Page 56 of Madness

Like she saw what was beneath the mask. Like she saw me. Truly saw how depraved I was, but she didn’t care. No, that wasn’t right. She did care. She cared about me.

She lit my blood on fire even as she soothed me. She calmed the crazy enough that I could sit here with her naked body and care for her. I’d never taken care of any of the others. Never brought one home. I hadn’t fucked outside of the sex club in years.

My little dove wasn’t like the others. She never was, as much as I tried to make her. And because she was different, I needed to be different too. I needed to fight back the demon inside me. I couldn’t force her to be here with me anymore. Couldn’t pay her. Eventually, she’d find her way out, and I’d lose her.

She’d already admitted to wanting to kill herself. I couldn’t risk that my control would push her over the edge to a place I couldn’t bring her back from. I’d have to try and understand her instead. Try to convince her she wanted this.

Me.

I tossed the rags in the laundry basket before walking back to the bed. I pulled the blankets down and picked up my little dove. I settled her against my body as I covered us. Still naked, her head rested on my chest, her soft breaths tickling my skin. Her arm sprawled across my stomach. I pulled one of her legs over mine as I tucked her close.

I kissed the top of her head as I whispered in her ear. “You’re never going to want to die again. You’re mine to protect now. Even from yourself.”

30

Kincaid

Isqueezed my eyes tighter, trying to shut out the bright light that flared behind my closed lids. I didn’t want to wake up. My body still felt drained. And the bed was warm. The soft sheets caressing my naked skin.

Wait. Naked? Why was I naked? I never slept naked.

Oh my god. I shot up, clutching the sheet to my chest as I looked around.

I was in Maddox’s bedroom. Or what I assumed was his room because I’d never been in here before. The layout was similar to the guest room. To the right was the door to the hallway; to the left were giant picture windows with a beautifully upholstered bench seat underneath and double doors in the middle. I’d love to curl up there and read a book. Directly across from the bed were two open doors, one leading to a spectacularly updated bathroom; the other to a walk-in closet.

I was sitting on a king-size four-poster bed with black sheets. The curtains were also black, and the carpet was a dark gray. The wallpaper was dark with a slight renaissance pattern. It looked like a place a vampire or cruel duke would live in the eighteen century. And it fit Maddox. Dark and dangerous.

Why was I here? He’d always taken me home after… well, just after. Last night was the first time we’d slept together, but I was sure he would toss me aside when he was done. I’d given him what he wanted. I expected to be dragged from the house by Tristan and unceremoniously dropped off at my doorstep.

Instead, I found myself naked in Maddox’s room. I needed to find my clothes. I needed to leave. Urgency rushed through me. I didn’t want to face him after what we’d done last night. With any luck, he’d already left to do whatever it was he did every day.

Hopefully, there would be clothes for me in the guest room. I’d walk to a busy street and get a cab. Or call for a ride. What time was it? Maybe Tessa was awake. Although she slept late because of her shifts at the club.

My foot landed on the incredibly plush carpet, but before I could put the other one down, the door opened. My breath stilled as Maddox walked in carrying a tray. He placed the tray on the nightstand beside me. He was dressed in low-slung black sweatpants. No shirt.

I couldn’t take my eyes away from his rippling muscles as he walked across the room. I’d never seen him in anything other than a suit. I was too far gone last night to really enjoy the view. But I was enjoying it now.

He was… beautiful. Unfairly gorgeous. Dark, slightly curly hair, piercing blue eyes, olive skin. It was a deadly combination.

“What are you doing?” His voice was sharp. I found myself looking at the floor, unable to meet his gaze.

“I…um… just let me find some clothes, and I’ll leave.” I wrapped the sheet around me as I took a step forward. It was ridiculous to try and be modest now, but it felt like a shield. One I desperately needed. Maddox grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

“Leave?” The question in his tone confused me. My brows scrunched as I looked at him.

“Yeah. Leave. Like I usually do.”

His jaw tensed, and his eyes sparked with anger. Was he angry I was still here? Once again, I was on uneven ground with him. I never knew what to expect. His gaze burned my skin as he looked to where I was holding the sheet against my chest. His strong fingers closed around it, and he ripped it from my body. I let out a screech as I tried to keep myself covered.

“Don’t hide from me. I’ve seen every inch of this body.” His deep voice made me shiver as he whispered in my ear. “I’ve touched it, tasted it, and made it bleed. Now get your ass back in bed and eat breakfast.”

“B-Breakfast?” I tried to blink to clear the confusion. Maybe I was still sleeping, and this was a dream. I’d wake up in my own bed last night, never having had happened. Maybe all of it was a dream, and I’d never met Maddox.

My gut twisted at the thought. It wasn’t a dream. A nightmare? Possibly.

“You didn’t eat dinner last night.”

When I just stood there staring at him, Maddox let out a growl. He grabbed my hips and tossed me back onto the bed before following. He sat with his back to the headboard. I yelped and tried to crawl away, but he latched onto my ankle. He pulled me to him, easily manipulating my petite body.

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