Chapter 4 - Leon

I couldn't believe it. I was shocked at how she kept trying to escape. She looked timid and shy, yet she possessed a blazing fire I hadn't seen in a woman in a long time. She had a fighting spirit, and this fascinated me. As I gave her water, I noticed loose bounds around her feet. I decided to wait for her.

"And where do you think you're going?" I asked, stepping into the room as she sprawled backward.

She glanced past me, rubbing her wrists before answering, but wouldn't look straight at me. "Nowhere."

Taking another step forward, I closed the door and flipped the light switch. The room lit up as the six individual lights brightened it. Due to the growing vegetation outside, I had to install more lights in certain areas where I required them. My office was one of the rooms with added lighting.

Pushing my hand through my hair, I leaned forward, trying to catch her gaze. "Excuse me, but didn't you just try to escape?"

As her eyes met mine, I noticed a sparkle in her honey-brown eyes. They were almost mesmerizing. Yes,' I thought she had a burning fire within. Yet, as I glared at her, her already pale-freckled skin appeared to turn even paler. She was obviously scared but fighting very hard not to show it.

"No, I was going to leave. You have no right to keep me here." Her voice sounded mildly positive and reasonably calm for her appearance.

"Right," I replied, walking backward toward the door again. "But, I can't let you go either. So, for now, you are staying until I decide what to do, got it?"

She leaped at me with her tiny fists. I caught both her hands and stood for a bit. Her skin was soft like clouds and smooth as satin. The fury on her face quickly dissipated as I gradually walked forward, pushing her back. There was a spark between us I couldn't grasp, but it made me smile.

"Let me go," she protested as she tried to escape my grip.

Holding her fists firmly, I moved towards her. Cindy stepped back, and once I knew we were close enough to the lounger, I carefully shoved her back. I couldn't take my eyes off her and stared as she fell into the wool-coated ball of fluff.

"I'll scream if you don't let me go." She spat back at me as she came upright.

Walking back to the door, I opened it and stepped out. "My house is soundproof, so go for it. Remember, you don't have any water, and I'll be gone for a while. So, don't get too thirsty."

Her eyes widened as I spoke. I grinned at her and pulled the door closed. I locked it this time. I had to run another errand before extracting information from the man in the cell.

Somehow, she made me feel alive, and later, I would like to explore these feelings. Even with the importance of the job at hand, I couldn't push her from my mind.

Pulling on my hoodie, I stepped out, feeling the cool morning breeze kisses my skin. The wind tore through the trees, making a rustling sound. I didn't know what the day held, but I was in a good mood.

Leaving my hideout, I estimated it shouldn't take more than an hour or two. Dawn was upon us, and I had to finish everything before midday. Pulling out into the street, I was satisfied with little movement.

The neighborhood was still waking, and most people were still inside their dwellings. By the time I returned, the morning traffic would also be over, as all the residents of this small area would have left for work by then.

I tried to come and go at the most quiet times to keep any suspicions from rising. So far, it has worked well for the last couple of years. However, I also knew that soon, the lab would be in full swing, and someone would be sure to notice the missing employees. This meant time was of the essence. The quicker I got them out of my place, the better.

Pulling up to the curb before the post office, I surveyed the street. It was still reasonably quiet. Jumping out of my truck, I went inside and collected the parcel containing my new toys. The guy behind the counter eyed my tattoo and nodded slightly as I grabbed the package and headed out.

I returned to my truck and couldn't wait to open the package. Holding the new shiny steel cuffs in my hands sent an explosion of excitement rippling through me. I lightly pressed my finger against the razor-sharp spikes that lined the inside and felt it pricking through my skin. Grinning, I replaced them in the box and started my truck. I knew these cuffs would come in handy and was glad they came in time.

"Today was the day," I said to the emptiness around me as I pulled out of the parking and headed back. He didn't know it yet, but I was sure Mike would give me all their dirty little secrets.

The world was wide awake, and the streets swarming with people. I ended up having to take a detour as there had been an accident on one of the streets closer to home. My muscles tensed as I tried to get through miles of morning traffic. I despised crowded places, and something like this darkened my mood. This caused a delay in traveling time, and I was held up for about half an hour in traffic.

Finally rounding the last corner and seeing my home come into view, I felt my muscles relaxing faintly. I was through the turmoil and back where I was most comfortable. Pulling in, I noticed the bike next to the backdoor. Really,? I thought as I jumped out of the truck and stormed the door. Why was Mila here? Didn't she trust me to get the job done?

Feeling my anger rushing up, I bolted inside. She wasn't in the interrogation area, and the cell was still locked. She had to be in my pad where I left the woman. As this flashed through my mind, I felt cold sweat breaking out, covering my entire body. No, this can't be good.

Stepping into the living area, I saw Mila seated on one of the couches. She was holding a bag of frozen peas to the left side of her head, covering her eye on that side as well. Her cheek was crimson, but I saw no blood. The office door was closed. I stepped to the door and opened it.

Next to the table sat the woman I had dragged here. She glanced at me and looked away. She seemed fine, so I closed the door and turned my attention back to Mila. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my anger. I couldn't prevent the rage from seeping through my voice as I spoke. "What happened? What are you doing here, Mila?"

Mila rose abruptly, throwing the bag of peas at me. "I only tried to get her to talk, to get information and look at this." She said, pointing at her swollen eye and red cheek.

"I told you I would handle it, didn't I?" I felt irritated. Didn't she trust me to get things done?

"Yes, but I thought I would assist as you have a soft spot for women. You know that, right?"

Staring at the door, I clenched my fists. She was right, but that didn't imply in any way that I couldn't do what was needed. "That doesn't mean I can't get things done, you know," I mumbled at her as she stepped closer. "I was making way with her. If you hadn't interfered, I would have gotten her to talk but now I don't know. You made a mess of things."

Looking back at Mila, I noticed her mouth opening and her eyebrows raising in shock at what I had just said. "Me," she spat back. "You made the mess. I came to help you clean it up. We need the formula for those drugs."

"I know, they are dangerous. We all got the same memo. I'll get what is needed, Mila, please."

Opening the door, I grabbed Cindy by the arm, pulling her to her feet. "Now you'll have to go into the cell as well," I said as I pulled her out of the room and walked to where the man was being kept. "I told you to behave, and look at what you've done."

She tried to pull back and mumbled something about it not being her fault. Yet, Mila needed to see that I could do what needed to be done, and this was the only way.

Entering the interrogation room, she tried to pull back and almost toppled us over. Turning to her, I took hold of her shoulders and shook her lightly. "Stop, please, there is no other way."

Cindy's eyes widened as I spoke, and I knew she was scared. But this was what I had to do. Mila might not be blood, but she was the closest thing to it, a sister to me in all the ways that mattered. Opening the cell door, I pushed Cindy through it.

She stumbled forward, turned, and glared at me. "This isn't right; you can't keep me locked up."

Pulling the door closed, I let out a sigh. I knew she was right, but we needed the information. Even though I wasn't sure how we would get it, I knew Mila was watching, and I had to do right by my family.