all because this situation just became much, much worse.
“He’s a slippery little fucker and Shepherd let him run,” Rod says.
The man who just walked in is Tony Warren. The talk on the street is that he’s an arms dealer with some small side business dealing with drugs and prostitution, but no one ever seems to pin him on it. What is true is that he’s a highly successful businessman who leaves his competitors in ruins. Just last year, the owner of a competitive company was found in the river, dead. Of course they couldn’t connect him to the case because Tony knows how to stay quiet and unnoticed.
“Have a seat, Killian,” Tony says, and I realize exactly how bad this situation is. He targeted me for a reason, and the reason probably has to do with my father, but does he know something more?
Shepherd lets me go, and I turn toward the chair in the room but Tony laughs, stopping me.
“Oh, no, no. Scum like you don’t need chairs. Sit on the floor,” he says.
I debate what to do. I want to be defiant and still sit in the chair because I know that if I start listening to his ridiculous orders, he’ll just keep wanting more from me. But if I don’t listen, what will he do to me?
He steps up to me, holding my eyes as he grabs ahold of my chin. “Sit your ass on the ground before I have someone break your fucking legs.”
I decide that the ground really does look comfortable. “You don’t need to threaten me. I just had to comprehend what you said,” I say as I kneel on the ground.
“Don’t be a smart-ass.”
“I’m not. Can I ask a question?”
“No.”
I decide to take my chances asking anyway. “What can I do to get you to let me go home?”
“Shut the fuck up would be a nice step.”
I decide that I’ll listen, so I shut the fuck up and watch.
“You live with your father, right?”
“Yeah.” At least it seems that way. “I mean, I don’t see him much, I’m generally busy and so is he. Do you want money in exchange for me?”
He shakes his head. “No, I have plenty of money. I want information that your dad will give me if he wants you back. What you’re going to do is make a nice little video sobbing and crying to your wittle daddy about how you’re so scared, and won’t he please come save you?” the man says before laughing like this is a fantastic joke.
Joke’s on him. He just doesn’t know it yet.
“Okay. I can do that,” I say.
“But first we have to make you look a little… let’s say… beat up. Shepherd, punch him in the face.”
Shepherd turns to me, clearly not hesitant about pummeling my face into the ground.
“Fuck no!” my gunshot victim says. He’s still standing. The man has to be a fucking tank. “I get to punch the little asshole.”
And that’s when he steps up and slams his fist into my face so hard that I’m flung onto my back. Blood instantly starts flowing from my nose as I grab for it. My eyes are watering as I realize how fucked I am at this moment. Don’t get me wrong, I knew I was fucked before this, but it’s nothing compared to now.
I sit back up as Tony smirks at me, phone aimed at my face. “Ready?” he asks.
I nod and he beams at me like he’s just so proud of me.
“And action!”
“Father. Please save me. Help. I’ve been abducted by Tony Warren and I also think I shot a man.”
Tony lowers the camera, clearly unimpressed with my work. “Don’t say my name, you fucking idiot.”
“Oh,” I say as if I really was that stupid. “Sorry.”
He starts again, so I decide to give him a show. Sadly, I know the show doesn’t matter, but Tony needs to learn that the hard way.
“Father, please help me!” I say and toss in a noise that kind of sounds like a sob. “Please! I’m scared and they’re going to hurt me or kill me. Please!”
“Beautiful!” Tony says, like he’s proud of me. “Shepherd, take our guest to his room.”
“Why me?” he asks, but when no one answers him, he grabs my wrist. I actually follow him this time since it means leaving the room where Tony and my victim are.
Shepherd leads me down a hallway and pulls open a door before pushing me inside.