“With pleasure,” the man complied, dropping her unceremoniously on the floor.
Josh took his time looking at Lux. When she got up from the floor and he was sure she was okay, he turned his attention to the man who had so literally carried out her demand. “For that one act of stupidity, your boyfriend is going to have to wipe your ass for the next six weeks because I’m going to break every bone in your hands!”
The thug bared his teeth and readied himself to respond. A hand signal from the man who was obviously in charge was all it took for him to withhold comment.
“Go and stand in the corner and do your damn job!” The man ordered. The muscle bound underling complied without comment, joining the other men already standing off to one side.
“That’s right, bitch do as you’re told and don’t forget your place!” Josh mocked.
“Keep your mouth shut,” the man barked at Josh. “You are in no position to taunt anyone!”
“I’m going to ask you again, where is she?”
“And I’m going to tell you again, Matthaeus... I don’t know who you’re talking about!” Josh replied, looking bored.
Chad Matthaeus was a tall big-boned man who had been a star quarterback in college; but was now running to fat. His family had once had money, but through mismanagement, it was all gone before he could get his share. As far as Matthaeus was concerned privilege was his birthright. If he couldn’t inherit it then he would acquire it. The means by which he accumulated his wealth ran from extortion to gun running.
As far as the business world was concerned, Chad Matthaeus had singlehandedly turned around the fortune of his once wealthy family. His image was that of a respected businessman; and he went to great lengths to maintain that image.
His one weakness was beautiful women. When one of his girlfriends stumbled across one of his deals, she had to go. He could always replace a woman but he refused to take any chances with his liberty.
Matthaeus grew still and Josh flexed his tied hands. He knew what was about to happen. He was just surprised it had taken the man so long to use his one weakness against him. “How about if I get one of my associates to hurt your little wife.”
“If any of you touch her, I’ll kill you,” Josh said with a calm that radiated with seriousness.
The sound of Lux sucking her teeth drew all their attention. “Don’t even worry about him, Josh. This boy’s full of gas!” Lux finished with a roll of her eyes.
“Lux!” Josh and Sam said at the same time in warning.
Tutting again, Lux looked Matthaeus up and down with disdain. “If this boy’s so bad why is he running his mouth and threatening to get other people to do his dirty work for him.”
“Do you know who I am?” Matthaeus asked Lux.
Not backing down, she faced off with him. “Can’t say that I do and I’m really not interested, so don’t bother telling me.”
Josh shook his head at how sassy she was being. If she had any real idea of what this sophisticated looking man was capable of, she would probably be cowering in a corner. Having second thoughts, Josh revised his thought. Even if she knew, she would more likely than not behave exactly as she was doing now.
Josh understood that she was attempting to distract Matthaeus’ to buy him some time to loosen the rope around his wrists. No doubt Sam was doing the same. It was risky but it was working.
Obviously exasperated, Matthaeus reached for her arm. Using some form of twirling step, Lux danced out of his reach and committed her first error since entering the room. She turned her attention to Sam.
“What are you doing all trussed up like the proverbial pig, Samuel, couldn’t you find anyone else to perform a hit on. Or were you brought here for retribution?”
“Lux,” Sam warned through tight lips.
Giving her a sharp look, Josh hoped she understood he wanted her to turn her attention away from Sam. His wife could run her mouth like no one else he knew, and at this moment he couldn’t be more pleased as long as she didn’t direct her comments to her brother.
When she cut her eyes back to Sam, he allowed the tension to seep out of his arms. She’d understood his silent message.
“I’ll deal with you later, Mr. Samuel. First, let me finish with this one,” Lux said turning her back to the seated men. Seamlessly, she again engaged Matthaeus. “I have a question for you; what could have happened in your life or your childhood that makes it so hard for you to do something... good?”
There it was, a movie song reference. Josh blinked and spared a quick look at Sam who closed his eyes in exasperation at the lameness of her question. They both knew referencing movies was what she did when at a loss for how to deal with a situation.