Page 13 of Mad Love

Ash sucked on his teeth. “Ten stitches there.” He jerked his chin at the bandage wound around my right arm from wrist to elbow. Seemed like overkill for ten stitches. “Another eighteen on your ribs. Only six in your gut, but that cut went deep. You were fucking lucky it didn’t hit an organ.”

“That’s because he can’t block for shit,” Court spat, striding into the room. He stopped at the foot of my bed and glared at me. “Left side, wasn’t it? You never—”

“Yeah, yeah,” I cut him off. “What happens now?”

His jaw clenched. “They wanted to send you back to county lockup to finish the weekend.”

Ash bristled at my side. “The fuck?”

Court held up a hand. “But Linus already started paperwork for a multimillion-dollar lawsuit, since the guards failed to intervene and the charges were shaky from the jump.”

My brows shot up. “Damn.”

“You’re lucky they stabbed your throwing arm and you’re still in talks of going pro,” Court remarked.

I snorted. “Yeah. Lucky me.”

Court sighed, shaking his head. “As soon as a doctor mentioned potential nerve damage, I think the head of the hospital called the fucking governor to give him a heads up that he might have to reevaluate his reelection plans by the time Linus was done wringing California dry with as many liable lawsuits as he could come up with.”

“So, what does that mean?” Ash snapped.

Court shrugged. “Means Ryan gets to spend a few more hours under observation and then he’s being released.” He looked at me. “You’ll still have to show up for court in a day or so to have the charges formally dismissed, and you have to surrender your passport until then, but you're clear to come back home.”

“Thank fuck,” Ash grumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m going to call Grandpa and let him know.” He turned and walked out the door.

Court braced his hands on the footboard of my bed. “Seriously, man, you good? You scared the shit out of us.”

I nodded, rubbing a hand down my jaw and feeling the rough stubble. “Yeah, but I need you to do me a favor.”

“Name it.”

“Ben Jones.”

Court’s brow quirked. “The Ripper?”

I pressed my lips together. “Yeah. Have Linus and his team take his case. I’ll cover the costs. And find out about the other Rippers who are in there, too. I want all of them taken care of. Do whatever he can to get the charges reduced or gone.” My jaw clenched. “They saved my ass.”

It rankled to admit that, but it was true.

He eyed me. “Ben shouldn’t be a problem. Ash already looked into his charges when we made sure you were put in his cell. The others… Shit, man. Who the fuck knows what they’re in for?”

“Don’t know, don’t care,” I said, my tone cold. “Can you make it happen?”

“Consider it done.” He tapped the foot of my bed. “Try and get some rest, okay?”

I huffed out an annoyed breath. “I’ll relax when I know Maddie’s safe.”

“We’ll find her, Ry.”

I nodded. Of course we would.

Because not finding her wasn’t an option.

CHAPTER 7

RYAN

Two days later, the judge dismissed all charges, and Linus shook my hand. I wanted to smile and celebrate the win, but we were no closer to finding Maddie than we’d been when she disappeared.

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