Burning Truths (Consume Me #2)

35. Kenna

Chapter Thirty-Five

KENNA

“Honey I’m home.” A voice rings through the silence cutting through it like glass.

Ryker and West turn towards the open doorway while Cole helps me make the adjustment needed to my rigged powerhouse. Ally plants her ass in a chair across the room from us with her knees to her chest picking at her nails. Periodically shooting her a glare I watch her from my place at the table holding my masterpiece.

“Are you sure about this, Kens?” Cole questions.

Twisting my lips to the side I tip my head to the side letting my gaze travel over his hardened face. His boyish looks long gone, fading into harsh lines and troubled days.

“I’m tired of this.” Looking down my voice lowers, “I have to do something that makes sense to me.” I beg him to understand without saying the words.

Placing his hand over mine he waits for me to lift my head.

“We’re not killing her.” He says his declaration is calm but fierce.

“We’re not killing her.” I confirm the corner of my mouth twitching when I try to hide my smile.

G makes his way through the door when we finally finish putting the parts together, making a super machine ready for what I have planned. Cole and West grab the heavy parts while I carry the only piece that I care to touch. Ryker stands at my back, leaning into my hair at the back of my neck, inhaling and sending a chill down my spine.

“Come on, Killer.” He draws in a lazy tone.

Is it ironic that we’ve become the killers? That somehow we house a hostage starved and broken in another room? Part of me wishes I’d died during my time with Hank to escape the very thing I’m becoming but the heat from Rykers hand at my lower back shoves that sinister thought away. Jerking my head towards Ally, G heads over to drag her along, looking at me with a questioning stare.

“A plus one.” I remark on my way out the room.

Following my boys through the house they lead me to a dark portion that feels degrees colder. The chill sinks into my bones, raising goosebumps across my flesh. West steps past Cole to open a large door letting out a rancid smell that has bile churning in my stomach.

“Holy fuck.” West gags.

Ryker rubs my lower back letting out a low laugh. “Smells like the pussy West used to fuck.”

The joke does its job and eases the tension around us. Cole flicks the light on to the bare square room walking further into the space allowing us all to enter. G and Ally are the last ones through the door pulling it shut behind them.

“My fucking eyes are watering.” I snap.

“Welcome to the party, Princess.” The way that name rolls off his tongue makes me lash out at smack him in the back of the head.

West rubs at the spot turning to flash me a wink, “Don’t act like one then.” He laughs, bouncing away from my next hit.

Cole and West move to set the modified generator in the corner of the room near a plug in that’s needed for it to work. The cold metal in my other hand feels heavier now that I’ve come face to face with Hank Harlow. Looking over at the man tied to a small wooden chair in the middle of the room, I take my time taking note of every little detail. The way his eyes are hollow the stark resemblance to what my were is chilling. The way his clothes are soaked with urine and shit sours the air around us and the floor around him. Even now, beaten and bruised, he still leans forward when I step closer, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Killer.” Ryker warns.

He’s on edge with me being close to the man who stole so much from me. From both of us.

“Princessa.” He rasps.

The sound of his voice sounds like nails on a chalkboard scraping across my skin. A shiver courses through me bringing with it a wave of memories. My skin feels stretched over my bones, my soul beating against the filthy feeling coating my body. Slamming my eyes closed I try to drag in a deep breath but the only thing I can taste is the way his mouth felt on mine. Shuttering from the onslaught of emotions that bombard me the room fades away taking me back to that room.

Ryker reaches out for me anchoring me in the present but the haze over my mind feels like a weighted blanket curled around me. Trapping me inside my own head.

“It’s just me and you, baby.” He murmurs. “He’ll never touch you again. You’re making sure of that.” he says.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat my hands shake at my sides.

“Lilies and fire, Killer. You burn, I burn, We burn.” He whispers, pressing a kiss into the side of my head.

Feeling the presence of the brothers surrounding me in the room even Ally being here comforts me. I’m not alone. They didn’t leave me. He lied. He stole a piece of me. I am wanted. Every broken and fractured part of my soul is held together by the forged bonds we made. Opening my eyes they connect with shallow blue irises.

“You don’t get to steal time from me anymore.” I say, my voice steady.

Pulling against the ropes that bind him he tries to reach for me, but he’s bound completely.

“Reach for her again and I’ll remove your hands from your body.” Ryker says calmly. The threat lies underneath his calm demeanor.

Rubbing my lips together, I try to push away the haze and numb feeling that starts to climb up from my fingertips. My lungs rattle under the pressure of facing the man before me. West and Cole move around to the edge of my vision leaning against the wall to my left. They moved into my line of sight in a show of support if I needed it and that warmth floods my veins.

“She doesn’t belong to you anymore. Go on, ask her yourself. Princessa, who owns you now?” Hank coo’s.

His blue eyes shine under the hanging light in the center of the ceiling. The way his words rush out in anticipation disgust me. That distant inner voice at the back of my mind claws her way forward trying to plant small seeds of doubt but the feeling of Rykers mouth on mine flash in black and white in my head. My skin heats from the stare on the side of my face, but I can’t take my eyes off Hank.

“I’ve always belonged to you.” My words are soft but sure. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I’ve never owned my own body. It’s always been his.

Stepping forward my gaze falls to the floor trying to step around the mess he’s made while coming closer to the monster that’s owned my worst nightmares. Stealing back that control isn’t something that will happen with his death. No, I’ll live with the faded feel of his touch. The feeling of hunger gnawing at my insides reminding me of my time with him. The brand that I've hidden from the man at my back, a scar I’ll bear for the rest of my life. His death doesn’t take away the mark he’s leaving on my soul but I’ll take back a part of my darkness in the process.

Opening the thick metal I watch his eyes widen and the flood of urine that releases when he sees what’s in my hand.

“You’ll only feel a fraction of the pain you’ve caused me.” I spit. “I’ve thought of what I might do to you when given the chance.” I look around the room to the array of faces covered in different shades of pride. “I’m not giving you a second thought.”

Leaning down I come within inches from him, his stale breath knocking the air from my chest, I spit in his face. “I can’t wait to see how you crumble at my feet.”

Striking out fast to keep him from moving I close the metal around his neck and slide the lock into place. Stepping back with a wide manic grin, I allow myself a full minute to admire the way Hank panics and screams.

“Shut the fuck up.” My eyes roll at his wails.

Nodding my head at Cole who stands next to the generator against the wall he flips the switch. My eyes follow the cord hooked to the machine across the floor, through a puddle of yellow piss, up the back of the chair, and into the collar now clasped tight around his throat. High voltage courses through his body forcing convulsions from him. I watch every tear fall. I take in every drop of piss rolling down his bare legs. My gaze soaks in the way his head shakes back and forth so fast it’s like he’s in an exorcism. Ryker wraps his arms around me from the back, dropping his lips to my ear.

“I fucking love every dark corner of your soul.” He groans against my skin.

Planting a kiss at the edge of my ear he holds me while we all watch the devil in the room fry to death. Ally covers her eyes but I can see her peeking through her fingers making a laugh fall from my lips.

“You can’t hide the crazy, Ally baby.” I call out.

Suddenly the room erupts into laughter, the empty walls echoing our dark hearts. Hanks cries fall away leaving nothing but the sound of a low buzz from the collar around his now fried throat. Looking away from him I lose interest in the mess I’ve made instead latching onto something else to focus on. The power surges the machine pulling too much energy so West lunges forward yanking the cord out of the wall taking away the electricity that was coursing through Hank's body. Once the power is fully gone the body slumps forward pulling on the binding until the weight tips the chair sending him into the floor face first in his own fluids.

“Well fuck.” I giggle.

Somewhere in my manic brain I’m disgusted by the entire picture but the darkest part of my soul sears the image into my brain as a reminder of what I’m capable of doing to those who wrong me. Shaking off the cold feeling I spin in Rykers arms planting a kiss under his chin.

“Let’s go, Rye.” I whisper.

The way his name drips from my tongue makes my heart ache with pride. I’ll heal one dead body at a time. Speaking of, I look over my shoulder at Ally where G is propped against a wall with his phone in his face. He’s been all over the place lately and I don’t let the scene at the Basement slip my mind with that thought.

“Is there something we need to know about redheads?” I push.

G looks up from the screen, his brows dipped in confusion. Shaking my head I keep probing.

“Don’t give me that look.” I say.

He shrugs, flicking that damn lip ring, “Just a bitch from the bar.” He says.

Ryker tugs me towards the door trying to distract me while tossing orders back at West and G to clean up the mess. Cole walks behind us with Ally in tow following like a good little rat. I know I should let her off the hook but every cell in my body tells me she’s still hiding something. It’s gotten darker outside by the time we reach the front room where the windows are drawn closed and the lights are lower. When we step into the living room a shadow is sitting in the single chair surrounded by two couches. Ally pauses behind me, but Cole and Ryker come to stand at my sides providing a show of strength at my sides.

“I should have known it’d be a fucking Kingston.” Her voice is laced with malice.

Ryker puts his arm across my chest trying to push me backwards but I stand my ground against the snake in a ruby red dress and high heels.

“I’m no more Kingston than I am Stone.” I state knowing it’s going to piss her off.

Standing, she straightens her dress before striding towards us the sound of her heels and my breathing the only noise.

“You stupid stupid girl.” She clicks her tongue. “I’ve done well with getting rid of Kingston women that get in my way yet here you are fighting against all odds with my sons’ help no less.” Her words are filled with venom.

Realization slams into me like a semi truck. I stumble back a step or two at the confession she lets slip by. Ryker and Cole close the gap between us blocking me from view completely.

“Foolish boys.” She spits. “We have a legacy to preserve yet here you are sleeping with the product. How do you think we managed to gather such power in this town?” She raises a brow.

Leaning around Ryker my eyes connect with her cold ones. “My mother was born and raised here. The Kingston name holds more than just wealth.” I toss out.

Waiving a finger she laughs, “Oh no darling. Your mother was a pawn in a pretty dress with a beautiful face. I was contracted to marry your father but she swept in like a fucking viper stealing the name I was promised. Instead your fathers family chose her and when he took HER name, erasing his completely I knew it was about more than just power. He loved her.”

My ribs ache from the heavy breath I drag through clenched teeth. My hand reaches out for Ryker grabbing his arm to hold myself up.

“You killed her.” It’s not a question.

She lets out a humm, “She isn’t the only one.” She admits.

She looks at me sheepishly, a soft smile crossing her features, almost comforting in a wicked way. “Any minute now and you’ll finally be an orphan but don’t worry dear. I have plans for you.” She claps with a tinkling laugh.

By the time it dawns on me G is rushing down the hall with his phone to his ear. When his eyes meet mine I’m thrown into action. Spinning away from the Stone family I break out into a run towards the exit of the mansion leaving Ryker facing down his mother. It’s not until I’m yanking at a locked door handle that I realize the keys aren’t with me. A click has me spinning on my heels with panicked eyes.

“Cole.” I choke out.

Without a word he ushers me to the passenger side opening the door to help me inside. Shutting the door my nails start to dig into my fingertips pulling at the skin waiting for him to start up the car. Jumping in Cole starts the engine and jerks it into drive rolling down the driveway at an ungodly speed.

“Breathe, Princess.” He says.