Page 25 of Wretched Heart
Hugo eyes each of us. “I think we’re done here.”
It’s actually impressive. The guy either thinks he’s indestructible, or he’s in denial about how quickly and completely his family’s legacy is about to be wiped out. I have to remind myself that there’s an entire town’s livelihood at stake, and that doing business with this asshole would be for the greater good. It would also provide Maddie with some much-needed independence.
From the corner of my eye, I notice movement on the staircase above. It’s Maddie’s maid of honor. Hugo’s wife. She holds her daughter’s hand, and when I glance up and smile at the six-year-old, she buries her head in her mother’s skirt. She’ll be another one who’s learned to flinch at the sound of Hugo Corbyn’s raised voice. Before I look away, my gaze snags on Jennifer Corbyn’s face. I don’t recall her having a fat lip yesterday.
Fuck.
Fuck the hell out of this.
I grind my teeth so hard I’m at risk of breaking a molar. “I’m not leaving,” I tell Hugo. “The deal on the table is to buy yours and Maddie’s shares at the market price established in your failed negotiations with Barrett.”
“It didn’t fail. It was sabotaged. By you. Which is why I’m going to politely decline your offer.”
I nod as if processing the rebuff. I’m normally able to remain calm in testing circumstances, but as I turn to Maddie, my heart wants to punch its way through my chest. I lean in so only she can hear.
“Do you think you can trust me?”
Maddie glances from me, to Hugo, then back again. I’m the lesser of two evils right now, and knowing what she’s had to endure gives my chest another punching.
“Take off your hoodie.”
Maddie’s eyes widen, but she pauses for only a second before reaching for the zip.
Hugo folds his arms and has a look of bemusement on his face until he clocks the dress Maddie’s wearing. “For pity’s sake,” he exclaims. “For someone who claims to be untouched, you certainly dress like a whore.”
There are two sharp intakes of breath from behind me as Maddie takes off the hoodie and reveals the bruising that only I’ve seen so far. As I pass the hoodie to Reid, I hold the gaze of each of my brothers in turn. I needed to know they have my back. They do.
“Take Maddie upstairs and help her pack whatever she needs,” I tell Reid.
As I’m turning back to Hugo, he makes a move towards his sister. I don’t need to react. Mace comes from behind to stand in front of her.
“Please, give me a reason to rip your head off,” he warns. He has the perfect tone to pull off volatile and menacing, and even I get goosebumps – although it’s more likely as a result of seeing him protect Maddie in the same way I wanted to from the moment I set eyes on her.
“This is outrageous! You can’t take my sister!” Hugo says, but he shuffles back a step.
“I can,” I say, prowling towards him. “And I will. She’s mine now.”
Hugo’s eyes are bulging as he staggers back and I keep coming for him. When his heels hit the stairs, he topples down on his ass with a yelp. I hold a finger up to him, indicating it’s in his best interests to stay where he is. I look back over to Maddie. Her eyes are fixed on mine, shining cerulean blue like the ocean I’m about to dive into.
“Go and pack your things, Maddie. I’m taking you home.”
Her lips tremble as she nods. She mouths the words, “Thank you,” and my hammering heart is already waving a white flag in surrender.
She’s flanked by Reid as she steps past her brother to climb the stairs. She doesn’t look at him, but he’s staring wild-eyed at her.
“Maddison, have you lost your fucking mind?” he hisses. “You don’t offer up the damn goods until there’s a deal on the table!”
My hand whips out and I grab Hugo by the collar and yank him to his feet. Even though he’s teetering on the first stair, I still tower over him. “Watch your tongue if you want to keep it. That’s my future wife you’re talking to,” I spit out.
I’m vaguely aware of Reid tilting his head as if he can’t believe his ears. I’m just glad Mace is out of view. Maddie doesn’t react at all. She keeps her head down and continues to climb the stairs. Maybe she doesn’t want to show her surprise in front of Hugo. Or perhaps she doesn’t believe me. She might have a point because I can’t quite believewhat I’ve just said. I’m going to be walking out of here with a what-the-fuck-have-I-just-done look on my face.
But right now, I’m enjoying twisting the collar of Hugo’s shirt until his face goes puce. “You need to apologize to your sister.”
“You’re crazy,” he splutters.
“No, I’m your new business partner,” I clarify. “And if we’re going to start off on the right foot, I want to hear you apologize.”
Saliva drools from his mouth. “For what?”
