I sighed, leaning back in my chair. It creaked alarmingly, and I straightened quickly. “The worst part is River and I never signed the paperwork to cancel the lease.”
Girdy lifted her brows. “That’s the worst part in your mind?”
I smiled sheepishly. “I guess not. But what happens now? Am I forever locked in that lease because we didn’t both sign the lease surrender paperwork?”
“If River is mentally ill, wouldn’t the contract be void?”
“God, I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to my lawyer.”
“Yes.” She sighed. “I still can’t believe any of this has happened. I mean, I knew River was a snake, but I didn’t think he’d ever actually do anything to you.”
“Me neither,” I murmured.
“You said River drugged you. What happened after that? How did you end up in a sinkhole?”
I shivered. “He took me to some house out in the desert. He chained me to the bed and threatened me with a gun.”
“What in the world?” She bugged her eyes. “He had agun?”
I nodded. “He wanted me to confess to screwing up his sister’s operation. When I wouldn’t do that, he threatened to kill me.” I stopped talking as memories washed over me. The fear of dying in that grungy little room came back, and I gritted my teeth against the anger and terror I’d felt.
“I… I can’t believe he threatened to kill you.”
I blew out a shaky breath. “He did.”
“How did you end up in that sinkhole?”
Grimacing, I said, “He got distracted when he got a phone call. I believe it was from Lucas.”
Girdy widened her eyes. “Lucas? Was he in on this too?”
“I don’t know. I… I didn’t ever see him. River didn’t look happy when Lucas called either.”
“My God, Max.” Girdy gritted her teeth. “You must have been terrified.”
“I was. That’s why I made a break for it. I managed to get the chain off my leg, and I got out the window. But it was nighttime, and I had no idea where I was.” I raked a shaky hand through my hair. “I ran. I just ran as fast as I could.”
“How did you fall into that hole?”
“I don’t really even know. I… I just did. The ground simply opened up, and I was trapped in that disgusting pit.” I shuddered.
“You must’ve been terrified.”
Swallowing hard, I whispered, “To be honest, I thought it was the end.”
Girdy reached out and squeezed my arm. “Oh, Maxwell, I’m so sorry.”
While I didn’t want her to pity me, she was so sincerely concerned, her comforting me felt all right. Girdy was a warm, caring person, and that came through in her gentle touch and troubled gaze.
My throat had a lump in it, but I managed, “It’s fine. I’m fine.”
She nodded. “Yes. Thank goodness.”
“When it started raining at one point, I thought I was done for,” I murmured. “But by some miracle… here I am.”
“Thank goodness. Royce was a wreck. I… I’ve never seen him so panicked.” Girdy grimaced. “He was determined to find you.”
“Yes. I owe my life to Royce, yet again.” It seemed Royce was forever saving me from things. “I feel stupid for falling for River’s kumbaya act. I should’ve known he had something up his sleeve. After he madethat crack about Lucinda at Janelle’s wedding, I should’ve realized things had changed with him.”
