Page 53 of Left in the Dark

“It seems a little too convenient that she came here to see you. Even though you were distracted by Jayleen. I’m still pissed she put her paws on my son.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, although you didn’t see Delaney, Ian did. Of course, her injuries would cause you to go after those you thought were responsible for hurting her.”

My head jerks up. “Are you saying you think it could be a setup?”

My dad heaves out a long sigh. His face is grave when he says, “I don’t know her well, but after leaving you injured on the beach…” His face is pained when he adds, “I hope she didn’t do this intentionally. That fact that she hasn’t responded to you also worries me.”

I stare at my dad, his words echoing inside my head.

Maybe it’s time I make her explain.

My father raises his brows. “Please tell me you aren’t planning anything that could get you in trouble. That’s the last thing I need.”

I shake my head. “No, nothing that will get me in trouble. I plan to try harder to communicate with Delaney and figure out what happened.”

My dad’s drawn face suddenly looks much older than thirty-eight. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

When I nod, he wipes his forehead before releasing a long sigh. “I need you, Zayne. You need to take care of your mom and brother when?—”

I don’t let him finish. “Stop it, Dad.” My voice is full of vehemence as my hands grip the back of a bar stool. “That sounds like giving up, and you’re not doing that.”

My vision blurs.I don’t want to think about my dad being in jail.

His hand slides to my shoulder and gently squeezes. “I’m not giving up, Zayne.”

My head lifts, and I meet his exhausted, worry-filled eyes.

“Richard will stack the deck since I hit his precious son. He witnessed it, as did the cops who were with him.” Bitterness laces my dad’s tone as he shakes his head. “He controls them. He wields a lot of power in this town.”

“What are you saying?”

“If the worst-case scenario happens, I need you to be prepared to sell this bar, take your mom and brother, and leave this town.” He squeezes my shoulder. “Use the money to support the three of you.”

The pain and resignation in his eyes gut me.

“You’ve won scholarships that cover all your college expenses. Go to school, Zayne. Make me proud by getting your degree. Don’t give up on your goals and dreams.” His lip quivers as tears fill his eyes.

I look down at my boots, my eyes filling with tears. I have a full ride to the California Institute of Technology. But it’s hard to think about pursuing my dreams when my home life has been shattered.

“Be there for your mom and brother. But don’t give up on your dreams. You’ve got it in you to do great things. I want that for you.”

Tears fill my eyes as I wrap my arms around my father.

When I pull back, I catch the look of defeat on his face. It’s as though someone dropped a boulder in my stomach as I stare at him, the enormity of the situation hitting me in the chest.

“It’s time to open. The natives will be getting restless.” He gives me a small smile before spinning and heading to unlock the door.

A flood of anger rolls through my chest as I watch him.

If Delaney helped set this up, she better fucking hope I don’t find out. Or she’ll be in a world of fucking pain.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I text Mark. The last time we texted, he mentioned he was going to visit Callie in Cape May on the fourth of July.

Maybe it’s time I discover the truth.

CHAPTER 34

Delaney

“Iwant you to paste the biggest smile on your face and pretend to be happy.”

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