Chapter 3

“Why are you running? Where’s my husband?”

The moment they saw the three-liter bottle in my hands, the Lane family lit up with excitement. They snatched it away and started drinking without hesitation.

“I knew it. Our son was right. This woman’s been hiding water!”

Francie grabbed me by the collar.

“I’m asking you. Where’s my husband? You lured him out for hours. What filthy things did you do, huh?”

I watched as they drained the bottle, a faint, unreadable smile curling on my lips.

Francie slapped me hard, her teeth clenched.

“I said stop smiling. Answer me!”

I couldn’t dodge in time and took the blow head-on, my expression darkening.

From behind, someone kicked the back of my knees. I dropped to the ground with a thud.

Hands seized me, wrenching my arms behind my back.

“Talk! Where did you take my son? He left with you!”

When I stayed silent, Jane’s face turned grim as she kicked me again.

“Not talking? Fine. You two. Get over here. Beat it out of her!”

“Wait, I’ll talk!”

Just as I spoke, Brian’s father, David Lane, suddenly leaned forward, sniffing the air.

His expression changed.

“There’s blood in the air.”

The others froze, then swept their flashlights around. When the beam hit the grate, their legs went weak.

“Is… Is that blood?”

“Did she push my son down there?”

Panic spread through the Lane family as they rushed toward the opening, ready to climb down.

Thinking of that severed hand, a chill ran down my spine.

If they found it, I would be finished.

Francie stared at me, her eyes narrowing. She yanked me up and slapped me again.

“You bitch. What are you hiding? What did you do to my husband?”

My heart pounded like it was about to burst out of my chest, but I forced myself to stay calm, spitting out a mouthful of blood as I snapped.

“With a body like mine, what do you think I could possibly do to Brian? You idiots! Can’t you see the blood’s already dried and crusted? How could it be his? Instead of wasting your energy climbing down there, go check the city park!”

Jane slapped her thigh.

“That’s right!”

“Brian just awakened that. What was it? His ability is called Lighting Strike. One hit would’ve killed her!”

“You two, get up here. Let’s head to the city park!”

I let out a quiet breath and edged backward, holding it in.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

The low voice brushed against my ears, and my heart lurched.

David signaled to his nephews, and they quickly tied up my hands and feet.

“She tricked Brian into going to the city park, then came here herself. She’s too scheming. Take her back. We’ll make her talk.”

“You think you can just grab me?”

I struggled violently, shouting in fury, “If Mr. Kane comes tomorrow and can’t find me, he’ll skin every one of you alive!”

“Mr. Kane?”

The Lane family frowned.

“That’s right. He’s the one who left me the water last time he came. He’s a powerful ability user—he can manipulate metal. He runs the next city over. Anyone who crosses him ends up dead.”

I lifted my chin, arrogant and unyielding.

“Don’t believe me? Fine, go ask around. Victor Kane. He’s got a buzz cut and a scar through his brow. See if that sounds familiar.”

The ropes binding me loosened slightly.

“What’s your relationship with him? Why didn’t we know he came here?”

David frowned, suspicion in his eyes.

“Of course I’m his girlfriend.”

I let out a cold, contemptuous snort.

“Does Mr. Kane really need to report his every move to nobodies like you? Now untie me.”

The nephews hesitated, their hands starting to loosen the ropes.

“Wait.”

My heart skipped.

Francie stepped in, stopping them.

“Apple, if you really belong to Mr. Kane, why didn’t you say so earlier? Why were you flirting with my husband? You think he’d allow his woman to cheat on him?”

She stared straight at me.

“You’re lying.”

My mind raced as I lifted my chin and shot back, “Because you’re not good enough for Brian. The lot of you, what makes you so sure I was the one seducing him?

“Maybe you’re just too dull to keep a man, and instead you blame someone younger and prettier. What kind of logic is that?”

“You bitch!”

Francie’s anger flared.

She raised her hand to strike me, then lowered it, her expression turning to mocking contempt.

“I get it now. Mr. Kane’s wife couldn’t tolerate you, could she? That’s why you were so eager to find your next man.

“A cheap slut pretending to be above it all. Who do you think you’re kidding?”

My face flushed red as I snapped back defiantly, “Fine. Then go ahead and take me. When Mr. Kane shows up tomorrow, we’ll see whether he deals with me first, or slices all of you into pieces.”