The Criminal's Captive (Unpunished Book 1)(6)

"What's the deal?"

The other man bent down, retrieving a pair of black leather gloves from the bed. He handed them to Levi.

"Well, this asshole won't comply, and the boss thinks that if he sees that we'll just keep bringing in fresh fists, that he'll crack."

Levi set down Tessa's water on the dresser. He slipped on the leather gloves as he spoke. "So you need me to go in there and slap him around, so that he'll know we're serious?"

"Yep. If he doesn't give in after you leave, the boss will just keep calling in different people until this guy talks or dies. I'm rooting for the latter."

Levi stretched the gloves by flexing his fingers a few times then making fists. "Whatever. I need to hurry this up.

I have my own job to worry about." He stepped past the bed and headed toward the bathroom.

"Yeah, I heard. You got lucky with that job. Pretty young girl."

Levi swiftly whipped around, pointing a finger in the other man's face. "Shut up."

The man took a step back, lifting his hands. "Geez, calm down!"

Levi's breathing was becoming more erratic. His levels of stress and irritation were bad news for the victim in the next room. He quickly turned around and went straight for the bathroom door. He flung it open and stepped inside.

There, in the middle of the small room, sat a man with his head hanging down. He was tied to a wooden chair. Levi turned his head to speak over his shoulder.

"Why the hell is he in here?"

"Less noise."

Levi shook his head. This guy was an amateur, but he had no intension of giving him pointers tonight. He'd give him a quick lesson in causing pain, and then he'd get the hell out of there, back to Tessa.

The tied-up businessman looked up at Levi.

His button-up dress shirt was ripped open, and Levi saw that there was dried blood under his nose and a small bruise under his left eye. Levi cracked his knuckles.

"Give me a quick overview of why he's here."

The other criminal crowded behind Levi. "Oh, he stole a bunch of money from a company that’s paying our boss to find out where he stashed it. It's not a simple 'I hid it under my mattress' thing. This smart, computer savvy dude wrote a program to skim money off the top of this major financial firm. He's hiding it in an offshore account or so they think. And—"

"All right." Levi held up his hand. "I said a short overview."

Levi stepped closer to the man, now speaking to him. "Listen. You'll talk or you'll die. Either way, I'm here to help make your decision easier."

His words were harsher than reality. No one had ever died on a job Levi was a part of. He knew that this man would talk eventually. If he wanted to go through some pain beforehand, then so be it.

The man huffed out a defiant breath with a snort. Levi smiled at him. This might be fun after all. He gave the other criminal a look that said "back up". The man flicked his stare from the tied-up man to Levi before taking a step back. He stood in the doorway, watching.

Levi turned back around and gave the man no more warnings. He swiftly lifted his fist and landed a strong right hook to the man's chin. The man groaned loudly, leaning forward in the chair. Levi didn't wait to land another punch to the other side of the man's face.

He moaned before letting out a pained yell.

Levi stepped back, shaking his hands. He doubted the man would need much more encouragement to end this. The man screamed out as a bit of fresh blood ran from the corner of his mouth. Levi wiped his own chin with the back of his gloved hand. He then lifted his fist, ready to deliver another punch, but the man swiftly stopped him.

"Fuck! All right! I'll fucking tell you assholes!" The man squirmed against the ropes keeping him in the chair.

"You'll tell this asshole." Levi pointed at the other employee. "I'm out."





Chapter Seven


"That was pretty funny watching you and your boyfriend fight." Sam stood over Tessa holding his fast food bag.

He was talking through chewed food, and his lips were making a disgusting smacking sound. Tessa cringed and pulled on her legs, which were still tightly tied to the bed. She wished that Levi would have at least untied them before he went. That way she would have a little bit of defense from this guy if he got weird.

Where is he anyway? Levi had been gone for almost fifteen minutes, and Tessa was really starting to get worried. Even more worried than when she had first been abducted. She felt a strange connection to Levi. There was an odd comfort from being with him. It felt like she was meant to meet this man.

"I mean it was great timing for us." Sam snorted. "Your boyfriend seems like a dick, though."

Tessa was getting increasingly annoyed with this guy. He took a step closer to the bed, putting another fry in his mouth.

He gave her an odd smirk before wiping his greasy hands on his shirt.

Tessa stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "I'm super glad my life and problems can be so entertaining for you.

I knew I had a purpose on this earth." She narrowed her eyes, pulling on her arms.

Sam cocked his head to the side. His posture made her uneasy. He stepped closer to her, reaching into the brown paper bag.

"Hungry?"

"No." She shook her head.