Page 86 of Where Angels Fall

My knuckles crack from how hard I’m squeezing my fists, as I take one step towards him.

“Fuck you,” I hiss. His face morphs into one of shock and outrage, and if my heart wasn’t cracking down the centre I would be laughing. I’ve never seen such a look on the deadened face of my Father. “Fuck you! You don’t tell me what to do anymore, Dad.”

“You take one more step towards that thug, and I’ll ruin you,” he grits out, rage permeating of his body.

In this moment, I can’t believe how unaffected I am by his words. Words that minutes ago would have had my entire identity crumbling, now give me the strongest feeling of relief.

Like shackles that I didn’t know were wrapped around my wrists, falling to the floor.

“Thank fuck for that,” I whisper, not caring if he heard me or not.

I just need to see Ash. To beg and apologise on my hands and knees until that look is wiped off his face for good.

My heels echo in the hallway of the building that I’ll never step foot in again, slipping into the elevator.

I don’t know where he has gone, but if I can get to my car and speed to the club, I might have a hope of finding my man.

My man.

I’m out of the elevator before the doors even finish opening and fly towards my car, only stopping to study the riderless Harley parked next to my car, as per usual. The unusual thing is that Kai isn’t straddling it or leaning against it with a cigarette in his mouth. My head twists around the dark garage searching for him, unease stirring in my gut. But he isn’t here.

I shake my head softly; Kai will have to wait. I need to see Ash, and hopefully he will know where Kai is. Unlocking my car, I rip the driver’s side door open, my heart pulsing a million miles per hour.

But I don’t make it into the seat before a hand circles around my forearm, slamming me against the white exterior of my car. I cry out; the air whooshing out of my lungs.

“Where are you off to in such a hurry, Miss Dally?” A raspy voice drawls.

My eyes widen in shock, zeroing in on Zeke, his dark eyes glinting with cruelty as he grips my arm. His suit is barely ruffled even as he grapples with my flailing arms.

There is no pretense of professionalism. No pretending he is anything other than ruthless. Dark eyes hold nothing but cruelty.

Over his shoulder, I look for Kai. If he were anywhere near, this man would already be dead.

“Looking for Kai?” Zeke murmurs, his warm breath dusting my face. “Don’t bother… he’s a little preoccupied at the moment.”

I struggle against his hold, my stomach dropping as I make the realisation, but he’s too strong. He chuckles a sultry laugh, his other hand rising to brush his knuckles over my cheek.

It makes me feral, ripping and bucking, trying to get out of his grip, screaming for anyone who might hear.

Screaming for Ash.

His name is the last thing to fall from my lips when a needle slides into my neck, the pain falling away as everything turns black.

A bitter taste coats my mouth, my eyes struggling to pry open. I groan as everything spins and my head lolls to the side before it jolts up. Pained throbs make my head feel kilos heavier, and my tongue feels dry in my mouth.

As I go to rub my eyes, my arm doesn’t budge. Harsh ropes are wrapped tightly around my wrists. My ankles are secured to the chair legs, and even my neck has rope secured around it.

“What the h…,” I gasp, panic clawing its way up my throat, my memory slamming into me like a freight train. The car park… Zeke...

My limbs try to kick free, but I’m secured too tightly. The scent of mould and rust assaults my nose as coldness seeps in. My eyes flick around, taking in the dark, musty room, water running down chipping concrete bricks.

A groan has my head whipping to the right, and a sob of despair rips from my chest.

“Oh, Kai,” I whimper. Shackled, he tips his head up, his arms tightly bound high above his head. His booted feet are up on their toes, and blood trickles from his wrists.

His face looks worse for wear, his eye swollen shut and his nose obviously broken. The one black eye I can see is already on me as he takes in slow, steady breaths.

Fear claws itself up my throat, the vision of Kai strung up and hurt blurring into a dark mess.