Page 69 of Mad As Hell

She pressed her lips into a thin line. “And you did that?”

Nodding, I picked at a stray piece of lint on my leggings. “Yeah. I need to keep Gary happy while I try to figure out my next move.”

Bex reached out and grabbed my hand. “You’re not alone, Maddie. Remember that.”

I slowly pulled my hand from hers. “Actually? I think we should talk about how involved in my life you want to be, Bex.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Meaning what?”

“Meaning that it isn’t just my mom that he’s holding over my head.” I met her gaze levelly. “He threatened you, too.”

Bex’s eyes rounded as she squeaked out, “Me?”

“Yeah. You know, if it was just my mom, I might say fuck it. She’s never been much of a mom, you know? And God knows I’m probably better off on my own.” I pushed my toe into the mattress of her bed. “I think that’s why he mentioned you. He knew threatening you had a better chance at keeping me in line long term.”

“Threaten me how?” Her soft face was visibly pale, her hazel eyes wide and scared.

Dammit. This was all my fault.

His threats echoed in my ears, turning my stomach over. “He threatened to take you.”

She ran a shaky hand through her hair. “I mean, Maddie—”

“Jesus, Bex, he threatened to sell you overseas. Mentioned how much money you’d make him.” I whispered the last part, horrified and ashamed that I’d dragged her into this.

Bex gasped, her head snapping back in shock. “Holy shit.”

“I’d say tell your parents, but…” I shrugged, knowing that Gary would spin it. He was a pillar of the community and, given their perception of Madelaine, Bex’s parents would probably think it was me threatening their daughter.

“Did you tell Ryan?”

My forehead wrinkled. “No. I don’t want to talk to him about Gary.”

She licked her lips nervously. “Maybe you should.”

“You want me to tell Ryan?” The incredulity in my tone bordered on slightly hysterical.

Bex shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know, Maddie. I’ve never been threatened with human trafficking before. What’s the correct response?”

I flinched. “I think the correct response would be ending our friendship in a public spectacle so Gary thinks you mean nothing to me.”

“No way.” She shot down the idea so fast that I’d barely had time to say it. Her eyes narrowed like she was seconds away from slapping me. “Maddie, you are not doing this on your own.”

“Are you not hearing what I just said? Gary could—”

“I’m well aware of what Gary could do,” she interrupted, holding up a hand. “Which is why I’m scared shitless for us both. But there’s no way I’m going to leave you to fend for yourself. You’re… Maddie. You’re my best friend.”

Tears sprang to my eyes as I watched Bex huff and roll her eyes, but I could see the same moisture glistening in them as she tried to play it off.

“I know, okay? We’ve only known each other for a little while, and I probably sound like that needy kid who never had any friends growing up—”

I lunged across the space between us and wrapped my arms around her, cutting her off. She let out a laugh and hugged me back, not caring that I’d basically jumped into her lap.

After a long moment, I pulled away and wiped my eyes. “I’m sorry. I just… I was that kid, too. I never had a best friend. Not until you.”

Bex smiled and tucked a lock of dark hair behind her ear. “Well, it’s been a few years for me, but I can tell you now that besties are always there for each other. No matter what. And I’m not abandoning you because your asshole of a father threatened me.”

I nibbled on my lower lip. “Yeah, but this isn’t a normal threat, Bex. He’s not trying to get you expelled or in trouble. He’s threatening to sell you to another human being to become a sex slave. And the scariest part is, I believe him.”

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