Page 141 of Fought and Freed

Maddy’s brows shot up in surprise. “You didn’t?”

“Hell, no! I know crazy when I see it. She tried, and she told everyone we did, but no, I never touched that.” His tongue came out as if gagging, and his whole body shook.

“Have you ever told Torr that?” Maddy asked.

Lucca gave her a strange look. “No, why?”

“Because that bitch knew Torr had a crush on you, and she made Torr’s life Hell,” Maddy explained. “It would boost Torr’s self-esteem if you told her you never touched Trisha.”

He growled.

Maddy looked around, then lowered her voice. “Did we blow up the compound?”

Lucca immediately shook his head. “No, we wouldn’t do that. Too many innocents. My contact inside the police force said it really was a gas leak. The compound was old and needed updating, but Victor didn’t trust anyone. I won’t say I’m not happy that they’re gone, though. Now, we only have to worry about one.”

“Cody won’t let any of us go anywhere alone.”

“He’s smart.” Lucca nods in approval. “There’s no doubt Mike will think it was us.”

Maddy checked the time and shoved her book into her bag. “I gotta go. I have class.”

He hugged her. “See you later.”

* * *

After class, she searched for the guys. The plan was to meet up in the cafeteria, but she didn’t see them anywhere. Her baking class ended a half hour after Jace’s class, so he and Ryder had plenty of time to arrive ahead of her.

Maybe they were sitting in the Jeep?

As she headed toward the parking lot, she reached into her backpack for her phone, only to find a group text message waiting.

Once she got to her car, she opened it.

Skylar: It’s time! Come to the hospital!

Several responses from the guys followed. She was going to be the last to arrive.

Heart pounding, Maddy checked the time that the message was delivered and discovered it came in over an hour ago.

She was so excited that she turned on her Soul and sped toward the hospital.

She couldn’t wait to meet the little guy. They had picked out the name Ethan Jared Shultz.

As she came up on a light, it turned green, and Maddy tapped the accelerator. She was so focused on what was in front of her that she didn’t see the black truck running the red light until it was too late.

Pain splintered through her, and the sound of metal scraping metal filled her ears. Then, nothing but darkness.

* * *

As Maddy floated out of unconsciousness, she tried to move, and her whole body hurt. Something was wrong, but she couldn’t figure out what.

She opened her eyes and quickly shut them because it was too damn bright. In the background, she heard a beeping noise rapidly increasing.

Where was she?

The last thing she remembered was being at school and checking her phone. She was heading to the hospital…

Shit, she couldn’t remember what had happened after that.

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