The Criminal's Captive (Unpunished Book 1)(11)

Tessa closed her eyes. That's why Levi left. Something is wrong. Did my dad not pay them?

She started to quietly cry, feeling more frightened now than she had just a few minutes ago. What was Levi doing?





Chapter Twelve


Levi killed the engine of his bike and removed his helmet. He ran his hand through his hair, inhaling deeply. This was the job that had to go south. Fuck! There were rarely bumps for Levi. He only took simple jobs. Jobs that would be fun but with little risk that something like death would occur. Why this one?

He climbed off his motorcycle, setting down his helmet, and headed toward the quiet looking house. The front door was unlocked, and he shook his head as he entered. Soon, his target was in sight. Mr.

Richardson was standing next to his kitchen table, taking a bite from a sandwich.

He never noticed Levi until it was too late. Levi slipped off his backpack, setting it on the floor quietly. He stepped up behind the unsuspecting man and grabbed the back of his collar. Mr.

Richardson dropped his sandwich.

"What the—"

He couldn't finish his sentence as Levi was violently twisting his body away from the table, directing the man to the floor. Mr. Richardson huffed out a deep breath as he went to his knees. Levi stepped back from him, and the man looked up.

"Who the fuck are you?"

He started to stand back up, but Levi swiftly pulled his gun out from behind himself. Mr. Richardson's expression changed immediately as his eyes flicked from the gun back to Levi's face as he settled again on his knees.

"I'm here to collect."

Levi stared down the sights of his handgun. The pathetic man before him nervously raised his hands above his head, shaking slightly. Sweat started to bead up on his forehead, and he groaned.

"S-sorry. I just don't have the money."

Levi held the gun out farther, still trained on the man's head. "You could get at least some of the fucking money, you asshole. I saw your sports car sitting outside. You're a selfish bastard."

The man shifted on his knees, his arms shaking more violently. "All right. Don't kill me. You can take the car or whatever else."

"No."

The man stared up at him, sweat running down his ugly face. "No?"

Levi clicked on the safety, but the other man must have thought he flicked it off. Mr. Richardson cowered on the floor, covering his head with his arms as if that would stop a bullet. Levi stepped forward until he was directly over the man, his gun still pointed at its target. He waited until Tessa's father finally looked up.

"I don't have time to wait for your stupid ass to take care of this. I'm taking care of this. You just have one simple, fucking job now."

The man slowly lowered his arms, looking confused but relieved. "Whatever you say."

"You are never taking another loan or ever endangering your daughter again. Understand?"

Tessa's dad stared at the gun in Levi's hand. "S-sure."

"In fact, you will continue to have zero contact with her. You use people, and you're not going to use her."

The man relaxed a little, sitting up straighter. He slowly nodded his head.

"Oh, and this is for being a shitty father." Levi lifted his gun and brought the butt of it down, across the man's face.

Tessa's dad fell to the side, holding his face. He grunted, kicking his legs on the floor. Levi growled, lifting his arm again. He clenched his jaw tightly, exhaling a rough breath.

"Get up!"

The man groaned loudly before slowly getting back onto his knees. Levi again pistol-whipped the man. Mr. Richardson went down once more, blood now splattering on the floor. Truthfully, if he wasn't in such a hurry to get back to her, Levi might have stayed here for a bit more of his lesson. As it was, he was already late.

"I better never hear your name again."

The man twisted on the floor, making gurgling sounds. Levi grabbed his phone from his pocket and snapped a couple of pictures. He then grabbed his backpack off the floor and exited without a goodbye.

He headed toward his bike. "Now to get the boss off her back."

****

"And you know what else?" Sam slurred his words as he swung his arm. "That asshole doesn't resp—resp—respect me." He hiccupped, but then took another sip from the bottle.

"Sam, could you untie my legs?" Tessa was unsure if in his drunken state he'd be more or less creepy. She was about to find out.

"I mean, why does … does … do I even work this shit?" Sam gestured again with his arms.

Tessa slowly twisted her legs on the bed, hoping he would start to untie her without really thinking about it. Instead, Sam staggered toward the bathroom. He didn't close the door, and Tessa heard the glass bottle come down a bit too hard on the counter. The next sound was much more irritating. Sam was taking a piss.

She cringed as she pulled again on her arms. Where the hell is Levi? It's been at least an hour. After a few moans and belches, Sam appeared in the doorway. He bumped into the wall before stumbling toward the bed.

Tessa braced herself because it looked as if he was going to fall right on top of her. Fortunately, he caught himself. Sam leaned both hands down on the side of the bed. He took a deep breath before turning his body to sit next to her.

She tensed as his bloodshot eyes looked up her body. Sam hiccupped, and then an unappealing grin lifted his lips. He cocked his head to the side and lifted a hand to her knee. Tessa held her breath and tried not to move.