Page 6 of Unleashed

“Then what do you want?” He struggles against the ropes on his wrists, but the knots are unyielding. Another valuable lesson learned on the inside. A fellow inmate taught me how to tie seven different types of knots that could be used on your victims,and it looks like I was an excellent learner because Hunter will never get out of his restraints.

“Are you a former employee or something? Did I fire you? If I did, I’m sorry. You can have your job back.”

Ha ha ha. The chuckle comes barreling out of my chest. Does he really think someone who went to all the trouble of kidnapping him and putting him in a cage, would want to work for him again? Hunter would have the man arrested, not give him a raise. But he thinks everyone is an idiot, so his offer doesn’t surprise me.

“I’m shocked you bothered starting a company,” I state. “Figured you would’ve lived off daddy’s blood money.” Then again, I should’ve guessed Hunter would want to hold a position of power. He always had a thing for bossing people around.

His jaw tightens. “Is that what this is about? My father? What? Did he prosecute against you, and you lost? Now, you’re trying to get revenge?”

Oh, I lost all right. I lost five years over stealing a few thousand dollars from this entitled brat’s bank account. I’d made one slipup, allowing my IP address to be revealed on the transfer from accounts, and that’s how this fucker busted me. But now, I’ve learned the error of my ways. Raid actually showed me where I went wrong. And my newfound skills have served me well over the last five years. No one’s discovered a thing, and I was doing it right under their noses, using the state-provided piece-of-shit computers to steal money and set myself up a hefty retirement fund.

“Oh, your dad will definitely get what’s owed to him.” I smile at the thought. “He’ll be generously repaid for raising a bully.”

There’s a spark in his eyes. I think we may be getting a little warmer in his search for understanding. Let’s give him one more clue and see if he finally gets it.

“You know”—I stand from my chair, remaining hidden in the shadows, not wanting my size to be revealed just yet—“I should actually be thanking him for the five-year sentence. It was time well served. I learned some invaluable skills behind bars. Like how to slice through a body without hitting a major artery. Therefore, ensuring my victim stays alive.”

“So that’s what this is about?” His shoulders stiffen, and by the sound of his cocky voice, I think he’s figured it out. “You just can’t get enough, can you, faggot?” He shakes his head. “What? You got out of prison, and came straight to me? To what, hatch some little revenge attack? Put me in a cage like the one you’ve been living in?” He lets out a snide chuckle. “I’ll tell you what, I’d like to see you try, loser.”

Incredible. Even after all these years, he still hasn’t changed. He still thinks he holds the power, that he’s the one in charge, but he’s wrong. I’m the one in control of his destiny. He’s now my pet. My little toy to fuck with until I grow bored.

I step out of the shadows, allowing the dim light to reveal the monster I’ve become. From the shift in his expression, it’s safe to say he still assumed me to be the scrawny twenty-two-year-old “kid” who was crying in the courtroom, weak and pathetic. But that scared little boy is gone. He turned into a madman.

“I think it’s time to take you out of your cage, pet.” I move in slowly, allowing him to drink up every thick inch of my power, watching as his Adam’s apple bobs. “It’s time for me to take the dog on a walk down memory lane.”

I unlatch the lock, and crouch down, getting eye level with the fucker once and for all. No more hiding behind computer screens trying to seek my revenge. This time, it’s face to fucking face. Monster vs. bully. An unfair match in my opinion, butfairis a word that no longer exists in my world.

“You’re pathetic.” He shakes his head. “And when they catch you, you’re going to pay. Five years was nothing compared towhat you’ll get. They’ll be locking you up for life this time. Life without parole.”

I look around the room and return my glare to his face. “Who’s they?” We’re out in the middle of fucking nowhere. I covered all my tracks. Not a soul even knows he’s missing, and when they finally catch on to the fact, all signs will point to his father.

“You don’t get it.” He shifts his head forward, pinning me under a stare that no longer holds an ounce of intimidation. “As soon as they realize I’ve gone missing, they’ll check the surveillance footage at the gym and find out that I was accosted in the parking lot. Then they’ll use the GPS locator on my car and track it down.” He smirks. “I’m guessing by tomorrow, there will be a knock on your door with a search warrant. And then you’ll be going back to the pen where you and all the other animals belong.”

It’s really unfathomable. His self-assurance knows no bounds. Honestly, if I didn’t despise him with every atom in my body, I’d respect his confidence. I’d find his bravery admirable. But his cockiness is just more fuel on my fire, making my blood run hot.

I reach into the cage, grabbing him by his neck, locking my thumbs right on the exact pressure points, having learned from him exactly how to cut the air off. He struggles to kick and punch and fight against my hold, but his attempts are useless. I yank him forward, squeezing him just right so his windpipe closes off, getting up close so he can see the soulless depths of my eyes.

It truly is a shame that his handsome features are about to be marred. He could easily find himself on an America’s hottest men list. But soon, he’s going to look just like me. He’ll be grotesque. An ogre no one can bear to look at. Even he will shudder at his own reflection.

“Another thing I learned behind bars is how to disable a security system. It’s really quite simple actually, which is kind of terrifying.” I can see his face starting to turn purple, so I ease up on my grip, not wanting him to pass out on me just yet. “And as far as locating your vehicle, you shouldn’t underestimate the one who got you all those As back in school. According to your GPS, your car is parked at your condo, having returned there nearly fifteen minutes after you were seen leaving the gym.”

Again, his eyes flare. I think he’s finally seeing just how extensive my plan is. I took everything in consideration. Spent months working on every little detail. And it worked just like a charm, because here I am with the asshole locked within my clutches, starting to lose consciousness, feeling the burn in his lungs as the blackness starts to creep in around the edges. The fear is taking hold of his heart, pumping faster and faster.

“Oh and get this.” My eyes light with excitement. “Your phone signal is still bouncing off the tower right by your house, so no one”—I squeeze harder—“is going to come looking for you.”

His eyes start to close, so I release his neck, grabbing his wrists and yanking him from the cage.

He gasps for air, coughing and sputtering as he struggles to get to his knees. “Your plan has one big hole in it,” he rasps out, turning his head up. “People will start to worry when they don’t hear from me. My assistant, my father, my friends. Everyone will send out a search party by noon.”

I reach down and yank him off the ground, holding him at eye level, the air being choked out of him again. “Word of advice. You really should let the hope go. It’s a false sense of security that will not serve you well.”

I drop him onto the hard cement, knowing that his tailbone will be feeling the bruising pain for days.

“Your assistant and father have already been notified that you tested positive for Covid and that you’ve been quarantined for two weeks. I’ve been keeping up contact, ensuring your messages get answered. So, I hate to break it to you, but no one will be saving you, pet. And by the time they come looking, your body will be gone.”

“You’re not going to get away with this,” he seethes. “They’ll eventually figure it out. And you’ll be the first suspect on their list.”

“I bet you’re right.” I smile. “But ask me if I care.” The laugh that comes from my throat is evil to my own two ears. Void of a soul. Even if my plan backfires and they string me up by my ankles, I don’t give a shit.