Page 116 of Devil May Lie

“And keep you from Rin?” he clicked his tongue. “No, thanks. I know his brother. The dude is scary. Remind me to stay on the twins’ good side.”

“What about your parents?” Zane asked.

“What about them?” Madden hadn’t seen them once. They’d promised Rebecca that they were canceling their conference on Raf and heading straight back as soon as they’d been informed he’d been severely injured. But they’d never shown. “You know the Odells. As soon as they were told I was awake, they turned the ship around and went back to finish up business.”

He couldn’t even blame them for it. That’s just who they were. If there was anything he was good at, it was accepting people at face value. Life was too short to second guess all the little details.

“I suppose that means there won’t be a family dinner this month,” Kelevra said. “Silver lining.”

“It’s all smoke and mirrors anyway,” Madden stated. “All relationships are.”

“That so?”

“Yeah. Don’t get me wrong, my parents care about us, but they’re strict because they care about the family name more. Those dinners are a complete waste of time. We all just sit around pretending to be interested in the other's lives, when in reality, I’d rather be racing, and Rebecca would rather be binging one of her shows.”

“Sounds a bit jaded,” Zane pointed out. “That’s unlike you.”

“Is it?”

His friend seemed to be considering something for a second before speaking. “The Butcher hasn’t been to class since the explosion.”

“Really? Didn’t you say he was practically unharmed?”

“You don’t sound like you care one way or the other.”

“Why should I?” He rolled his eyes. “Because we supposedly got close in the time I don’t remember?” Madden held out his arms pointedly. “Where is he then? I don’t see him, do you? You’d think a guy would want to stick around his boyfriend if he were hospitalized like I was.”

“Are you upset that he wasn’t?” Kelevra suggested, and Madden laughed.

“No,” he grinned. “I was only making a point. I’m not sure what gave you all the impression that he and I were serious, but clearly, you were mistaken. So, no, I don’t care if he’s been skipping school. I’ve got my own problems to deal with. Like that fucking ugly hoverbike I’m now stuck with. Do either of you want it?”

“Keep it,” Kel told him. “You might change your mind.”

“I won’t.”

He wasn’t exaggerating to get them off his back where the Butcher was concerned. Madden really didn’t want to know where he was or what he was doing. And he didn’t give two shits that Berga hadn’t come back to the hospital to see him. It just made all of this a hell of a lot easier, after all.

No matter what anyone else said to him about the two of them, he was going to trust the actions of the Butcher more. And Berga’s actions? They told him everything he needed to know.

Nothing between them had ever been significant.

Madden wandered over to his fridge and momentarily paused. Usually, it was difficult to find anything in there, which was why he kept most drinks in the mini refrigerator instead, but someone had organized it, and there was water right at the front.

“What’s wrong?” Zane asked.

“Nothing.” He grabbed a bottle and twisted off the cap, tossing it carelessly onto the counter. “Weren’t you guys leaving?”

“Kicking us out?” Kelevra shook his head. “Rude.”

“Ledger should be on his way.” Zane checked his multi-slate, no doubt to find out where the other Retinue member was.

“Why?” Madden tried and failed to hide his irritation. “Look, you guys are great and all, but I really need some time alone.”

“Because you’re heartbroken?” Kelevra teased.

He frowned at him. “No, because I’m exhausted.”

“Still,” Zane said, “you shouldn’t be on your own just yet.”

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