Page 20 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

There are muffled arguments going on. My sister is trying to convince Killian and Declan to let us come to the compound. After a few minutes of them bickering, they finally all agree. Whatever Selena had said was enough for them to hear me out.

“When you arrive we will be taking Madison to get cleaned up and fed in the main house.Youwill remain with Selena and the rest of us in the pool house. We can discuss everything there,” Killian’s calm yet assertive voice fills the line.

Interesting.My sister has managed to pacify him. They really are perfect for each other.

“Where Madison goes. I go,” I state, in athis is non-negotiablekind of way.

Madison tenses, anticipating a fight. I know she’s excited to see Liam. So I won’t push it—for now.

“It’s fine, Kil. I’ll shower and eat in the pool house. Iwillbe present for this. We allneed to talk.” Her voice holds no room for argument.

It’s sexy as hell.

“We should be there within the hour.” I hang up, placing the phone back into my sweatshirt pocket. My fingers wrap back around Madison’s and I rest my chin on her shoulder. “Selena told me you’re going to be a nurse.” Her fingers clench, gripping the helm tighter.

“I wasgoingto be. I’m not sure that’s even an option anymore,” she says dryly.

“Well, I think yourboyfriendbroke a few of my ribs. So, if you would be so kind as to take a look at them later…that would be much appreciated.”

“You’ll need to ice it periodically throughout the day. Maybe take some ibuprofen. I’m surprisedThe Bone Breakerdoesn’t know this. Bones are yourspecialtyaren’t they?”

She’s teasing me—and I fucking love it.

I lean in closer to whisper in her ear. “Keep running that smart mouth of yours and I’ll show you my otherspecialty.” I raise my hips in warning and nip at her neck. Her thighs clench together. A movement she tried to conceal, but failed miserably at.

“Fuck off,Ocean Eyes.”

That’s twice now she’s called me that.

With athud,I toss a black Christmas tree storage bag on the floor of the underground garage. Declan looks somewhat amused. Killian’s face is screwed up from thinking too hard. And Liam looks murderous and ready to go round two with me. Of course, my sister is the first to run over, pulling us both into a hug.

“I’m so sorry, Madison. Will you ever forgive me?” Tears roll down her face as her hopeful eyes search her former friend’s.

“I’m still pissed. But I get why you did it. So yes,” she squeezes her hand, “I forgive you.”

Selena pushes me aside and pulls Madison into a warm embrace. “If my brother hasn’t already told you, thank you. You don’t realize how much you are helping not only us but countless others.”

Liam forces his way between the two of them and pulls Madison into his arms. A wave of jealousy hits meagainand I brush it off.

She’snot mine.

I point to the bag and then at Liam. “That could have been you,” I say cryptically. I’m not looking for a thank you.Just stating the obvious.

Liam steps forward in challenge, but myMaripositatightens her grip on him. “Stop. There’s a lot to discuss and beating the shit out of each other isn’t going to help anyone.”

“Get this taken care of,” Declan points to one of his men. “The rest of you follow me.”

My sister falls behind to walk with me. Madison and Liam are in front of us. Mr. Hothead’s arm is secure around her waist, supporting her weight as she leans into him. Killian trails behind us with a few other men who are armed to the gills.

We are led out of the garage and to the back of the property where the pool house resides. It’s half as big as the main house. There is an expansive dining table in the center of the open-concept space. Declan motions for us to sit. He and Killian take the two seats at the head of the table. Selena and I take a seat next to each other, and Liam and Madison sit across from us. The rest of his men remain standing around the table. Some are stationed outside of the sliding glass doors that access the pool.

“Selena informed us of the basics while we were on the phone with you. There are still many pieces to this terribly thought-out plan that we need to put together.” Killian has his arms on the table and hands clasped together. He turns towards Madison with a gentle smile on his face. “I know you are probably starving and in need of a hot shower. You wanted to be here, so would you rather us wait while you do that? Or did you want to wait ‘til after we discuss everything?”

“I’ll just take a plate of whatever you’ve got. If there’s any chance you have espresso, I’d kill for a quad with some sugar. As for the shower, I took one this morning. It can wait until after we are done talking.” She leans back in her chair and crosses her arms across her chest.

Liam drapes his arm around her shoulders, planting a kiss on top of her head. The bruises on his face are starting to darken.Can’t say I mind looking at him like that.He should have fought harder to take Madison with him. Even if that meant dying for her. Even if that meant she would hate him for it.But I’m starting to understand why he didn’t. She is a force to be reckoned with.

This woman currently has every man here looking at her in awe.Commanding the room without even trying. A Queen to everyone in her presence.

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