Page 10 of We Will Reign

That egotistical smirk on his face is the wrong move, and he knows it. I slam his back into the wall, knocking an audible breath out of him. “Answer me, goddammit.”

Maddox is three sheets to the wind, and it’s no surprise with how much he’s been drinking tonight.

His shoulders slump in defeat and the condescending look he was wearing fades from his face. “There were no ill intentions, man. I swear. I was just getting a feel for our girl.”

“My girl.” I stammer out the words, making it clear that she’s off-limits.

“I get it. For fuck’s sake, we know. Riley Cross is off-limits. Duly noted.”

“Do you? Do you really get it? Why the fuck are you calling herourgirl? Mine, Maddox. She’s fucking mine!”

His eyes widen as if everything I’m saying is coming as a shock to him. Just because me, him, and Lev have shared girls in the past, doesn’t mean we’ll be sharing Riley. That one is mine, and mine alone.

Maddox and I don’t fight often. In fact, his drunken stupidity is the only reason I ever lose my temper with him. He’s my family, and I’d fucking do anything for him. But lately, he’s been pushing my buttons when it comes to Riley.

Dropping my hold on him, I take a step back while calming myself down. “Just don't fuck with what I have going on. I mean it.”

He straightens the collar on his jacket and cracks his neck with his fist pressed to his jaw. "Oh yeah? And what’s that? A one-sided relationship?”

“Is that a fucking joke?”

“No, Ridge. Actually, I’m dead serious. Does Riley even know you’re into her or does she think you’re just some freak who follows her around?”

“It has to be this way for now. You know that.”Maddox knows that until I finish this assignment, I can’t be with her yet. It’s too risky. Flags will be raised and The Elders will question my connection to her, considering she’s linked to the governor and the night he died.

“Get your head outta your ass, Ridge. Look around.” His arms wave through the air as his eyes dance from person to person. “Look at all the fucking babes here. And you,” he jabs a finger into my chest, “have your eyes on the one girl you can’t even talk to. Just get over her so someone else can have a shot without you breathing down their fucking necks.”

In a knee-jerk reaction, I slap his hand away. “Fuck off.”

He’s drunk. I have to keep reminding myself of that fact. Maddox would never speak this way sober. He knows how much Riley means to me.

“And what are you gonna do when the truth of what she did becomes public knowledge and she’s banished. Can you save her from that? Do you have the means to protect her?”

“You let me worry about that. It’s none of your damn business.”

Maddox grows still, aside from his fingers stroking his chin. “Unless…”

Piquing my interest, I lift a brow. “Unlesswhat?”

“Unless you let me help you protect her secrets.”

“As my brother, my friend, youwillhelp me because you know how fucking important she is to me. There’s nounlessabout it.”

“I don’t mean just keepingyoursecret. Think about it. You’re one man trying to save her from an international society that’s comprised of thousands of members. You really think you’re gonna keep what she did under wraps forever? Let me help you.”

It’s no secret what happens to those who are abolished from The Society. A Punisher will be assigned to the former member and they’ll do exactly what Maddox said—destroy. Be it killing them, if it’s called for, or just making sure they have zero luxuries in life—no job, house, or security of any kind.

“Help me, how?”

“For starters, I’m a Guardian, too.” I’ve known forever that Maddox is also a Guardian. I’m not supposed to know, but we don’t keep secrets from each other—much. Which is exactly why I’ve also clued him in on my assignment and Riley’s involvement. What he doesn't know is the way I’m handling things—on my terms, in my own way. But some things are better left unsaid. “My family has power you don’t. Connections. Means. We can throw The Elders off her trail.”

While I hear everything he’s saying, I don’t need his help. “I’ve got this. Don’t fucking worry about it. You’ve got your own assignment with your stupid fucking Guardian club. Just do your shit and don’t interfere with mine. Got it?”

“Not interfering. Just offering to help. And as I said, I was simply getting a feel for the girl. If you ask me, you’ve got your hands full. Might wanna let someone else hold on to her for a little bit.”

My fist lands on the bone of his shoulder and he winces. “Just leave her the fuck alone and quit trying to be her friend—or whatever the hell it is you’re doing.”

“Whenthe truth is revealed, you’re going down with her. Might wanna rethink my offer.” Maddox clicks his tongue on the roof of his mouth before sliding past me.

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