Logan - Lane Hart Page 0,2

you get back, we’ll sit down and talk more about your path to partnership.”

“Great,” I reply with a nod and a smile to hide my annoyance. While making partner is my ultimate goal, I can’t believe the man doesn’t seem more upset about the situation with his daughter.

After I grab my briefcase from my office, I take the elevator down to the parking garage and call Page back.

There are several coughs in my ear before she says, “Logan?”

“Looks like I’m going on vacay,” I tell her.

“Yay! Thanks, Logie!

“Yeah, yeah. You owe me!” I tell her. “I’m talking…well, I don’t know what I want from you yet. I’ll have to think it over and make it good.”

“Anything,” she says. “You know my husband is loaded, right?”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Good, ’cause I’m sending you the bill for this little trip,” I tease. “Chambers doesn’t seem too thrilled I brought it up to him, but he did say he’ll be willing to talk to me about the partnership track when I get back.”

“See, totally worth the headache. I’ll send you all the information Sadie has for Brayden.”

“Sounds good. And tell my nephew his favorite uncle said hello,” I tell Page.

“Don’t let Jude hear you say that!” Page laughs, which turns into a hacking cough, making me feel terrible.

“Get better, Page,” I say to her, then hang up so that she can catch her breath.

It looks like my boring day filled with legal research is turning out to be a little more exciting than I expected.

Chapter Two

Brayden Chambers

My legs went numb hours, maybe days ago. It’s hard to figure how much time has passed since I’ve been in a constant state of darkness ever since the two police officers tossed me in here. Thankfully, they haven’t been back.

And while it’s so dark I can’t exactly see how dirty the small, cramped space is, my imagination has been running away from me just based on the gag-worthy smells of urine and vomit.

I don’t dare try to stretch my legs out on the disgusting concrete floor to get my circulation back. It’s bad enough that the bottom of my dress is touching the filthy surface.

My stomach gave up the good fight and stopped growling when it became obvious that there was no food available. On the other hand, if someone doesn’t bring me some water soon, this hellhole may be the last place my ass ever sits. I try to wet my lips, but they’re so dry and cracked that it hurts to even touch them. But I won’t cry out for help no matter how bad things get.

I have my pride, if nothing else. The asshole tried to take that from me too, but he can’t have it. It’s all I have left. Besides, yelling and crying wouldn’t do me any good in here.

Perhaps dying wouldn’t be the worst way to go right now if it means no more of that controlling son of a bitch telling me what to do, constantly watching my every move and interfering in my life.

I’m not sure what I did to deserve to be treated in such a shitty way by a man; but after five years, I’ve become fully aware of the fact that there is no respite from him. Ever.

For as long as I’m alive, he’s going to make my life hell. That’s what he apparently gets off on.

So, with my arms wrapped around my raised knees, I rest my chin on top of them and close my eyes to dream myself into a better place, one where the devil doesn’t exist. It’s the only thing I can do for now.

“Open the door!”

The masculine words, the first ones I’ve heard in English since I’ve been here, make my eyes fly open.

Another voice responds to him in Spanish saying something I can’t understand.

“Open…abre…ah, la puerta! Now! Ahora!” the American man shouts, struggling with his translation but also sounding determined.

His demand must work because I hear the clatter of keys. When the door opens, the light shining into my small room is blinding, so I put my hands in front of my face to try and block it.

While my still squinting eyes can’t make out any faces, I do hear the American curse under his breath. A shadow of one of the men falls on me. Then, he’s lifting me off the ground gently with his arms under my legs and back. I’m too weak to even try to fight him. For all I know he could