Page 38 of Mad As Hell

“And I can’t—” I cut myself off, snapping my mouth shut and breathing hard through my nose to steady the rising tide of panic.

Bex shoved her seat back. “It’s okay, Maddie. I’ll go get your food.”

Court looked ready to argue, but Bex managed to slip away before he could reach for her. With a huff, he pushed back and followed her.

“Maddie, what’s wrong?” Ryan demanded, keeping his voice soft enough, but I could tell we were still attracting way too much attention.

Pizza definitely was not part of my diet. Gary would flip his shit at the notion of this much grease and carbs in the vicinity of my mouth. And if he found out…

My stomach cramped again for a whole new reason.

Who knew what he would do to Mom if I disobeyed? I wasn’t ready to find out.

“Get it away,” I hissed, glaring at the pizza like it had personally offended me.

Ryan’s brows slammed together. “Maddie—”

Ash’s dark-skinned hand lashed out and moved my tray in front of his. He grabbed one of the slices and took a huge bite, giving me a steady look.

I exhaled a shaky breath. “Thank you.”

He gave me a curt nod, his jade-colored eyes bright and curious as he watched me. “No problem.” He swallowed and glanced past me to Ryan and then back. “You forgive him yet?”

I shook my head.

Ash smirked. “Good. Fucker doesn’t deserve it.”

My jaw dropped open as Ryan growled beside me.

“You’re supposed to be my friend, dipshit,” he muttered at Ash.

Ash barely blinked. “I am your friend, which is why I’ll tell you when you’re being an asshole, asshole.”

Ryan rubbed his forehead, looking like he was torn between storming away and punching Ash.

Bex appeared then in front of me, sliding a tray of—what else?—salad with no dressing and two thin slices of grilled chicken before me. Her pinched mouth conveyed what she thought of my meal. She sat down, and Court joined her, frowning at my plate.

Trying not to make a big deal out of it, I stabbed a piece of chicken and forked it into my mouth. It was bland and unseasoned as I chewed, the act of eating more mechanical than anything else as I tried to work through the shock of seeing Dean hauled away by federal agents.

“What is that?” Linc demanded, clearly not having a problem drawing attention to me.

I glared at him and swallowed before taking a drink of water. “Food.”

“Rabbit food,” he muttered, waving a fork at my plate. “Since when are you a salad only girl?”

I could feel Ryan’s gaze on me, curious and probing as he wondered the same thing.

A brittle smile pulled at the corners of my mouth as I looked at Linc. “I guess I’m just being more cautious since I almost died eating something around you guys.”

Linc flinched at the memory and turned to his plate of lasagna with a stunned expression.

Rage churned in my stomach, gnawing away at the hunger until all I felt was helpless and furious. I shoved my tray away, the silverware clattering noisily, and then I stood up with a sharp scrape of the chair legs.

“Maddie?” Bex lifted worried eyes to me.

I shook my head. “I just need to go. I’m okay, Bex.” I started to leave the table.

“Sit down,” Ryan ordered in a low voice, grabbing my wrist.

---