Page 109 of Left in the Dark

MM: Having fun? Yeah right.

ME: Stop trying to ruin my buzz. Prick.

ME: What have you been doing?

MM: Being an insufferable prick, as usual.

I snort, a laugh coming from my lips.At least he’s honest.

A loud noise from inside my house draws my attention.

ME: I heard a noise in my house. BRB.

I shoot to my feet, and a wave of dizziness washes over me. I hold my arm out for balance, hearing my phone beep, but ignore it.

I need to find Stryker and see what’s going on. Maybe he fell or something.

After another deep breath, my vision clears. I steadily walk across the porch and open the door, stepping inside.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sight in front of me.

A man is straddling an unmoving Stryker lying on the floor. His arm is raised, about to plunge the knife into him.

I don’t think, I simply react.

I rush him, and the man turns right as I tackle him. His eyes widen in shock, and the knife falls from his hand, sliding across the floor.

Scrambling away, my eyes are on the knife when he grabs my leg, pulling me back. I turn and kick at his face. He grunts as I scramble away, climbing to my feet.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Daniel?”

He’s on his feet, wiping a hand beneath his bloody nose. “Hello, Delaney. It seems your boyfriend has been making a mess of things.”

I glance at Stryker, lying on the floor. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“I’m not talking about him. I’m talking about the one who wears a Michael Myers mask. The one who kidnapped Aidan and Tim and is causing all kinds of issues for Dad and me.”

My face pales. I know the masked man took Tim, but Aidan, too? My mind whirls.Why would he want Aidan? Unless?—

The anger in Daniel’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “You should’ve answered our texts and phone calls, Delaney. We tried to meet with you to warn you away. But you refused.”

“Why the hell would I wanna talk, let alone meet you abusive bastards? Our jackass father refused to let me see mom?—”

“Don’t worry about that traitorous bitch.” He shakes his head, a maniacal look in his eyes. “You’re the same as her. An ungrateful brat who refuses to fall in line. She tried leaving Dad twice, not realizing how good she had it. And you…” His lips curl into a sneer. “You were in love with a worthless deadbeat. His brother was a druggie, and his parents were dirt poor. What the hell kind of life could he have given you?”

Anger rolls through me like a volcano about to erupt. My eyes are on him, but my attention is on the knife in my peripheral vision, wondering if I can distract him and get to it before he attacks me. “A life full of happiness and love. Two things you and our father aren’t capable of feeling.”

He snarls at me before lunging. I sidestep him, kicking him in the knee. I head toward the knife, but he grabs my hair and pulls me back against him.

“We’re not stupid, Delaney. Zayne hiding behind the Michael Myers mask didn’t fool us. We’re also aware you’re involved with him again.” His vile laugh rings through my ears, making me wince. “He’s wreaked havoc on us and our operations.” His hand moves to my throat and squeezes. “Now, I’m going to create all kinds of problems for him.”

CHAPTER 71

Zayne

I’m riding on the high of Luca getting his revenge. The huge flames leap into the sky, burning the bodies of his enemies. The score has been settled, and all is right in the world.

Jaxson glares at me beneath lowered brows, his arms folded over his chest. “I know you’ve been keeping secrets, Zayne.”

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