Page 64 of Queen of Madness

I’m not sure how to feel about knowing Kane is jealous. I do think it’s cute that he assumes he has the authority over my body, but I can be truthful and say giving it to him has been an absolute pleasure. Even if I don’t like the soft pieces he seems to find in me, the unbearably good orgasms he gives make it worth the temporary weakness.

“Oh, are we?” Maddy’s serious tone draws me from my ruse, and I set the card back down.

“Oh no, Maddy. Just thinking.”

Steepling my fingers, I angle forward, my lashes batting slowly. “I would love it if you would give this more thought. Perhaps get back to me at another time? I can have a new contract sent over as well so you don’t feel as though your clients’ donations are dishonest.”

He adjusts his watch yet again and gives a curt nod. “Thank you, Onyx. I’ll read over it when you send it.”

I stand with him, shake his hand, and look over to see Maddy pointing a gun at the back of his head. I wait until he’s through the double doors before holding up a brow in question.

She shrugs, putting it in her back pocket. “You were playing with the card. I wasn’t sure if you were truly lost in thought or not.”

Sighing, I drop into my seat. “I seem to be doing that more and more these days.”

Maddy hops onto my desk, swinging her feet playfully while twirling a lock between her fingers. Though the small woman is mad beyond anything deemed sane, her ability to hold on to some of her perky quirks will forever impress me.

Her life was nothing but dim alleys and picking for scraps in the dumpster. When we saved her from being thrown to drown in the port, she’d attacked every nurse and doctor who entered her room. She was so angry we’d stopped her misery from finally ending.

But I was young then, and selfish. I wanted someone to suffer with me. To work through the despair and become the monster they saw me as.

Only that didn’t happen. When she was finally in the acceptance of what had happened, I’d convinced Antonio to bring her home—she was too far gone to rejoin civilization anyway. And then she met the boys. They made her smile.

And laugh.

And feel.

She ate breakfast with us at the table, trained with me during the days, and nursed her wounds alongside me at night.

Madeline was able to overcome what had happened because she found something better out there. She didn’t know what we had here had been a possibility. It made her work harder to keep her place. To earn a better one.

I admire that about her.

I only wish I could be jealous of it. Maybe then I’d strive to stay…

“I sent you an email. We have a small problem.” Maddy points a small finger to my black computer screen, prompting me to bring the beast to life. The small whirl begins as I tap the spacebar and nod to Shi, who appears in the doorway.

“I wouldn’t label it a small problem, Madeline.” Shi walks inside, her newly dyed pink-and-purple strands prominent against the sheet of black. She tucks a piece behind her pointy ear as she sits gently in a chair. “They’re buying property in the neutral zone.”

A spasm of anger flares in my gut. My girls wouldn’t tell me if they hadn’t checked multiple times for accuracy. But still. Never have they gone against what little understanding we’ve always had. They are complete…

“They’re trying to draw me out.”

The women nod in unison. Maddy hops down, opening the file she sent me and pointing to the location. It’s small, maybe an acre or two, and nothing but land. But a statement, nonetheless. They no longer respect what was once agreed upon.

“They can’t get to you. Not in the ways that matter, at least. So they are making a move.” Shi crosses her arm, her face cautiously observant. She doesn’t know how I’ll react and doesn’t want to guess incorrectly.

Even after all her time in safety, she’s still careful. Still constantly at the edge of her seat.

“Buy the rest.”

“What? I knew I was out of my head, but, Boss. That would start a war.” Maddy’s eyes are as big as marbles, her pupils hiding the pretty color underneath.

“Let them start it. It will be all the easier to kill each and every last one.”

“Are we ready for that?” Shi asks. I can see her reservations. I understand them. But if the Murphys would like to play, they need to understand I’m the queen of the board. I am not held by the same rules and restrictions they are.

I will slice the throats of anyone, while they dole out the duty to those who can stomach it. I once thought it was to absolve them of any wrongdoings, but later realized those in power cower behind their men—using them as shields while they sit on their horses.

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