Page 120 of Left in the Dark

We’reboth laughing as he reaches the bottom of the stairs. “Behave yourself, minx. You need to eat.”

Feeling eyes on me, I turn my head, my smile faltering as I stare at three people I’ve never seen before. A younger-looking guy gets off the couch with a wince, heading toward us. “Hey, guys. You okay, Delaney?”

I recognize the voice but am startled by his handsome, unmasked face. “Stryker?”

He nods, slowly moving closer, his hand pressing against his stomach, hidden by his shirt.

“I’m good. But how are you? I hope my asshole brother didn’t hurt you too badly.”

“Just a scratch.” He grins, but I can see the pain in his eyes. It’s more than a scratch, and I’m enraged that Daniel stabbed him.He would’ve killed him had I not tackled him.

“Thanks for saving me. You were a badass the way you dove on him, knocking the knife from his hand.”

My gaze lifts to Zayne’s. “He saw the video.” Nodding, I kiss him before he lowers me to my feet.

A dark-haired, muscular man who looks the same age as Zayne and I approaches, followed by a couple. The guy looks a few years younger, and he’s also packed with muscle. He’sholding the hand of a beautiful brunette girl who appears much younger than he is, a warm smile curling her lips.

“This is Jaxson, my friend and business partner.”

Jaxson holds out his hand. “Hi, Delaney. Nice to finally meet you after all these years of hearing about you.”

I groan. “Oh, God. I can only imagine the terrible things he said about me.”

Jaxson chuckles. “It’s not nearly as bad as you’d think. That’s how I knew he wasn’t over you.”

Zayne threads my left hand with his. He lifts our joined hands and kisses my knuckles, making me sigh. The anxiousness coursing through me over meeting a strange group of people dissipates.

“I’ve never seen him like this.” Jaxson’s voice draws my attention back to him. He’s staring at Zayne with a perplexed look, as though he’s looking at a stranger.

“She brings out a different side of me.” He doesn’t apologize, taking full ownership of his changed behavior.

What a man.I squeeze his hand, smiling at him.

“That’s Ryker and his wife, Devyn.”

Ryker steps forward, patting Stryker’s shoulder before he extends his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Delaney.”

Devyn is right behind him. He shifts so I can see her smiling face. I’m instantly drawn to the friendliness that radiates from her.

She leans forward, giving me a gentle hug. “So nice to meet you.” When she pulls back, she beams her bright, warm smile at me. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

“Breakfast would be nice,” I joke.

Zayne snorts beside me. “I’ve already texted the staff. Food will be on the table in a minute. Who else is hungry?”

Everyone voices their consent while my gaze travels around his house, stopping at the window. “It’s getting dark already. Did I sleep most of the day?”

Zayne smirks. “I wouldn’t say you slept most of it, but you did a few hours.”

“Wow. Sorry.” My gaze moves over to the group.

“Don’t apologize. You went through it.” Devyn pats my arm reassuringly before Ryker spins her around, heading in the opposite direction. Jaxson and Stryker are next, with Jaxson helping support Stryker’s weight as he walks.

My wide eyes rapidly move around the vast foyer, catching a peek of an enormous living room as Zayne guides me down the hallway. Swanky doesn’t even begin to describe this place.

“I’ll give you a tour of our home after dinner.”

“Ourhome?”

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