Ingrid struggled against her restraints, but to no avail. She was tied down tight, and she knew there was no chance she'd be able to break out of this place, and even if she could, what good would it do? Adeline was tied up somewhere in another room, and there was no way she'd leave without her. She had no choice but to hope Damien would do whatever it was Miller wanted and that Miller would hold up to his end of the bargain and let them free. But Miller had "untrustworthy" written all over him, and nothing he did put Ingrid at ease in the slightest.
She looked around the dingy warehouse room, her eyes fixed on the tiny window in the upper part of the wall, the small rectangle of night visible outside of it her only connection to the outside world. Fear boiled in Ingrid's stomach as she remembered she was pregnant. It was still such surprising news to her, and she hadn't yet made space in her mind for the fact that she was going to be a mother. And that was looking like a big "if" at this point – Miller had no idea that he'd actually kidnapped three people instead of two.
After a time, the lock on the door unbolted and two of Miller's men stepped into the room. They looked over Ingrid with sinister smiles before approaching her. Ingrid struggled against her restraints, fearing the worst. But the men only undid them and pulled her to her feet.
"Time for the main event," said one of the men. "So, calm the fuck down; Miller doesn't like dealing with whiny women."
The men led Ingrid to the main warehouse floor, where Miller and the rest of his gang awaited them. As did Adeline, who was there but still tied to her chair. The girl's eyes went wide as she saw Ingrid, and Ingrid's heart ached at the sight of the poor girl.
"There she is," said Miller, clasping his hands together. "Now, I'm gonna le-"
"Let me the fuck go!" demanded Ingrid. "Let both of us go!"
Miller winced and held up a hand.
"What I was going to say was, if you can keep the fucking yelling down to a minimum, I'll keep the restraint off your mouth. But if you insist on whining and complaining, then I'm gonna have to tie you down like this darling little lady here."
Ingrid realized she had no options. And being tied back down with a dirty cloth shoved into her mouth was the last thing she wanted.
"Fine," said Ingrid.
"Atta girl," said Miller.
Then he gestured for the men to bring Ingrid to his side.
"Then can you at least tell me what's going on?" asked Ingrid. "Why have you done this?"
Miller had a look on his face that seemed to indicate he was considering her question.
"Fine," he said. "I suppose it doesn't matter all that much at this point. Damien's on his way, and once I get what I need out of him, this'll all be over and done with."
Miller sat back on a nearby table and spoke.
"This is a business matter, I'm afraid. And one that your ass got all sorts of mixed-up in. See, Damien's little crew is my main competition in this town, and there's nothing more that I'd like to see than him out of the picture."
"Wait," said Ingrid. "Does that mean you were behind that attack? The one that nearly got Damien and me killed?"
Miller smiled, as if recalling a fond memory.
"Yeah, that was me all right, but get over yourself – you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. The goal there was to kill Damien, and you probably would've just been sent on your way – after those boys had their fun with you, that is. But if there's one lesson I've had to learn the hard way, it's don't skimp on the goddamn help. I hired some low-rent shifter thugs out of Baltimore for that one and, well, you get what the fuck you pay for.
"Anyway," he continued, his thugs watching him speak, all with the same smart-ass smirks on their faces, "I figured our boy Damien's just too tough to take out like that, unless I want to start a full-on war with one of the best mercenary gangs in the city. So, I figured something else might be in order. And lucky for me, underhanded shit is my specialty."
"So that's what this is all about?" asked Ingrid. "Just taking out the competition? All of this just to make more money?"
"Honey, there's far more to it than that," he said. "You saw those senators that I've been getting cozy with? They're all eager to enlist my services for all sorts of cloak-and-dagger shit they've got in mind. Damien, on the other hand, is a fuckin' boy scout. Only above-the-board jobs for him. But once he's out of the picture, then I can not only make my crew the top outfit in the city, but I can make even more money doing the kind of, ah, wetwork that some of these sketchy congressmen are into. You know, the ‘rubbing out the competition' sort of shit. We tried it a little while back, but that fuckin' Damien."
He shook his head.
"Just too good at holding us off. So, that's why I'm gonna get him to come here, alone, and sign a few little contracts that forbid him from working on the east coast ever again. The way I see it, my crew can become the top outfit from DC to New York. And you and Damien can piss off for all I care. Unless you make me mad."
"But…" stammered Ingrid. "You can't keep us here! You have to call this all off!"
Miller raised his eyebrows.
"And why would I do that?"
"Because…I'm pregnant!"
Ingrid didn't know why she said anything. She thought that maybe revealing this information would appeal to whatever kindness remained in this man.
Instead, his eyes widened, and he slapped his hands together.
"Really?" he said. "Hot damn! Wait until Damien learns about this! He'll be begging me to sign that fucking contract."
The rest of the men chuckled.
Oh fuck, thought Ingrid. I think I just made things worse.
But before she could consider the matter for too much longer, one of the men posted outside entered the warehouse at a brisk trot.
"Boss," he shouted. "He's here!"
"Then what the fuck are you waiting for? Send his ass in!"
The man nodded and left. Ingrid was so excited to see Damien she wanted to cry. She looked over at Adeline, who was still sobbing quietly. Ingrid, not caring what Miller had to say about it, reached over and took the girl's hand. Adeline squeezed back hard.
"Aw, ain't that sweet," said Miller.
Then, Damien entered, two of Miller's men at his sides.
"Damien!" shouted Ingrid.
"Girls!" he shouted back.
"Ah, ah, ah," said Miller, wagging his finger. "Tearful reunions can come after you sign my little documents."
Then, a terrible, sinister expression formed on his face.
"But first," he said. "Have I got some news for you!"