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Page 48 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)

Stepping out of Needs for Teens, I unlock my truck.

I prefer my car, but since I needed to pick up parts to help Mrs. Debbie, it would have to do.

Although I like my new truck, I prefer my Nova.

Two men suddenly pin me against the truck, taking me by surprise.

I throw punches at both of them, one after the other.

I know these men—they’re the Underground boss’s second and third in command.

A cold metal gun presses against my head. I freeze as Daniel steps in front.

“Tsk, tsk, Cano. Time’s up.” His lips curl into a smirk. “What’s it going to be? You fight another, let’s say, couple of rounds. You’re my bank, Cano, until I get someone to fill your spot. You’re coming back.”

“Fuck you,” I spit out.

The bastard laughs. He fixes his coat, dusting off unseen dust.

“You don’t own me.” Who in the hell does he think he’s talking to? I’m not one of his goons. He presses the gun harder.

“It’s funny how you think I don’t own you.” He pulls out a photo from his back pocket. My head spins, and I feel the blood leaving my face. “Who’s this beauty you were dancing with, Cano? She seems important to you.”

My face transforms into stone. “No one of importance,” I lie.

Daniel chuckles. “Seems like more to me.” Another photo of me at the café. “I’ll make you a deal. I’ll leave your lady alone, only if you fight for me again. If you win, we are done. If you lose, you will keep fighting for me.”

I’d tell them to pull the trigger if Rainey weren’t in the picture. Being controlled by him or anyone is something I’d rather avoid—even if it means ending up six feet under. I’ll do anything for the woman I love.

“If you don’t oblige, I have some hungry men who’d love to play with her.

” The guy who is holding me down licks his lips.

I wrestle out of his hold to beat the asshole, but he hits me with the butt of the gun on the head.

“Do we have a deal?” He shoves the pictures in my face. “Do we have a deal?” he repeats.

I grind my teeth. “We have a deal. You better not lay a hand on her. Or I will kill you and your men.”

Daniel is in his early thirties and has been known to be ruthless.

When I found out, it was much too late. I was already involved, and the money I was making was what I needed to buy the things I required.

I kept telling myself a little longer until I could buy a house and build a company.

I never thought I would become an asset to his business.

If I’d known it would involve Rainey, I wouldn’t have gotten myself involved.

A humorous laugh escapes them. “It’s funny you think you can. Because I can pull the trigger right now, blow your brains out. Then I’d find that beautiful woman and make her mine.” He bites his lips, and a rage of anger rises.

I shove his two men, and I can outweigh them both. I get in front of Daniel.

“Fuck you! Like I said, if you lay a hand on her, I’ll do something you’ll regret. I don’t mind wearing orange if it involves saving her.” I glare into his ruthless eyes. “I’ll be at the ring.”

He nods. “Good. I’m glad we agreed. I like you, Cano. You have fire under that ass of yours. You can always work for me.”

The fucker doesn’t know I own a company that can shut his organization down. I don’t give a shit what he does. It’s best that I don’t get any deeper in with them. I’ll fight this last fight. I know I’ll win. And cut ties.

I open the door to my truck and slam it in their face. Before I drive off, I ensure they leave and don’t mess with Mrs. Debbie.

Blindsided by Rainey’s beauty at the gala, I had completely forgotten that Daniel was there. It’s better to be safe than sorry. I dial Leo to find a bodyguard to stand outside Rainey’s bakery and follow her everywhere. She’s going to kill me if she finds out.

It’s Monday. I gave Rainey the weekend to cool off. Let’s see how it goes. I nod at Johnny and Gary, the guards she has no idea of. He sits outside, sipping on a cup of coffee. Gary will take the night shift at times.

Opening the door, I say “Good morning,” to Isabella as I maneuver through the women shopping for books.

“ Buenos días ,” Isabella responds, while making a coffee. She grins so wide it’s contagious.

I return it to her. I like her.

“Is Rainey here?” I know she is. I saw her car.

“She is.” She juts her head to the side. “In the back. We have two new employees. She is training them. Rainey should be done. Go ahead back there.”

The scents of baked bread and coffee linger in the air, getting stronger as I walk toward the back.

Her beauty is out of the ordinary. I’m intoxicated by her every move, laugh, smile, intelligence, and strength. Each minute without her is a torturous hell. Rainey stands talking to a woman and a man—her employees. The guy seems more interested in Rainey than in what she’s talking about.

Her head snaps so fast in my direction, I’m afraid she might have gotten whiplash.

Now I’m unsure if the look on her face is “I’m happy to see you” or “I’m going to kill you.

” No shame at all. I gaze at her body, at her gorgeous heart-shaped face.

A heat of lust seeps into my bones. “Good morning, baby.”

Her lips roll into a tight line.

I brush my thumb to her cheek and tuck hair behind her ear. She shivers.

“If you guys could help Isabella out in the front…”

Her employees nod, walking past us and leaving us alone.

“In my office, Max.” Her jaw clenches, probably grinding those perfect, sparkling teeth.

“Sure.” I raise a brow and follow behind her. She slams the door, pops a hip out, and crosses her arms to her chest. “Why, Max? Why didn’t you tell me you own the company? And why in the hell have you been watching? It violates privacy. Surely you know this.”

Instead of paying attention to anything, I possess an eyeful of her curves.

“Don’t tell me you broke into my house and installed micro cameras.”

That would not be a bad idea.

“Max!”

“First of all. You have not asked me anything about my life, Rainey. You won’t give me the time of day.

While I want to know everything about your life, you want nothing to do with mine.

I didn’t know this was your café until Leo showed up with a box of desserts, and I tried them.

I knew right then that they were yours. Yet, I didn’t look at your cameras, and yes, you’re right, it violates privacy.

No system is accessed by me unless we’re given authorization, and I didn’t look until days after the permission was given.

I’ve missed you, sunshine. That’s my reason.

” My voice rumbles deep in my throat, laying out the truth.

She fidgets with her apron. “That’s your reason for watching me on camera? What else did you watch?”

“A very nice show that ended in a cold shower and blue balls,” I lie. My fantasies of her while in the shower had me coming within seconds.

She snorts. “Good.” She shakes her head. “Why miss me when you left me?” Her soft voice almost sounds pleading.

“Because I had to leave. You weren’t ready for me. For us.” I sigh. “I didn’t have a job, money, or a home. I lied. The cabin wasn’t mine. A friend let me crash there.”

“I found out the cabin wasn’t yours, and I didn’t care. I loved you for you, even the parts I didn’t know about you.”

“I had too much baggage.”

“I wanted it,” she whispers.

I take two steps closer. “Wanted. Not anymore?”

Rainey averts her eyes from me and stares at the blank computer screen. “What’s so different about four years ago and now? Why are you trying to pursue me now?” Her beautiful brown doe eyes lock with mine.

It pisses me off that her dad hasn’t shared anything with her. I’m going to have to pay the old bastard a visit. He has a chance before I tell her everything.

“Like I said. I didn’t have anything in my life.

You come from money, Rainey. I didn’t. I’ve worked my ass off these past four years.

I felt like I needed to fit in your circle.

” It’s true. The honorable part of being a man was that I needed to be more than a bum on the streets for her.

“Do you still love me?” I ask again. My heart ricochets against my rib cage.

“Max…” Her voice breaks.

I take another step. We are so close, but not close enough.

“I can’t love you again. Loving you broke me. I won’t allow myself to break again.”

Loving you broke me.

“I won’t break you.”

“I don’t trust you.” Her angry, bitter words cut me to the quick.

I don’t miss how her focus clings to my biceps. Then she stares at my face.

“But you’re still attracted to me?” I feel the space between us, and she takes a step back until she hits the wall. The palm of my hands gently goes on her warm, flushed cheeks. “You still want me. Your body craves me. It’s your heart you’re guarding. I understand.”

Her throat works. Those lips are so perfect and plump. She’s stunning when she blushes. When she studies my mouth, it’s all the indication I need.

My lips brush up against hers, and our breaths mingle.

Rainey’s lips are soft and smooth. I can taste the strawberry gloss on her lips as I swipe my tongue on them.

The pad of my thumb strokes her jawline.

A small moan slips from Rainey. “I missed the taste of your lips,” I tell her, just as my tongue slides in her mouth.

Eagerly, her tongue tangles with mine. Our kisses are driven by hunger, fueled like a wild animal that hasn’t been fed in years.

The familiar taste of her I missed so much makes me feral.

Her hands roam my biceps. She squeezes them desperately.

Gripping her tight ass, I lift her legs, then wrap her legs around my middle.

I moan. Teeth clink. More, I want more. She moans.

Damn, I missed those little noises she would make.

She bites, then sucks on my bottom lip. Sloppy. Desperate.

“Max,” she whimpers, breathless.

My tongue flicks deeper. My hands don’t know where to roam. I want to touch every part of her, but I know she’s not all in, so instead, I hold on to her face and take every passionate kiss she’s giving me.

“Max, oh God.” She pulls away, dropping her legs to the ground. “I want to kiss you over and over. But I can’t.”

She pulls my shirt, and our mouths are back at work. Her hands lock on the back of my neck. Lightning strikes in bolts through my body. I groan when Rainey rubs on me.

She pulls away again, panting, shaking her head. “We can’t. I can’t.” A tear rolls down her cheek. I lean in and kiss it. “But…I feel like I can’t stop. I want to kiss you when I know I shouldn’t.”

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll stop, okay?” I take a step back. “My God, Rainey, you are so fucking gorgeous. You know that?” The last thing I want is for us to go deeper when I know she’d regret it.

Her lips curve into a shy smile. “I don’t see how. I’m wearing an apron, and my hair is in a ponytail. I have flour on my clothes. I’m far from it at this moment.”

“You’re perfect in my eyes.”

She tilts her head solemnly. “It’s you, but not entirely. Something about you is different.”

Taking another step back, I lean on her desk. The chatter from the café had died down. Isabella’s voice sounds from the front, talking to the employees.

“I’m still me. A lot has changed, but nothing major.

What you’re seeing are the layers I’m peeling for you.

I’m laying it out for you. When you’re ready and if you want it.

I’ve never been the type of man to lay anything out for anyone to see who I really am, but with you, I do because I trust you.

I don’t trust easily, so I understand when you say you no longer trust me.

But I want to earn it back.” Leaning off the desk, I take the steps I need to be in her space.

Her eyes soften, following my every move, then land once again on my lips.

“You lost the light in your eyes, you always had. I’ll bring it back and do whatever it takes to do so. ”

The moment of heat is gone when she balls a fist, shoving on my chest to push me back. “What is it you want from me, Max? To hurt me all over again? To walk out on me?”

“I will never hurt you, not intentionally. I’ll never walk out on you because what I want is your love; I want you to tie me down.

Save me from my unhinged ways. Tame me. More than anything, one day, I’d like for you to take my name.

” She goes to stone, and her eyes enlarge.

“From the first time we kissed, I tasted forever on my lips.” I drop a gentle kiss on her cold nose.

“I need to get to work. You know where to find me if you need anything. I’ll see you, tesoro mío . ”

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