Page 188 of Mad As Hell

I laid my other hand on top of his and leaned forward. “I promise. Beckett won’t hurt either of them while I’m around.”

His eyes searched mine for a heavy moment before he nodded and relaxed. “I believe you. Thank you, Maddie.”

I squeezed his hand tightly. “I think I should thank you.”

His brows lifted in surprise.

“Ryan may have a lot of faults, but he also has a lot of good in him, and I think that’s because of you and your family. Beckett might’ve tried to mold him into a psycho clone, but he failed. You were a huge part of shaping the man I fell in love with.”

It was the truth. Seeing Ryan here, at ease and smiling, made me realize that whatever goodness had been instilled into him came from this side of his family. Michael and Clara Harris loved their grandchildren unconditionally and had done their best to protect them.

But Clara was gone, and Michael’s time was running out.

Swearing to protect Ryan and Corinne from Beckett wasn’t a problem. I would spend the rest of my days doing whatever it took to keep that monster away from them.

CHAPTER 49

MADDIE

Madison Cain.

The slow smile that had started to spread across my lips was quickly dampened by the realization that at the end of today, that wouldn’t be my name.

Madelaine Cain was what the marriage license would say. The name I would have to forge to make this work.

I was starting my marriage on a lie.

A dejected sigh slipped from my lips before I could censor myself.

“Hey,” Bex said sharply, pulling my attention back to her. She wielded a makeup brush like a weapon, poised to pluck out my eye, as she arched one of her brows. “What’s with the sad? I thought you wanted to marry Ryan.” A scowl overtook her. “If you’ve changed your mind, tell me. I can steal another car, and we’ll be gone in minutes.”

I looked at my best friend, already dressed in an eggplant-colored gown with her hair pulled back by a jeweled clip. She was ready to stand at my side in less than an hour when I married Ryan.

Sleeping hadn’t been a problem last night, which was contradictory to what I’d been told was normal bride behavior. I’d slept soundly, finding relief and surety that becoming Ryan’s wife was exactly what I wanted. What we both wanted.

But this morning, all I could wonder was if our wedding was even legal.

I’d fallen for Ryan over the span of a few weeks at the start of September. And now I was marrying him at the end of November. Three months.

In three months, I’d experienced my highest highs and my lowest lows.

“Am I crazy?” I whispered, looking into Bex’s hazel eyes.

She lowered the brush and crouched in front of me. “Maddie, you’re not crazy.”

“I can’t even sign my name to the license,” I spluttered, twisting my hands in my lap. “Is this marriage even legal?”

“Mads, it’s a piece of paper,” she said softly. “What matters is you both know who you are. He loves you, not a name.” She touched my hands, stilling the way I was cracking my knuckles. “Is this what you want?”

“I love him, Bex,” I answered, my heart practically aching from how full of love it was. I couldn’t love Ryan more if I tried. “I want to be with him forever.”

“Are you worried?” Her gaze searched mine.

I shook my head. “No. What happened before… Ryan won’t do that to me again.” A small smile hitched up the corner of my mouth. “And not just because he’s afraid you’ll rip his balls off and puree them.”

“Damn right I will,” she affirmed fiercely. “But, for what it’s worth? I don’t see him doing that to you either. He’s completely in love with you, Maddie. I think he’d walk away from this world tomorrow if he didn’t have to worry about his dad or your dad coming after you guys.”

“I’m scared,” I admitted.

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