The Criminal's Captive (Unpunished Book 1)(5)

Levi's dick hardened slightly in his pants as she pulled slowly on the ropes holding her wrists.

"Calm down, Tessa. You'll be held here for a day, and then go on your way. I promise."

She opened her mouth to speak but was stopped when the hotel door flung open, grabbing both of their attention. Sam stood there for a second before sauntering inside in an annoying way. Levi narrowed his eyes on the man and growled in the back of his throat.

"What's going on here?" Sam stuffed a French fry in his mouth.

Tessa started to nervously twist on the bed. It was as if the atmosphere in the small room had just shifted and not in a positive way. Levi leaned down and grabbed the bottom of her dress. She inhaled sharply and pulled herself away from him.

Levi pulled her dress down so it reached her knees, and Tessa relaxed her body, obviously realizing that he was helping her. Her eyes were tearing up as she stared up at him. He could read her stress on her face. Sam made a disgusting burping sound, and Tessa looked over at him.



Fuck.

Levi had never really cared before that he didn't work alone, but he did now. He wanted Tessa to himself and not just for his sake. For hers, too.

Levi took a step back from the bed. "Where's her water?"

"What?" Sam shoved another fry into his mouth.

"Her water." Levi clenched his hands into fists.

"Oh, shit. In the van. Go get it."

Levi tensed his jaw muscles as he watched the overweight man wander farther into the room, leaving the door open. He exhaled a deep breath. Sam moved over to a chair and took a seat, slurping on his drink.

"Fine. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone." Levi stepped around the end of the bed.

Tessa made a soft squeaking sound, and he paused to look at her. A tear slid down her cheek, and Levi tensed his arms. Damn it! This job was becoming very personal very quickly. He wasn't entirely sure why, though. She wasn't the first cute thing he'd kidnapped, but there was something special about her. Her stress was affecting him in surprising ways. All he wanted to do was comfort her.

"Tessa, hang tight. I'll only be a minute."

Sam snorted in an ugly fashion. "Yeah, sweetheart, your favorite bad guy will return soon with your precious water." He chuckled before slurping his drink again.

Levi was tempted to tell Sam that he could just go home, and he'd finish the job alone. Levi would even give him his share of the money if he'd just leave quietly. He knew, however, that would be a red flag, and Sam would most likely go straight to their boss.

He couldn't risk it, yet. But if the other man got any more irritating, he would. Or I could beat him unconscious and leave him in the tub. Levi ran his hand through his hair and then continued to the hotel door. Just before he exited, he looked back at Tessa. She was slowly twisting against her restraints.

Levi's stress spiked, but so did his arousal.

Damn it. He felt completely out of sorts. He exhaled again and stepped

outside, closing the door behind himself. He hurried down the stairs toward the van. When he opened the van door, he was pleasantly surprised to see a new bottle of water sitting in one of the cup holders.

He picked it up, and it was even cold. "Well, at least Sam's good for a few things."

Levi shut the door and turned back toward the stairs. His feet slowed as his phone vibrated in his pocket.

"What the hell now?" He took out the phone and recognized his boss's number. "Fuck."

He pressed the answer icon, and his boss was already talking. "Levi, I need you to pop into room two-oh-three. There's a problem that could use your expertise."

This hotel was owned by a small group of sinners and criminals. It wasn't unusual for several rooms to be in use on any given night. In fact, it was all this place was used for. There were no "regular" guests here.

"Listen, man. Normally, I would, but this—"

"Levi, I'm not asking. Get in there. Shit is hitting the fan in that room."

Levi growled, holding the phone away from his face for a second before speaking again. "Look, I can't. I need to get back to my room."

"I just texted Sam. He says your job is going fine. Come on, Levi. This will only take you ten minutes. There's another thousand in it for you."

"Shit." He tensed his arms. "Fine.

Ten minutes. No more."

"That's why you're my favorite employee."

"Fuck off." Levi clicked off his phone.





Chapter Six


Levi shook his head with irritation as he stood in front of the door for room two hundred three. Why the fuck did other people's stupidity make him have to suffer?

And Tessa.

He brought up his fist and hastily rapped on the door with his knuckles. He heard someone unlocking the door, and then it swung open. A stressed-out man stood before him, sweating profusely.

"Thank God." He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. "It's about time."

Levi shoved past the man. "Shut the fuck up. I'm doing you a favor by helping your ass."

The man shut the door and then stepped around Levi. "All right. Calm down. He's in the bathroom."

Levi looked at the inept criminal. He had the sudden urge to punch him in the face, but he knew he'd get the chance to punch someone in just a minute.