Unmasked (King Morine #4)

59. Stryker

CHAPTER 59

Stryker

D elaney hiccups as she holds onto my arm, wobbling as I lead her up the porch steps. “I think you and Callie partied a bit too hard tonight.”

Zayne’s going to kick my ass for letting her get so drunk at Callie’s mom’s Halloween Eve party.

She giggles. “We had a few drinks.” She slaps her hand against his chest. “Thank you for not ratting me out.”

“If you think your masked man doesn’t know everything you’ve been up to, you’re delusional.”

“Ugh. Let’s sit on the porch for a minute. I’m feeling hot.”

I guide her to one of the cushioned seats. She looks pale, and her hands are shaking. “Stay right here and don’t move. I’ll grab you some water.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it.”

I nod, heading to the front door. Entering the code, I turn the knob and push it open when it beeps, stepping into the kitchen. I move to the refrigerator, my hand wrapped around the handle, when an eerie feeling washes over me.

Someone’s in here.

I duck as a fist flies at my head. I spin around with a kick, knocking the man back. He hits the wall, hissing from the pain, and I launch myself at him.

He swings a metal pipe out of nowhere, cracking it against my head. My vision blackens as I fall to my knees, trying to fight through the pain that makes my skull feel like it’s being split in half.

Fuck.

Tears fill my eyes as the darkness reaches for me. I shake my head, trying to fight through it. He hits me with it again, this time on the back of the head.

As I fall forward, I whisper, “I’m sorry.” It’s an apology to Delaney and Zayne for failing them.

Mostly, I’m apologizing to the woman I love whose face flashes before my eyes.

As the blackness drags me under, my thoughts are on her.

I love you, Mallory.