Page 26 of Wretched Heart
“For that,” I say, tipping my head to Maddie’s retreating figure. The footprint on her back is more pronounced beneath the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. “And every other bruise you’ve given her.”
Hugo’s lips have acquired a purple tinge, and I’m forced to release my grip a touch to allow him to draw a breath to speak. “I’m sorry,” he says in a half-choked whisper.
“Louder so the whole fucking house can hear.”
“I’m sorry, Maddison!”
She’s on the next flight of stairs when she looks down at us. “Go to hell, Hugo!”
I’m sure Maddie intended to sound victorious, but there’s no power behind her words. Her future remains uncertain. We’re going to have to have a long conversation before either of us can digest the implications of my belated acceptance of her proposal.
It only takes Maddie ten minutes to gather her things, and Reid appears first carrying an overstuffed suitcase. When Maddie follows, she’s managed to change into her own clothes. Her hair is brushed and tied back in a French bun, and she wears a navy pant suit cropped at the ankle to reveal black patent leather stilettos. From previous photos, I know this is Maddie’s regular style, but it’s usually matchedwith a high-collared silk blouse. There’s nothing under her jacket now except the hint of a black lace bra. Her face is still bare, but there’s a delicious smear of red lipstick on her lips that sends the blood rushing to my cock.
Hugo cowers to the side of the stairs. “Please, Maddison,” he says, his eyes shifting briefly to mine. He chooses his next words carefully. “Appearances are everything. You need to retain some sense of respectability.”
Maddie follows her brother’s gaze to her chest. “This?” she asks with a refreshing dose of confidence. “I was going to wear a blouse, but Hunter has a habit of tearing silk.”
I step towards her, a stupid smile on my face that Mace is going to make me regret as soon as we’re back in the SUV. In spite of everything, I hold out my hand to my future wife, “Let’s go home, little bird.”
Chapter 8
Maddison
Idon’t know how my legs carry me out of the house that’s been more of a prison than a home. Despite my bravado and the outfit that declares I’m no longer under my brother’s control, I’m still recovering from the shock Hunter delivered.
Less than twenty-four hours after meeting him, Hunter Griffin is going to be my husband. I know so very little about him, and by rights, I should be terrified, but I was the one reckless enough to ask him to marry me. And after turning me down so coldly this morning, he’s decided to accept my offer.
The sight of his powerful hands strangling the man who’d tormented me for years had been a sight to behold, and my heart had skipped a beat when he told Hugo I was his. It was the way Hunter had said it. ‘She’s mine.’ His words were full of lust and want.
One thing is clear. Our marriage isn’t going to be a simple business deal, I can just feel it.
Stepping outside with three Griffin brothers by my side, it’s Reid who breaks the loaded silence. “Ididn’t know a person could pack so fast,” he says with a grunt as he drags my suitcase down the steps to the waiting SUV. He’s looking at Hunter when he adds, “Three drawers she emptied, and that was it. Done.”
There’s a softness in Hunter’s eyes when he glances at me. “How long have you been preparing to leave at a moment’s notice?”
My throat works as I swallow hard. How can he know me so well? “Since I was nineteen.”
“When your father died.” It’s Mace this time.
He’s like an extension of the computer he’s so attached to, but I’m still impressed he’s made the connection. “Hugo didn’t so much change as he did reveal his true self. He looked for reasons to be angry just so he could take it out on me or Jen.”
“Will she and her daughter be OK?” asks Reid.
I feel Hunter’s hand on my back again. It’s like he knew it’s the one question I don’t want to consider. I’d glimpsed Jen upstairs and seen proof of Hugo’s latest handiwork on her swollen mouth, but I hadn’t dared approach her or Becks. Hugo would only accuse his wife of disloyalty, or some other made-up offense. “I honestly don’t know,” I admit. “I can only hope that I’ll be able to help her one day the way you’ve all helped me.”
“We’ll find a way,” Hunter says, his thumb stroking my back.
Reid loads my luggage into the SUV, and he and Mace are about to circle the other side of the car when Hunter stops them.
“This goes no further until we’ve figured it all out,” he tells his brothers in a low voice so Jake can’t hear from inside the car.
“What about Ash?” asks Reid.
Mace raises an eyebrow. “He’s talking about Ash, you idiot.”
“Agreed?” Hunter persists. His brothers nod. “Reid, you can sit up front with Jake.”
Reid looks pleased about not being bundled into the rear seats with me, and skirts around to the passenger door. Mace gets in behind Jake, and when Hunter opens the door for me, I’m about to climb into the back when he takes my arm.
