CHAPTER 160 : DROWNING DEBT

Hendrick was still kneeling, his whole body shaking and trembling from fear, as his hands remained clasped together in a plea to be forgiven.

His face was sweaty, the sweat mixing up with the blood that stained his nose. He tried to form some words, to beg some more, but his lips quivered so much that he couldn't get anything out.

Aiden, on the other hand, watched him for a moment, enjoying how frightened he was, but then he exhaled through his nose, finding the entire display boring.

Without warning, not that he needed to, he reached down and gripped the front of Hendrick's shirt in one hand, making Hendrick gasp from shock that nearly gave him a heart attack.

Aiden yanked him up like he weighed nothing, his fingers tightening every second as he pulled Hendrick close, their faces only an inch apart.

"Alpha, please. N-no, p-please," Hendrick stammered and shook his head, trying to breathe properly. "I'm s-sorry."

"I know," Aiden said with no life in his voice, making Hendrick's stomach twist into knots. "But you have to return all the money back."

"Yeah, of course," Hendrick answered immediately, Aiden's cold stare suffocating him. "Please just give me a chance, and I will return it all right now. I will start the whole process."

"You will," Aiden uttered, and Bryan, who already knew what was about to happen, turned away and started scanning the room.

His movements were slow as he took his time, doing it so methodically, as if he had done it a thousand times before, which might probably be the case.

As he scanned the room, the long table in the center of the living room caught his attention first. It was perfect for what they were going to do and so with one hand, he shoved away the objects on the table, books, remotes, everything, clearing the table. Then, with a push, he pushed the table a bit, adjusting the position.

Hendrick swallowed hard, already panicking at the noise he was hearing and could also witness.

Now that the table was set, Aiden moved, dragging Hendrick with him, and then he shoved him down onto the table, making him yelp as his back hit the hard surface.

He tried to sit up, but Aiden held him down, his eyes warning him not to make another move, while Bryan scanned the room a second time, looking for something strong, until his eyes finally landed on an extension cable that ran along the floor.

Without hesitation, he bent down slightly, grabbed the thick cord, and with one strong pull, he yanked it free from the wall, the plug snapping out of the socket.

"No," Hendrick muttered, his breath hitching. "No, please," he struggled, but Aiden palm pressed against his chest, holding him down with ease.

"Please, wait. I have the money; I can get it," Hendrick said, trying to reason with them, but instead, Bryan nodded as if agreeing with him and then looped the cable around Hendrick's legs first, pulling it very tight.

Hendrick winced as it bit into his skin, and Bryan went on, working quickly as he wrapped it around Hendrick's torso, securing him flat against the table.

After Bryan was done, he straightened and turned to Ryker.

"Please go into the bathroom," he said. "Bring a towel and a bucket of water. A small bowl, too."

"Gladly," Ryker muttered with a wicked grin, giving a mock salute before finding his way to the bathroom.

"What-what are you doing?" Hendrick asked, his heart pounding hard against his ribs, his voice cracked and his breathing ragged.

But Bryan didn't answer.

"A-alpha," Hendrick called, his talking already starting to irritate Aiden, but Aiden kept calm, not saying anything either.

Minutes felt like hours to Hendrick, and as for Bryan and Aiden, they didn't mind the wait.

Then, footsteps.

Ryker walked out, holding a bucket in one hand and a towel in the other.

He stopped beside the table and glanced down at Hendrick, who was sweating so profusely.

"Look at him," Ryker chuckled. "You might actually drown in your sweat, Hendrick. Relax," he said as he handed the towel to Aiden, then set the bucket on the floor near Bryan.

Bryan crouched, gripping the bowl inside the bucket, and when Hendrick saw him lift it slightly, water dripping back into the bucket, he flinched.

Then, with his eyes still on Hendrick, Bryan murmured,

"Try not to breathe."

The moment those words left Bryan's mouth, Aiden moved.

He unfolded the thick towel in his hands and threw it over Hendrick's face, covering everything from his forehead to his chin.

Hendrick immediately let out a muffled cry, his head jerking against the restraints.

"No. NO, PLEASE-" although his voice was muffled against the towel.

He twisted violently, trying to fight his way out, his body arching, fear consuming him, but Ryker had already stepped in and grabbed his legs, pressing them down against the table.

"Stay still," Ryker muttered mockingly as Hendrick continued thrashing, his body bucking in panic, but he was still no match for them.

The only thing Hendrick could hear now was his own heartbeat pounding against his ears, nothing more.

For a second, Bryan didn't move, as he wanted to let the fear and anticipation sink into Hendrick's bones and every other part of his body.

He watched as Hendrick whimpered under the towel, his breath coming in short, frantic gasps until he decided it was time and then poured the water over the towel.

Instantly, Hendrick's body jerked.

Hendrick inhaled sharply, but instead of air filling his lungs, the wet fabric covering his lips and nose filled his mouth, suffocating him.

More water came, and he bucked wildly, his muffled screams turning into desperate, choked gurgles.

The towel clung to Hendrick's face, soaked through, making every attempt to breathe feel like he was drowning as Ryker held his leg down, telling him to calm down mockingly, which only added to his suffocation.

He coughed and sputtered, but there was no air. It was only more water, seeping into every gasp.

His lungs burned, the pressure in his chest unbearable, and just when he thought he was going to die, his body on the verge of complete panic-

Bryan stopped pouring, and Aiden removed the towel from his face.

Hendrick gasped in deep, ragged breaths, his throat raw from choking.

His entire body trembled much worse than earlier, his chest rising and falling sharply.

There were droplets of water on his face, his hair wet, but unknown to him, they were not done. His relief lasted for just mere seconds as his eyes were barely focused, and when he spotted Bryan lifting the bowl again with water inside, his entire body stiffened.

"N-No," he shook his head frantically. "No more, please. I swear," but Aiden didn't say a word and just pressed the towel over his face again.

Then, the water came and Hendrick went back to being suffocated once more.

This time, his body convulsed harder, and his thoughts blurred. He was overwhelmed with panic; he wanted to breathe, to find air, but that was impossible.

It went on and on for what felt like an eternity before it, then, stopped.

Yanking the towel off his face, Hendrick wheezed and coughed uncontrollably, his entire body weak and heavy. He could barely even move as he struggled to suck in air, his chest feeling like it was collapsing.

As he tried to breathe, he felt himself being loosened, but his body was too weak to resist the hands that gripped him afterward or to even see what was happening in the room.

They hauled him across the room and shoved him into a chair, his head hanging weakly and his wet clothes clinging to his shaking frame.

When Bryan crouched slightly in front of him, watching him shiver, Hendrick didn't dare lift his head, his entire body drowning in fear.

Tapping his fingers against the armrest of the chair before standing up, Bryan muttered,

"That should do."