Page 68 of Darkness

I know where Lincoln is taking them, the one place they will understand the headaches.

Walking into the white room, everyone is looking around, there isn’t anything to see in here, the room is white, nothing else in here, white marbled floor, white walls, white ceilings, there is no color at all in this room.

I say nothing when the loud noise begins and the lights start flashing, something I’m used to now. Everyone covers their eyes or ears. Lincoln walks out of the room. He never stayed in this room, he was lucky. The lights and sounds stop, and everyone looks around at each other.

“This was their torture for me. The longest I was in this room was just over a week, then they sent me out to fight. Then I was thrown back in here. It fucked me up bad, headaches, pain in my eyes, loud noise it all fucked me up.” Every set of eyes are looking at me, but I turn away from them, because I don’t need them feeling sorry for me. Most of them are rubbing their ears to ease the pain, as the others are rubbing their eyes. Every single one of them locks eyes with me, and I can see they all now understand what I went through. Pity, guilt, hurt, anger, each one of them has something hitting their eyes, but I don’t want any of that from them. I don’t need their pity.

I step closer to Uncle David and tell him to remove his mask. “I’ve lived in hell, and I’ll fight here again if I have to protect anyone I care about. With everything Grandad and I went through I won’t let anyone just walk out of here.”

“Son, the five of us are with you. You need to fight, we will be here, you need protection, we are here. You’re not alone.” Hayden, Mason, Miles and Declan all take a step forward, standing next to their dad.

“You have family, let us in. ” Miles is the first to talk, and I give them a nod, then tell them to put their mask back on.

“They're in the room,” Lincoln whispers to me, and I give him a nod, letting him know I’ll be out soon. “And you have a parcel.”

“The hand?” I ask.

“Yes.” I knew Yang would send the hand, he knows I wasn’t bluffing about his head being delivered in a box.

“Lincoln will take you out, you three stay.” I point to Logan, Travis and Blake. Once everyone leaves, I look at the three of them looking between each other. “Follow me,” I leave the room, hearing them behind me. Getting onto the next floor, I walk into the room and move to the side, letting the boys in.

I walk around I believe that they have the right to see the men they have in here.

“Remove your masks.” The three of them do, and they stare at their dads. “Thought you’d like to see what they have been going through. Don’t look like the same men do they?” I ask.

I knew Blake would love it, the smile on his face shouts I beat you, fucker. Logan walks closer to his dad and whispers something to him, I have no idea what, that’s between him and his dad. Travis stands in front of his dad and smiles.

“Mom says hello.” His dad’s eyes widen, and Travis punches him in the face.

I walk out the room, leaving them to inflict whatever they need on their fathers for what they put them all through.Especially Travis’ mom. I don’t need to be part of their fucked up drama. I have enough of my own. Looking around The Pit brings back the memories of when I was the little boy who was beaten, kicked, and used as a fucking ashtray. Now I fucking own it, and no one will take it from me.

I promised my grandad I’d have this hell, and I’d rule it. And I have, nothing will stop me now.

Throwing my suit jacket on the kitchen counter, I grab the bottle of whiskey and a glass, then sit on the couch. It’s been a long night, it’s two in the morning, that’s how long it’s been. It’s always a long night when you go to The Pit, but taking my family down there is something I never wanted to do and it was hard.

I didn’t give anyone a chance to talk to me afterwards, mostly because my head was not in the right space to be talking to anyone. I needed some time away from them all. Plus, I think they all need time to register where I took them, and finally get to see where I lived and why I am closed off from everyone.

I smile when a sexy floral scent hits me. She’s awake. I thought she would be sleeping, I didn’t want to wake her up. But when she’s around me, I feel a small ounce of peace. I still have to talk to her, explain everything which is going to be hard. I don’t want her to look over her shoulder all the time, but I know she will.

Autumn stands in front of me and smiles as she sits on my lap. I close my eyes when her hands move through my hair, how does she do it? How does this one simple action make me feel like the weight has been lifted from me?

“How did it go?” The question escapes faintly, as if she’s scared to ask, or worried someone will hear her. “Are you okay?”she asks as both her hands move through the side of my hair. I never want her to stop.

“Now they all know where I lived. Mom cried, while the guys all looked at me, understanding why I am the way I am.” Finally, I open my eyes to see her beautiful face. “I know they have questions, I’m just waiting for them to ask.” I finish my drink, placing the empty glass on the side table, and place my hands on her bare thighs. “You’re not sleeping?” I ask her.

One thing I’ve enjoyed about Autumn being here, she wears my t-shirt to bed, and wears nothing under it either.

“I was worried about you, and I enjoy sleeping next to you.” She learns in closer and gives me a kiss.

As much as I want this night to be done, and tell everyone about my past, I still need to talk to her, I still need to tell her what’s happening.

“I know before I left, it was… I need to tell you the truth, too.” Her hands stop moving through my hair, her eyes locked with mine. “I never want you to live in fear, and all I can do is promise you no matter what I’ll protect you even if it means dying myself-” I stop when she places her finger on my lip. Gently holding her hand, I move her finger away. “You mean too much for me to hurt you, but my past is coming, and I don’t know what they will do. The shop has cameras so I can see what’s happening, but this man will come for you to get to me.” I feel her body tense up on top of mine. “You want to walk away, I won’t stop you. But if you stay-”

“I’m staying, I love you Cain Crawford, and I know you’ll do everything to keep me safe.” The warmth in her tone is everything I need right now, knowing she has faith in me, knowing I’d do anything to protect her.

“Today it’s this family, tomorrow it might be another.” I bring my hands up her body.If she thinks sitting on me with nothing stopping me from touching any part of her body, thenshe’s crazy. “All I can do is promise you I’ll never leave your side.”

She leans forward planting a soft gentle kiss on my lips and whispers, “I know,” then another kiss. “Now, if you want, I've been itching for something.” Quickly my hand moves to the back of her head, because God, I need this right now. I need to be buried inside her, to show her how much she fucking means to me.

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