Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 114260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114260 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 571(@200wpm)___ 457(@250wpm)___ 381(@300wpm)
When I first began working for Cain, interrogation intimidated the hell out of me. I still don’t like it, but I’ve come to see its merits. I don’t fucking like it when someone lies to me.
I lean in and give him one more chance. I’m shaking with anger. I want answers. “If I find you’re lying to me, I’ll find whatever it is that matters to you, and you’ll wish you’d told me the truth.”
“One more,” he gasps out. “Didn’t count the personal bodyguard.”
Cain nods, both accepting this and giving me permission to let this guy go. I secure his mouth like the others and walk quietly to the stairs. Listening. I don’t have to wait long.
“Who’s down there?” Cain’s eyes cut to me. The voice is the high-pitched, nasally one we heard before.
Cain and I stand as quietly as we can, side by side under the stairway. From the stairs, no one can see the guards we’ve secured far to the right.
A foot hits the top stair. A worn, ancient leather moccasin. I wish this guy wasn’t an asshole. I usually sort of like old people.
Cain squeezes my hand. He knows how I feel about interrogation.
“I get him secured, and you’ll go upstairs and look for the other guard.” His lips press in a thin line, and I know exactly why. He’d much rather have me babysit while he runs interference, but in this case, it isn’t the wisest decision, because I’m smaller and faster.
“Got it, boss,” I say with a teasing wink. I’m the only one of his staff that doesn’t usually call him “boss.” He gives me a wry smile back, making my heart thump a little faster even now.
I wait, crouched, while Descamps makes his way further down the stairs. In seconds, Cain’s got him fully restrained in his arms. Descamps shouts and kicks, but Cain easily secures him.
“Go, babe. Meet me by the sauna.”
I knew that’s what he was thinking.
Taking the stairs two at a time I race to the top, my Wilson tucked securely in my palm. I don’t have to wait long. I turn the corner, gun at the ready, when I hear someone move behind me. I duck and swivel just in time, missing the meaty punch of Descamps’ personal guard. I step back, giving myself room to maneuver, and quickly let loose a roundhouse kick to the gut. I’ve trained with both knife and gun and use them well, but when push comes to shove, I’ll always prefer to use my own body as a weapon.
He’s bigger than I am, though, so my body won’t be enough. He’s winded and on his knees from the kick I gave him, but I have to make sure he doesn’t hurt me. I slice at his thigh with my knife, ignoring the fresh, hot blood that cascades onto the tiled floor. He screams like a little girl, whimpering, but not before he gets a good solid punch to my cheek. I see stars, my head spinning, but don’t lose my concentration. I slash again, striking his arm, then again, until he recoils in pain.
A minute later, he’s secured with duct tape as well. I’m not sure I’d have been able to hold off a man as large as he is if I hadn’t had the element of surprise on my side.
“You’ll stay right here,” I say with a patronizing pat on the head. Any son of a bitch who defends that guy we’re about to interrogate deserves absolutely no mercy. “Anything we need to know about your boss before we begin?” I ask pleasantly, in the same tone as one might ask, ‘Do you want fries with that?’
He shakes his head vehemently from side to side, glaring at me like I just killed his puppy. Likely embarrassed he was taken down by a girl.
I, on the other hand, am pleased as punch and can’t wait to haul this asshole down to Cain.
I leave him secured at the top of the stairs where I can see him and go down to Cain.
What I see when I enter the room would’ve chilled me to the bone a year ago.
Gray Descamps, with a generous belly and meaty jowl, sits, secured in a chair beside the jacuzzi. He eyes the tub with terror. Score for Henri.
“Gray,” I say pleasantly, taking the folding chair Cain hands me. I sit across from him. “I’m sure I’m not familiar to you.”
He stares at me, unblinking, and at first doesn’t respond. He opens his mouth to speak, then clamps it shut. I don’t tell him not to. I let him look into my eyes. He won’t be able to hide his recognition of me if there is any.
His eyes hone in on mine, narrowed with suspicion and anger, but when I lift my chin so the overhead light shows the color of my eyes, he freezes.