Page 587 of Rage

In that moment, everything outside the cabin fades away—the worries, the danger lurking in the shadows, the threat of her father. All that exists is the warmth of her body against mine, the fire crackling in the background, and the quiet promise of what lies ahead.

As I pull back, I look into her eyes, searching for answers. “Raine,” I begin, my voice serious but soft, “we need to talk about your father and Jason. You need to tell me everything.”

Her expression shifts, a shadow crossing her features as she avoids my gaze. “I…I don’t know where to start, or even what to say,” she stammers, looking down.

“Just tell me what you can,” I urge, my heart aching for her. “I want to keep you safe. I can’t do that if I don’t understand the situation.”

She takes a deep breath, steadying herself before meeting my eyes again. “Okay…I’m going to need some coffee.”

I nod, letting her gather her thoughts as I step into the kitchen nook, feeling a mixture of hope and concern. As I prepare the coffee, I glance back at her, determined to peel back the layers of her past, ready to fight for her future.

“Here. This is the closest thing I have to a caramel macchiato,” I shrug, passing the piping hot drink to her. She looks at me curiously before she takes a tentative sip and her eyes widen.

“How did you know?” she asks, surprise lighting her features.

“I pay attention.” She doesn’t need to know the amount of things I’ve gathered about her while I was working at Double Edged. That’s a discussion for another time.

She looks at me, her brows knitting together in thought. Finally, she speaks. "How do you know my dad and Jason work together?"

I lean back against the wall, trying to maintain my composure. "You just confirmed it," I reply, my tone even, while her confused expression morphs into something darker—anger, and maybe a touch of betrayal.

"How dare you set me up like that? Is all this," she gestures between us, "Was this all to get information?"

The question stings more than I want to admit. "No, it’s not that. I care about you, Raine. But your father?—"

"Don't!" Her voice rings sharp, slicing through the layers of tension enveloping us. It’s a mix of anticipation and fury, and I can hardly keep up. "I’m not a child who needs saving. I can handle everything myself. I’ve been doing it most of my life anyways. At least ever since—" Her hand flies to her mouth, and she sets down her coffee as if it’s turned to poison.

The silence stretches, heavy and pregnant with unspoken pain. "Ever since what?" I prompt gently, my desire to understand overriding my instinct to tread carefully.

Raine meets my gaze, a storm brewing behind her deep blue eyes. Her perfect, plump lip is caught between her teeth, a habit that betrays her distress. "He did it," she whispers so low I barely catch it.

Rage floods my senses, primal and raw, forcing my vision to turn a shade closer to red. "What did he do, Firefly?" My voice snaps as desperation claws at my throat, not meaning to frighten her further.

She slumps, defeated. "He’s going to kill me too, Huxley. Oh, God. He probably knows I’m here.” Her fear is palpable, wrapping around me, and I know I can’t stay passive any longer.

“Raine, tell me,” I plead, urgency imbuing my tone. As she tenses and tries to jump from the bed, panic driving her every move, she gets her foot tangled in the sheets. Time slows as she tumbles headfirst into my outstretched arms.

Her warmth ignites a storm of emotions within me, fierce and protective. "Raine..." I murmur softly, securing my grip as her rapid breaths mingle with my own. I feel every frantic beat of her heart thundering against my chest. "You’re safe. I won’t ever let anything happen to you.”

Her wide eyes search mine for truth, and I hope she sees the sincerity etched in my soul. "Tell me, baby," I urge, my grip softening as she relaxes against me despite the quaking of her body.

“He and Jason run this illegal underground sex trade society. He made Skye take part even through her insistent protests,” she confesses, her voice cracking like shattered glass. "I heard them arguing one night, and the next thing I knew—she was being taken away in handcuffs by Jason. I only knew him because my dad had forced me to get a job at his bar, Double Edged. I never saw her again, alive at least.” Her words break, weighted with haunting grief.

A cold flame of anger ignites in my gut, pushing against the boundaries of my resolve. My fingers tighten around Raine, squeezing gently. I can’t imagine the horrors she witnessed, the pain she holds, and it only fuels my determination to protect her. "Raine, I need you to be strong. We have to come up with a plan. There has to be a way to take them down. I won’t let your father hurt you."

Tears spill over her lashes, and she looks up at me, vulnerability laid bare across her features, undeniable and stark. “I’ve fought for so long, Huxley. I—I’m so tired."

I brush a thumb under her eye, catching a stray tear before it can drop. "You don’t have to fight alone any longer. I’m here, and I care too damn much to let you slip away right now. I’ve been undercover investigating Jason Hayes and I knew he had a partner but I didn’t know until last night that it was your father. What is the secret he’s threatening you with?”

Her shoulders quiver, and I can feel the tension radiating from her like heat off asphalt. “He said if I ever told the cops about Skye or his abortion practices then he would plant evidence to make me take the fall for everything.” She’s shaking in my arms and it takes everything in me not to hunt the bastard down right now. “I hear their screams in my head sometimes and there’s never anything I can do.”

“Look at me. I’ve got to make some calls and hand over this information so we wipe our hands of them. Go take a shower and I’ll set some clothes out for you to put on.” She nods, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and exhaustion. As she heads towards the bathroom, I feel a surge of determination. This ends now, and no one will hurt her again.

As I hang up the phone, I finally feel a sense of grim satisfaction. Finally, some action. But then, the silent alarm—buried beneath layers of snow—triggers, and I realize we’re no longer alone. Someone has breached the perimeter.

A cold wave of adrenaline rushes through me as I move quickly but silently towards the small panel hidden in the wall. I glance at the screen and see the three flashing red dots moving steadily towards the cabin. Whoever it is, they’re getting closer.

I hear the water shutting off in the bathroom and know Raine is just finishing her shower. There’s no time to lose. I grabmy gun from the drawer and head towards the bathroom door, knocking softly, but urgently.

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