Enjoying Your Company //

chapter fourty two

Hotch's POV:

I sent Prentiss in to toy with Lukas. Who was slouched back in his chair with a bored-tortured look on his face. Em entered, closing the door, not earning his attention. She sat down, scooting her chair all the way up to the table before speaking.

"Hi Lukas-"

"Where's Nessa?" Prentiss stalled, giving a preposterous scoff, tapping the case file.

"That's not of your concern."

"I know she's here, you walked me by her on purpose." Prentiss's body language convinced him. "So why're you here instead?" He cocked his head, lips pursed in judgment.

"You got me." She laughed. "I was curious."

"Of course ya'are darlin'." That southern twang emphasizing the disgust factor in every word.

"I wanted to see if I could get you to tell me that secret." Her voice danced near flirtatious. His eyebrows raised in question, slinking back in his seat.

"I'm not sure what'ya mean."

"You know," she bobbed her head casually. "The secret you told my friend, back there."

"Only one person I'mma tell that secret too, that's 'Ness." He was completely calm, still soaking in every second.

"Come on, you'll tell a girl like her but not a girl like me."

"You're a fed." He curled his nose.

"I can be more than that." Prentiss pulled out the handcuff key, displaying it on the table for Lukas to see. "Why don't you, give me what I want, and I'll, give you what you want." His face dropped, eyeing her suspiciously before stretching his face into a sinister grin. He ran his tongue over his teeth before sitting up, moving himself, mirroring Prentiss. Inching closer at slow speed, he leaned in to whisper and Prentiss complied, adjusting forward cautiously.

"I'll, never, tell, you." Lukas pulled away, pausing to snap softly near at her. His eyes glanced past her, to me. She didn't bat an eye just watched him return to that over relaxed posture. "You think I'm that stupid?!" She calmly stood, and left the room without another sound. When the door clicked closed she exhaled harshly, crossing her arms.

"I seriously can't wait to nail this guy." I remained silent. "Are we really thinking about sending Vanessa in there?"

"It may be our only option." Dave implied with a straight face.

"As much as I hate to admit it." I uttered, conflicted on which tactic to enroll for this interrogation. "How is she?"

"JJ's with her now, I'm sure she's shaken up to say the least." Emily inferred, trailing off at the end.

"I wanna try something." Rossi turned to me and nodded, walking in with me. Lukas threw his head back like a child.

"Oh, come on." He groaned, unamused.

"Lukas, Lukas, Lukas." Rossi antagonized, slamming his file on the metal table. He shot his head forward.

"What is this?" He laughed. "Couples counseling?" We were silent. "You gonna, get'ya mob friends? Take me out in prison?"