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Capter 3: Riley

The room is dim, just a single bulb swinging overhead, casting shadows across the guy in front of me. My knuckles are raw, but I don’t feel the pain. Not yet, anyway. I grip the arms of the chair, leaning in close so he can feel my breath on his face.

“Who is she?” I growl, hoping this time he’ll crack.

But he just looks up at me with this smug smile, blood trickling from his split lip, his eyes glinting with defiance. He’s been like this all night, acting like he’s got nothing to lose, like he doesn’t know how easy it would be for me to end this.

“Maybe you didn’t hear me,” I say, straightening up and wiping my hands on my jeans. I circle around him slowly, letting the chains rattle as he tries to shift in the chair. “Who is the girl? The one your boss is trying to buy. I want a name.”

He spits blood onto the floor, giving me that same cocky grin. “You think I’m gonna tell you? You’re wasting your time.”

I clench my fists, resisting the urge to just knock him out. That wouldn’t do me any good. I need answers. He’s the only lead I’ve got on this deal, and I’m running out of patience.

“Listen,” I say, keeping my voice steady, calm. “I don’t care about the money. I don’t care about who ends up with what. I just need to know who she is. If you tell me, I’ll let you walk out of here in one piece.”

He laughs, a harsh, grating sound that echoes off the concrete walls. “You think I’m afraid of you? You’re just another pawn, Riley. You don’t even know who you’re dealing with.”

I lean in close again, grabbing him by the collar, pulling him forward until our faces are inches apart. “You’re right,” I say, barely above a whisper. “I don’t know who I’m dealing with. But I know you don’t want to find out what I’m willing to do.”

His grin fades, but he keeps his mouth shut. I can see the wheels turning in his head, trying to figure out if I’m bluffing. I let go of his collar, pushing him back against the chair. He winces, the chains biting into his wrists, but he doesn’t say a word.

One of my guys, Danny, steps forward, tossing me a rag to wipe my hands. “You wanna keep going, boss?” he asks, his voice low. He’s been with me through this whole mess, along with two other guys, Nate and Leo. We’re all here for the same reason: we want out. But to do that, we need leverage. And this girl, whoever she is, is our ticket.

I nod, wiping my knuckles. “Yeah. He’s got more to say. He just needs some encouragement.” I look back at the guy, narrowing my eyes. “Here’s how this is gonna go. You tell me what I want to know, and you walk out of here. You stay quiet, and I promise, you’ll leave here in a way you won’t like. Simple as that.”

He glares at me, his jaw clenched. For a moment, I think he’s going to give in, but then he shakes his head. “You think you can just take her? You’re not the only ones looking for a way out.”

I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. “So she is the key. What, you think your boss is just gonna hand her over?”

His silence confirms it, and I exchange a glance with Danny, who nods. We’re onto something here. This girl, whoever she is, is important enough for both sides to be fighting over. And if we can get to her first, we might just have a shot at freedom.

“Last chance,” I say, stepping back and cracking my knuckles, more for effect than anything. “Tell me who she is, and this all ends right now.”

He looks at me, and for a split second, I think he’s about to spill. But then he sets his jaw, staring defiantly up at me.

“All right,” I say, shrugging. “Suit yourself.”

I turn to Danny, Nate, and Leo, who are already moving in, ready to do whatever it takes to get what we need. We’re done playing nice. If this is the only way out, then so be it. One way or another, we’re finding this girl. And when we do, we’re getting out of this life, for good.

I nod toward Nate, who’s standing off to the side, arms crossed over his chest, watching with that steely gaze of his. I can feel the tension rise as our guy in the chair shifts, finally starting to sweat.

“You see my friend Nate here?” I ask, giving him a slow smile. “He’s a lot meaner than I am. In fact, the last guy who sat in that chair didn’t see the light of day again.”

Nate steps forward, and immediately, the room feels smaller, like the walls are closing in. He’s built like a tank, easily over six feet tall, with shoulders so broad they seem to block out the light. His black hair hangs messily over his forehead, framing a face that never shows more than a hint of emotion. Tattoos cover him, thick black lines winding up his arms, coiling around his neck, and disappearing into the collar of his shirt. They’re not for show—each one has a meaning, a reminder of the things he’s done and the people he’s had to deal with. Even his hands are marked, his fingers inked with symbols that might look like abstract designs to anyone else, but I know the stories behind each one.

The guy in the chair tries to act tough, but I can see him falter as Nate closes in. Nate doesn’t need to say much. He just lets his presence do the talking, and right now, it’s loud and clear. He cracks his knuckles slowly, a deliberate, unsettling sound that echoes in the room. The guy flinches, his eyes darting from Nate to me and back again.

Nate leans down, getting right in the guy’s face, his dark eyes cold and unblinking. “So, you want to play tough?” he murmurs, his voice low and even, but with an edge that could cut glass. “I’ve got all day, and trust me—you don’t want to find out what happens if I have to use it.”

The guy’s breathing speeds up, and I can see the resolve starting to drain from his face. Nate stands there, looming over him, every muscle tensed, like he’s ready to pounce. The guy knows he’s got two choices: talk, or deal with Nate. And I don’t think he’s eager to see what Nate’s got planned.

I lean back, crossing my arms, letting Nate work his magic. We’ve done this before, plenty of times. I know how this ends, and so does the guy in the chair. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks.

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