Page 160 of Mad As Hell

“Oh.” I shot Ryan an uncertain look, not sure if I’d just stepped in some family drama.

Ryan leaned in close to me. “They know about Phoenix. They’re actually a big part of what makes it work.”

“How?” I whispered.

He shook his head. “Not the time or place, baby. You can meet them this weekend.”

“Well, some of them. Castle is in basic training and Rook is currently finishing his last tour with the SEALs,” Court added, his expression lighter. “Knight, Bishop, and Royal should be there, but I’ll confirm to make sure they’re back from their last… trip.”

Linc snorted and took a drink of his water.

I nudged Bex. “Think you can get away for a vacation so I’m not drowning in testosterone?”

She looked around the table with a bleak expression before meeting my eyes. “And, what? Ask my mom if she'd be cool with me blowing off my grandparents to hang out with the guys of the families she hates and the girl who made my life hell for five years?”

I flinched back and her look softened. “Sorry, Maddie. I didn’t mean… I don’t think so.”

Linc drummed his fingers against the table and glanced at Ryan. “You know I’ll be there.”

Ash nodded. “Same.”

“And Cori’s coming, right?” I asked, not wanting her anywhere near Beckett.

Ryan grinned at me. “She’ll be there. She loves Grandpa. Probably more than she loves me.”

That seemed doubtful; Corinne adored her brother beyond words.

“You should come if you can, Bex,” Court said in a soft voice.

She stiffened beside me. “Whatever. I need to get to class. We still on for our study date tonight, Maddie?”

I nodded and watched her gather her things and leave. A second later, Court shoved back from the table and stormed off in the opposite direction.

Linc let out a harsh breath. “Think those two will ever get their shit together?”

“Not if he keeps hiding things from her,” I shot back, giving him a pointed look.

“Sometimes secrets are the best thing.” His blue eyes focused on me with a dark intensity. “The truth can be more brutal than the lie.”

“I disagree.”

He grimaced. “That’s because you’re too naive to know any different.”

I bristled. After the last few weeks, the last thing I felt was naive. I actually felt pretty freaking jaded.

“Linc,” Ryan growled, glaring across the table at him.

Linc held up his hands. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, Ry. This world we live in is twisted and fucked up, and it’s usually women who pay the highest price. Your mom, my sister, Maddie, Bex, Corinne… I’m glad Maddie and Bex don’t know how sick shit can get.”

“It’s hard to protect yourself without all the facts,” I mused, shaking my head.

“I’ll protect you,” Ryan replied instantly.

Ash cleared his throat. “We all will. The same way we’ve protected Bex. She might not like it, but the lie is easier than the truth.”

“I don’t agree,” I argued, shaking my head.

Ryan’s hand covered mine. “I hate to say it, but Linc’s right, baby. There’s so much fucked up shit in our world I hope you never have to see.”

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