Page 133 of Maddox
Fighting back a shiver, I glance between the three dangerous men before focusing on Romeo because he’s the only one who doesn’t look ready to rip my throat out.
When he winks, I muster a wan smile before Maddox steps between us with a scowl and Joker says, “What’s the deal with Helen?”
“Mom?” I ask.
“Yeah,” he grunts. “Does she know Snake is missing?”
Does he know my mom? How? When?
Would it be better if I told them Joey denied being my father? But to what end? They don’t trust me, and I have no reason to believe they’ll leave her alone.
“No,” I finally say.
“Why?” Joker says, splaying his hands. “Why wouldn’t you tell her? Her husband’s a cop. They could’ve filed a missing person’s report.”
It’s a valid question but I can’t answer it without revealing the sordid mess with my mom. I won’t do that. I can’t…
“I didn’t want to get Peter in trouble,” I whisper, ignoring the bead of sweat that slides down my icy spine.
Despite my resolve, I know I’m playing with fire.
If Ice is a murderer, what does that make these men? They’re not kittens, that’s for sure.
When Joker circles around me, I follow with my eyes as he says, “Your stepdad ain’t man enough to fight for his family?”
“He's not you.”
It’s true. While I don’t see Peter as a weakling, I know he’s not the type of person who can fight an entire MC.
“Sit,” Joker barks and I flinch before reluctantly pulling out a chair at the table and plopping my ass down.
When Maddox eyes his dad with furrowed brows, I shiver. If he’s worried, then I should be terrified.
“Call her,” Joker says.
“Why?” I ask and he pins me with an icy stare.
“Call. Her,” he says, enunciating the words like I don’t understand.
It’s pretty clear cut except I don’t want to call her while they hover over me.
Why does Ice think my mom belongs to him? What if she’s in danger and I’m making the situation worse?
I’m considering my options and what might happen if I flat out refuse when Maddox says, “Delaney, we need to have all the information.”
Do we or dothey?
Either way, I’m pretty sure saying no isn’t an option and I pull out my phone, fumbling to unlock it while they’re all practically staring over my shoulder.
Avoiding the three pairs of eyes drilling into my skull, I pull up her contact, wincing when Joker grabs the phone from my hand and puts it on speaker just as she says, “Hey Delaney. I’m so glad to hear from you.”
I don’t know what to say even if I could swallow past the lump in my throat and I glance up at Joker for direction.
He’s glaring at the phone like it might bite him, and I curl my icy fingers into my palms as she says, “Del–”
“Red!” Joker barks, cutting her off.
Red?
