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Page 86 of Invisible String (The Underground #1)

RAINEY

T he sun has just risen. It feels as though I slept twelve hours, but looking at the clock, I find I only slept four hours.

It’s close to five in the morning. Max is sleeping soundly.

Daisy is snoring on his foot. Quietly, I slide out of bed, praying I don’t wake them up. I tiptoe into the restroom to shower.

Max is still asleep when I get out. I shoot Isabella a quick text that I’ll be out for a couple of days. She sends me a text and asks how I’m doing. She said Max told her what had happened when he was looking for me.

Once I’m dressed, I lean in to kiss him on the cheek softly. He must be tired. He doesn’t move. Yesterday was a long day for him as well. “I love you,” I whisper. “I just need a few days to clear my head on an open road.”

If he wakes, he won’t let me go alone. He’ll be worried. I need this. No, Johnny following me. Just me.

On the way to the pharmacy, I call my brother, who left many messages.

“Rainey. Damnit, I’ve been so worried.”

“I’m okay, I guess.” I stay quiet, unsure of what to say. He’s known.

He sighs. “I love you so much, baby sister. You know that. Nothing changes. I’m sorry Dad wouldn’t let me tell you.”

“Do you remember when you first saw me?”

“I do, I was excited. You were quiet. All Dad told me at first was that you had amnesia, and it would be safer to never mention it to you. He pulled out photo albums and started showing you pictures of some kid. I even thought it was fucked up. Mom also agreed. They said it would be for the best if you never remembered your old life. They had wanted to adopt. I had heard them talking about it once. That’s why I agreed at the time. ”

“It wasn’t their decision to make. Sure, I was young, but fuck them for not telling me at the right age. Dad always wants control. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate they gave me a good life, and I have you and Beth.”

“I know. I’ve been telling him for fucking years. Mom even told him before she passed. He kept insisting that we not tell you. I think Mom and Dad talked about a lot behind closed doors.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. I love my mom. I’m lucky I’ve had two sets of parents.

“It’s all so fucked up. Did you know about Max?”

He takes a deep breath. “I did, but when you were in high school, Dad told me he wasn’t a good kid. He said he had to get rid of him.”

He sent him to another home.

“God, just… I hate him for what he did.”

“I know. Mom is the one who told me he was at the cabin with you. She was so happy that she said it was fate. You know, Mom’s always championed true love.

But I didn’t know Dad had shown up. I was pissed when he mentioned he tried to pay Max off.

We got into a big argument. I told him to let it be.

Then he was worried because of all the lies.

He made up stories of your childhood.” He sighs.

“Dad is all about the wealthy staying with the upper class. He has fucking issues, considering he didn’t come from money.

Mom was the one with money. Grandpa, Mom’s dad, paid for him to attend law school. ”

I never knew Grandpa paid for his schooling.

“Oh, I guess there’s a lot I don’t know.”

“Grandpa is the one who told me. I think Grandpa made him that way, putting him down and making him go to school. He probably felt he wasn’t good enough for Mom. That’s why I think it’s strange for Dad to judge Max. Now Max has money. He worked his ass off to keep you.”

Tears slide down my cheek.

“Once he goes pro and gets popular, money will be rolling in from every corner, leaving Dad with his fucking mouth unhinged.” I take a deep breath. “I’m so angry at Mom and Dad. I’m sad for not remembering my parents passed and the boy whom I feel for.”

“I know, baby sis. I’m here for you. Always. You know, not to get sappy, but what you two have is special.”

“Yeah, I know.” I close my eyes. “I’m going to drive somewhere, anywhere, to get away. If Max calls, tell him I love him. I don’t know how much, but I need time alone.”

“Rainey, I understand, but at least bring a friend. Or visit Bethany.”

“I need this. Okay. I’ll be fine. I’ll have my phone open.”

Justin sighs again. I can just see the scowl on his face. “Alright.”

“Talk to you later. We need to sit and visit soon.”

We hang up, and I park at the pharmacy to get the pill. Hooking my purse on my shoulder, I step out of my car.

A rough hand clamps over my mouth, silencing any chance of a scream. “Make noise, and I’ll slit your throat, bitch,” he snarls, his voice a menacing growl.

Fear courses through me like ice, but defiance ignites my veins.

To hell with them. I thrash with all my strength, kicking wildly and snapping my teeth, desperate to sink them into his flesh.

A man emerges from a looming black SUV, his presence as ominous as the vehicle itself.

He steps aside with a cold, practiced ease as the brute holding me captive hurls me into the car, the world spinning into chaos around me.

“Let me go.”

Smack.

My head hits the window, and a wet rag covers my mouth as I drift into a dark place.

Drip…drip…drip…drip.

I groan. My head is throbbing. Slowly, I open my eyes. The light flickers from a small window. I try to steady myself, to stand off the floor, but I’m cuffed to a chair.

Drip…drip…drip.

A heavy blanket of anxiety presses down on my chest, making each breath feel labored and shallow.

My eyes dart nervously in every direction, seeking familiarity or comfort, but finding none.

The room is meticulously tidy, almost unnaturally so, with every surface spotless and every item in its place, creating an eerie sense of sterility.

The low ceiling and dim lighting confirm that it’s a basement, the kind where shadows cling to the corners and silence amplifies the pounding of my heart.

Chills crawl on my skin.

A leaking faucet, chairs, and a table are all I see. God, is this where they kill people?

The men threatening Max finally caught me. I yank on the chair over and over. It doesn’t move. Of course, it’s not moving. They wouldn’t make it that easy. It’s cemented to the floor.

Damnit.

Tears sting my eyes. I brush them away quickly. I can’t show weakness.

Keys rattle the door. With every fiber of my being, I try to keep my heart from giving out on me.

A man steps in wearing a crisp black suit. He looks to be in his late twenties or early thirties. Dark as night hair. Gold, clean skin. I would say he’s handsome if he weren’t the villain wanting to kill me.

His lips curve. “Rainey, you’re awake.”

My body trembles, I grip my thighs, holding myself together. The cold concrete floor adds to my shivering.

“Max’s woman… He’s a skilled fighter.”

I say nothing.

“Sorry about the head. I don’t allow my men to hit women. He’s been dealt with.” He must be Daniel.

With my free hand, I tentatively reach up and touch the area where I feel a dampness spreading across my skin.

As my fingers come away, I see a smear of crimson staining them.

It’s not much, just a thin trickle, but it still sends a jolt of alarm through me.

He stands there, his gaze fixed on me with a smug expectation, as if waiting for gratitude for whatever he thinks he’s done.

“Let me go,” I murmur.

He laughs, a cruel, malicious one. “Let you go? Not yet.” His dark eyes trail down my body as I avert my gaze elsewhere. “Or I can make a deal and keep you. I’ve been told I need a wife.”

My head snaps toward him. “Fuck you,” I spit out.

“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.

“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.

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