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Right now. I felt twenty-nine going on sixty. Meanwhile, miss little twenty-three had already done an exercise class and was back showering.

Dropping my head to my hands. What if she didn’t believe me? What if she said no. Why did the thought of her saying no hurt me?

“Long night?”

Moving my hands.

Why did I need her so badly, but she didn’t need me? Seeing her with Noah ripped me apart. I couldn’t even explain it. Now, it could all happen again, but worse, with my cousin.

She stood in front of me, frowning.

“Have you slept at all?” She touched my cheek.

Holding her hips, I pulled her to me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t?—”

“Stop, I know.” She cut me off, still looking at me with annoyance. “When will you start taking care of yourself?” Pouting, she pushed me back, holding the towel up, before climbing over me. “I’m serious Vince. I hate this new habit. It has to stop.”

I held her face, gently tracing my thumb under the faded bruise. The satisfaction of knowing Noah Voss will have no hands after he recovered from his throat surgery.

And all the ways I still had to make him suffer. I realized death would be an easy option. I’d rather have him live with consequences.

“Wait here,” she climbed off.

“Where are you going?”

“Getting dressed, and coming home with you. I’m going to make sure you sleep.”

If last night was what I had to experience to get her back home, I’d do it again.

CHAPTER 20

Madeline

Getting up off the lounge when I heard the front door open.

“Vince!?” Bastion slammed the front door. “Yeah, I’m here. I’ll call you back.”

Had he lost his mind? Who comes into someone else’s house, slamming doors and shouting. Picking up a heel, I hurled it at him.

Cursing, he turned, holding the side of his arm.

“Shush!”

This was the reason Vince didn’t sleep. Every two minutes, one of them needed him. My poor heel. Walking beside him to pick it up. I pointed down to the lounge.

Why was he grinning like that? I shoved his side when he went to speak again.

“Thank fuck. Are you two back together?” Bas asked when I slid the doors closed.

“We were never together.” I rubbed the scratch on the heel. Ruined. Why couldn’t I have thrown something else at him.

“Fine, whatever you two call it. But you’re back, yeah?”

Biting my lip, I sat back down on the couch. “Maybe.”

“Maybe? What do we have to do to get you back to putting up with his bullshit? Seriously Maddy, name it.”

Rolling my eyes, “He is not that bad Bastion. You’re so dramatic.”