Page 148 of Mad As Hell

“I can only assume he was talking about the ten million you had to pay out when that video went public at the party.” I tried to make it seem like that night was nothing but a distant memory. “Beckett thought it was Lainey’s way of helping him humiliate Ryan. They’d set it up so Ryan would look like an ass and you’d lose. Win-win for them.”

With a roar, Gary jumped up and swiped a hand across his desk, sending papers and a laptop crashing to the floor. It was only years of not reacting to Mom’s chaotic outbursts that kept me from jumping.

Gary slammed a fist onto the desk. “That backstabbing cocksucker. I’m going to destroy him.”

I smiled. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

He stared at me, chest heaving. “What does that mean?”

“It means,” I began, standing slowly, “that I’m sick of Ryan and Beckett Cain. If you’re planning to take them down, I want in.”

“What the fuck would you know about it?” He scoffed, looking me up and down with derision.

“I know Ryan loves me,” I replied with a mocking edge. I held up the pendant. “Fun fact, if I press a button, he’ll come riding in like the fucking cavalry to save me. Apparently he thinks you might hurt me again.”

Gary’s eyes widened for a second before he locked down his emotions. “Really?”

“He loves me,” I explained, disdain dripping from my words. “He wants to save me.”

“And what do you want?” Gary pressed, a curious glint in his eyes.

I dragged a nail across the edge of the desk. “I want my freedom.” I lifted my eyes. “You want me to be Madelaine? Fine. I’ll play the part. I’ll inherit the money. I’ll help you stop the Cains.”

“To save your mother?” He smirked.

“To save myself,” I corrected, folding my arms across my chest. “You know, had you just been up front with me, things could’ve been different, Daddy.”

His eyes narrowed.

“You lied to me,” I pointed out. “Made me think you and Madelaine had this amazing connection because you thought I would want that. Some magical daddy-daughter relationship that would save me. I never needed that, but I could’ve helped you.”

“And why would you have done that?”

“Because money talks,” I said plainly. “That’s why I’m telling you what I know now. You want me to help you stop the Cains? I’m in. You want to make them suffer? I want that, too.”

“And your mother?” His brows rose dramatically.

I took a deep breath and shrugged. “What about her?”

“You seemed pretty upset about the way Beckett and I were discussing her yesterday.”

My stomach twisted, but I kept going. “No, I’d let Ryan talk me into sushi the night before and it didn’t agree with me.”

He didn’t look convinced.

“You think I didn’t know my mother’s a slut?” I added with a snort. “Please. I learned that lesson before I had my first period.”

“And all that righteous indignation when I dragged you back here a few weeks ago and you saw her?”

Oh, right. That. “Look, that night sucked. You want the truth? I loved Ryan. I would’ve given everything to be with him, and I was a fucking idiot. I bought into his white knight routine, and thought maybe I’d finally get everything I wanted. I’ve learned my lesson. My mother hasn’t done shit for me, and I’m sick of looking out for everyone else only to get bitch slapped for my troubles.”

He made a soft, noncommittal sound, but I could see the wheels turning.

I braced my hands on the desk and leaned forward. “If you don’t want my help, fine. Don’t take it. But I can give you an in with Ryan and Beckett. Ryan’s tripping all over himself to make it up to me, and Beckett made it perfectly clear yesterday that he’s been working with Madelaine.”

“Why would you help me?”

“Because the only person I hate more than you is Ryan,” I replied, the lie slipping easily from my lips. “I want to see him broken, and you can help me with that.”

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