Page 213 of Mad As Hell

I forced a smile to my numb lips, reminding myself that this was still a game. A game that I still had to play.

And win.

“It’s Miss Cabot,” I replied, icicles dripping from my tone as I met his gaze. My breath caught in my chest as we stared at each other in the mirror.

His eyes seemed to gleam at the challenge. “Good night, Miss Cabot.” He inclined his head, but the action seemed more mocking than respectful.

Whatever.

I shoved it open and slipped out of the car before slamming the door. I kept my steps even and measured as I started toward the front doors of my dorm even as my thoughts started to careen out of control.

Madelaine had gone to Greece with Evan.

Madelaine had died in a fire in Greece.

Evan had burn scars on his hands.

He must have been in the fire, too.

In it… or started it. Gary had all but outright admitted Evan would kill Ryan on his orders when the time came.

My hands shook as I opened the door, and I heard the car start to drive away. A wobbly breath rattled from my chest as I exhaled, Gary’s words playing on a loop in my mind.

Thanks again for handling that… situation.

My hand slapped the button for the elevator, but I was too out of it to fully recognize when it arrived. Somehow I was inside the car, and my legs gave out as the truth crashed over me.

I’d just been driven home by the man who had killed my sister on my father’s orders.

CHAPTER 57

MADDIE

I made it to my door but then paused, unsure what to do next. My mind was a chaotic mess of broken thoughts and damning realizations.

Gary had killed Madelaine.

Mr. Harris had said as much, and I’d even kinda believed it myself, but now I couldn’t dismiss it.

I knew in my bones that my father was responsible for my sister’s death.

And now he was planning to kill Ryan.

Barbed wire wrapped around my chest, slicing into my lungs and heart until I was ready to scream.

I braced a hand on the doorframe and forced myself to breathe, which was, of course, when the door opened.

Looking up through blurry eyes, I was surprised to see Ash’s face.

“Hey, I thought I heard—” His eyes went wide and he quickly pulled me into the dorm. “Jesus, Maddie. Hang on.” He swept a device down my body, and I passed my phone over without him needing to ask before he checked for any bugs that might have been planted.

When nothing was triggered, Ash touched the side of my face. “What the fuck happened? Ryan’s in the bathroom.”

“I just need a second,” I whispered, leaning against the door. My head rolled back as I stared up at the ceiling. “Where is everyone?”

“Bex is in her room. Court and Linc are at the house, but I can get everyone over here.”

“No, I—” I stopped myself. “Actually? Yeah. I think everyone needs to hear this.”

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