Page 94 of Unmasked

I push myself to a sitting position, closing my eyes as a wave of nausea crashes over me. I pause, breathing through it.

Get up and help Zayne.

I drag myself to a sitting position, using the wall for support. Zayne comes in, his brows furrowed as his eyes meet mine.

He reaches down, helping me to my feet. “Keep pressure against the wound. Lean on me. I’m getting you out of here.”

I groan as I lean against him. “Sorry, Zayne. I should have protected her.”

“You were ambushed. Not your fault. Jaxson is looking into how they got around our cameras.”

The cool October air refreshes me. I suck it in, feeling more alert, as Zayne helps me to his truck. He lifts me into the backseat, telling me to lie down and get comfortable.

Yeah, right. My head pounds, and I’ve been fucking stabbed in the stomach.

I spot Delaney’s dark hair when Zayne opens the driver’s door. He throws his arm around her, dragging her so she leans against him. It hit me that his truck was running when he helped me into it.

He must’ve driven like a maniac to get here, threw it in park, and rushed into Delaney’s cabin to save the day.

“Is she okay?” My voice is weak, but I need to know.Delaney has been nice and considerate to me. I’d like to think we formed a friendship.

“Daniel threw her against the fireplace. Her forehead is split open.”

“Fucking asshole.”

I hope Zayne kills her brother, father, and every other fucking clown that was involved in the shit that drove Delaney and him apart.

Zayne glances over his shoulder at me, anger burning in his eyes. “Just rest until we get to my house in Stone Ridge. Ryker is calling the doctor. He’ll be there when we arrive.”

Stone Ridge. I’ll be close to Mallory again.

I smile as I close my eyes.Just imagine her here with you, in your arms.

I wakeup as Zayne carries me into the house. I immediately resist, mumbling, “I can walk, fucker.”

He laughs. “You’re becoming more like me by the day, Stryker. You need help. Doc Zimmerman is gonna take care of you. Check you over and stitch your wound.”

Zayne carries me to a bedroom and lays me on the bed. A man in a white coat comes in, a smile on his face. “I’m Dr. Zimmerman. I’ll be taking care of you, Stryker.”

Zayne looks up at the doctor. “He also has bruises on his chest and stomach. Like the asshole used a belt on him?—”

My laughter causes Zayne to shut up and stare at me.

“Sorry for laughing.” I hold my hand over my stomach, wincing from the pain.Laughter is not a good idea right now.“Those came from my girl, Mallory. She tied me up and whipped me with my belt.”

“Jesus. What the hell did you do to her?” Zayne puts his hands on his hips, looking pissed.

“I’m gonna check on Delaney. I’ll be right back.” Dr. Zimmerman smirks as he exits the room.

“It was after her parents threw her that early birthday party, and I proposed.”

“You proposed to her, and she beat you with your belt?”

I laugh again. “Ouch, dammit.” I wince, trying not to chuckle at Zayne’s perplexed expression. “I gave her power and let her take control. She had this fantasy about tying me up while I wore a mask. I taunted her, making her hit me harder. Again, giving her the power and control her parents never allowed her to have.”

“Ahhh… I see.” Zayne’s dark eyes glimmer with amusement. “That’s a great idea. I may use that with Delaney before she unleashes on her brother.”

“You don’t have Richard yet?”