Page 40 of Shattered Hearts

“Beer?” Linc asks hopefully.

“You know it.”

“Sounds good.”

Zane punches in the security code, and we ride the private lift up to the penthouse. In the kitchen, I feed Baby a container of shredded chicken and place a big bowl of water onto the floor. I like taking care of her.

We spend the evening munching on gourmet pizza Lucille stocked in our freezer and watching football. I couldn’t care less about sports. I couldn’t follow the rules before Ash decided to drug me up, and there’s no chance in hell I can now. I dozeagainst Gage’s chest, the adrenaline rush fading and leaving me exhausted, and the rumble as he cheers and jeers is the perfect lullaby.

The night ends much too soon, though it’s late when Linc and Gage start suggesting they head out after the final touchdown.

Zane leans against the wall near the elevator, Stella resting her head on his arm.

I want to go home with Gage, but he didn’t invite me and I don’t ask.

“About your truck—” Zane starts.

“Nope,” Gage says immediately, cutting him off. “Not needed. I have full coverage.”

My brother sighs and shoves his hands into the pockets of his dress pants.

Linc coughs. “I’ll let you two work that out.” He turns to me. “Watch yourself. I don’t want to be around this jackass,” he says, hooking a thumb at Gage, “if something happens to you.” He kisses my cheek, and because the lift didn’t go down, he’s able to quickly escape.

Zane presses his lips together. “Are you going to marry my sister?”

Gage’s eyes land on mine, emotion sparking in the gold flecks. “If we can get this shit figured out, yeah. If she’ll have me.”

My brother holds out his hand, and Gage shakes it firmly. “Then take the truck. I’ll have Peggy schedule an appointment at...what do you drive?”

“Fords.”

Zane grimaces. “I can’t talk you into a GMC, at least? Their newest models are top of the line.”

“Don’t press your luck.”

“I’ll ask Peggy to call the dealership. Think of it as replacing collateral damage. It’s what you get being associated with the Maddoxes.”

For the second time today, Gage pales.

Zane swears. “Fuck. I’m sorry. Max.”

Gage blows a breath. “Yeah. It’s okay. I’ll see you later?” he says to me.

I tilt my head and he rubs his lips against mine. “Yeah. Goodnight.”

Brushing his thumb over my cheek, he says, “Goodnight. Be careful.”

“I will.”

“Night, Gage. Thanks for watching out for Zarah,” Stella says, and standing in the lift, he only has time to nod before the doors shut and it carries him and Baby down to the twenty-fifth floor.

We decide it’s too late to drive home and that we should spend the night at the penthouse. Zane hugs me and asks, “Are you sure you’re okay? Don’t lie to me. I fucking hate this. Every five seconds someone was trying to kill Stella, and I don’t want to worry about you.”

“This isn’t the same.”

“It sure as hell feels like it.” He releases me and says to Stella, “I’m going up to bed.”

“I’ll be there in a few minutes. I’m going to clean up the living room first.”

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