Afterlight (Fanfiction) ✓

chapter thirty-four

Jay

WE pulled up to the mansion, a sprawling structure tucked deep within the forest, its towering facade draped in shadows from the encroaching trees. The air was thick with damp earth and foreboding, and I stepped out of the car, my boots crunching against gravel. My stomach churned as I took in the sight of it, the place where my brother had her.

"Of course, it's him," I muttered bitterly, letting out a sharp, humorless laugh. The sound felt foreign, even to me. This was the point of no return. If it came down to it, I'd tear my brother apart with my bare hands if it meant getting Chloe out alive. "Stay in the car," I told Nick, but the words were hollow. I already knew he wouldn't listen.

Nick leaned against the car, adjusting the black mask I'd handed him earlier. The sleek material obscured most of his face, leaving only his sharp eyes visible. It wasn't just for discretion, it was for his safety.

"You really think I'm gonna sit this one out?" he said, his tone carrying that familiar edge of defiance.

"You don't get it," I growled, glancing at the mansion again as I checked the knife strapped to my boot. "If they find out you helped me, you'll be out of Venom or worse."

Nick shrugged, pulling the mask tighter. "I don't care. I told you, I'm here for you. Besides, Venom needs me more than I need them. Those idiots can't even turn a computer on without me." He smirked, but his voice softened. "Let's get her and get the hell out of here."

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to nod. But even as he spoke, I could feel my resolve slipping. I could promise myself a hundred times over not to let rage take control, but the second I saw Chloe, saw what they'd done to her, I didn't know if I'd be able to keep that promise.

The mansion loomed closer as we approached. I kicked the heavy door open with enough force to send it slamming against the wall. The entryway spilled out into a long, red velvet hallway. Chandeliers hung overhead, their crystals glittering in the dim light, and gold-trimmed furniture lined the walls. It was opulence soaked in malice—my brother's signature touch.

"Elegant as ever," Nick muttered, his voice low as we crept forward.

My heart hammered as we moved deeper inside. Around the corner, a familiar figure appeared. Jett, one of my brother's lackeys. Without hesitation, I slammed him against the wall, my forearm pinning his throat.

"Where is she?" I demanded, my voice low and lethal.

Jett coughed, his face turning red as he tried to pry my arm away. "Still chasing after her, huh?" he rasped. "She doesn't want you, man. Said it herself—"

I cut him off with a sharp punch to the nose, the crack echoing through the hallway.

"Jay, let's go," Nick hissed from behind me.

It took everything in me to unclench my fist, but I stepped back, shoving Jett against the wall one last time. "You're lucky," I snarled before following Nick down the hall.

A familiar voice stopped me in my tracks; Serena Welch. Her cold, cutting tone filtered through one of the doors, and my blood turned to ice. "You're tougher than I thought," she was saying, her words dripping with ice. "But it won't help you. If anything, it just makes me want to ruin that pretty face even more."

Nick didn't wait for permission, breaking his own promise even. He kicked the door open with enough force to send it crashing against the wall. Inside, Serena barely had time to react before Nick struck her, his fist connecting with her jaw. She crumpled to the floor, unconscious.

I froze, staring down at her lifeless form. We had an unspoken rule to not touch women, but in this case, Nick simply glanced at me and shrugged. "What?" he said, a hint of a grin on his face. "I've been waiting to do that for years."