Page 173 of Invisible String
“Max must like them spicy.” He laughs. “I’d gladly fuck you. If you weren’t my captive.”
My lip lifts in disgust.
“Max, fought for you. He kept his part of the deal. And you played dirty.” I know I should keep my mouth shut.
“I play dirty. I’m not a good man. My rules. I do what I fucking want. I run the damn city.” His knuckle rapped the table. “You’re not here because of Max. I kept my word to him. You’re here because of Rowan.”
My eyes widen. What does my dad have to do with these people?
He sees the surprise on my face. His lips lift. “I didn’t know Rowan was your father. Until I saw you two at dinner. My bad, I didn’t do my research ahead of time. My men didn’t do their job like I asked them to.” Anger has its lip curl. “I know about Justin.”
“Adopted father,” I blurt out and press my lips together.
He runs his finger on his chin. “Adopted?” He shrugs, like he couldn’t give two shits. “Either fucking way, the shithead owes me money.”
“I don’t know a damn thing he does. This has nothing to do with me. Please let me go.”
The man pulls out his phone from his pocket nonchalantly.
“Where am I?” I swallow at his intense stare.
“The basement where I kill those who betray me.”
This place gives me the creeps. How many people has he killed here? I wonder. Forget it, I don’t want to know.
“Rowan, I’ve been a patient man.” The phone is on speaker.
“Daniel.”
It is the leader, or whatever you call it.
“I’m getting you the money.” Dad’s voice is anything but calm, with fear lacing his words I’ve never heard from him.
“Too late. I have your daughter… Say hi, Rainey.”
“Dad, what is going on?” I shout.
“Let her go.”
Daniel laughs, taking steps toward me. His thumb brushes my cheek. “She’s a beauty, Rowan.”
Fear and disgust crawl on my skin.
“If I don’t get the money, I’ll keep her as collateral and make her my wife.” He winks.
“I’ll get you the money. Just let her go.”
“I will, but not until I have the money in my hands.”
Daniel clicks the line, then he steps back. “Max knows how to pick them.”
I ignore his comment. “What did my dad do? Is it gambling?” What else can it be?
He folds his arms to his chest and leans against the wall. “He’s an attorney. I get rid of or scare witnesses, so he wins his cases. He pays me, and I get away with the shit I do. The cops turn a blind eye.”
What a scheming sack of shit. That’s how he made his way to the top.
Max must be looking for me. My stomach tightens, and my heart aches.
