HER REAL FATHER

Julian's voice was calm and collected as he instructed Ryan, "Tie Josh to the chair."

Ryan and the other men quickly obeyed, spreading a drip cloth on the ground and a chair on top of it. 

They carefully lifted Josh's unconscious body and positioned him in the chair, securing him with ropes.

Astrid watched with a mixture of interest and shock, her eyes darting between Julian and her father. She hadn't expected Julian to handle things this way, she had a feeling he would take judgment into his own hands but not this brutal way, but weirdly she was enjoying it.

Julian stood up, his hands in his pockets, and smiled at Astrid. "Thought you knew this would be my next action," he said.

"Julian, what are you planning to do?"

He chuckled. "You think this will get me in trouble with the authorities?"

Astrid hesitated before speaking. "Won't this get you in trouble with the police?"