Page 70 of Left in the Dark

I’d seen bruises on Delaney, but she always had valid reasons for them. Or so I thought.

“Zayne. Stop.” Jaxson’s hand is on my shoulder. “I’m sure Delaney gave you reasonable explanations for her injuries. Why would you question her?” He squeezes before letting go.

“She’s been beaten when she came into my father’s bar. Although I didn’t see her, Ian did.” I swallow hard, heaving out a breath as a new culprit swirls inside my mind. “What if it was Richard?”

“It could’ve been Richard. Or her brother. Or even that guy her dad wanted her with. What was his?—"

“Tim.” I practically snarl his name, still hating that bastard’s guts. “Hell, it could be any of them.”

“Or all of them.”

“Jesus.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Not helping.”

“I’m giving you a reality check. Whatever happened between you and her… she may have tried to protect you. To spare you from this. It explains why she kept it a secret, knowing you’d do something fucking stupid…” He glares at me. “The things you overheard in the hospital… Delaney’s deep-seated hatred for her father….”

“It all makes sense. A sick kind of sense.”

“The question is, what are you gonna do now?”

I tilt my head back, staring at the inky black sky.

When I lean my head forward, my eyes snag his. “She’s in danger. There’s no fucking way I’m letting him—or anyone else—hurt her.”

“Sounds like you still care for her.” Luca comes up to us, no longer wearing his hat. “She needs you, Zayne.”

“You can’t go off half-cocked.” Jaxson looks at me beneath lowered brows, his severe expression illuminated by the lights behind him. “You know damn well Richard knows she’s here.”

“Yeah, they got into it at the hospital on Sunday. She tried visiting her mom after they left, and…” my voice trails off.

Shit.I close my eyes, but not before noticing the smirk on Luca’s face.Busted.

Jaxson’s glare deepens. “I knew you went there, you lying asshole. Why didn’t you admit it?”

“And listen to you bitch like a mother hen? Nah. I’m good.”

Luca turns away, trying to smother his laugh. “You two are so entertaining.”

Jaxson shakes his head before leveling me with a look. “What happened?”

“The dickhead barely held onto his self-control.” I roll my eyes. “But he kept up the act. Delaney, on the other hand…” I pause, remembering the fierce expression on her face as she stomped over to him, getting right in his face and unleashing.

And I was so fucking proud of her. My dick was rock hard watching her.

“She confronted him. He was pissed.” I frown, that niggling doubt returning. “She’s staying in a remote cabin in the woods in Green Haven.”

Jaxson sighs, his brows drawing together. “Goddamn it. She’ll be a target for sure.”

“At least Randy uses our cameras and security system.”

His muscles jump beneath his long-sleeved tee. “What the hell did you do now, asshole?”

Shrugging, my demeanor is relaxed and casual, which will piss Jaxson off even more. “I offered to check Randy’s camera system to ensure it worked properly. He was thrilled. Said he had a renter staying there for at least a month….”

“And?” I don’t like the question in Jaxson’s tone or the way he raises his brows and stares me down like he’s my damn father.

“I may have placed a few more before I left.”

“Zayne.” I ignore the warning in Jaxson’s voice.

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