The Scarred One(6)

“Well?”

“You’re fine. It’s going to hurt like hell. You’re bruised.”

She dropped her dress, and he wished he’d given her another reason to keep it hiked up. Slowly, she moved back into the space on the bed.

Silence fell between them. Staring at her feet, he saw her stockings hadn’t survived the attack or the kidnapping.

“What do you think they’ll do?” she asked.

“I don’t know who they are or what they want.” He glanced at her, wishing she’d turn to look at him.

“You’re so calm. How are you not losing your shit?”

“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. About five years ago I was screwing a whore in one of the towns where Caleb had started up some new contacts. I didn’t pay attention, and she was a lure to get me vulnerable. I was taken for three days. Caleb struck a deal, got me out, and we killed the bastards for taking me. This is not new to me. They’ll tell us what we want, maybe even try to scare us. Don’t worry, it’ll be fine.”

He tried to reassure her, leaving out the part of the torture they’d dished out to pass the time. Henry really hoped they left Lydia alone. He didn’t want her to get hurt.

More silence followed, and he took the time to listen to what was happening. He heard people walking around upstairs, so the bedroom had to be in the basement. There were no windows to speak of, and that gave another clue that they had to be underground.

“Do you think Caleb will find us?” she asked.

“Yeah, he’ll find us.”

With his free hand he searched his pockets to find them empty. Not surprising really, it meant they’d kidnapped people before, but how far would they go with him?

He looked down on the bed to see her hand opening and closing into a fist.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”

He reached over and placed his hand over hers. “Stop.”#p#分页标题#e#

“Okay, I’m nervous. I’ve never been kidnapped before, and I’m scared. I don’t want to die.” Tears filled her eyes, and they cut him to the core to see.

“Lydia, I promise, nothing is going to happen to you. I won’t let it.”

“I wouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.” The door to their room opened. Henry didn’t release Lydia’s hand, but he took his time to see there was a set of steps that led upstairs. Two men entered the room, closing the door behind them.

Henry didn’t recognize them either.

“I can keep promises. You don’t need to hurt her,” Henry said. Both men were dressed in classy suits. Neither of them spoke of being associated with a lowlife criminal or gang.

“We’ll do what we think is necessary.” One of the men stepped forward. His hands were behind his back, thrusting his chest out. Henry looked from one man to the other, trying to figure out which one was in charge. He wasn’t stupid. A lot of their business associates thought he was dumb, but he acted that way so they wouldn’t take him too seriously. He always had his and Caleb’s best interests at heart.

Leaning against the headboard, he watched them both. He wouldn’t be the one doing all the talking. They’d kidnapped him, and he wasn’t going to give them anything.

“I’m sure you’re curious as to why you’re here?” the man in front said.

Henry stared, waiting for them to continue.

“I don’t think he’s listening.” This came from the man behind him.

Lydia stayed tense beside him. He was pleased she hadn’t started begging for her life or sniveling. There was only so much he could take.

“I’m not the one who wants to chat, boys,” he said, smiling between the two men. “You were the ones who were impatient and took me off the street. I’m waiting to see what you’ve got to say.”

“You’re Caleb Cassel’s bodyguard, Henry.”

No one was ever interested in learning his full name.

“So?”

“So, we’re interested in a deal going down between your boss and Elijah Weston.”

Okay, drugs. That put them in one category. They were dealers themselves and didn’t like being cut out of the deal. He could handle this, but it would also require Caleb and Elijah.

“There are a lot of deals going on. You’re going to have to tell me which one upsets you.”

“Who’s the bitch?” the one in the back asked.

“What’s your name?” Henry asked, looking at the man nearest him. He didn’t want any of them looking at Lydia. She was not part of this, and he was going to do everything to stop them from looking at her.