Page 188 of Maddox
When Maddox grabs a video from the bottom of the pile and presses play, I crawl into his lip and lean against his warm chest.
I’m expecting more of the antics of his family but this video cuts to a church and the camera pans over the crowd, including Joker standing at the front before it wobbles, and the person spins.
My breath catches when it lands on Mom at the threshold. Her red hair flows down her back in silken waves and the creamy gown she chose accentuates her lithe figure and her bright blue eyes.
She stares across the room, presumably at Joker waiting for her at the altar. Beside her, a woman grabs her hand, and I lean in. Is this my grandmother?
Together they walk down the aisle, and I take in every nuance of her face and beautiful smile until they’re standing together at the front and the video cuts off.
When I turn to Maddox, my heart tumbles at his dancing eyes, and I press my lips to his, my throat aching with unshed tears as I say, “Thank you.”
He drops his forehead to mine and breathes, “I will do anything to see that fucking smile for the rest of my life.”
Me too.
Our time together comes to a close when Wolf pokes his head in and says, “Get your fucking hands off my sister.”
I’m still coming to terms with the fact that I have two half-brothers, and I can’t say that the way we met, Wolf and I have inspired any warm and fuzzy feelings. Still, I’m open to exploring this new relationship, which apparently includes a serious dose of protectiveness.
“Not a fucking chance,” Maddox says, his lips curving into a wicked smile.
When Wolf grumbles something under his breath, I hide my laugh in Maddox’s shoulder. He’s taken too much pleasure already in torturing his MC brother, but I see the sparkle in his eyes, it’s all in good fun…at least on Maddox’s part.
“Come on,” Lilli says from the door. “Dinner is ready.”
When Maddox helps me to stand, I feel a tingle of something warm and new. Together we’re celebrating our first Christmas, and I hope Maddox’s brothers come to accept me as I have them.
The man I love is MC and I will never let him lose that for me.
As soon as we enter the hall, our intertwined hands swinging between us, Joker barks, “Maddox, get your ass over here and cut the bird.”
Maddox winks down at me and I smile until he’s gone from view, only to turn when Draven makes a gagging sound from the hall.
Laughing when she shakes her head, I lean against the wall as she says, “You’ve fallen for the dark side.”
“It’s not so bad,” I say, and she sighs.
“Yeah…it is.”
“Where are you going?”
“Out.”
“It's dangerous–”
“It’s dangerous here,” she sneers. “Don’t you get it?”
“I guess, I don’t.”
“You’ll never be free as long as you’re here,” she says, and I shiver when she walks through that door into the darkness.
I know I should say something but it’s not my business what Draven does, and I can’t believe that she would be stupid enough to involve herself in Aces’ business.
Besides, who am I to come between her and her desire for freedom?
To her, this place is stifling. For me, it feels like home, and I know that's directly related to Maddox.
She needs to find her peace and if that's not here, then eventually, the MC is going to have to figure out how to let her go.
