Page 118 of Mad As Hell

To most girls, a trip to Italy with their father would have been a dream come true. But I knew this was just his way of keeping tabs on me while school was officially closed for the week. At least I wouldn’t have to deal with Adam, too.

“Actually, we have plans,” Ryan informed him.

Beckett’s brows lifted. “Oh?”

“Grandfather has requested our presence.” Ryan leaned back in his seat as he leveled a glare at his father. “He’s also requested Corinne come. You know how the old man can be.”

Now it was Beckett’s turn to clench his teeth. “Fine. Take your sister. One less headache for me to deal with.” He flashed a row of even teeth at his son. “I heard from his nurse. She doesn’t think the old bastard will make it to the end of the year.”

Father and son stared at each other, locked in some silent battle of wills that eventually ended when Ryan grimaced and gave a small nod of acquiescence. Beckett chuckled, the sound about as comforting as the roar of a ravenous grizzly.

“Should I take that to mean things have been smoothed over between the two of you?” Gary drawled, eyeing us with interest.

“We both know what we have to do,” Ryan answered, looking at me. “Don’t we, Madelaine?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes.”

Beckett laughed and reached over to clap a heavy hand on Ryan’s shoulder. “See, son? Just because someone else gets her ready for you, that doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy yourself.”

Oh, ew. Was he talking about Dean, or himself? Either way, I was going to need a barf bag.

Ryan’s lips lifted in a cold, almost dead, smirk. “If you say so. Personally I’ve never been a fan of someone’s sloppy seconds. But hey, if that’s your thing…”

Beckett’s smile turned brittle.

I stared at my plate, not sure if my cheeks were heating because I was angry or mortified. Honestly, it might’ve been both.

Gary hissed a breath between his teeth. “Sounds about right.”

Beckett turned his cold glare at Gary. “Something to say, old friend?”

Gary shrugged an indifferent shoulder. “Just that your son seems to have figured it out. I mean, come on. How many women did you fuck after I did? I lost track over the years.”

Beckett shot him a mocking look. “What can I say? Pussy’s pussy. And you had a penchant for slumming it. Those sluts will let you do anything. Like… fuck. What was her name? The blonde with the big tits? She lasted a little longer than the others. Amy? Andie?”

Ugh, okay, I needed to be anywhere but here right now. The misogyny was suffocating. These assholes were disgusting. I turned to my own water, trying to wash away the gross taste this conversation was leaving in my mouth.

Beckett snapped his fingers. “Angie. Angela… Porter, wasn’t it?”

I choked on my water. My eyes burned as I slammed my glass down. Ryan and Gary eyed me, the first with something that looked like concern and the second with cruelty. Beckett was oblivious as he went on about my fucking mother.

“Jesus, that bitch was up for anything. A little coke and… fuck.” He shook his head at a fond memory.

Gary watched me, a bemused smile toying on his lips. “She was a greedy cunt. Wanted more than she ever deserved. But her skills ended in the bedroom.”

Beckett slapped a hand on the table, sending the cutlery bouncing as he laughed. “Fuck that. Those skills translated pretty well to the kitchen, a coat closet, a bathroom…”

Ryan sighed, the sound coming out like an annoyed rumble. “Seriously? Did Madelaine and I really come here to talk about how much action you two got before your balls started to shrivel?”

Gary didn’t pay him any attention. “You know, Beck, you always did love chasing down whatever pussy my dick landed in.”

My hands clenched on my lap, impotent fury whipping through me.

Beckett scoffed. “It wasn’t her cunt. She had a mouth like a fucking hoover and her ass… If you didn’t plow into that a few times, I almost feel sorry for you. Like I said: a hit of whatever and she was into it all.” His grin turned feral. “And even if she wasn’t? The fight was half the fun.”

My stomach churned, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. I couldn’t hear this right now. I couldn’t be here right now.

Vaguely, I felt Ryan’s hand slip over mine. I couldn’t even let myself acknowledge that maybe there was still something to salvage between us if he was reaching out to me.

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