46. Zayne
CHAPTER 46
Zayne
A fter I left the hospital, I was more confused than ever. The bits of conversation I overheard between her and Callie made me burn with curiosity.
Standing at my father’s grave with my head bowed, I apologized for all the wrong I’d done.
Like Pandora’s box opening, I confessed what’s been troubling me the most. “I’m so confused about Delaney. Ironically, she’s back in town as I’m about to rain hellfire on my enemies.” I lifted my head, staring at his tombstone. “She seems to hate Richard as much as I do. Why? Were we wrong about her?”
But there’s only silence since the dead don’t speak.
When I returned to Luca’s cabin, I started researching Delaney again, searching for anything other than what I knew about her. Finding nothing new, I texted Ryker, asking if Stryker could search the dark web and do some hacking to see if he could dig up anything.
Within a few hours, I had the information. The things Stryker found left me more confused.
I went outside and called Ryker, pacing Luca’s driveway. When he answered, I got straight to the point. “Dr. Coffin is the only doctor who treated them? And what’s with all the scrapes, bruises, cuts, fractures, broken bones, and concussions that Lindsey and Delaney suffered?”
But it’s not Ryker’s voice that answers me. It’s Jaxson’s. “Those are common injuries in domestic violence cases.”
I stop, turning to face him. His expression is grave as he comes closer, his hands in his pockets.
“Let me call you back, Ryker.” I hang up without waiting for a response, my unblinking gaze locked with his.
“Let me see the information he gave you.”
I hand him my phone. “Look at the reports and photos.” I run my hands through my hair, an unsettled feeling inside me. “Goddamn it, Jaxson.”
I pace as he studies my phone, going out of my damn mind.
Jaxson’s jaw clenches as he silently studies the reports and photos. “Jesus Christ. The fucking doctor was covering it up.” His olive eyes darken from anger. “I hate fucking pussies that beat women.”
“I’m so fucking pissed I just wanna break something. Preferably someone.” My nostrils flare as I pace again. “Why didn’t Delaney ever tell me?”
“Maybe it wasn’t her choice. Her mom seemed to take the frequency and brunt of the injuries.” He pauses a moment. “Did you also notice the reports on the male child?”
I nod. “Richard beat Daniel, but then it seemed to stop.”
“Is he like his father?”
“From what I’ve seen, yes. He’s following in his footsteps career-wise. He’s not married though, but…” I hold my hand out for my phone, searching for what I want. “Look at this. He was involved with Samantha Quinn. She was at the hospital for injuries similar to Delaney’s…” I turn away, blinded by rage.
He beat the woman I loved, and I had no fucking idea.
I’d seen bruises on Delaney, but she always had valid reasons for them. Or so I thought.
“Zayne. Stop.” Jaxson’s hand is on my shoulder. “I’m sure Delaney gave you reasonable explanations for her injuries. Why would you question her?” He squeezes before letting go.
“She’s been beaten when she came into my father’s bar. Although I didn’t see her, Ian did.” I swallow hard, heaving out a breath as a new culprit swirls inside my mind. “What if it was Richard?”
“It could’ve been Richard. Or her brother. Or even that guy her dad wanted her with. What was his?—"
“ Tim .” I practically snarl his name, still hating that bastard’s guts. “Hell, it could be any of them.”
“Or all of them.”
“Jesus.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Not helping.”
“I’m giving you a reality check. Whatever happened between you and her… she may have tried to protect you. To spare you from this. It explains why she kept it a secret, knowing you’d do something fucking stupid…” He glares at me. “The things you overheard in the hospital… Delaney’s deep-seated hatred for her father….”
“It all makes sense. A sick kind of sense.”
“The question is, what are you gonna do now?”
I tilt my head back, staring at the inky black sky.
When I lean my head forward, my eyes snag his. “She’s in danger. There’s no fucking way I’m letting him—or anyone else—hurt her.”
“Sounds like you still care for her.” Luca comes up to us, no longer wearing his hat. “She needs you, Zayne.”
“You can’t go off half-cocked.” Jaxson looks at me beneath lowered brows, his severe expression illuminated by the lights behind him. “You know damn well Richard knows she’s here.”
“Yeah, they got into it at the hospital on Sunday. She tried visiting her mom after they left, and…” my voice trails off.
Shit. I close my eyes, but not before noticing the smirk on Luca’s face. Busted.
Jaxson’s glare deepens. “I knew you went there, you lying asshole. Why didn’t you admit it?”
“And listen to you bitch like a mother hen? Nah. I’m good.”
Luca turns away, trying to smother his laugh. “You two are so entertaining.”
Jaxson shakes his head before leveling me with a look. “What happened?”
“The dickhead barely held onto his self-control.” I roll my eyes. “But he kept up the act. Delaney, on the other hand…” I pause, remembering the fierce expression on her face as she stomped over to him, getting right in his face and unleashing.
And I was so fucking proud of her. My dick was rock hard watching her.
“She confronted him. He was pissed.” I frown, that niggling doubt returning. “She’s staying in a remote cabin in the woods in Green Haven.”
Jaxson sighs, his brows drawing together. “Goddamn it. She’ll be a target for sure.”
“At least Randy uses our cameras and security system.”
His muscles jump beneath his long-sleeved tee. “What the hell did you do now, asshole?”
Shrugging, my demeanor is relaxed and casual, which will piss Jaxson off even more. “I offered to check Randy’s camera system to ensure it worked properly. He was thrilled. Said he had a renter staying there for at least a month….”
“And?” I don’t like the question in Jaxson’s tone or the way he raises his brows and stares me down like he’s my damn father.
“I may have placed a few more before I left.”
“Zayne.” I ignore the warning in Jaxson’s voice.
Luca’s voice is full of excitement. “The new ones I’m testing? With sound.”
Smirking, I nod.
“Jesus Christ.” Jaxson paces around. “Delaney has no idea you live about two hours?—”
“An hour and forty-five minutes. And no.”
Luca raises his brows. “Her dickhead father is gonna have eyes all over her.”
“You don’t think I know that? Hence, the extra cameras and security measures.” My gaze moves to Jaxson. “Dick Warner is running for governor of the state.”
“Oh, fuck.” Jaxson has murder flashing in his eyes. “All hell is about to break loose.”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head, Jaxson. I have everything under control.” I beam at him, knowing his blood pressure is rising. “You better calm down before you have a heart attack, ole man.”
Jaxson is downright seething, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. “Don’t worry?” He throws his arms out to the side, shaking his head. “You? Have everything under control? Laughable.”
I watch his meltdown with barely concealed amusement.
He runs his hands through his hair and sighs, his aggravation increasing. “Step one. Stalk Delaney and sneak inside her cabin. Step two. Touch her while she sleeps. Then she wakes up and calls the cops.” Sarcasm drips from every syllable.
“Step three. Get her to choke on your cock, and then throw her in your vehicle before the police arrive. Hey… does she have a mask kink?” The wide smile on Luca’s face makes me love the kid even more.
The vein throbs angrily in Jaxson’s forehead. I wish it were daylight to see his facial reactions more clearly. Hopefully, Luca’s cameras are catching all this so I can watch this again later.
“You’re not fucking helping, Luca. I was being sarcastic. Stop giving this asshole more ideas than he already has.”
Luca shrugs. “Just trying to help.”
I chuckle, giving him a high-five. “You’re helping, Luca. Don’t worry about Jaxson. He perpetually has his panties in a bunch.”
“Listen to college boy using the big words.” Jaxson rolls his eyes. “This is serious shit, Zayne. I know what it’s like to have an abusive fucking father. In my case, he was a drunk asshole who beat the shit outta my mom because he blamed her for his shitty choices. He turned his rage on me when I tried to defend and protect her.” Jaxson’s chest heaves from his words before he turns away.
I raise my brows at Luca, who looks as perplexed as I feel. I’ve never seen Jaxson in this state. I’m not quite sure how to handle him.
“First of all, college boy, we were roommates. Graduated from Caltech together.” My tone lowers, and all trace of my earlier sarcasm is gone. “Second, we’re not making light of your situation. Nor Delaney’s. But damn it, if I don’t release steam, I’ll do it in the wrong way, which will be bad for everyone involved.”
Jaxson turns to face me, a smirk on his face. “Well, I’ll be damned. Zayne Morine has a heart. He’s not just a hot-headed asshole who acts first and thinks later.”
“Smart ass.” I shake my head, looking up at the sky so he can’t analyze my face. I have a lot of sensitivity inside me, but I’ve kept it hidden ever since Delaney broke my fucking heart into pieces.
She’s my weakness. Always has been and will be until the day I die.
But I don’t share this with anyone. Not even my best friends. It makes me too vulnerable.
I let my guard down once and nearly got destroyed. Now, my heart is trapped inside a steel cage.
“Are we done with the pussy shit?” My mask is firmly in place again. “Listen, I know this is risky as fuck. Luca gave me a great idea.”
Luca pumps his fist in the air. “The blow job?”
I smirk. That’s part of my plan, but not right now. “The mask.”
Luca rubs his hands together. “Oh, I like that idea.”
“Halloween is next month. I’ll study her to learn her habits and patterns.” Seeing her naked body anytime she changes her clothing or showers. “No one will know it’s me beneath the mask.”
“What mask?”
“Michael Myers.”
“That’s perfect. Not only will it hide your identity, but if Delaney spots you, you’ve gotta stay in character. He doesn’t talk.” Luca cocks his head. “I know where you can get?—”
Jaxson snorts. “That’ll be a fucking miracle getting Zayne to keep his trap closed. Hell, the first time Delaney confronts him, he’ll start running his big mouth.”
I roll my eyes. “We have voice modulators, asshole. I can put one inside the mask, just in case. Plus, the mask will likely distort my voice to a small degree.”
“What if she spots some Michael Myers masked wearing lunatic in the woods behind her rental and shoots your ass?”
“As long as she doesn’t shoot my dick, I don’t?—”
“Zayne.” Jaxson glares at me like he’s my damn father again.
As annoyed as I am with Jaxson’s attitude, Luca is making it damn hard to keep a straight face. He’s laughing his ass off. “Getting shot in the cock would suck.”
“No kidding.” I shift my weight, my hands protectively covering my dick.
“Would you two stop it?” Jaxson shakes his head. “Seriously, Zayne, think this through. If Richard Warner critically injured her mother, why wouldn’t he do the same to Delaney? Or worse, kill?—”
“No way in fucking hell.” My booming voice echoes off the tree as I snarl like a rabid animal. “He won’t fucking touch her. I’ll make damn sure of it.”
A genuine smile curls Jaxson’s lips. “The man has a heart… and it still beats for Delaney Warner.”
“Fuck you, asshole.”