Page 240 of Mad As Hell

“Maddie!” A loud voice roared.

I jerked in the chair, my heart slamming against my ribs as I blinked and tried to find the source of the voice.

“Fuck,” someone grunted. “Ryan, sit down.”

“Get off me!”

Something crashed like it had been knocked over, and I cringed at the noise.

The wheelchair I was in stopped abruptly.

“Your Honor, I beg you to have this man removed,” Gary boomed from behind me. “He’s already caused my daughter so much pain.”

“You motherfucker,” a furious voice hissed. “I’m going to—”

“Ryan! Shut the fuck up.”

I turned my head and saw four men. One of them was being held back by two of them, his bright blue eyes wild and frantic as he looked at… me.

Ryan.

My pulse sped up as I met his gaze. I wanted to go to him. I needed to—

Gary pushed me away, breaking our eye contact, and I wanted to cry, but nothing worked. Not my eyes, not my tongue, not my legs.

Nothing except my fingers.

I tapped one against the arm rest just to prove I could do something.

My eyes felt so heavy, and I was so tired. I would just rest here for a few minutes and then it would all be better.

It had to get better.

CHAPTER 66

RYAN

I was going to kill Gary Cabot.

“Ryan, you’ve got to chill out,” Court hissed, getting in my face and cutting off my view as Gary wheeled Maddie to the front of the courtroom.

My gaze snapped to my friend. “Maddie—”

He grimaced. “I know, bro. But you can’t lose your shit here, okay? Maddie needs you to hold it together.”

My gaze instantly moved to my wife, who looked like she was sleeping. Fury erupted in my chest at seeing her so broken and helpless.

My hands clenched, and I wished like hell it was Gary’s windpipe I was crushing. I’d fucked up by letting him live, but I was planning to rectify that oversight as soon as possible.

“Your Honor…” One of Gary’s lawyers stood up, his nasally voice carrying through the room. “This is a private family matter. Mr. Cain and his friends have no business—”

“She’s my wife!” I snapped before I could consider staying calm.

“Because you forced her hand and manipulated her,” Gary cried, looking like a desperate father. He turned to the judge, who seemed to be only mildly interested in what was happening. “Your Honor, Ryan Cain has been abusing and hurting my daughter for months. His presence here will only hurt her more. I beg the court to have him and his companions removed so this matter can remain private.”

Judge Norris glanced at me, his gaze accusatory.

I gritted my teeth and held his gaze.

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