Page 19 of Thorn Evermore
“Must’ve been pretty bad to send me in. Blackmail? That’s it, isn’t it?”
Fear registers on his features and the faint scent of sweat tickles my nose. “You need to let me go.”
“Don’t think so, rich boy.” I grip his neck. “Come on, I’m dying to know. If you tell me, maybe I’ll let you go.”
Carlton exhales slowly and nods once. “Yeah. Blackmail. That fucker promised me some things and backed out when I came to collect. So I showed him the videos and pictures I’ve been keeping just in case.”
Grinning, I nod. “And you thought he’d just roll over and give you the money, right? Or whatever you wanted. Guess you underestimated him. He has no intention of giving in.”
“You can’t hurt me. I’m the only one who knows where the stuff is. It’ll be found in my things if I’m gone.”
“Why don’t you tell me where it is? I bet the congressman would appreciate that.”
“No. It’s the only insurance I have.”
“Trust me,I’mthe only insurance you have.”
Carlton searches my face, a mixture of fear and resignationacross his features. “There’s a safe in my bedroom behind a painting of me. I’ll hand it all over.”
“I’ll be sure to pass that along.” I can tell from his scent he’s hiding something else. “What else did you do?”
“Nothing,” he lies.
“Ah, come on, Carlton. It’s gotta be pretty serious.” I brush my fingers across his cheek, smiling as his eyelids flutter. “You can tell me.”
“I… I…” His brow scrunches like he’s resisting telling me.
“Carlton.”
“I got his granddaughter into some shit,” he admits.
“Ooh, now this is interesting. What kind of shit?”
He flinches, squeezing his eyes shut, so I grip his chin until he grunts in pain. “Okay, okay. It was a gang bang. I filmed it. I wanted him to know I could fuck with his family too.”
“Dude. Not his granddaughter. That’s fucked up.”
“He deserved it.”
“How old was she?” Carlton’s energy resists until I slam him into the wall. “Talk.”
“Fifteen. She wanted to do it.”
“She wanted to do it? You fucking slimebag.”
“I-I told you the truth and where the stuff is. Are you gonna let me go now?”
“No, Carlton, I’m not.”
I sink my teeth into his neck, clapping my hand over his mouth as he screams. He kicks and claws at my shoulders, but he’s no match for me. I drain enough blood to leave him weak but alive, then pull back.
“What do you have on you for drugs?”
He sways, gripping the lapel of my leather jacket to steady himself. “Coke. Pocket.”
“Good boy.” I dig my hand inside the front pocket of his jeans first, finding the small plastic bag right away. “Time for a little boost.”
“So… tired.”