Page 110 of Done Waiting

Bitterness courses through me as my feet trudge to my fridge. Ripping the door open, I reach in, angrily snagging a beer. Slamming the door shut, I spin around and lean against it. Twisting it open, I take a long pull.

My eyes landed on the vegetables I was cutting for dinner. With a sense of obligation, I head over to it. My appetite is long gone, but Maddie may be hungry. Even if she’s not, she needs to eat.

Setting my beer on the counter, I grab the knife I used when Ben called and throw it in the sink. Opening a drawer, I grab another one, then finish chopping the vegetables. I work rapidly, fueled by frustration, until I have all the ingredients ready for the oven.

Putting the steaks, potatoes, and vegetables in the oven, I set the timer and then grab my beer. Throwing a pair of sneakers on, I head outside through the patio doors.

Staring at the gloomy gray skies, my thoughts are in turmoil. Tilting my beer to my lips, I take another long pull.

I fucked up.But I’dneverhurt Maddie.

Her words echo inside my head. “But right now, you’re no fucking better than Ben.”

Leaning against the railing, my head lowers, moodily staring at the lake behind my house. Because of the rain that rolled through earlier, a foggy mist swirls over the water, matching my morose mood.

Pulling out my phone, I call Jason. “What’s up, Jagger?”

“Everything went to shit.”

“What happened?”

I snort. “Fucking Ben sent a video. He was torturing a woman that looked like Maddie. Cut her tits off, man. It’s fucking sickening.” My fingers swipe over my phone, sending the horrifying video to him and Bryce.

“What a sick bastard.” Jason’s voice is full of disgust.

“Maddie saw it. I went out for a cigarette and gave her my phone so she could text Abby. Of course, the fucker sent it while she was texting.”

“Oh, hell. How did she react?”

“Flipped out. Rightfully so.” I realized I had forgotten to grab my jacket and I desperately needed a cigarette. Turning around, I hurry inside and grab it, my gaze sweeping the room.No sign of Maddie.With a sigh, I head back outside, pulling my jacket on as I go.

“I’m sorry, brother.”

Reaching into my pocket, my hand closes around my pack of cigarettes. “It gets worse.”

“I’m afraid to fucking ask.”

“Ben called while I was making dinner. Ran his mouth, as did I. Then the asshole said, ‘Iwillhave her. She’s part of my plan… Just like she’s a part ofyours.”

“How the hell does the bastard know what you planned?”

“No idea. I’m trying to figure that one out. The asshole has researched me, that’s for sure.”

Jason’s door slams, and I hear his footsteps as he moves across his deck. “Did Maddie ask?”

“Is the grass green?” I retort sarcastically. With Jason on speakerphone, I set it on the railing beside my beer, light my cigarette, and inhale a long drag. Exhaling, I say, “Of course she did. I told her she was a part of my plan to destroy the one person who hurt me more than anyone. Then I confessed her mother was the social worker who betrayed me.”

“Fuck. And then?”

I go into everything that transpired, my chest aching as I grab my beer and finish it.

“Jagger, I know everything is fucked up right now.” He hesitates, probably choosing his words carefully. “Put yourself in Maddie’s shoes for a moment. Shock after shock just kept coming her way tonight. First, the video. Then the fucker called, threatening her. He drops a bombshell that you had nefarious plans for her.” His lighter flicks, and he inhales a long drag, then exhales before he speaks. “I chatted with Maddie the day you flipped out and Bryce and Abby went outside with you. She loves you, brother. More than she ever fucking lovedanyone. Hearing that you intended to hurt her had to cut her like a blade through the heart.”

My heartbeat slows, and there’s a painful tightening in my throat. “I know. But I fucking love her, Jason.” Tears are in my eyes. “It was fucking stupid to want to hurt her to get back at her mom, especially without knowingher. Now that I do, I realize she’s the exact fucking opposite of her mother.” My laughis brittle. “It was a piss poor plan. The fucking Ice Queen cares more about the drugs she’s moving through the town than her damn daughter.” My fingers wrap around the neck of the bottle, and I squeeze so tightly I’m surprised it doesn’t break. I take a long pull from my beer, finishing it.

My hands shake as I continue. “I had Bryce do some checking for me. He knows an officer on the force. No one was aware Maura’s daughter was missing because the Ice Queen hadn’t said one fucking word. She should be up in arms, actively investigating her disappearance, assigning others on the force to search for her.” Rage fills me, and I grab the empty bottle, throwing it against a tree and watching it shatter. “She hasn’t assigned one fucking person to investigate her daughter’s disappearance. Yet, when I had Bryce check that warehouse I got stabbed in, she has guards all over that and is in constant contact with them.”

“What a cold-hearted bitch.” Jason mutters, disbelief evident in his voice. “Poor Maddie. She’s the sweetest person. How can her mom not be combing the world over for her.” He pauses, the flick of his cigarette lighter coming through the phone.

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