Page 580 of Rage

Carrying her to the back door, I push it open with my shoulder, the rain immediately drenches us both. We need tomove fast. My gunmetal Ford Mustang Mach 1 is parked in the alley, hidden from view. It would raise questions had I ever parked in the employee parking area. I lay Raine gently in the back seat, her head resting on a makeshift pillow I grab from the front. As I close the door, the sirens are almost on top of us, their flashing lights bouncing off the wet pavement.

I slide into the driver’s seat and start the engine, my heart pounding. This isn’t how I planned for things to go down. Raine’s life is already complicated enough, and now I’ve dragged her into an even darker mess.

The car lurches forward and screeches around the corner, away from the bar. In the rear-view mirror, I see the police pull up to the curb and run inside, followed by an ambulance. They won't find any clues as to where we've gone.

I navigate the slick streets, my mind replaying the events of the night. Jason’s accusations, his threats, and the way Raine looked at me with a mix of fear and anger. She doesn’t trust me, and I can’t blame her. Keeping my cover has come at a cost, and now I need to find a way to make it right. Drugging her definitely didn’t help, but I was out of options and I wasn’t letting Raine out of my sight.

Pulling into a secluded parking lot, I turn off the engine and take a moment to breathe. The rain drums against the roof, a steady reminder of the chaos outside. I check on Raine, her face pale and peaceful in the dim light. She’ll be out for a couple hours, giving me some time to figure out our next move.

My mind shifts to the investigation. Jason’s criminal activities run deep, and bringing him down requires more than just evidence—it requires careful planning and a lot of luck. I’ve been gathering information, slowly piecing together the puzzle, but tonight’s events have accelerated the timeline.

We can’t stay in the open. Too many eyes, too many risks. I need a safe house, a place where I can keep Raine protectedwhile I sort this mess out. My contacts might have a location, but reaching out to them now could blow my cover entirely. Trust is a double-edged sword in this world, and I’ve learned to wield it carefully.

I pull back onto the highway, heading toward the outskirts of town and beyond, where the city lights fade and the wilderness takes over. I know exactly where we’re going—a small cabin I own, tucked away in the mountains. It’s remote, surrounded by a dense forest with thick snow. It’s the perfect place to lay low and keep Raine safe, even if she may not see it that way.

The drive is long and treacherous, the snow growing thicker as we climb higher into the mountains. The darkness is complete, broken only by the car’s headlights cutting through the swirling snowflakes. I keep a steady pace, careful not to lose control on the icy roads.

Finally, the cabin comes into view, a lone structure against the backdrop of towering pines and snow-covered ground. With a screech of tires on the icy driveway, I pull up to the front, and let out a breath. This is it—our safe haven, for now.

I put the car in park, the engine humming to a stop as I scan the quiet surroundings. The moonlight glistens on the fresh snow, making everything appear ethereal, yet I know the darkness lurking outside requires constant vigilance.

I step out into the biting cold, my breath fogging the air as I hurry back to the rear door to Raine. I carefully lift her out, cradling her against my chest like fragile glass, her body small against my large frame. I feel her stir slightly, her head resting on my shoulder, the warmth of her skin igniting a fierce protectiveness in me.

I carry her inside, the cabin’s little heat still contrasts sharply with the freezing night outside. The familiar scent of cedar and the faint smell of woodsmoke greet me like an old friend. The cabin is small, but I’ve kept it well-equipped. Tucked away inthe corners are enough supplies to last us a few weeks, and the fireplace promises warmth against the cold isolation.

I lay Raine gently on the couch, covering her with a thick blanket. She snuggles into the plush fabric, a soft moan escaping her lips, and my mind begins to spiral.

Fuck! Focus, Rhodes.

The sweet noise makes my cock stir to life, and I try to force my mind to think about anything other than her perfect, plump lips wrapped around me as I fuck her face hard and fast. I can picture her dark blue eyes watering as she looks up at me, glistening with pleasure, and my frustration peaks.

Get it together, Rhodes. This investigation has to take precedence over everything, especially the woman on the couch. Even if she’s the most gorgeous creature I’ve ever seen.

I need to be smart about this—about Raine. Not just because of how she affects me, but because of the shadows that loom just beyond the veil of safety we've found.

An icy current flows through me as Jason’s words echo in my mind. His threats, each like a throbbing nail. I have to protect her from him.

I press the button beside the mantle, and a fire roars to life, the flames crackling as they cast a soft glow over the rustic furniture.

Moving to the window, I peer out at the endless expanse of snow. There’s no way she can escape from here, not in these conditions. For now, she’s safe, and that’s all that matters.

Turning slowly back to Raine, I sit beside her, watching the rise and fall of her chest. A sudden flash draws my attention—a phone dings, making my heart accelerate because mine always remains on silent.

The outline shines in her pocket, and I slide it out quickly. I know I need to destroy anything that could possibly lead threatshere, but before I smash it, an odd text catches my eye. Curiosity outweighs precaution as I swipe open the message.

Sperm Donor:You fucking worthless bitch. I knew you couldn’t keep your mouth shut. Go ahead and run. I’ll find you and this time, the only thing you’ll be begging for is death just like she did. Goodnight,Rainebow.

My blood runs cold, and my jaw tenses.

What the absolute fuck did I just read?

How long has this bastard been harassing her?

And why is she keeping this a secret?

Anger surges through me like a raging tide.

Scraps of the puzzle start connecting in my mind. The accomplice I’ve been searching for must be her father. He must be the one pulling all the strings, leaving Jason to do his dirty work.

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