Nightfall (Devil's Night #4) - Penelope Douglas Page 0,42

it away. “I’m gonna be sick.”

And at that moment, he grabbed the copper waste basket and leaned over, spilling whatever was in his stomach.

I looked away for a moment, but then I heard more growls and grunts coming from farther down the hall and looked toward it, but couldn’t see anything.

Micah wiped off his mouth and set the tin down as Will set the bowl on the little table.

“Eat it when you’re ready,” he told him.

“I can’t take your food.”

Will picked up an elastic bandage and started unraveling it, probably meaning to wrap up Micah’s arm.

But Micah pushed that away, too. “Don’t,” he said. “I don’t want him to see.”

Who? And see what? That he was hurt?

Just then, Micah looked up and met my gaze, finally seeing me hiding behind the door.

I straightened as Will followed his gaze, noticing me, too.

Walking over, he kicked the door, slamming it in my face, and I blinked, startling.

Prick.

Ruckus sounded from somewhere down the hall, and then a growl, and I looked toward the kitchen and back again, gauging my choices as my knee bobbed.

I should get back to the kitchen. No one was paying attention, and for all Aydin knew right now, I was sleeping. I could grab some provisions and be two miles downriver before he realized.

But…

Another cry pierced the air, and my curiosity got the better of me.

Continuing down the hall, I followed the sounds and rounded a corner, seeing white and blue ahead, as well as steam rising into the air through the open door down the hall.

Hiding behind the frame, I peered inside, taken aback by the sight of an indoor pool.

And heated, judging by the steam rolling off the surface.

I scoffed. Rich boys…

Two men rolled around on the mat laid out on the white-tiled pool deck, and I inched in, hearing Aydin talk to Rory as he pinned him to the mat.

“Ask for it,” he taunted him. “He can have it. All you have to do is ask.”

Rory Geardon shot up, grabbing Aydin by the neck and trying to throw him over, but Aydin flipped him over, his naked chest on Rory’s bare back as he whispered something in his ear.

Rory bared his teeth, pain in his blue eyes at whatever Aydin was saying. And déjà vu hit me, remembering a similar wrestling match I’d seen with Will.

Wood creaked next to me, and I tore my eyes away from the match and looked at the wall, feeling a vibration behind it on my shoulder.

It sounded like the movement I heard upstairs.

I stood up straight, ready to lean in and listen some more, but then I saw shadows fall behind me and turned my eyes to see Taylor, followed by Will and Micah, heading for the pool.

They stalked past me, each one throwing a look before stepping inside the room. I hung back, watching as Rory growled under Aydin’s attack.

“All the pleasure you got from their pain,” Aydin told him. “You knew it was going to cost something someday, didn’t you?” He bit his ear, pulling it as every muscle on Rory’s body tensed.

Aydin released it.

“But no,” the alpha continued, “you only dish it when you’re sure you can win. On girls who couldn’t even tell you were coming for them. You knew that wasn’t going to last forever, right?”

What was he talking about? Was that why Rory was here?

Taylor smiled, clearly enjoying the scene. Micah stood at the edge of the mat, looking helpless as he stared down red-eyed.

Girls who couldn’t even tell you were coming.

What did that mean?

“Say it, socio.” Aydin leaned into his ear again. “‘I’m. So. Fucked. Up.’”

Rory resisted, trying to turn away—find a way out—but the cut on his brow dripped blood into his eye, and he just remained silent.

“I’m,” Aydin recited, egging him on, “so fucked up.” And then he dropped his voice to a hard whisper we all could hear. “In the head.”

A sob escaped Rory, and he squeezed his eyes shut like he was afraid it was true.

I looked over at Will, his gaze locked on the scene playing out.

But he must’ve sensed me watching because he looked over at me, his expression unwavering but his eyes hard.

Why aren’t they helping him? The only person who seemed to be enjoying the show was Taylor. Was this how Micah got injured? Fighting Aydin?

“They’re never going to let you out,” Aydin told the man under him. “I’m your family now.”

Rory gasped, not looking happy about it, and Aydin shot off him, standing up