Page 72 of Castle's Cards

“Will you shut up and listen? I’m just saying that the name makes it seem like it’s for general cancer treatment. This charity is specifically aimed to cervical cancer, right?”

Lewis looks at me and I nod. “Right. So just make it The Elise Castle Foundation for Cervical Cancer. It’s a small adjustment that illustrates a big difference.”

“I think it’s perfect.” I lean back and smile, thinking about how happy Elise would be about the work we’re doing. I have to hand it to Court -- as much as I hated his idea initially, it’s really snowballed into something good. It’s the perfect way to honor her memory.

She’d love this. Elise was always interested in what she could do to better the world. Her legacy being used to help people is the perfect solution. I’m actually rather ashamed that it took me this long to come up with it.

The front door opens, and the three of us turn to look as Addy walks in. Her cheeks pink up at the sight of company.

“Oh, hello,” she murmurs. Her eyes meet mine before floating over my friends. Then all the blood leaves her face and she hurries up the stairs, practically sprinting to the room. My brows knit together, and when I look at my friends, their expressions are equally confused.

“Is she okay?” Lewis asks, raising a brow.

“Let me go check on her,” I say apologetically. Then I follow up the stairs. When I get to the door I put my ear to it, trying to listen for any clues as to what happened before stepping in. But there’s nothing.

I open the door to see Addy sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at her hands.

“Addy? Are you okay?” My voice comes out soft as I shut the door behind me and sit next to her on the bed. She gives me a weak smile, and I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Oh, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”

I sigh and shake my head.

“Addy, be honest with me. That’s the only way this is going to work.”

Addy groans and falls back to the bed.

“I can’t. Seriously. You are not going to like this.”

“You’re not getting off that easy.”

After a few seconds of silence, Addy sits up.

“That guy down there…”

“Which one?”

“The tall one. Joey.”

My heart sinks. What kind of confession is this going to be? I hate to admit that I’m nervous about what she’s going to say, but I can’t help the millions of thoughts running through my mind.

“Okay.”

“We dated a while ago. It didn’t work out. He…,” Addy takes a deep breath. “He hit me. I broke it off immediately and haven’t seen him since. Well, until now.”

Red colors my gaze the second she stops talking. I’m barely in control as I get up and fly down the stairs. I’m barely aware of Addy calling my name behind me. When I enter the living room, Joey and Lewis are laughing about something. Joey looks up just in time for my fist to connect with his cheek.

“What the hell, Castle?” Joey shouts. Lewis’ jaw drops almost to the floor, too stunned to speak.

I push Joey. He swats at my hand and frowns. He opens his mouth but my fist connects with his face again before he can get it out.

Joey flies to the floor with force. His head bumps against the shiny wood floor, but he’s still conscious when I grip the front of his shirt and lean down to him.

“You think it’s okay to hit women, huh?” I ask before laying another punch on him. Anger fills my gaze as I hit him again and again. I’m barely aware of Addy and Lewis saying something behind me.

“Stop!” Lewis shouts, grabbing me and pulling me away from him. My breathing is ragged as I come back to consciousness and look at Joey. His face is bloodied and he’s blubbering like a baby.

“If I ever hear that you’ve laid your hand on a woman again, it will be the last thing you do!” I shout. I snarl before toeing him. “Now get the fuck out of my house.”

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