RUN!

33- Diablo

Song: Diablo by Rosalía

   The Jones' mansion is too bright to miss. It's like a white stick in a green yard. I pay the driver and turn to observe the mansion. I've only been here once and that wasn't a memorable day, even now I still remember the structure of the house. The large kitchen with basically everything you need to run a restaurant, the many many bedrooms– a fave for the teens. The bar.

  The memory of that night flashes through my mind and my anger only boils some more. Declan is a pathological liar...and I'm not leaving here without giving him a scratch or two.

I ignore the doorbell and bang the grey gates like my life depends on it. After the third bang a guy I assume to be the doorman opens the door.

"Miss you can't–"

"Where's Declan?" I glare at the young man. He should be in his late twenties. Great, I won't have to feel bad when I shove him.

"Miss who are you and what do you want?"

"My name is Reyna Diaz and I want to see DECLAN JONES!"

"I don't think–" I throw my elbow at him swiftly, aiming at his neck. It's hard enough for me to disorient him and push him out of the way.

"DECLAN!! GET THE FUCK DOWN HERE!!!" I yell at the door. Doorman latches his hand on my arm and I consider kicking him in the face but he's just doing his job anyways. When he's about to pull me down the door opens, revealing the cause of all our problems. Declan in all his sick glory. Judging from the drops of water falling from his hair and the overall clean look he has going on he just got out of the bathroom. I can't help but frown at the sight of him.

"Reyna? What–what's happening?" He sputters, taking in the scene. I release myself from Doorman's hold and step forward.

"You tell me, because I'm as confused as you are. Go on and tell me why you did all those things to her!"

"This is about Avery right? I can't even have a moment of peace–"

"Did she know you started those rumors?" I press forward, ignoring the urge to punch the living daylights out of him.

"How do you know about that?" He tilts his head, the color draining from his face.

"What else are you hiding you freaking psychopath, you know where she is don't you! Freaking liar–" In a flash Declan's a hair's breath away from me, grappling my wrists as though he planned on breaking my bones in a minute.

"Shut the fuck up, Jessica's inside," he growled a warning. I allowed myself to scuff at him. His usually bright blue eyes were dark and hooded with what? Anger? Fear? Those emotions did nothing but fuel mine. Declan had no right to be angry, angry at who exactly? He's the one who's fucked everyone's life!

"Do I look like I care? Jessica should know just how sick and useless her brother really is!"

"Of everyone of King's pawns I didn't expect you to do this Reyna," he squeezed my wrist some more. I internally grunted before lifting my legs and aiming straight at his soft spot. In a second my wrist was free and he'd stepped back, hands placed protectively over it.

"Fuck you!" He cried. I stepped forward and threw a punch at his oh so golden face. He staggered backwards and he would've tripped if I hadn't grabbed him by his collar. He looked at me through his disheveled hair.

"This is for my best friend," I informed him before proceeding to throw my left arm flat against his left cheek. "And when a Diaz woman speaks to you Declan, you do not attempt to manhandle her." I remind him before landing him another slap. I could've gone on and on but the universe took that moment to stop me with the presence of Jessica Jones.

"Hey! Who the hell are you! Get away from my brother!" She went on screaming some more profanities as she separated us but I was less concerned with the child, my gaze was fixed on Declan and he was sending me equally murderous looks.

"You know I didn't truly believe him," I tell Declan. He stands upright, refusing his sister's help. "I thought he was wrong, you were misjudged. But take a look at you. You look every bit of the monster he said you were."

"Who are you–"

"Reyna!" Landon's voice echoes before we see him come in. He looks exhausted, as though he ran all the way here but I know his Lexus is parked outside. He assesses the situation and must've decided that minimum damage was done because he exhales loudly. He opens his mouth to speak but Declan beats him to it.

"I see. He's the one who's feeding you trash, the same guy who videoed my sister naked and posted it on the internet!"

My eyes involuntarily snaps to Jessica who looks as though she was looking at a ghost. Landon looks like he has a lot to say to Declan but he readjusts his gaze so he's only looking at me.

"Let's get out of here." It's like he's begging me. I take one more look at Declan and I just know I have to have the last word.

"Adonis will end you." I warn him. It comes from the bottom of my heart because all of a sudden there's a line between guys like Adonis, who wouldn't look twice at a girl disrespectfully and there's guys like Declan...sick guys. I know Adonis will end him, and I can't wait to see it. Wordlessly I turn around and exit the Jones' mansion without turning around.

||

  "What was that?" Landon demands the moment we're out of that area.

"Drive me home, my brothers are probably wondering why I'm late."

"Would you like me to tell them?"

"They would be proud."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?"

The car is silent for a moment until I turn around to face him.

"Landon. Are you a better person than Declan?"

"No." He answers immediately.

"Would you help us find Avery?"

"If I can–"

"Everyone can help–"

"Declan isn't a kidnapper," he says with finality.

"We'll see," I shrug. I don't say anything else throughout the ride because I know we don't agree on that.

As far as I'm concerned, Declan Jones is every bit of a kidnapper.