Page 87 of Left in the Dark

“P-Please,” Aidan whimpers, barely holding onto consciousness. “W-What do you want from me?”

“Simple.” Reaching down, I grab a fistful of hair, dragging him to his knees. “Everything you stole from me.”

I hit him so hard that his head snaps back, the loud crunch of his facial bones breaking beneath the force of my hit. He slumps to the pavement and doesn’t move.

I look around, ensuring no one is around before dropping to my knees and tying his wrists and ankles together.

When I’m finished, I easily throw him over my shoulder, carrying him to the bed of my truck. Unlocking the tonneau cover and dropping the tailgate, I fold and open the cover before tossing him inside.

I strip off the black coveralls that protect my jeans and tee beneath it. Untying my boots, I have them off in seconds, slipping the bloody coveralls from my body and tossing them into the back with Aidan.

Quickly stuffing my feet back inside my boots, I lace them up, then close the tailgate and pull the tonneau cover over it. I lock it before jumping inside my truck.

As I fire up the engine and take off down the road, “Only” by Jelly Roll comes on. I crank the volume, tapping my fingers to the beat. Parts of the lyrics resonate with me.

Inky darkness swallows me and my black truck as I drive beneath its cover. Nighttime is where I thrive. It encases the world, snuffing out all light and color, matching my blackened heart and soul.

The boy Green Haven used to know is long gone, replaced by the vengeful motherfucking demon they created.

My demon won’t rest until I’ve takeneverythingfrom them.

CHAPTER 56

Zayne

Aidan’s arms are bound above his head, his feet hanging about two feet from the ground inside my dungeon—a concrete building beneath the ground. The entrance is on the side of a hill, hidden by a huge boulder. There’s a trick to getting into this room, but the only people who know how to do that are Jaxson, Ryker, Luca, and, of course, me.

I’m standing in front of him, shirtless, with a whip in my hand. Blood runs down his naked torso and legs.

Jaxson, Ryker, and Luca sit in metal folding chairs to the side, drinking beer and sharing snacks as they watch the live entertainment.

A massive table full of all kinds of weapons I use for torture is displayed behind me.

“P-Please…” Tears pour down Aidan’s cheek, mixing with the blood on his face. His nose is crooked from being broken. Bloodshot eyes lift to mine, pleading for mercy. “I-I’m s-sorry, Z-Zayne.”

I don’t react, pacing slowly and deliberately in front of him. “Sorry, huh?” I stop in front of him, crossing my arms over my pecs. “Lemme guess. You think saying the word ‘sorry’ will somehow undo the roughly seventeen years of damage youinflicted on me and my family.” I throw my head back, my maniacal laugh echoing from the concrete walls, filling every space of the room.

“N-N-Nooo…” He frantically shakes his head. “I-I’m n-n-not saying t-that.”

“You don’t seem to be saying much of anything.” My wrist snaps out, the whip cracking against his flesh, splitting him open. He howls, more tears and bloody snot running down his face. “You need to tell memore, Aidan.”

He’s sobbing so hard his entire body swings from the chains that suspend him from the ceiling. “T-They’ll k-kill me.”

I walk to the table and grab my favorite machete. Returning to Aidan, I hold it up against his face. “And you think I won’t?”

The men behind me start laughing, the sound as unhinged as I feel.

“Make no mistake, Aidan. I’m going to kill you. The real question is…” My boots step into the pool of blood on the floor beneath his dangling body. “How much torture will I inflict before ending your life?”

His face is as pale as a ghost. His body quivers harder as his gaze moves to the massive table of torture devices behind me.

“You and your friends are going down.” My gaze moves to the concrete floor before moving back to his. “In pieces. Straight to hell.”

Jaxson, Ryker, and Luca hoot and holler, pumping their fists. I glance over my shoulder, a faint smile on my face.

“I think this may help.” Ryker gets up from his chair, a folder in his hand. He opens it, turning it so Aidan can see what’s inside. His face turns green.

“We know you and your ‘boys’ set me and my father up at that warehouse because Richard wanted my dad’s bar. I had no idea why until we did some searching…” I meet Ryker’s eyes. “Stryker is a fucking genius. Offer him triple his salary.”

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