Page 28 of Left in the Dark

But that’s not what happens.

She turns to me, her eyes full of remorse. “I’m sorry, Zayne. I can’t do this anymore.”

My heart feels like it’s plummeting from a cliff. Any moment, it will hit the ground and shatter into a million pieces. My ears buzz like a bomb detonated beside me and clogged them, and I temporarily lose the ability to hear.

I stare at her in disbelief, feeling disconnected from her even though she’s still in my arms. There’s a distance between us I’ve never felt before. It’s fucking terrifying, but I refuse to give in to the fear.

“You don’t mean that, minx. You can’t leave me. Not after all we’ve shared.”

Tears fill her eyes, and I see the silent plea in them. But I don’t know what she’s asking or why she’s apologizing andtelling me she can’t do this anymore. It’s as if the love we share is something she can easily quit, like a board game she grew tired of.

My mind races over everything that has happened between us, reviewing and analyzing every detail, searching for a clue.

The only difference was the text message she sent me earlier. It was short and brisk, unlike the ones I’m used to her sending. When I asked if she was okay, she told me she was spending time with her mom before Callie picked her up to take her to the bonfire.

“Delaney.Get the fuck away from him.” Tim’s loud, demanding tone silences the people talking and laughing around the bonfire.

All eyes are on us now.

I’m enraged at the way he spoke tomygirl. After what he did at the prom, I’ve had it with his shit.

I shove her behind me before tackling Tim. I knock him on the ground, my weight crushing him before I pull my arm back and let my fist fly. I’ve smashed it into his face a good five or six times before Aidan or Daniel grab my arm.

But I shake whoever it is off like they’re a bug. The rage has descended over me, consuming me like the bonfire burning behind me.

All I see is red as I beat the hell out of the bastard who has mistreated my girl, making her feel unsafe. The one who talked to her so disrespectfully tonight, as if she’s his property.

She’s no one’s property. I’ll be damn if I’m going to let some cocky rich motherfucker disrespect her and tell the world she’s his.

She’smine. Every piece of her fucking belongs to me.

Someone hits me, but I barely feel it. The second time his fist hits me in the back, I turn and slam my fist into Aidan’s stomach. He doubles over, gasping for air, before falling to his knees.

I get to my feet, leaving Tim moaning and crying on the sand as Daniel throws a punch. I shake it off, a smile crossing my face. “I let you hit me. Now it’s my turn.”

My next punch packs some serious power. The crunch of the bone breaking in his nose beneath my fist makes me feral, activating the part of me thirsting for blood. The part of me I discovered after being bullied by these rich punks.

But that part is gone. Dead and buried. And in his place is a strong, confident guy who lifts weights daily and knows how to fight.

The rage consumes me, overriding Delaney’s pleas for me to stop. I hear the din of noise of those gathered around the bonfire, some cheering me and some booing. It nearly drowns out Tim and Adian’s whimpers and moans of pain from where they lie on the sand.

“Stop, Zayne.” Her voice sinks through the haze. I look up, my gaze locking with Delaney’s. She stands in front of me, tears streaking her cheeks. She looks so fucking pretty when she cries… but not over these assholes. I want her tears to be from pleasure, not pain.

Delaney sucks in a shaky breath. “Please stop.”

I release Daniel, getting to my feet and stalking toward her. I grab her arms, and she gasps, terror contorting her face. “Minx, what’s wrong? You know I’d never hurt you. Why are you flinching?”

Her eyes search mine before the tension drains from her. We silently stare at one another before my fingers wipe away her tears.

Everything fades away as I lose myself in her green irises. There’s something there I’ve never seen before. Her shoulders slump, and a dejected sigh blows a warm puff of air against my face.

Tearing her gaze away from mine, she looks over my shoulder. Whatever she sees causes her expression to harden.

Her gaze moves back to mine, only this time, it’s devoid of emotion. “I can’t do this anymore, Zayne. T-Tim’s right. S-So is my brother. I-I was going through a phase. Your bad boy nature appalled to my rebellious side.”

“What? Are you fucking kidding me?” I release her, stepping back as her words penetrate my thick skull.

Anger, heavy like the lake waters behind us, rises inside me.

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