a frustrated sigh and focused on her legs. She kicked, trying to loosen the ropes around her ankles. Again, nothing but pain. Well, you got to hand it to Levi. He's pretty good at tying ladies up.

That thought and remembering his hands on her had her pussy tingling. She stilled on the bed, and her mind started to wander. What would the future hold for her after this event? Would Levi be in her future?

Did she want him to be? Yes. That question was easy. What was harder was did he want to be?

Just then, Sam reentered the room, bringing her attention back to her present predicament. He was carrying a large bottle of whiskey. He kicked the door closed, taking a large swig from the bottle. Tessa was instantly nervous. Adding alcohol to the disaster that was Sam couldn't be good.

He stood at the end of the bed, looking at her for a moment before he took another large swig. He grunted, almost in disgust, before turning toward his chair. Tessa let out a sigh of relief as he sat down.

Sam turned his head to the side. "You know, cutie. Something must be wrong. It rarely takes this long."

Tessa's heart sped up. What did that mean?

She didn't want to prolong the conversation with him, so she didn't answer. He brought his attention back to the movie, drinking some more.