Chapter 34. Playing the Last Card

Mark’s POV

The night smelled cold and damp, the concrete floor pressing hard against my back as I tried to breathe. My chest hurt, and every movement sent fire through my ribs. I groaned, feeling the blood in my mouth. Eric’s shadow loomed over me, and I could feel the weight of his presence before he even spoke.

“You think I don’t know what happened tonight?” he said quietly, his voice cutting through the silence like ice.

I tried to push myself up. “I don’t know what you mean!” I managed to gasp, but my words sounded weak, even to me.

He didn’t respond. Instead, he moved closer, and his gray eyes locked on mine. There was no warmth in them; just control, power, and something that made my stomach twist. “You were part of it,” he said slowly. “I know you met someone tonight. Tell me who.”

I shook my head. “I… I didn’t meet anyone. I would never hurt Elena,” I said, coughing as I tried to speak.

“Never hurt her?” His tone was almost gentle,