Page 52 of Left in the Dark

“Like hell, asshole.” My dad’s voice says before he rips the pipe from Daniel’s hand. He swings, the metal pipe hitting Daniel square over the head, knocking him to the ground.

I’m climbing to my feet when I hear the commotion.

“Police.”

My dad freezes, still holding the pipe. Footsteps run toward us, and as I straighten, I see guns pointed at my dad and me. We exchange a look before he drops the pipe and puts his hand in the air.

Dread fills me when I hear Richard Warner’s smug voice ringing through the quiet night air. “Well, well, well. What dowe have here? Gabe Morine with a pipe in his hand, beating on three kids, including my son.”

Richard steps closer, his gaze roaming over my face before he looks at my dad, disgust curling his lip. “Arrest him.”

The cops ignore me, swarming my father and dragging him to the ground.

“Stop. He didn’t do anything.”

“Didn’t do anything?” Richard cackles, getting in my face. “I beg to differ. I saw him swing the pipe and hit my son over the head with my own fucking eyes. As did the fine boys in uniform.”

My mind whirls as I look down at my father, who now has handcuffs on his wrists and is being read his rights as they drag him to his feet.

“I’ll personally ensure your father goes down for this, Zayne.” The arrogant smile on his lips causes my hands to clench into fists. His gaze lowers to them before lifting back to mine. “I’d refrain from doing that. Hitting the DA will ensure you’re in a cell beside your father. Who will take care of your mom and that piece of shit brother of yours once he’s out of rehab?”

My nostrils flare as I stare him down. My wrath circles me like a category-five hurricane. “This isn’t over,Dick. Mark my words. You’ll pay for this.”

Richard throws his head back, his vile laughter raising the hair on my arms. “I’d like to see you try, Zayne.”

He strides away, bending over his son lying on the ground. I hear him direct the cops to call an ambulance before he barks orders at the cops as they lead my father toward the police cars.

I’m in shock as I take two steps after them.

My dad looks at me over his shoulder, his eyes pleading. “Take care of your mom. I’ll be okay.”

Then he’s gone as they push him into one of the cars.

I head toward my truck, fishing my phone from my pocket as I go. Dread fills my heart as I lift it to my ear, calling my mom.

I’m a dumb motherfucker. This was a goddamn setup. Richard Warner intends to take my dad down for assaulting his son.

CHAPTER 33

Zayne

It’s been an exhausting couple of weeks, and I still haven’t recovered.

My father was in jail for forty-eight hours while waiting for bail to be set. We didn’t have that kind of money, so my mom and I had to work with a bail bond company to post a property bond, using the bar as collateral since we rent our mobile home.

Other conditions of my father’s bond include staying away from Richard, Daniel, Tim, and Aidan. He’s not allowed to drink alcohol, which isn’t a problem since my dad rarely drinks.

Trial dates have been set. An attorney has been appointed, but I’m concerned he’s one of Richard’s minions and won’t represent my dad fairly.

A long sigh spills from my lips as I help him prepare to open the bar.

“Have you heard from Delaney?” My dad’s eyes burn into my profile while I busy myself, pretending to be unaffected. But the tense set of my posture gives me away.

I stifle a yawn, shaking my head. I’ve barely been sleeping, spending most of the night awake with my racing thoughts, worrying about Delaney and my dad.

“I don’t know what to think. Part of me believes someone beat the hell out of her, and she ran off with her friend because she was scared. The other part hopes she wasn’t in on this.”

My heart plummets to my feet, knocking the breath from my lungs. “What do you mean?”

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