Page 45 of Twisted Empire

“I just mean…” He shook his head. “It was stupid of me to go all caveman, thinking I should have her to myself. More and more, I can see how we all offer her different things, make her life better in different ways, and that’s really pretty amazing.”

He stopped, his jaw working, and then added, “I don’t think I’m in the right headspace to give her what she needs right now. She’s got to be stressed out too, and I can tell I’d only amplify that. But…” He caught my gaze again. “Maybe you could help her work through the shit she’s grappling with like you have for me.”

The words felt almost like a command—or maybe that wasn’t generous enough of me. An invitation, a gesture of mutual respect, making it totally clear that he not only accepted my role in Maddie’s life but welcomed it. Encouraged it, even.

A warmth filled my chest, the brotherly love I held for the man next to me and the sweeter adoration for the woman we both cared about so much mingling together.

“I’ll see what I can do,” I said, and gave Logan a gentle shove. “Leave it to me, and try not to worry about that too. Dr. Slade orders you to get at least three hours of sleep before you open up that computer again. I don’t think that’s asking too much.”

Logan muttered something inarticulate, but there was gratitude in his last glance before he hauled himself out of the chair and headed back to his own guest room.

My own restlessness had settled down after our conversation, seeing that I’d made a difference with him, knowing how confident he was in my ability to help both him and Maddie through the mess we’d found ourselves in. Why shouldn’t I find out if I could work a little of that spirit-lifting magic on her right now? If she was still sleeping, I didn’t think she’d mind starting with a snuggle.

My own spirits buoyed, I set off down the hall myself. I was still several steps from Maddie’s guestroom door when it opened.

Maddie stepped out, rubbing her eyes, looking perfectly gorgeous even dressed in casual leggings and a loose tee with her pale hair sleep-rumpled. She shot me a tired-looking smile.

“Trouble sleeping?” I asked, ambling over to her.

“Yeah.” She looked me over. “I’m guessing that’s going around?”

“It seems to be.” As I stood there in front of her, basking in her presence, inspiration sparked in my head. “Might as well make the most of it. Come out for breakfast with me?”

“Outfor breakfast?” Maddie repeated, cocking her head in surprise.

I reached out to her. “You’ll see.”

She took my hand without hesitation, and I knew I’d better make the most of the opportunity while I had it.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

Madelyn

When I met Slade at the back door of the mansion after a quick change, I couldn’t help raising my eyebrows. His hoodie and sweats combo wasn’t particularly unusual, but his shoes…

“You know,” I said, “I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you in sneakers that aren’t the flashiest possible color.”

Slade looked down at the black shoes he was wearing and chuckled. “I had to borrow these from Logan. Good thing he’s only one size bigger than my usual. I figured there wasn’t much point in trying to be covert if my sneakers were acting like a neon sign.” He slung his arm around my shoulders. “Come on.”

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I murmured as we slipped out into the backyard that seemed to stretch an entire city block, expanses of grass and beds of flowers broken by the occasional stately tree. I tugged my hood a little higher over my hair.

By the time we’d turned in for the night, Beckett had managed to contact all of his people who lived or worked anywhere near Doom’s Seed’s territory and make sure they were staying out of the public eye and keeping their homes secure. We didn’t know if the previous attackers were still patrolling the city looking for targets, but if they happened to spot us, I doubted they’d hesitate to take aim.

“We can get away for a little bit and still stay safe.” Slade leaned over to give me a quick peck to the side of my head. “I scoped out exit routes from the mansion a couple of days ago. There’s a spot where we can leave without anyone being the wiser, even if Doom’s Seed has eyes on the house.”

A nervous quiver ran through my pulse, but there was a little excitement in it too. That was why I hadn’t turned Slade down when he’d explained this part of his plan.

It felt good to be defying our enemy’s reign of terror, to prove that he couldn’t completely control us. And right now, proving that might be the only thing keeping me from being overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness.

There wasn’t anything else Slade or I could do to help solidify the final pieces of evidence for the cops now. And when was the last time I’d really let myself simply breathe and enjoy a moment for myself?

“Here we go,” Slade said under his breath as we reached the stone wall that surrounded the property, a little taller than I was. He tipped his head to one of Beckett’s men who was patrolling nearby, and the guy nodded back without a hint of concern.

It figured that Slade had already made friends with the guards.

A bench stood under a tree a few feet from the wall. Slade grabbed it and dragged it over before clambering onto it. Then he motioned for me to join him. “We’re going up and over.”

I climbed after him and peeked over the top of the wall. Another yard lay beyond it.

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