The Dark of You by Ellie Masters

Author:Ellie Masters [Masters, Ellie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JEM Publishing
Published: 2023-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-SIX

Paul

“Manny’s Place” is a living, breathing relic from the past. Its neon sign flickers in the late afternoon, a beacon for lost souls seeking solace in greasy comfort food. The potent mix of grilled burgers, stale beer, and decades of embedded cigarette smoke assaults my senses the moment I step through the doors.

It’s a portal to another time.

A place of comfort, serving good food and good memories.

I’m not there for either of those things.

I scan the room, and there, seated in a dimly lit corner, I see him.

Joshua Davenport.

His features are nearly identical to the man sitting across from him, but time has etched a story of suffering and hardened survival on Josh’s face, setting him apart from his twin brother, Jake. Seeing Josh again hits me like a sucker punch—a physical reminder of our similar pasts and shared pain.

In addition to Jake, Josh is joined by the indomitable Kate Summers, now Kate Davenport, wife to Josh’s twin. The echoes of the formidable Mistress of Pain flicker in her eyes. Her past may have been stained with scandal, but the fierce determination that drove her to bring Josh to justice, and later redemption, remains today and is just as powerful as ever.

Josh locks eyes with me and a flicker of mutual understanding passes between us. We’re survivors. We’ve walked through the flames and emerged, forever scarred but still standing. As I approach their table, anticipation surges within me.

The time has come to confront my past to ensure that no other child is thrown into the ruthless death rings. In this, I’m victim, villain, and predator.

As a victim, I fought to survive in those rings. Took more lives than I care to count. Truthfully, I never cared to count how many lives I took. Then, under the tutelage of my father, I turned from victim into predator. I found young boys. Groomed them to fight. Then, I set them loose on each other; barbaric entertainment for our auspicious clientele. I became the villain when my father set me to breaking Forest.

Josh, Jake, and Kate look up at me as I reach the table, an odd family bound together by a shared purpose. Their faces, etched with the weight of their past and the fear of the task that lies ahead, offer a grim reflection of my own thoughts. I square my shoulders, forcing a steely determination into my gaze.

When I reach the table, Josh stands.

“Josh,” I acknowledge, keeping my voice low. Even after all these years, the guilt in his eyes is unmistakable. Like me, he’ll carry it for the rest of his life.

“Paul.” His voice is heavy with a myriad of unspoken apologies and gratitude.

Remaining seated, Kate and Jake glance up at me, acknowledging my presence with a nod. Kate’s eyes are keen and alert. Her time as the Mistress of Pain leaves a mark of discerning vigilance in her gaze. Jake is a quiet but powerful dominant by her side, his supportive silence speaking volumes.

“It’s starting again.” Josh wastes no time on pleasantries.

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