Page 64 of Pucking Obsessed

“I almost lost you,” I admit, and the words feel like gravel in my throat. “And I’m not willing to take you along. I don’t want to be away from you for a single second, but we need to take care of Scott.”

She nods, her eyes soft as they meet mine. Then, without hesitation, she leans in, brushing her lips against mine in a kiss that feels like everything I wanted the moment I saw her. “I don’t want to be without you,” she whispers. “Please come back safe.”

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her flush against me. My hands roam, spreading warmth over her back, keeping her close. She shifts slightly, rocking her hips against me, and I groan, my grip tightening. I know it was innocent on her part, but when any part of Madison is touching me, that’s all it takes for me to be ready for the next round.

“You will never be without me, princess,” I vow to her, my voice dropping lower. I tilt her chin up, forcing her to meet my eyes. “Never.”

She only nods her understanding, but the way she’s looking at me tells me everything she’s feeling. Madison’s lips part, and her breath hitches, her body melting further into mine. If I hadn’t already decided to ruin anyone who dare try to take her from me, this moment would have sealed it. She’s mine, completely, and I’ll make sure she knows it every day for the rest of our lives.

A knock at the door interrupts the moment, and I let out a frustrated growl. “Wait a fucking minute,” I bark, kissing Madi’s forehead before helping her slide off my lap. She slips her sweater on, moving with that quiet grace she has about her. On one hand I’m glad that I’m the only one she shows the most vulnerable sides of her. On the other hand, I hate that she’s so poised wearing a mask and hiding her emotions from so many years of practice.

When I open the door, it’s Callum, grinning like he doesn’t have a care in the world, and my glower only makes his grin widen.

“Ah, come on, man. I know today was some shit, but I’m hyped up,” he says, lifting his shirt to show the pistol tucked into his waistband. “Haven’t been able to use this thing in a minute.”Literallyminutes. How long have we been home? My hair is still wet, for fuck’s sake.

“You need to go back to the Falls and get dragged around by a bull to knock some sense into you,” Tristan drawls as he walks up behind Callum, his tone dry as hell. His hands are shoved into his pockets, and he already looks over this little meeting as he adjusts the hood of his sweatshirt to lay just like way he likes it on his head.

“How’s Winter?” Madi’s voice is soft as she slips under my arm, her hands wrapping around my torso. I fucking love how at ease she is with me.

Tristan’s face tightens at the mention of Winter, and there’s a flicker of something painful flashing in his eyes before he schools his expression. “She’s soaking in a hot bath. We couldn’t get the chill to leave her.” His voice is clipped, and he clears his throat like he’s trying to shoo away whatever emotion he’s feeling right now.

“ANYWAY,” Callum interjects, lifting his hat like he does when he’s agitated and then placing it back on his head. He’sacting like a kid who can’t wait to show you their new train set on Christmas, only he can’t wait to go murder Scott. “My cousin’s going to help us out,” Callum says. “He’s got some guys from the Falls who owe him favors. They’ll come down in the middle of the night, clear out Coach’s office and Kirsten’s room.”

“They should probably take my vehicle too. Make it look like Kirsten took it to have extra space to haul her shit away,” I say quickly, wanting to hear the rest of the plan before I fully interrupt.

“Good call,” Tristan says. “Ramsey’s already been by and is working on their phones. He’ll make it look like they had something serious enough to run off. Dean Jacobs will be so mortified, she won’t want anyone talking about it or snooping around. Remember to grab Scott’s phone so I can get it over to Ramsey.”

“So that leaves…” Madi starts, her voice trailing off.

“Jacobs,” I finish, my tone sharp. He’s not going to go quick like his father did.

“He’s on his way to the cliffs right now,” Tristan says flatly. “Texted him from Kirsten’s phone before handing it off. You two need to head out if we’re taking care of him tonight. Winter isn’t in any condition to be out in the rain again, and I’m not fucking leaving her.”

“You stay with the girls,” Callum says, already bouncing on his heels like he’s ready to jog all the way. “Hayden and I will take care of Skippy.”

The mention of the cliffs makes Madi tighten her grip on me, and I feel the way her fingers clutch the fabric of my shirt. I pull her in front of me, wrapping her in my arms, tilting her chin up so she can see I mean every word. “I’m going to make that fucker pay for everything he put you through,” I promise, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

Callum, ever the instigator, chimes in, “If you two need some alone time,” he says, wiggling his eyebrows, but then stops when Tristan whacks him on the back of the head. “Geeze, motherfucker, that hurts. I was just saying Skippy is light work. I can handle him on my own if I need to.”

I stiffen, the possessiveness surging through me at the thought of anyone else dealing with Jacobs. That’s mine to handle. Madi must sense it because she presses her hand to my chest. “It’s okay,” she says softly. “I’d feel better knowing you made sure he was gone.”

I close my eyes, exhaling through my nose before kissing her forehead. “Shower, relax, and I’ll be back before you can even miss me.” I press a kiss to her shoulder, lingering there for a moment before stepping back.

Callum and Tristan are already discussing logistics, their voices a low hum in the background. I hear them say we’re going to pin Bethany’s death on Scott. I don’t know how that will pan out, but as long as it’s taken care of, I don’t give a fuck.

Callum says, “Do you think people will buy that?”

“Ramsey will take care of the details,” Tristan says, his tone clipped. He turns to me and Callum, his eyes narrowing. “Call if you two fuckers get into any shit.”

Then he’s turning, heading down the hallway.

“Are you saying the two of us can’t handle Skippy Jacobs?” Callum calls after him, his voice sing-song.

Tristan doesn’t answer, and Callum snickers before turning back to me. “You ready?”

Madison turns in my arms, her big, curious eyes lock onto mine as she lifts onto her tiptoes, brushing her lips softly against my cheek before asking, “Before you go, how did you guys find us so quickly?”

“Oh shit,” Callum blurts out from behind me, immediately breaking the moment. His laughter echoes down the hall as hethrows his hands up and starts walking off. “I’ll be in the car waiting while you get your ass kicked,” he calls over his shoulder. “She’s gonna fuck you up.”

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