Page 120 of Mad Love

“When do you leave?” Worry carved a hollow pit in my stomach.

He hesitated and turned to look at me, his chin on my sternum. “Later today.”

I nodded, absorbing that. “You’ll be safe?”

“As safe as we can be,” he promised, and lifted off me so our faces were closer together. He pushed my hair back from my forehead. “Do you think anything in the world could stop me from coming back to you?”

“No,” I admitted, even as fear twisted my heart into knots.

His eyes softened. “I’m coming home, Maddie.”

I sniffled a little. “You know, at some point, we really need to figure out where home is. We can’t stay here indefinitely.”

“I agree,” he replied, a crease forming between his brows. “But, Mads, I already told you that where we live is just a house. You’re my home.” He settled his hand over my heart. “This is the place I’ll always come back to.”

CHAPTER 42

MADDIE

Morning was cold and gray, with swollen clouds threatening to dump another several inches of snow across the region. I was starting to miss the California sunshine.

I stood in the cold garage, wrapped in one of Ryan’s PCU Knights hoodies, as the guys finished loading the SUVs that would take them to Henderson. The plan was for them to arrive in the middle of the night for a hard, fast strike that Gary wouldn’t see coming.

I’d insisted on not knowing more details than that. All I needed to know was when it was done, and that all of my guys were safe.

“It’ll be fine,” Ash assured me, pausing in front of me with a duffel slung over one shoulder and a laptop tucked under his arm.

My gaze cut to where Ryan and Royal were huddled under the open hatch of the trunk, discussing something. “I can’t lose him, Ash.”

He dropped his bag and ducked to meet my eyes. “You won’t, Mads. I promise. I’ve got his back.”

Forcing a smile, I nodded. “I know.”

As if he sensed my distress from across the room, Ryan’s bright blue eyes found mine. The corner of his mouth hooked up, flashing a dimple as he looked at me in a way that settled some of my jangling nerves.

Hands came down on my shoulders from behind. “Geez, Mads, we’re going to kill your fuckface of a dad, not going off to war. Stop looking so sad,” Linc teased before he kissed the side of my head, then stepped around me and tossed his bag in the trunk of the SUV. He climbed into the back seat next to Knight.

Bishop opened the driver’s door of the other SUV and stood on the step rail. “Time to go, assholes. Load up.” He winked at me before ducking back inside the cab.

Ryan came up in front of me, his hands framing my face. “We’ve got this, Maddie. Don’t worry.”

Snorting, I arched a brow. “You’re kidding, right? The only thing I can do is worry.”

He kissed my forehead, then the tip of my nose, and finally my mouth. My toes curled as I wrapped my arms around his neck, our kiss going from sweet to an inferno in seconds. I would never get enough of this man. He was my forever.

“I love you,” I whispered, my forehead touching his.

“Don’t do that,” he murmured. “Don’t say it like you’re saying goodbye.”

I nodded. “Okay.” Squaring my shoulders, I lifted my chin and met his gaze. “I love you, and I’ll see you when you get home.”

He grinned, making my tummy flip. “Damn, I love you.” He kissed me again, hard and fast. “I’ll call you when I can, okay?”

“Be safe,” I said as he stepped away. My gaze swept over the two SUVs, and I raised my voice. “All of you be safe.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Knight teased from the back seat as he smiled at me.

With one last look, Ryan got into the front passenger seat of the SUV that Court was driving. Court had been silent most of the morning, and Bex hadn’t come out to say goodbye.

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