58. Zayne
CHAPTER 58
Zayne
I ’m standing beneath a massive oak tree, staring at the fucking imbeciles of this town as they anxiously await Richard, I-pretend-to-care-about-your-safety-while-running-a-drug-and-sex-trafficking-ring, Warner.
Brainwashed motherfuckers.
A cheer goes up from the front of the crowd as Richard’s limo pulls up. His driver gets out, opening his door and tipping his hat at him. Richard waves like he’s a goddamn celebrity. I clench my jaw so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t shatter.
Another car pulls up behind it, and Delaney’s brother, Daniel, and his best friend, Tim Edwards, climb out. I smirk as I watch them imitate Richard.
Fucking corrupt assholes.
I have a video Stryker found on the dark web of those four motherfuckers slapping young girls around and then fucking them. I’d love to send it to everyone gathered here right now.
But I can’t. They’d kill Delaney and her mother if I did.
I look away before my rage gets the best of me. My gaze scans the assembled crowd, spotting too many assholes from high school.
Jimmy Martin, the asshole who humiliated me in the cafeteria, dumping my lunch over my head, stands a short distance away. He’s sporting a huge gut and a double chin now. My gaze moves to the woman standing beside him. It’s Linda, the former cheerleader now a washed-up, bleach-blonde woman who scowls at three whiny children screaming about boredom.
I feel you there, kids.
I nearly snort aloud when the couple in front of them turns around and strikes up a conversation, asking Jimmy and Linda how married life is going.
If I had to guess, not too fucking good.
Hidden beneath the shadows, I stand there with my hands in the pockets of my jeans, hoping they get this motherfucking show on the road. I have shit to do.
Movement to my left draws my attention. My breath stutters in my chest as Delany saunters to the edge of the crowd, stopping about three feet from me. She’s clad in a black leather jacket, a red and black scarf wound around her neck. The pair of dark blue denim jeans hugs her delectable ass and legs. A pair of black-heeled booties completes the look.
Dark sunglasses shield her eyes, but I don’t need to see them to know her gaze is laser-focused on her father and his goons. Anger swirls around her like a tornado as she crosses her arms over her chest, looking every bit like a badass woman.
What are you doing here, minx?
I silently curse myself for using that nickname. Her phone rings, and I tense as she grabs it, turning toward the tree. I quickly step behind it, knowing I can’t let her see my face. My hoodie is pulled over my head, but she’d certainly recognize me.
“Hey, Callie,” I hear her say.
She pauses momentarily, saying, “I decided to crash my father’s speech.”
There’s more silence before an evil laugh comes from Delaney’s lips, making my dick hard. “Don’t worry about me. Everything is under control.”
I hear her boots moving away, so I peek around the tree. She’s moved away, her eyes on her phone.
Slowly moving around the tree, my eyes bore into her back. She glances around as though she feels my gaze, but she doesn’t turn around.
Mmmm, Delaney. If you only knew how close I am to grabbing you and stuffing you in my truck. If there weren’t so many people around, I wouldn’t hesitate.
Dickhead Warner gives his fucking boring ass speech, droning on forever about how much safer he’s made Green Haven and a ton of other fucking lies. Delaney’s posture is rigid, her muscles taut as though poised for an attack.
A breeze kicks up, and her long hair swirls around her face. She pushes her sunglasses on her head, giving me a clear view of her profile as she stares daggers at her father.
When Tim takes the stage after her father speaks, telling the crowd to give another round of applause to the mayor, I swear Delaney hisses like a viper. She stares at Tim with unadulterated hatred burning in her eyes.
It’s about fucking time you see him for the asshole he is. Why the fuck did you go near him in high school? Was it because of your father? Or were you secretly playing me, and Tim fucked you over, so now you despise him?
Tim starts talking about the annual safety award, and judging from his sorry-ass speech and the hero worship all over his face, I already know who will get it. Marsha Michaels, who holds the award, stands off to the side of the stage.
I’m not surprised when he announces Daniel and Richard Warner as the award winners.
Delaney’s lip curls in a disgusted sneer.
As Daniel’s eyes scan the crowd, they stop on Delaney. Surprise momentarily contorts his face before he smirks. He nudges Richard, who follows his gaze. He tries to keep the hatred off his face, but I see it burning in his eyes as he flashes her his fake politician smile.
As Daniel and Tim step away from the podium, waving at the crowd, Marsha moves to the microphone with a big smile curling her pink lips.
“Well, folks, we have a special surprise. Ms. Delaney Warner is in the audience. Delaney, come onstage and congratulate your father and brother.”
Richard and Daniel freeze, their gazes moving to her.
A smile is on her face before she struts toward the stage, her head held high.
What the fuck is she doing?
I’m seething, hating that she’s putting herself in the open where I’ll expose myself if I move to protect her. I don’t have any of my friends here, either.
My eyes roam the crowd, and when I spot the large tree that provides a perfect view of the stage, I step behind a group of people, weaving my way toward it, being careful so no one recognizes me.
Delaney ascends the stairs, her posture stiff as she heads across the stage. She flashes a fake smile at her brother and father, then gives Tim a frosty glare before turning toward the microphone. She adjusts it, and then her clear voice rings across the park.
“Too bad mom isn’t here to see you receive this award.” Her gaze darts to her brother and father, who mutter things under their breath that I can’t make out. They aren’t happy she’s on stage, that’s for damn sure. Their eyes are full of murderous rage even as they keep their fake smiles glued to their faces.
“It would be wonderful if I could visit my mom. I’m sure it would help her condition improve.” She throws a scathing look at her father. “While I have the mic, I’m asking my father to allow me to visit my mom in the hospital.”
A hush falls over the crowd before a low murmur begins to rumble. I’m equal parts impressed and pissed at her. Impressed she’s publicly standing up to them but pissed that she’s made herself a target.
My job just became a hell of a lot harder.
Daniel comes over, grabbing Delaney’s arm so hard she winces, dragging her away from the mic. Richard steps behind the podium, an apologetic look on his face.
“My fellow citizens. I apologize for this uncomfortable moment. My daughter has been under extreme stress and suffering from sleep deprivation since my wife’s tragic auto accident.” He heaves out a long sigh. “It’s been so hard on all of us. I’m doing my best to keep all of you safe while trying to track down the son of a bitch who hit my wife.”
Murmurs of sympathy roll through the crowd.
I ignore it as Daniel drags Delaney off stage and around the corner. I move, ducking behind a large speaker to hear and see them better.“What the fuck are you doing, Laney?”
“Don’t fucking call me that.” Delaney rips her arm away from Daniel. He tries to grab her again, but she’s prepared, blocking him. He reaches for her yet again, and she dodges him, stomping on his foot and ramming her palm against his nose. Blood spurts from it as he curses.
“Don’t fucking touch me, Daniel. And spread the word to your asshole friends. I’m not taking any shit?—”
“Aidan? Did you have something to do with his disappearance?” Daniel’s voice is nasally as he tries to stop the bleeding.
“What the fuck are you talking about, weirdo? Aidan disappeared? If so, good fucking riddance. But I sure as hell didn’t have anything to do with it.”
Richard stomps over, his eyes flashing. “Keep your fucking voices down,” he hisses, his gaze darting around. His minion staff members are doing a great job moving people away from the front of the stage, promising a meet and greet in a few minutes.
“What the fuck was that about, Delaney?” Richard’s hands shake as he glares at her.
Delaney rolls her eyes. “What do you think it’s about? Why won’t you let me see mom?” She steps closer, her hands on her hips. “You better not have done anything to her.”
Richard looks around, ensuring no one else is nearby. He leans closer and hisses, “Keep it up, and something will happen to her.” He flashes an evil smile as she gasps. “I’m not entertaining this nonsense, Delaney. You’ll see her when I let you see her.”
Then he stomps away.
Delaney steps in his direction, about to go after him, but this time, Tim grabs her arm. My muscles are so tense, and I’m baring my teeth like a wild animal, ready to kill him for touching her.
“Get your hands off me.” Delaney whirls around, punching Tim right in the nose. He drops her arm, cursing as she adjusts her leather jacket. “You fuckers need to leave me alone. I’m not your punching bag anymore.”
She stalks off in the opposite direction, apparently deciding to give up on Richard, who is now flanked by a bunch of townspeople.
“She’s gonna be a fucking problem. We need to deal with her,” Tim says to Daniel, glaring at Delaney’s retreating back.
“You’re right. We need to deal with this problem ASAP.”
Not on my fucking watch, assholes.