Page 10 of Unbreakable Thread

“Fuck, Max, why are you so hard to reach?”

I sigh into the phone at Carlos. Nothing new. He’s pissed. “I was a little busy hitting the bag and training.”

“Why not come to the gym? We have a lot of work to do. You’re fucking up, man. Time’s ticking.”

“I can’t leave her.”

He cuts me off. “Max, she can come here or hang out with Vanessa at the house.”

“It’s not that simple.” Well, at least to me it’s not. He didn’t have to go through Nessa being abducted. I had to see Rainey’s life flash before my eyes twice. I saw her heart rate fading… I almost lost her.

“Sure it is. Nothing is going to happen to her if she’s in the gym with you.”

“She’s going through a lot. She doesn’t need to see violence. I don’t need anything triggering her. I’m training at home.”

“I understand, Max. I can have Vanessa take her shopping, or maybe they can do some girl shit at home.” He sighs, clearly frustrated with me. “You have worked hard to get here. I don’t want you to miss your chance.” The click and clink of the pistachios against the glass jar fill the quiet space between us.

After a long pause, I respond. “It’s no longer my priority. She is, and if I have to give it up to keep my woman safe, I’ll do it.”

Soft hands wrap around my waist, spinning me around to face her.

Fuck, how much did she hear?

“I’ll call you back, Carlos.” I click the line before he responds and give my attention to my girl, who’s frowning at me and a little pissed. Her hair is damp, and she’s changed into black shorts and a white tank top.

“How was your swim?” I ask, running my fingers through her hair.

“You.” She points. “Are. Not. Leaving. Boxing.” She drops her hands. “Do you hear me?”

“How much did you hear?”

“Enough, Max!” she shouts. “Enough to know you haven’t been training, going to your own job, not leaving the house. You’re gone for only three hours, only because you’re at my café. You’ve kept me cooped up in the house. You love boxing.”

Gingerly, I cradle her face. “I love you.”

“And I love you, honey. You’re allowed to love the sport. You live and breathe boxing.” She releases my hands from her face. “Why did you say you can’t leave me so you can train? I don’t need a babysitter, Max.”

Rainey will not be happy that I hired Johnny and Gary again.

“You’re still healing, sunshine. I just can’t leave you.” How do I tell her I’m scared of her dying on me when I’m not there to save her? I lost my mom, and my dad is MIA. I don’t know where he ran off to.

“What is it? What are you not telling me?”

I close my eyes when her hands rub the side of my face, framing it. Damn, do I love her touch.

“Is Daniel still after us? Me?”

“No, he’s not. I squared things off with him. I met with him while you were at the hospital, and I let him know we didn’t rat him out.”

A loud exhale leaves her lips. “Well, that’s good to hear. He reminds me of a Doberman with a pinch of golden retriever in him. He’s a cruel son of a bitch, but there’s a possibility of him having a soft side.”

My brows compress. “Did you develop Stockholm syndrome? Do you have a soft spot for him? Did you two have dinner together?” I’m confused. How in the hell would that man have a soft spot?

“Oh god, Max, now you’re being ridiculous. I’m just saying it could have been worse; he could have let his men…touch me, but he didn’t. He said he doesn’t allow his men to hurt women and children. For some reason, he has a soft spot for you.” Her head tilts to the side, and her arms cross over her chest. “We are getting off track, Max, so tell me, why can’t you leave me alone so you can do your normal routine?”

I rake my fingers through my damp hair, looking away from her. “I can’t shake this fear,” I whisper, the words barely audible, even to myself. “That someone might steal you away again, that they’ll hurt you. These memories—they don’t fade. They play on repeat, like they’re happening all over again.”

Rainey’s head drops, staring at her feet. “At the foster home, when I hit my head…does that still give you flashbacks?”