Page 76 of Mad As Hell

“No!” Brylee shook her head wildly. “I won’t do it.”

“You will,” Ryan informed her coldly, “or I’ll end you and your family. By the time I’m done, instead of that shit, you’ll be sucking dick on a corner to earn enough change for the dollar menu at some fast-food shithole.”

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” Linc chimed in. “I mean, you’ve got years of practice under your belt.”

“Jesus Christ, you selfish little bitch.” Her older sister, Molly, got up from the table where she was sitting at with her sorority sisters, her face a mottled red. “Just fucking do it before you ruin everything!”

“It’s good advice,” Court offered ruthlessly. “Molly’s dick-sucking skills are better than yours, so you’d have some serious competition if you want to make a living on that corner.”

Molly, clearly smarter than her sister, gritted her teeth and kept her head down.

Beside me, though, Bex made a soft, pained sound.

Dammit, Court.

“Bottoms up,” Ryan prompted, smiling as though he’d given her a shot of tequila instead of… whatever the hell that was.

With a shaking hand and teary eyes, Brylee lifted the cup and took a drink.

CHAPTER 21

MADDIE

Brylee had barely swallowed the first sip when she started to gag. She nearly dropped the cup as she doubled over and made a retching sound.

“Don’t you dare throw up in here,” Court warned, shaking his head. “Go outside and finish if you’re going to be sick.”

Brylee turned and walked stiffly out of the room. Her friends by the doors scattered to clear the way for her. Once she left, they turned in unison to Ryan.

He shrugged. “Throw your cups away and go get your food. You can eat on the floor.” Then he turned away, effectively dismissing them.

“Did that actually just happen?” I murmured.

Ryan turned to me and seized my chin between his thumb and index finger. “Damn right it did, baby. I told you, things are different now. You’re safe.”

I drew in a shuddering breath. “Thanks.”

His gaze softened as his index finger traced my bottom lip. I had the insane urge to bite his finger, wanting to see his eyes widen with need.

Instead, I flashed him a weak smile and turned back to my salad. When I noticed Bex wasn’t eating beside me, I nudged her leg under the table with mine.

She gave me a shrug. “I’m okay.”

Across from us, Linc and Court exchanged frustrated looks but didn’t say anything.

“Bex,” I said softly, noting the small tremor in her hand.

She dropped her fork with a clatter and pushed her chair back in the same motion. “Actually, I’m not that hungry, and I need to work on my paper for English. Can we catch up later?”

I nodded slowly. “Want me to come with you?”

She shook her head. “No. I just need to finish some stuff.”

Court tossed down his half-eaten slice of pizza. “I’m done, too. I’ll walk you to your dorm.”

She scowled at him. “I don’t need—”

I squeezed her hand and gave her an imploring look. Yeah, I knew that Court would probably follow her no matter what, but she didn’t. And until I knew I was solidly in Gary’s good graces, I was a little scared to let Bex out of my sight or leave her alone.

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