Page 97 of The Innovator

The small tunnel came to an opening that was blocked by a box. I assumed it was another cardboard box, similar to the ones I’d removed earlier. Voices echoed in the distance, but then I heard footsteps nearby. Icurled my fingers, stopping myself from pushing at the box that separated me from freedom.

What if Paul or another criminal was on the other side?

I had to wait until I couldn’t hear any more footsteps before pushing my way out.

CHAPTERFIFTY

GRAYSON

With adrenaline pumping through my blood and fear gripping my heart, I made my way to the back of The Prism and found a door with a busted doorknob. Could it be my luck? This was looking more like a trap, but I couldn’t dismiss my only chance of rescuing Natalie. If she was here, I’d be here.

Who had broken the doorknob? Was there another intruder already inside?

Regardless, I wasn’t going to leave without her. With caution, I pulled out my gun, cocked it, aiming downward as I yanked the door open and entered.

A dark hallway greeted me, and I turned on my phone flashlight, illuminating my path. I walked down the hallway, making my way to the main hall. From the blueprint I received, I knew the underground layout of the building. Who had created these passageways? For what purpose?

The blueprint showed hidden rooms and tunnels built into this building, making it even more invaluable than I initially thought. Perhaps this was the reason Natalie’s father had purchased it. The property was supposed to be empty, but apparently someone had broken in, occupying the space.

I crept quietly down another hallway and found a maintenance storage room that had several metal racks of tools and supplies. Cobwebs stretched across the racks. My heart pounded as I imagined what Natalie was going through. Was she safe? Had they hurt her?

Anger boiled in me. I’d kill every last one of them for touching her.

I should have reported this recent development to the authorities, but I didn’t trust them. The crime organization had infiltrated the government, even the City of Providence. Whoever had sent the text probably knew that as well. I could have asked one of my boys to accompany me, but if this was a trap, I didn’t want them to go down with me. Remi had Audri to worry about, and Royce had Michelle. They were family to me.

A wooden display of paper towels and tissue boxes sat too far from the wall. I pushed it aside and discovered a door that led me down a stairwell with one dangling light bulb.

Holy shit.

I came to a wide passageway that could fit a truck. Most of it was made of dirt, but portions of it were made of brick and concrete. Gravel covered the ground, and unlit sconces were fixed to the ceilings. I searched for footprints and found none. The dampness and darkness made for an uncomfortable atmosphere.

Was she in the dark?Fuck.She’d been doing so well with her fear.I prayed she was okay.

As I moved cautiously, I studied the structure of the tunnel. What did they use this tunnel for? Where did it lead?

A memory surfaced. Derek had mentioned a tunnel that connected to the crime organization. Was this it?

I’d figure that out later. Time was of the essence right now. Voices rose in the distance, and I leaned my back against the wall, trying to listen. I couldn’t tell what they were saying. It sounded like an argument.

Was Natalie there?

Making my way toward the sounds, I stayed close to the wall, searching for any hidden cameras. I stopped in my steps for a few moments, trying to listen to any sounds that could lead me to Natalie.

I was about to move ahead when a nearby scraping sound caught my attention. I turned to the right, and the flashlight revealed boxes on the ground. Several boxes thudded aside, and a woman crawled out from behind them. A light dangled around her neck, swaying back and forth. Hope erupted in my chest, and I rushed over to my girl.

I wrapped my arms around her. “Buttercup, you okay?”

“Grayson?” She touched my face. “I’m not hallucinating, am I?”

“No. You’re not. It’s me.” She looked fragile and frightened.

A loud scream erupted somewhere down the hallway.

“There are other women trapped here.”

Something exploded, and dirt rained down on us.

“Let’s get you out of here first.” I wrapped an arm around her, guiding her back to where I had come from.

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