71. Zayne
CHAPTER 71
Zayne
I ’m riding on the high of Luca getting his revenge. The huge flames leap into the sky, burning the bodies of his enemies. The score has been settled, and all is right in the world.
Jaxson glares at me beneath lowered brows, his arms folded over his chest. “I know you’ve been keeping secrets, Zayne.”
“Have I?” I arch my brows, my face impassive despite the burning desire to head back and see Delaney.
Fuck, I’ve missed her.
“I think something’s changed. You’re trying to make us believe she’s still your enemy, but I don’t think she is.”
I scoff, my eyes moving to the fire, not wanting him to see the truth, even as doubt creeps in.
She’s keeping me a secret again.
“It’s all under control, Jaxson. Don’t worry about it.” I slap his shoulder and then head toward Luca. It’s time for me to say goodbye and return to her. I’m thirsting to take out my enemies after seeing Luca take out his.
“Awesome job, lil bro. Your dad would be proud.” I slap him on the back, giving him a genuine smile.
“Thanks, man.” He holds out his hand, and we do the handshake we invented years ago when Jaxson and I visited him at his grandparents’ house. It seems like a lifetime ago.
Luca cocks his head. “Are you heading out?”
“Yeah. I have business to attend to.”
Luca chuckles. “Uh-huh.” He pulls Keira against him, kissing the top of her head. “More like you see what we have, and you’ve finally decided you’re marriage material after all.”
I roll my eyes. “Fuck you, asshole. That’ll never happen.”
I move to Keira, hugging her like I’m her big brother. In some ways, she and Luca remind me of me and Delaney when we were in high school.
“Thanks for listening to me. Luca didn’t torch your balls after all,” she whispers.
I release her, giving her a teasing grin. “Why do you think I’m leaving now? I’m not taking that chance.”
I wave at them and then spin around, heading for my truck, impatient to return to Green Haven. Watching Delaney via the cameras and texting her isn’t cutting it.
A sense of uneasiness rolls through me. I know Stryker’s a good kid, but can he handle Daniel and Richard?
Even though Devil’s Den is only an hour away from Green Haven, I know the drive will feel like a fucking eternity.
I sit at the red light in town, shaking my head as I watch Delaney stumble up the steps, a drunken giggle coming from her lips. Stryker has his hands full with her, but he’s doing a good job, even though I’m going to give him shit for letting her drink so much.
There’s no way he could’ve stopped her, though. She’s been down since I left. Callie’s arrival helped. She kept Delaney occupied. The two had a blast at Callie’s mom’s Halloween Eve party.
Stryker guides her to the porch. I hear their conversation since he’s wearing the two-way. When he heads inside the house to retrieve water for her, I relax.
The light changes turns green, but there’s no one behind me at this hour, so I text her. I have a second phone clamped into a holder, watching her expression on the camera.
God, she’s gorgeous. I can’t wait to fuck her in that witch costume she’s wearing.
I’m reading her message when I hear a loud noise from Stryker’s two-way.
What the hell? I call out his name, but all I hear is a groan.
Fuck. I look at the cameras as a text comes through from Delaney.
MINX: I heard a noise in my house. brB.
I switch to a different camera, horrified as a man with a knife attacks Stryker. “Motherfucker,” I scream when I see who it is.
How the fuck did Daniel get around our cameras and inside her house?
ME: Delaney. DON’T GO INSIDE.
Fuck! She didn’t read my text. Dread rolls through me as she opens the door.
The light changes from red to green, and I slam my foot on the gas, seeing red as I speed through Green Haven.
My thoughts are murderous as Daniels’s face rolls through my mind. This motherfucker wants to play? Well, I’m the definition of fuck around and find out.
I hit the button on my phone, my gaze bouncing between the cameras and the road. The second I hear Jaxson’s voice, I blurt out what’s happening at Delaney’s cabin. He voices my exact thoughts about our cameras before he barks, “I’m on it. Be careful, Zayne.” Then he hangs up.
Daniel better not touch Delaney, or I’ll fucking kill ? —
My gaze moves to the cameras, and the world turns red. I watch in horror as my minx attacks him, sending the knife flying. Stryker is still on the floor. I call out his name, but he doesn’t respond.
Fuck, fuck, fuck. I need to get there.
I call Ryker, knowing I’m going to need a doctor.
“What’s up, Zayne?” Ryker’s voice sounds deep and raspy, like I woke him.
“There’s trouble at Delaney’s cabin. Stryker is unconscious on the floor. I’m on my way there.” I swallow hard, overwhelmed by emotion. “She’s fighting her brother.” I cringe as she attempts to go for the knife, but he grabs her.
“Fuck. Okay, I’m calling doc right now. Then I’ll head? —”
“There’s no time. You’re an hour and forty-five minutes away. Just get the doctor to my house. I’ll see you there.” I hang up, murderous rage burning in my veins as I roar down the twisty road leading to the cabin, hoping for a damn miracle.
When I reach her cabin, I slam my truck into park and jump out, not bothering with the mask.
My boots thud up the steps and shake the porch. Ripping the door open, I’m inside, my eyes wide with fury as Daniel grabs Delaney’s hair and tosses her against the fireplace. She hits the stone and rolls onto the floor.
A guttural, animalistic growl comes from me as I launch myself at Daniel, knocking him flat on his back. I’m on him, blinded by my rage, the skin on my knuckles breaking as the blood rolls, connecting with his flesh and bones. Hit after hit. I don’t fucking stop, ready to kill this motherfucker.
“Zayne?”
My head lifts when I hear her weak voice. Releasing Daniel’s head, I barely hear the thud as it hits the floor.
She stares at me in disbelief, blood trickling down her face.
“You’re here?” She clears her throat, her hand moving to her forehead. “You’re my masked man?”
“Yes. I’ve been wearing the Michael Myers mask.”
Confusion causes her brows to knit as she leans back against the fireplace. “I don’t… I d-don’t know h-how I feel about t-that.” Tears trickle down her face as her fingers press against the wound. She winces.
“Don’t touch it.” I jump to my feet, moving to her. “I’ll take care of you.”
Her eyes close, and she grows paler as she pulls her hand away, spotting the blood. “I-I don’t feel?—”
She slumps over before she can say another word.
“Delaney.” I crouch down beside her, feeling her pulse. It’s weak, but there.
Lifting her in my arms, I grab the blanket from the couch and carry her to my truck. I tuck her inside, covering her up, before I grab the rope and tape and race back inside.
I check Stryker, who moans as I pull off his mask. He winces, touching his stomach. I pull up his shirt, examining the wound. It’s shallow, thank God, but it obviously hurts like a bitch.
Running into the kitchen, I grab a towel from the drawer, then hurry back. “Hold this right here.” I press the towel against the wound. “I’ll get you to the truck in a minute.”
Hurrying to Daniel, I bind his hands and ankles, then tape his mouth shut. I toss him over my shoulder and carry him to the back of my truck, throwing him inside just like I did Aidan.
When I’m finished, I sprint inside the cabin, sweat rolling down my back. Stryker is sitting up, looking slightly more alert as he presses the towel against his stomach.
“Let me help you.” I reach down, helping him to his feet. “Keep pressure against the wound. Lean on me. I’m getting you out of here.”
He groans. “Sorry, Zayne. I should have protected her.”
“You were ambushed. Not your fault at all. Jaxson is looking into how they got around our cameras.”
We make it to my truck, and I help him in the back, getting him as comfortable as I can before I jump behind the steering wheel.
Rage courses through me as I drive. Delaney slumps over toward me as I drive down the bumpy lane. I grab her, pulling her beside me.
“Is she okay?” Stryker’s weak voice comes from behind me.
“Daniel threw her against the fireplace. Her forehead is split open.”
“Fuck. Those damn assholes.”
I glance over my shoulder at him. “Just rest until we get to my house in Stone Ridge. Ryker is calling the doctor. He’ll be there when we arrive.”