The Contracted Son-in-law

Chapter Fourty-three

Ryan stood near a broken window inside an uncompleted building near the bar, his arms folded and his face obscured by a smirk.

In front of him, the man he had noticed in the bar was tied to a rusted pole jutting out of the wall, his wrists bound tightly with ropes. A welt had formed above his temple from the blow that had landed him here.

Slowly, he stirred, his head lifting weakly. He squinted at the space, panic settling into his expression as the unfamiliar environment took hold of him.

"Where... am I?” He croaked, tugging at the ropes binding him to the pole, like a trapped animal testing its cage.

Ryan stepped forward, the sound of his shoe echoing against the concrete.

He crouched a few feet away from the man, his expression unreadable.

"Easy man,” he said, his voice low and laced with mockery.

"Save your strength. You are going to need it for what is coming.”

The man’s jaw tightened as he glared up at Ryan, the fire in his eyes momentarily outweighing his fear.

"What the