Page 123 of Mad As Hell

Her eyes narrowed in return. “Don’t you dare look at me like that, Court Woods. You don’t get to question a single thing I do. We’re not friends.”

He gave her a dark look. “No, we’re not.”

Bex jolted like he’d slapped her. Cheeks flushed, she looked down and moved closer to Linc. Court still looked ready to punch something, frustration burning in his gaze as his jaw clenched and he looked away.

“As riveting as this conversation is,” Ash began, shaking his head, “can we get back to the actual threat?”

A heavy sigh rumbled out of Ryan. “It’s more than that.”

I didn’t bother sitting up as I explained what had happened with Gary. How he threatened Bex, how he was holding my mother’s life over my head. I let myself relax against Ryan’s chest, pulling comfort from his touch as I told them every fucked-up thing Gary had done since the engagement party.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Ash muttered, rubbing his jaw as he stared blankly at the coffee table.

Linc pushed to his feet. “I need a drink. And food. Should we order food?”

Bex’s eyes narrowed at me. “You’re eating real food, Mads. No more of this fucked-up diet that Gary’s punishing you with.”

I winced as I felt Ryan’s gaze bore into the side of my face.

Okay, so I’d told them almost every fucked-up thing.

“It’s fine,” I mumbled, trying to dismiss it.

“It’s not,” Ryan replied evenly. “Is that why you’ve lost weight?”

I squirmed in his lap, and his arms tightened around me like he expected me to bolt.

“Yeah. He put me on this strict diet for the wedding.” I rolled my eyes, not sure why I was so embarrassed to be discussing something so trivial. I’d never had an issue with my weight or eating before. I’d been happy with how I looked, but I could definitely see how the pounds I’d lost had nipped in my waist. Sometimes it didn’t seem that bad. Plenty of girls dieted. Hell, it was practically a sport at Pacific Cross.

“Fuck that,” Ryan spat. He looked at Linc. “Order some pizzas, and make sure they know about her allergy.”

Linc nodded and turned away, already pulling his phone out.

“It’s pizza, Ry. Last time I checked, peanuts weren’t a readily available topping,” I said with an amused laugh. My stomach growled at the idea of gooey, cheesy pizza. Grease, cheese, and carbs.

Yes.

He shot me a look that said he didn’t care how ridiculous he sounded; he wasn’t taking any chances with my health.

Linc came back moments later with a bottle of tequila and a stack of glasses. “Pizza will be here in about forty minutes.” He started pouring shots and passing them out.

I declined, but Ryan took a glass, balancing it on my knee as he waited for everyone to get settled.

“Forty minutes will give us enough time, I guess,” Ash began, looking at his friends. They all turned their attention to Ryan.

His clear blue eyes locked on mine. “Sure you’re ready for this?”

I smiled at him. “I’m in. Whatever it is, I’m in.”

“Me, too,” Bex added.

Ryan exhaled, his cheeks puffing out. “Remember the phoenix tattoo I said we all have?”

I nodded, remembering the fiery red and orange bird that covered a large expanse of Ryan’s back.

“Phoenix isn’t just a tattoo.” He hesitated. “It’s us.”

I blinked. “You’re a mythological creature with wings?”

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