Page 25 of Pretty Vengeful Queen

“Do you really think I’m going to give you a chance to throw yourself into danger when we just fucking got you back?”

“Doyoureally think that’s up to you?”

“Of course it’s up to me. Iamthe Reapers.Imake the rules here.”

“AndI’mnot a Reaper.”

My heart starts to pound and Maddoc clenches his jaw, neither one of us willing to look away.

I only said it to make a point, but I realize almost as soon as I say it that a part of me wants to hear him tell me I’m wrong.

Instead, he pivots. “McKenna’s gonna be able to do a lot of damage with that kind of money. I already told you, Halston won’t be safe.”

“Which is why I’m not leaving.”

He takes a half-step closer. “Yes, you fucking are.”

I don’t back down. “I’m not leaving town and hiding out while the three of you face down a fucking psycho—

“That fucking psycho is armed with enough cash now to—”

“I know! All the more reason I’m not—”

“Riley!”

“Maddoc!”

“We can’t fucking lose you,” he roars, right in my face, so close now that we’re toe to toe with my breasts all but flattened against his chest.

Our ragged breathing is the only sound in the room as the silence stretches out between us, taut enough to snap the second one of us breaks.

There’s no fucking way it’s going to be me, though.

I’mnotleaving my men in danger.

Chloe leans out from the couch, poking my thigh. “Are you two about to fuck, or what?”

Dante laughs, breaking the tension, and Maddoc’s arm snakes around my waist, his hand splaying wide over the top of my ass.

“Fuck, you’re stubborn,” he murmurs, the hunger in his eyes telling me just how much he likes that.

I flatten my hands against his chest, tilting my head back. “Pot, kettle.”

Dante snickers again. “No lies detected, Madd.”

The hint of a smile tugs at the corners of Maddoc’s mouth. “Fine. You can stay. But I’m not playing around, butterfly. That only stands as long as you promise, and I mean fuckingpromise, that you’ll be careful.”

I arch an eyebrow. “I will if you will.”

His eyes drill into me like he didn’t just learn that I’ll never break. Not when it comes to this.

“I’m always careful,” he finally says, which I’ll take for the promise that it is… which I know damn well is still no guarantee, not when Maddoc’s right about how bad it might get now that Austin has the resources to do whatever the fuck he wants.

“I’ll be careful too.”

Relief flashes across Maddoc’s face, so raw it lays him bare for a moment. “Thank you.”

I want to kiss him right now, so badly I can taste it. But the clock is ticking and he isn’t wrong about the danger that’s about to slam through the city.

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