Page 107 of Fought and Freed

“Have you thought about asking Torr to come with you?” Maddy asked. “There are schools everywhere.”

He looked up at her. “Do you think she’d move?”

Maddy smiled. “Yeah, you have a really good chance she’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.” She dropped her smile to glare. “That is, if you fix this mess you’ve created. You two are made for each other. Don’t let Mike screw it up.”

“You’re right. I just got scared and pushed her away.” Lucca stood and hugged Maddy. “Thanks for coming over and getting my head on straight.”

“Anytime, bro.” She pushed him back. “Now, go get your girl.”

He grabbed his keys. “Do you need a ride home?”

Maddy shook her head. “No, Jace is outside waiting. I have a sick Ryder at home to take care of.”

Concern filled Lucca’s face. “Did he catch that flu that’s going around?”

“Yeah.” Maddy gave him an apologetic look. “I didn’t think of that before coming here. I might have just brought it to you.”

He shrugged. “I’m sure I was going to get it one way or another.”

They walked down the stairs into the living room.

Ace twisted on the couch to stare at them. “Did you fix his cranky ass?”

“She did.” Lucca walked over to him. “I’m sorry I’ve been snapping at you. I’ve been dealing with something.”

Ace stood and slapped Lucca on the arm. “No, problem. We all have issues from time to time. You better now?”

“Yes.” Lucca held up his keys. “I’m going to fix the problem.”

“Good.” Ace turned to Maddy. “Thanks for kicking his ass.”

Maddy grinned. “Anytime.”

Lucca and Maddy walked outside, and Maddy hugged her brother. “Good luck.”

She walked down the path to the curb and hopped back into the Jeep.

“Did you get everything worked out?” Jace asked.

“Yeah.” Maddy buckled in. “I told him that if Mike wanted Torr, then breaking up with her wouldn’t stop Mike from getting her.”

“That’s why he broke up with her?” Jace questioned.

“The attack scared him.” Maddy rubbed her temples. “He was afraid something was going to happen to her.”

Cody had done the same thing to Maddy when he distanced himself from her, but Lucca had taken it further by actually ending his relationship.

Jace pulled onto the road. “I can relate to what he’s going through. There are days when I want to tie you up and not let you leave the house, but I can’t do that to you. I have to trust that you’ll take care of yourself.”

He reached over and took her hand. “Though, if you leave, I need you to take one of us with you. Last time we thought you left to see Mrs. Jones, you’d been kidnapped, and we didn’t know until it was almost too late.”

“If something like that happens again, you four will find me. One way or another.” She squeezed his fingers. “Now, get me home so I can take care of my sick guy.”

Her voice broke on the last word, and she cleared her throat.

“Uh-oh.” Jace pulled his hand away with a teasing smile. “Sounds like you’re getting sick.”

“No, I’m not,” she protested, ignoring her scratchy throat.

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