Page 75 of Burning Truths

Rubbing my lips together, I try to push away the haze and numb feeling that starts to climb up from my fingertips. My lungs rattle under the pressure of facing the man before me. West and Cole move around to the edge of my vision leaning against the wall to my left. They moved into my line of sight in a show of support if I needed it and that warmth floods my veins.

“She doesn’t belong to you anymore. Go on, ask her yourself. Princessa, who owns you now?” Hank coo’s.

His blue eyes shine under the hanging light in the center of the ceiling. The way his words rush out in anticipation disgust me. That distant inner voice at the back of my mind claws her way forward trying to plant small seeds of doubt but the feeling of Rykers mouth on mine flash in black and white in my head. My skin heats from the stare on the side of my face, but I can’t take my eyes off Hank.

“I’ve always belonged to you.” My words are soft but sure. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I’ve never owned my own body. It’s always been his.

Stepping forward my gaze falls to the floor trying to step around the mess he’s made while coming closer to the monsterthat’s owned my worst nightmares. Stealing back that control isn’t something that will happen with his death. No, I’ll live with the faded feel of his touch. The feeling of hunger gnawing at my insides reminding me of my time with him. The brand that I've hidden from the man at my back, a scar I’ll bear for the rest of my life. His death doesn’t take away the mark he’s leaving on my soul but I’ll take back a part of my darkness in the process.

Opening the thick metal I watch his eyes widen and the flood of urine that releases when he sees what’s in my hand.

“You’ll only feel a fraction of the pain you’ve caused me.” I spit. “I’ve thought of what I might do to you when given the chance.” I look around the room to the array of faces covered in different shades of pride. “I’m not giving you a second thought.”

Leaning down I come within inches from him, his stale breath knocking the air from my chest, I spit in his face. “I can’t wait to see how you crumble at my feet.”

Striking out fast to keep him from moving I close the metal around his neck and slide the lock into place. Stepping back with a wide manic grin, I allow myself a full minute to admire the way Hank panics and screams.

“Shut the fuck up.” My eyes roll at his wails.

Nodding my head at Cole who stands next to the generator against the wall he flips the switch. My eyes follow the cord hooked to the machine across the floor, through a puddle of yellow piss, up the back of the chair, and into the collar now clasped tight around his throat. High voltage courses through his body forcing convulsions from him. I watch every tear fall. I take in every drop of piss rolling down his bare legs. My gaze soaks in the way his head shakes back and forth so fast it’s like he’s in an exorcism. Ryker wraps his arms around me from the back, dropping his lips to my ear.

“I fucking love every dark corner of your soul.” He groans against my skin.

Planting a kiss at the edge of my ear he holds me while we all watch the devil in the room fry to death. Ally covers her eyes but I can see her peeking through her fingers making a laugh fall from my lips.

“You can’t hide the crazy, Ally baby.” I call out.

Suddenly the room erupts into laughter, the empty walls echoing our dark hearts. Hanks cries fall away leaving nothing but the sound of a low buzz from the collar around his now fried throat. Looking away from him I lose interest in the mess I’ve made instead latching onto something else to focus on. The power surges the machine pulling too much energy so West lunges forward yanking the cord out of the wall taking away the electricity that was coursing through Hank's body. Once the power is fully gone the body slumps forward pulling on the binding until the weight tips the chair sending him into the floor face first in his own fluids.

“Well fuck.” I giggle.

Somewhere in my manic brain I’m disgusted by the entire picture but the darkest part of my soul sears the image into my brain as a reminder of what I’m capable of doing to those who wrong me. Shaking off the cold feeling I spin in Rykers arms planting a kiss under his chin.

“Let’s go, Rye.” I whisper.

The way his name drips from my tongue makes my heart ache with pride. I’ll heal one dead body at a time. Speaking of, I look over my shoulder at Ally where G is propped against a wall with his phone in his face. He’s been all over the place lately and I don’t let the scene at the Basement slip my mind with that thought.

“Is there something we need to know about redheads?” I push.

G looks up from the screen, his brows dipped in confusion. Shaking my head I keep probing.

“Don’t give me that look.” I say.

He shrugs, flicking that damn lip ring, “Just a bitch from the bar.” He says.

Ryker tugs me towards the door trying to distract me while tossing orders back at West and G to clean up the mess. Cole walks behind us with Ally in tow following like a good little rat. I know I should let her off the hook but every cell in my body tells me she’s still hiding something. It’s gotten darker outside by the time we reach the front room where the windows are drawn closed and the lights are lower. When we step into the living room a shadow is sitting in the single chair surrounded by two couches. Ally pauses behind me, but Cole and Ryker come to stand at my sides providing a show of strength at my sides.

“I should have known it’d be a fucking Kingston.” Her voice is laced with malice.

Ryker puts his arm across my chest trying to push me backwards but I stand my ground against the snake in a ruby red dress and high heels.

“I’m no more Kingston than I am Stone.” I state knowing it’s going to piss her off.

Standing, she straightens her dress before striding towards us the sound of her heels and my breathing the only noise.

“You stupid stupid girl.” She clicks her tongue. “I’ve done well with getting rid of Kingston women that get in my way yet here you are fighting against all odds with my sons’ help no less.” Her words are filled with venom.

Realization slams into me like a semi truck. I stumble back a step or two at the confession she lets slip by. Ryker and Cole close the gap between us blocking me from view completely.

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