Page 91 of Until Mayhem

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

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BADASSES

OPHELIA

“YOU GOOD, KID?”

Standing in front of the courthouse, about to do something a lot of adults couldn’t face, Madison looked up at Judge and gave him a small smile. “Mama said I could keep Lightning with me the whole time.”

“That’s good.”

“I asked for Scythe, but she said no.”

“Compromise.” His eyes went to me. “Life’s all about give and take.”

“It’s time to go in,” Casey said, reaching for Madison’s hand.

She didn’t get it, though.

Instead, Madison ran to her scarred and scary biker buddy. Like it was nothing, she slipped her hand into his.

“What’s wrong?” Scythe glared as he scanned the area.

“Mama said we have to go in now.”

“Then we better listen.”

I watched them go, Scythe somehow getting a scared little girl to belly laugh loud enough for the sound to echo around us.

The other guys moved, too, an army of badasses behind her.

“Change your mind?” Judge asked, a hopeful thread in his tone.

After we’d gotten into town the night before, he’d told me he wanted me to chill in the courthouse cafeteria. The area was crawling with cops and guards, so he knew I’d be safe. And I wouldn’t have to hear Madison’s testimony.

Or get thrown in the slammer for jumping the barrier to kick the bastard’s ass.

“I’m good,” I said. “I’ve got you to hold me back so I don’t end up in the clink.”

His gorgeous eyes lit with amusement. “The clink?”

“Stony lonesome?”

“Let’s get you inside, Outlaw O.”

We were almost to the door when someone called, “Hawkins.”

Judge moved me behind him as he turned. When he saw whoever it was, his body relaxed and he shifted me next to him again, throwing an arm around my waist with his hand resting low on my hip.

The possessive hold made sense when I saw the guy heading our way.

“Might as well pee on me next time,” I muttered.

“Not my kink. But I gave it some thought, and I’ll do the briefcase thing.”

I elbowed him just as the guy reached us.

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