Page 130 of Mad As Hell

I lifted my chin. “Are you suggesting any of the guys leave? Because it would be safer for them, too.”

His brow wrinkled. “What? No. Mads, I’m just saying—”

“Don’t give me the women and children speech. This isn’t the fucking Titanic, and I’m not going to be coddled and protected because I have a vagina. Period, end of story.” I gave him a pointed look. “I’m not leaving you guys, so fucking deal with it.”

“Well, when you put it so sweetly, I can’t imagine sending you away,” Linc replied wryly, barely hiding a smirk. “But noted.”

Somewhat mollified, I looked across at Bex. “But if you—”

“Do you really want me to come over there and slap you?” Bex interrupted. “No. We’re all in this together.”

“Okay,” Court agreed as Linc started humming under his breath.

Bex turned and stared at him. “Really? High School Musical?”

He shrugged. “What? It’s a good fucking song.”

* * *

We cleaned up and went to the back of the house where Ryan had a large media room with a giant sectional that we all climbed on to watch movies from a flat screen that came down from a panel in the ceiling. Using a remote that worked everything electronic in the room, Ryan hit a button and shuttered all the windows to eliminate the glare.

I curled against his side and forced myself to watch the Vin Diesel action movie they’d put on. The explosions rattled the windows and walls thanks to the surround sound system. I let myself get lost in the plot, ignoring the way Linc needed to comment about every stunt until Ash and Court hurled pillows at his face.

Bex dozed off during the movie, her head on Court’s shoulder and her feet in Linc’s lap. Ash quit paying attention as he focused on his phone. I managed to make it through the movie, but as the credits rolled and Linc moved to put on a second, I tapped out.

It had been a long day, and I just needed a bed—preferably one with Ryan in it—to sleep away what was left of today.

Tipping my head back, I peered up at Ryan. “Is it okay if I go to bed?” It had been a long, emotional day and I just wanted to close my eyes and try to forget it.

He looked down at me, a crease forming between his brows. “Sure. We can go up now.”

“You can stay,” I started to protest, but he was already slipping out from under me and getting up. When he held out a hand, I took it without argument.

“Sleep well, kids,” Linc called, his gaze still riveted to the screen.

I leaned over to see Bex. “She’s out.”

Court smiled softly as he watched her, his fingers stroking her hair. “Yeah. I’ll take her up in a bit. If I move her now, she’ll wake up.” There was something intimate about the way he watched her, how he touched her. I eased back, feeling like an intruder in a private moment.

As soon as I was within reach, Ryan snaked an arm around my waist and tugged me to his side. “Bed, baby.” The deep rumble of his voice woke up parts of me that were interested in a lot more than just sleeping.

His gaze darkened as he caught my reaction, but he didn’t say anything. He took my hand and guided me toward the stairs in the front foyer. When we reached the landing, there was a singular hallway with three doors on the right and two on the left.

Ryan pointed to the three doors. “Linc’s room, Court’s, and the upstairs laundry. My and Ash’s rooms are on the other side, each with its own bathroom. Linc and Court share a bath between their rooms.”

I nodded and followed him to the end of the hall. He pushed open the door and waited for me to come inside before closing it. He hit a light switch on the wall, bathing the room in a golden glow.

“Wow,” I breathed, my gaze taking in gorgeous French doors that led to a balcony overlooking the beach. A door on the other side of the room was half-open, and I could make out the interior of a spacious bathroom.

A massive bed took up the entire wall across from the balcony. Unlike the dark colors of Ryan’s room at the frat and the Cain Estate, this room was all light grays and white. It was clean and uncluttered.

I moved to the balcony and pushed the doors open to see the last remnants of sunset bruising the horizon in a wash of purples, pinks, and yellows. There was something calming about the end of a day, knowing that time would carry me away from all that had happened earlier. Tomorrow would be a new start.

Bracing my hands on the wooden rail, I leaned forward and inhaled the salty air. The last dregs of the storm whipped around me in the wind, tousling my hair.

Ryan moved behind me, sliding his arms around my waist and anchoring me to his chest. He propped his chin on my shoulder to watch the finale of the sunset.

“I love it here,” I whispered, afraid to lift my voice in case the serene moment shattered like a daydream. “Can we stay here forever?”

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