Page 12 of Unleashed

He drops his hands, giving me one last warning look before he steps away, and I literally scurry like a mouse, grabbing my things and running from the room with the sound of laughter roaring in the distance. The fear and disgust with myself nearly tripping my feet up.

Mom was wrong. No one can know my truth. I’ll never share my secret with anyone. They won’t accept me. They’ll beat me up for it.

I fall to my knees, heaving on every memory. He’s going to pay for them all. For every hateful word he said. For the shame. The fear. The disgust. He’s going to feel it all. I’m going to break him. I’m going to chew him up and spit him out. And by the time I’m done, he’s going to beg for my forgiveness. Forgiveness I will never give.

CHAPTER 6

Monk

He sits up at the sound of me entering. His face wincing as he moves. I must’ve bruised or broken a rib. Definitely gave him quite the shiner too. His one eye is nearly swollen shut. The other already forming a dark ring but able to open. Busted up his nose too. Looks like pretty boy isn’t so pretty anymore.

“It’s time for another round of our game of twenty questions,” I state, getting closer so I can see my handiwork. I didn’t come bearing food this time. He’ll have to earn his next meal.

His one eye snaps to me, pinning me with a glare. It’s really quite astounding how the fucker still thinks he’s the one in control. I think it’s time to change that.

“Let’s start with an easy one, shall we? What will your dad do if the deal with Colannas doesn’t go through?”

I wish I hadn’t banged up his face so much because his expression is hard to read. From now on, I’ll hit below the belt.

“It’s going to go through,” he states.

“Are you sure about that?” I look around the shed. “Looks to me like you’re kind of tied up at the moment. And I don’t intend to let you go, so I think it’s safe to say the deal is going to fall through.”

He shakes his head. “My VP is fully capable of handling things in my absence, sorry to burst your bubble.”

I smirk at that. Always so fucking sure of himself. His confidence is almost a sickness. He can’t see the warning signs. Doesn’t even realize yet that I’m going to kill him. He’s too arrogant to realize that it’s out of his hands at this point. His fate, his business—I’m in control of it all.

“Harold seems like a good guy.” I nod. “Too bad all the files have been wiped from the system. Let’s see how long it takes him to scrounge everything together again. In the meantime”—I crouch down in front of him—“let’s hope that Colannas doesn’t get a better offer.”

This time even his swollen eye narrows on me. That seemed to strike a nerve. But the moment of concern vanishes fast, being replaced with that smug confidence again. “A company that well renowned isn’t going to have anything to do with an ex-convict who looks like he belongs locked in a zoo.”

His jab doesn’t offend me. It’s a sign of his nerves showing. The doubt is starting to creep in. The fear is beginning to take root. His defenses are up. But attacking my looks doesn’t save his company’s deal.

“Let’s hope your theory is right.” I smile. There’s no point in explaining my plan. I’d rather him stew in the doubt. Let the worry marinate and fester. If his arrogance wins out, the better. Because when he finally realizes exactly what I’m capable of, the knife will cut deeper.

“So, hypothetically speaking,” I ask again. “What happens if the deal doesn’t go through?”

He sits and stares at me, the seconds ticking by. His stubborn arrogance refusing to answer. I’d give him a kick in his wounded ribs, but what’s the fun in that? I don’t want the pain overriding his thoughts.

“Since you want to play the silent game, let me offer a little theory. I think if the deal doesn’t go through, your father is going to end up in trouble with a lot of wealthy men. Men who have a hell of a lot more power than your dad. I’m guessing that there’s something big at stake for him, but what that is, I’ve yet to discover. I will though.

“Now,” I say, taking a seat. “Let’s get to another question. Why haven’t you gotten married yet?”

“Really?” If his eye could roll, I’m sure it would. The guy’s banged up pretty hard and he’s still acting like a prick.

“Do you want to hear my theory?”

“Shoot, big man. Let’s hear your fucking theory on why I haven’t gotten hitched.”

I should bust his lip for the way he’s speaking to me, but I’ll let this one slide. I’m more anxious to see his reaction to what I’m about to share.

“I think the reason why you haven’t settled down with a woman is because they’re not your type.”

His nostrils flare as his one eye opens wider. He shakes his head, acting as if I don’t know what the hell I’m talking about, but it’s a pointless cover. I’ve already discovered his hidden stash of spank material.

“What the fuck are you trying to say?”

I lean in closer, crowding in on his personal space, getting within inches of his banged-up face. “That you’re into the type with ripped muscles, a big thick cock, and two hairy balls.”