Tainted

2

~Sebastian~

"I'm going to make this very very easy for you Lucian. You're going to tell me where the money is and I won't slowly remove each of your fingers from your body." I'm losing my patience. I'm sick of this grown ass man's whimpering, his pleading and begging is starting to make my ears bleed.

"Please. I don't know. Carson handles all the money. All I have to do is manage the books and the system." I gave a single nod, signalling for Dorian to punch the guy, snapping his glasses in two as blood spilled down his nose.

"Then where is Carson?"

"I DON'T KNOW HE LEFT LAST NIGHT." I stood up from my chair, slowly walking around the cheap MDF desk that looked like it was second hand from a school that had too many outdated breaches of building code for it to remain open. I bet under these piles of paper is some kids name scratched in. Probably old dried-up gum under it from people who don't know how to respect other's property.

I pressed my hands down on top of his, pushing down with my weight until he cried out in pain again. I swear if he gets blood on this shirt he won't be alive to tell me where this Carson is. And I want my money.

"Where could he have gone?" I glared into the hazel eyes of a man who probably didn't have any idea where his husband is right now. Carson knew what was coming for him today. Probably skipped town thinking I won't find him. It wouldn't usually be a problem. Apart from the small loan of 200,000 dollars he hasn't made a single repayment on in the past 4 months. I've given him warnings, taken his excuses. I've been very understanding. "Parents house?"

"They're dead."

"Holiday home? Friends? Family? Come on Lucian. My gun doesn't need the trigger pulling today. It's an awful inconvenience getting rid of a corpse." He paled.

"Boss." The door swung open and I almost growled at being disturbed. "Sorry I know you said not to interrupt but there's a girl downstairs and I know we're not allowed to touch anyone but she can't hear us shouting at her." Carson swallowed.

"Description."

"Short 5'4 or 5'5. Blonde. Pretty pale. Seems to know where she's going, what she's looking for."

"Recognize her?"

"She comes in a few times a month. Never gave us her name. Pretty quiet." I nodded and stood up, dusting myself off.

"I want a list of address he could be at before I get back and so help me god if me men get there and they don't have a clue who you are, your stay with me will not be pleasant." I turned around, following Nikolai down to the main floor of the library where he pointed to the aisle this woman apparently was. This place was empty. The boys had gotten everyone out citing some building emergency. They were supposed to be watching the exits. I have no idea how she passed their eyes because they are usually very observant.

I watched as the girl stood on her tip toes, skirt tugging around a perfect ass that was almost about to be on full display. She huffs, pouting and steps back, crossing her arms. She looks like Tinkerbell when she doesn't get her own way with Peter Pan. Tiny little thing that doesn't look old enough to be out unsupervised, let alone wearing a skirt that short or the thong I have no doubt is underneath.

"Excuse me." She doesn't react and I take a step forward, noticing earphone in her ears. She's pulled her hair up into a messy hair style with what looks like crafting ribbon. The ends are frayed and untidy but I cannot deny that it suits her. The black against her dark blonde hair. She's stunning. Perfect nose, slightly rosy cheeks, plump lips. Flawless. Innocent.

I look over her side profile, getting uneasy at the faded bruises I can spot on the edge of her arm, just under the sleeve.

She exhales and steps forward, steadying her foot into the lowest shelf that adds barely 2 inches and that's where I draw the line. I'm trying to avoid a dead body in here today. I don't have the time to make sure it's disposed of properly this week. I'd rather not be anywhere near it.

I reach for the book she's aiming for, forcing myself to stop the chuckle as she yelps and jumps backwards, hitting her back on the other shelves and sending a few more books tumbling to the floor with a bang. She quickly removes one earphone and stares at me. The girl looks me up and down slowly and I watch as her breathing deepens. I don't move. Letting her soak, me in, make her judgements.

"You can't hear anything with those things in. I spoke a few times."

"Sorry." Quiet. Soft and delicate. I wasn't expecting the tone, the slight hint of an accent. I can't make out her eye colour. It's blue and green and almost verging on violet. She blinks long black eyelashes.

"You wanted this?" She nods. Looks down at the book then back to me. "The library is closed today. You need to leave."

"Oh." Her head turns, looking down either side of the aisle as if she's looking for confirmation I'm not lying. "Sorry. The door was- if it's closed why are you here?"

"I'm here on business. Got what you need?"

"Um." She looks at the books and I can see her brain ticking. If she's a regular here, she won't want to just leave with them but I don't have time for this.

"Just take them. I'll sort it."

"He needs-" I step forward, wanting to make her uncomfortable enough to leave without it needing to be forced. I tower over her and her shoulders square. Showing some confidence behind her but her breathing has ceased altogether.

"What's your name?"

"I'm not giving my name to a stranger in a suit in a closed library that's here on 'business'." The confidence is gone. It came out in one short sharp burst and dissipated just as quickly as it showed and I have to fight back a smile at her not being completely trusting of any random person. Especially me. Her giving me her name probably wouldn't be the best thing for her because once I had a name to put to this strangers perfect face, I'd never be able to forget it.

"Smart girl." I check my watch, deciding Carson has had enough time to get me where his husband might be. "Time to go pip squeak. Don't worry about signing the books out. Take them. Keep them."

"Keep them?"

"Yes. That's what I said. Off you go." I nodded down at the end of the aisle and she hesitated, opened her mouth to speak but didn't. She took her orders, took a few steps before speeding up "I hope the next time I run into you you're not trying to kill yourself with a bookshelf pip squeak." She slowed as I spoke but didn't turn around or stop, just left the building. As soon as the doors slammed shut, I took a deep breath and headed back the way I came, throwing the office door open and returning to why I am here in the first place. "Now. Where were we?"