Page 174 of Invisible String
“I’m not involved in his mess,” I tell him. “Please let me go.”
He shakes his head. “Not happening. Until I have the money in my hands, I’ll keep my word.” He opens the door. “I’ll have one of my men bring you water and lunch. It’s past noon.” Then he slams the door, twisting the lock.
Past noon, I was knocked out for a while. Fear I’ve never felt festers in me like fungus eating at me. What if the amount my dad owes is too much? What if he doesn’t give a shit? These men are dangerous. Never let a man’s appearance sweep you away. Daniel looks like a man a woman would fall for and beg to sleep with. Then they’d find out they’re sleeping with the devil. I can’t imagine a man like that would have a sweet side.
It’s been two days,and I’m still fucking here. Assholes have dropped meals off. It’s no fancy meal. A sandwich with chips. I’m bone tired. All I think about is Max and my new screwed up life. I’m too exhausted to think straight. Although I’m alone in my own head, all I do is think.
If my parents had been honest from the day they took me in, maybe life would have been different. That’s not the case now. I’m seeing who Rowan truly is: a thief, a coward, a murderer, a dirty attorney, and a cheat. Daniel, being the asshole that he is, dropped off photos for me to see of my dad and his bitch ex-secretary. I thought he stopped seeing her, but apparently, he never gave a damn about my mother, only himself. Honestly, I doubt I’ll get out of here. Rowan would rather keep his money than save a daughter who’s not his blood. If I do get out, it will be because Max is tearing down the world in search of me. I know he will.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
MAX
Time stands still. It’s like I lost my way of breathing without my sunshine. Waking up to her not beside me sets off alarms that ring in my head. It’s unlike Rainey to leave without telling me. I waited after I called her several times, and it led me right to voicemail. I drove around town, searching for her. Then Justin called and said Rainey was leaving and needed some time away to think. I’d give her space if she needed it, but leaving without telling me has ripped me to shreds. I understand she’s going through a lot. A part of me feels responsible.
It was either walk away from her or tell her the truth. I’m a selfish man. I can’t walk away from her, but we can work through it. Last night was overwhelming for her, a long damn day. I knew when I told her the truth, she would want to walk away. I wanted her to fall in love with me again because she needed to see that we have always been made for each other. Deep down, she’s always known it. As sappy as it sounds, her heart has always stirred her in my direction, and vice versa.
“This is Rainey. Leave a message.”
Damnit. I slam the phone down. “Fuck,” I curse, pulling on my hair. Two days. “Baby, where are you?” I just needed to knowshe’s okay. Johnny has been searching for her. Justin’s getting worried. She’s not picking up his calls. I called Lana as well, and nothing.
Anxiety pierces my skin.What if Daniel has her?
I’ve been checking security cameras since the day she left to get an idea of her direction. It’s a little difficult because not everyone uses my business. Extending the search distance, I check twenty minutes out at as many stores as possible. Zooming into the parking lot, I notice Rainey’s car. She’s on the phone. A black SUV drives up behind her. The second she gets out, a man grabs her.
A boiling rage surges within me as I watch the scene unfold. She fights back fiercely, her legs kicking and fists flying, though he towers over her with a menacing presence. He’s about to shove her into the back of the SUV when his fist collides with the side of her head. Her head snaps to the side, striking the metal frame of the vehicle with a dull thud.
He has her.
Fuck.
“Why hasn’t he called me?” I mumble to no one. I retrieve my handgun from my safe in my office at home and call Johnny.
“Hey, I found her car. She was at a pharmacy when Daniel’s men took her. That motherfucker has her. He had better not lay a hand on her.” My heart thuds, and worry wraps around the pit of my stomach.
“Has he tried getting a hold of you?”
“No,” I say, shoving the gun in the back of my jeans.
“Should we call the police?”
“I’m going to the warehouse, guns blazing. Call the police if you don’t hear from me. I got her into this mess. I’m getting her back.”
“Max, we need to call the police. They’ll kill you on the spot. These men hunt to kill.”
I know they will. I’m no pussy. Like I said so many times, I’ll tear the world apart until I get to her. I’ll give my life for her.
Always for my girl.
“Fuck, you stubborn ass. I’ll meet you at the warehouse, but I doubt she’s there. He wouldn’t hide her there.”
No, he wouldn’t, but I don’t know where his other locations are or where he lives. Once I get there, they will contact him.
As the carrolls into the warehouse’s vacant parking lot, the gravel crunches beneath the tires. Above, the street lights buzz and flicker sporadically, casting eerie shadows that dance across the cracked asphalt. The place comes to life in the next two hours. The Underground is where fighters and spectators lose their shit, where you let loose.
Johnny drives up next to me. Another guy is with him.
My blood boils with rage like a storm brewing in me. I am ready to unleash.
