Sold To The GangLeader (Rewriting)

CHAPTER TWENTY - NINE

"My father wasn't a good man." Zach began as he took the two cups out and sat across from me. He set one of the cups in front of me. "Skylar, my sister, was two years younger than me, but she was braver than I could ever be."

"You don't have to." I said, but he gave me a small smile and took my hand in his.

"I want to. I don't get to talk about her much." His thumb rubbed circles on my palm. "She was beautiful, funny, kind, strong, and everything I could never be. I tried my hardest to keep her out of this lifestyle, but it's not easy. Every time my father got mad, I did my best to take most of the beating so she didn't have to." I frowned and tightened my hold on his hand, my heart aching as I imagined younger Zach going through this. "My father took advantage of Skylar's kindness. He'd make a mistake and she'd pay for it instead."

Zach looked away, his eyebrows furrowed as he took a moment. This time, I rubbed circles on his palm and he looked down at our hands.

"My father made a big mistake. And, as always, he used Skylar to pay for his mistakes." Zach's eyes fell shut and he gripped my hand tightly. "I didn't know what was happening. I wasn't home to stop it, but...when I got home, there was blood everywhere. My father was nowhere to be found. He took whatever money we had and left while I cleaned the mess he left behind. I remember finding Skylar's body." Zach's eyebrows furrowed and he pressed his lips together. "I buried her, cleaned everything up, and made it my mission to kill all the men involved and my father."

I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks and I brought a hand up to wipe them away. Zach looked at me.

"Remember what I told you on the beach?" He asked and I took a moment to think about it. I nodded, remembering when he told me he killed someone on the beach. "I searched for my father for three years. He was the man I killed on that beach. I wanted to give him a slow death, but I was too angry to wait. He was my first kill. The other men were killed next. Twenty-six in total."

"I'm so sorry." I whispered, but he shook his head.

"You have nothing to apologize for." He said before drinking some of the milk in his cup. "Thank you for listening. Drink up and try to get some rest, okay?"

"Okay." I muttered, not saying anything else because I can tell he doesn't want to talk about what he just told me anymore.

Zach stood up and cleaned his cup. He came towards me and pressed a kiss to my head. Before he could leave though, I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly.

"You're incredibly brave, Zach. I might not have known Skylar, but I'm sure she'd be proud of you." I told him as I pulled back.

"Yeah, I'm sure she'd be proud of me killing and-"

"You're so annoying." I sighed and he laughed softly.

"Thank you, Ayla-bear." He replied and I gave him a small smile. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Zach left the kitchen and I stared at my cup of milk for a while before drinking it. When I finished, I washed my cup and made my way upstairs, going into Layla's room.

I laid in bed beside her and got under the covers as I thought about what Zach told me. Everyone here has gone through something tragic. I'm not alone.

*********************************************

"Good morning." Mackenzie said to me as I went downstairs.

"Good morning." I replied through a yawn. I got an hour of sleep before I woke up from a nightmare, but I'm glad to have gotten some sleep at least.

"We're going to the mall. Want to join us?" She asked and I shrugged, not really wanting to go. "Come on, it'll be fun. There's a dinner event tomorrow and I need a dress."

"Sure." I mumbled and she smiled, taking my hand and leading me towards the door where the other girls are. "Is Cole or Jason joining us?"

"No, it's just us." Lela replied and I nodded as I put on my shoes. "You holding up okay?"

"I'm fine." I answered and she gave my hand a light squeeze. I went upstairs to grab my sweater and some money before going out to the car. "Is Cole okay with me going out without him?"

"Let's hope we come back before he notices." Layla mumbled as she drove.

When we got to the mall, the girls wanted to split up so we can finish faster. I found myself sitting on a bench in front of a store that Layla went into.

I'm not in the mood to shop, but it does feel nice to be out of the house.

My phone rang and I pulled it out of my pocket to see Cole calling. I answered and held it up to my ear.

"Where are you?" He said and I rolled my eyes. Whatever happened to 'hi' or 'how are you'?

"I'm good. Thanks for asking." I replied sarcastically. "We're at the mall. We'll be back soon."

"Jason and Zach are on their way to you." He said and I heard papers shuffling on his side, along with Mason's voice. I can't make out what he's saying though.

"There's no need. I'm not planning on running away." I sighed and looked up as someone sat beside me.

"I don't let you out of the house for a reason, Ayla. That reason is not about you running away. I'd find you if you did." He responded and I was tempted to runaway to see if he would stay true to his word and find me.

"What's the reason then?" I queried, but it was answered before Cole could speak.

The man beside me cocked a gun and I froze as he held it to my back. My brain couldn't process what Cole was saying as I turned my head to see the man sitting beside me.

"May I?" Archer held his hand out, his eyes on my phone. When I didn't give it to him, he pushed the gun into my back and grabbed the phone. "Cole Pierce. What a pleasure to hear your voice. It's been a while, huh?"

Archer smirked at whatever Cole had to say. He then said something in Italian and hung up, throwing my phone on the ground and stomping on it.

"Get up." He dug the gun into my back harder and I winced as I complied. "We're going to go for a little ride. I expect you to behave, or I'll shoot. Are we clear?"

I said nothing. I'm pissed that he broke my phone. And I'm even more pissed that he's about to kidnap me.

He pushed me towards a secluded area and held the gun to my stomach as he pushed me against the wall. His hand came up to my throat and he squeezed enough to make me gasp.

"I said. Are. We. Clear?" He glared into my eyes and I nodded. "Use your words, Ayla."

"I'll behave." I said through gritted teeth and he smirked, loosening his hold around my throat.

"Good girl." He chuckled and I clenched my hands into fists, trying to resist the urge to punch him. "I'm sure we'll work well together."

"What makes you think I'd ever work for you?" I retorted and his hold tightened around my throat, tighter than last time. I brought my hands up and tried getting his hand away from my throat, but it was no use.

"We'll have to work on that attitude." He said, chuckling as I dug my nails into his skin and tried getting his hand off.

He lifted the hand he's holding the gun with and hit me with it.

Everything went dark.

••••••••
This chapter needs to be edited and some parts need to be rewritten, but I was trying to post something quickly since it has been a while.

I tried making this a longer chapter, but I felt my brain start to shutdown, so I decided to stop here and post what I have instead of making you all wait longer.

How are you all doing? Hopefully good. I've been having rough writer's block, but I appreciate all of your kindness and support! I read all your messages when I can and they make my day. I can't thank you all enough.💞

If you have any questions, please message me privately or comment on here and I'll try my best to answer them.

Keep smiling
-M