Page 10 of InfraRed

Having it verified that it was indeed a setup for Krista increases the desire to punch him in the face. I was already irritated as hell after the way he reacted to me speaking to Casey. He probably thinks I didn’t hear him tell her to stay away from me. But ever since the wheels started turning—the moment I realized the arrest was planned for that moment—I’ve been getting angrier by the second because he planned it while Casey would be there to watch. She’s been through hell with her mom, but forsome reason, she loved her anyway. Not to mention she hates attention of any kind, even if indirect. Watching her mother kick and scream like a banshee embarrassed Casey.

“We coordinated with Liam, Henry, and the police a week ago because Liam and Henry were convinced Krista wouldn’t be able to resist the invitation,” Maddox finishes saying.

“And we were right.” Liam glares at me, almost daring me to disagree.

And I do. “Yeah. You were right. And you humiliated your daughter in the process.”

He stands, forgetting to put his weight on the crutches he’s using, to his full height as if that would intimidate me.He’s two inches taller. Give the man a prize.“Whether it happened there or elsewhere, it was going to happen, but Casey was informed. She chose to be there, anyway.”

“Good for you, Liam. You warned her. Of course, she fucking showed up. It was her best friend’s party.”Well, that was an accidental slip.I’ve been away for years. I’m not supposed to know who her best friend is. But I don’t let my mistake slow my rant. “Do you think knowing in advance made a difference? Were you standing there when she heard the bitch scream bloody murder? Did you see her face turn white as a sheet? Does that sound like she wasokay?”

He steps closer to me, his nostrils flaring. “Do you think you knowmydaughter better than me?”

“I know I do.” Another slip. Everyone assumes I know nothing about her anymore. There’s nothing I don’t know about her. I step into him, and we’re nearly chest-to-chest. Even if it’s been years, I know her desires, what makes her happy, and sad…. I know her secrets. The ones he knows nothing about. Even if I know she’s got secrets from me too.

“Whoa!” Maddox and Angel appear beside us—I forgot they were even in the room.

“Let them have a go,” Ryder taunts, still in the same seat but now holding Master’s child.

Maddox tosses him a glare as they separate us as if they’re worried we’ll fight. Angel pushes Liam back while Maddox shoves me to the opposite side. He points at me. “Yes, it was planned, but no there was no ulterior motive where you were concerned. We had that release party planned days before your attorney called.”

“And you couldn’t warn me?”

“Couldn’t take the chance you’d give them the heads up, mate,” Ryder claims.

I lock eyes with Liam and raise a finger, pointing at him. “Heknew.”

“Yeah.” Maddox rubs his chin thoughtfully while he glares at Liam. “I get the feelingyouforgot to share a few things, didn’t you Liam?”

“Jesus Christ, what does it matter now? It’s done,” Angel grumbles. “And if Casey got upset, I’m sorry, but that bitch could’ve killed my sister. She’s lucky I didn’t toss her ass over the goddamn roof.”

“Enough!” Maddox bellows when his son starts to cry. He walks over, takes the baby, shushing him a bit, mumbling softly, then, when he quiets, he turns icy eyes on everyone. “You’re right,” he says low and deep. “I didn’t want a CEO. Ryder did. We argued for months until Angel had enough and bought into the label just to be the tiebreaker. You’re here, so no secret what he decided. Ithoughtwe went over everything important and made sure there would be no issues withanyone.”He turns his hard, accusing glare to Liam, who tips his chin a bit and thenlooks back at me. “But the choice was only for you. There was no shortlist. If I was being forced to fill the role, you are the only one I considered, and you can guess why. Far as the rest, sorry you were blindsided.” Liam scoffs, and my attention snaps to him. I open my mouth, ready to start again, but Maddox doesn’t give me a chance. “But whatever the hell this is…” He gestures between us as the baby in his arms squirms. “It stays the hell out of my goddamn company, or I will make you both regret the day you met me.”

“I already do most days,” Angel growls, earning a reprimand from Jake across the room.

“We’ll be fine,” Liam finally says, but his eyes say more. We’ll be fine as long as I toe the line he’s wordlessly drawn.

I don’t toe lines. I obliterate them.

“Now, get. The. Fuck. Out. Of. My. Office.” Maddox bellows.

“Thought it wasouroffice,” Ryder taunts.

“Shut the hell up, asshole,” Maddox replies.

I growl but turn to leave at the same time as Liam. “Not you.” Maddox points at Liam.

I’m disappointed. I wanted to continue ourconversation.It will get finished, even if not here or today.

I’m almost to my office on the other side of the building when I hear my name. I turn and find Liam behind me.

I stand with my hands in my pockets so I don’t punch him in his mouth. He stops a foot away from me, his eyes appraising me, and then he scrubs his hands over his face. “I apologize for that, but I need you to understand that Casey was considered in every step of this. I know you’re concerned for her, and I can appreciate that.”

I raise a brow, a little shocked he’s quick to apologize becauseI wouldn’t be. I also wait for the other half of that statement because he’s not done. “But?” I prod when he doesn’t spit it out.

“I don’t have an issue with you, Graham. You’ve watched out for Casey for a long time. I’m grateful.”

“I would hope so since you’re the one who asked me to.” I’m still waiting. I can feel the rest coming.

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