Chapter 40: Chapter Forty

Everything inside of Madison ached, and she had no idea how she could tell Ryder the truth because she knew it would break his heart, but she couldn’t lie to him, either. Reluctantly pulling away from him, she wiped her tears and sniffled.

“I’m sorry.” She took a deep breath.

“No, I’m sorry.” Ryder frowned. “I had no idea about your dad.”

“Yeah, I didn’t, either.” She laughed bitterly. “That’s why he wanted to see me yesterday, to tell me about this. He said his dying wish is to have me stay here with him, to promise that I’ll take over the family business when he dies.”

Understanding flashed across Ryder’s face. “And you agreed.”

“Not yet.” She shook her head.

“Yet?” His tone was biting, and she flinched. “But you’re planning to, aren’t you?”

“What else am I supposed to do? He’s dying. If I leave, I’ll never see him again. His entire life’s work will be destroyed, and I won’t be able to live with myself if that happens.”

The muscle in Ryder’s jaw ticked, and his eyes were a shade of fury she’d never seen before. “So that’s it, then? You’re just going to stay here? What about college? Lil? Your life, Madison? You’re just going to walk away from all of that, too?”

“I’ll figure all that out eventually.”

“And there’s no talking about this, is there?” He flexed his fingers, the movement causing the muscles in his arms to tense. “You’ve already made up your mind and there’s no talking you out of it.”

“No. Would you be able to turn your back on your father if he were dying?” His silence sealed their fate. “Exactly. So how can you ask me to do something you wouldn’t?” She swallowed the lump in her throat and eased the ring from her finger. She held it out to Ryder, who looked at with disgust, but he made no effort to take it from her. “I’m sorry, Ryder. You’re a great guy and—”

“Don’t,” he snapped. “Don’t give me that pathetic, “you’re a great guy and some woman’s going to be so lucky to have you” speech. I’ve heard it before.” Shaking his head, he turned his back on her.

She momentarily closed her eyes, her hand closing around the ring. She knew telling him was going to be hard, but she never imagined it would be this hard. When she opened her eyes, Ryder had his shoes on and was shoving his wallet and phone into his pocket. He swiped the keycard from the dresser.

Even though she knew she had to let him go, the sight of him preparing to walk out of this room shredded every emotion she possessed. She wanted to grab his arm and beg him to stay, plead with him to understand the impossible position she was in.

“Y’know, I can handle you saying no to marrying me. I mean, I get it. We barely know each other, and I rushed into it, but to tell me you want to say yes but can’t? And then you basically dump me with your next breath?” Pain and anger dripped from his words.

“I know you hate me right now.” Her breath stuttered. “But—”

“You seriously don’t get it, do you?” He marched up to her, his face a mask of hurt and longing. “I just proposed to you for Christ’s sake. You think I ask people I hate to spend their lives with me?” He huffed. “So no. I don’t hate you, Madison. I love you, and you just broke my heart, so forgive me if my feelings are inconvenient for you.”

“That’s not what I said.” Anger sparked in her, and she curled her hands into fists by her sides. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

“No, but that’s exactly what you did.” He spun on his heel and stormed out of the room.

Madison stumbled toward the bed, sank down onto the mattress, buried her face in her hands, and sobbed. What had she done?

****

Ryder’s entire body shook with rage. His first instinct was to call his brothers, but he wasn’t in any mood for their jokes, and he really didn’t want to admit to them how badly he’d fucked things up. Instead, he went to the casino bar, found an empty barstool at the far end that was semi-dark and secluded, and instructed the bartender to keep his glass full.

And that’s where he sat for hours, his mind racing.

He knew Madison loved him. She’d told him, repeatedly, and he could feel it in the way she touched him. How could she so easily walk away? Hell, how could she not see what her father was doing? Guilting her into staying and taking over a family business that she’d run away from. This wasn’t the life Madison wanted. He knew that. So did she.

Then again, when she’d left the first time, her father hadn’t been dying. That changed everything, and she’d been right when she asked if he could walk away from his father under the same circumstances. There was no way he’d be able to. Could he really expect Madison to?

Of course, staying here until her father died was a hell of a lot different than uprooting her life, dropping out of college, and moving home to run her father’s casinos. Ryder might have survived a few months without her, but knowing once he left he’d never see her again…that he couldn’t handle.

Which meant there was only one thing he could do—he had to fight for her. Dropping a hefty tip on the bar, he downed what was left of his drink, then raced back up to his room. There had to be a way to make things work, and he wouldn’t stop until he figured out what that was.

He struggled to get the keycard to work, and finally, after the third try, he managed to get the door open. When he walked in, his stomach sank. Madison was gone. So was all her stuff. He stood, stunned, looking around the room, praying he was simply too drunk to see clearly, but there was no mistaking what was right in front of him.

Madison had left. Her ring sat on the dresser, taunting him. He let out a frustrated, heartbroken scream.

****

After a night of fitful sleep, Ryder forced himself out of bed and into the shower. He dressed quickly, his nerves raw and on edge as he drove to Madison’s parents’ house. He had no idea if he’d even be allowed on the property, but he had to try because he could not leave Vegas without doing everything in his power to save his relationship with Madison.

Thankfully, Ryder didn’t have any issues getting through the massive wrought iron gate, but the closer he got to the house, the more he began to second guess his decision. Would Madison want to see him? Was he wasting his time? He slowed to a stop, killed the engine, then approached the front door before he lost his nerve.

The door swung open. “May I help you?” The woman raised a brow.

“Hi, Karla,” he said with a small smile.

Recognition flashed across her face. “Mr. Collins.” She smiled. “I’m sorry, but Miss Madison made it clear she doesn’t want any visitors.”

His heart sank. “That’s okay.” He cleared his throat. “I’m actually here to speak to Mr. Montgomery. Is he available?”

Karla narrowed her eyes, then slowly stepped aside, motioning for him to come in. “Wait here, please, and I’ll see if he’s available.” She walked away, her heels clicking against the tiled floor.

Ryder blew out a breath and rocked back on his heels. If Mark refused to see him, Ryder had no idea what he’d do. If Madison was refusing all visitors, then the chances of her answering his calls were slim, too.

“Ryder?” Madison’s voice filtered down from the grand staircase.

He glanced in her direction, and she descended the stairs, her hand trailing down the smooth banister. His heart seized at the sight of her. God, she was beautiful, and all he wanted to do was pull her into his arms. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets so he wouldn’t be tempted.

“What’re you doing here?” she asked, coming to a step a few feet in front of him.

“I came to speak to your father.”

She tilted her head, her face a mask of confusion. “My father?”

“Yes.” Ryder nodded.

“Why?” She crossed her arms.

Before he could answer, Karla returned. “Mr. Montgomery will see you in his study, Mr. Collins, but he has a prior commitment in thirty minutes, so you’ll need to be quick.”

“Thank you.” Ryder gave Madison a smile, then followed Karla into the study. He walked into the room to find Mark seated in the same chair he’d occupied the first time Ryder had met him. Karla excused herself and closed the door.

“I assume you’re here about my daughter’s decision,” Mark said without getting up from his seat.

“Yes, sir.” Ryder sat in the chair opposite Mark, and only then did Ryder notice how weary the older man looked. His face was pale and saggy, his eyes were dull and cloudy, and his fingers were gaunt.

“I gave her the choice, and she made it of her own free will.” Mark lifted his glass and took a small sip. He winced, then coughed.

“Did she, though?” Ryder asked. “I mean, with all due respect, sir, you guilted her into staying here, and we both know that.”

Mark blanched, but he quickly hid his shock, his face returning to a mask of indifference. “I did no such thing. I simply told Madison the truth, and she chose to stay here. I’m sorry her decision hurt you, but the Montgomery empire is her legacy. She belongs here.”

“Even if she doesn’t really want to be here? The only reason she agreed is because you’re dying. All she wants is time with you. She couldn’t care less about her legacy.” Ryder shifted in his seat.

Based on the scowl Mark now wore, Ryder knew he was pushing his luck, and his own father would kick his ass for being so disrespectful, but Ryder had to make Mark see what a mistake this was.

Mark shook his head. “That girl never did know how to keep a secret.” He swirled his drink and took another sip. He mumbled something Ryder couldn’t understand.

Ryder clutched the arm rests so hard his knuckles turned white. He took a deep, calming breath. “I think we can agree that we both want Madison to be happy, right?”

“Of course,” Mark snapped. He set his glass on the side table hard enough to make some of the liquid slosh out. Then he stood, his body trembling with the effort. “But we obviously don’t agree on how to make her happy, and I will not have you come into my home and question how I’ve raised my daughter.” His face was red, from anger or exertion Ryder wasn’t sure. “I think it’s time you leave.”

Reluctantly, Ryder stood. “Madison has a life in Florida. She has a job she likes and friends, and she’s a little over a year from graduating. Do you really want to take that away from her?”

“She can have all of that here, too.” Mark strode toward the door and opened it. “I won’t ask you again. Leave or I’ll call security.”

Reluctantly, Ryder stood. “The only reason she’s staying here is because you’re dying and she wants to spend what little time is left with you, but make no mistake, Mr. Montgomery. She will resent you for this. Is that really the legacy you want to leave behind?”

Mark hesitated. “No, of course not.”

“Then give her another choice. Don’t guilt her into staying here because it’s your dying wish. Ask her what she wants, and then let her decide,” Ryder said.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that. There’s too much at stake.”

Fury and hopelessness burned through Ryder’s veins. He stormed out of the study, across the foyer, and outside into the obnoxious sunshine. There was nothing bright about this day, though, and if he had his way, he’d replace the sun with storm clouds. They certainly fit his mood better. He’d barely made it down the porch steps when Madison called his name.

“Ryder!”

He turned to find her jogging after him. He stopped.

“I don’t know what you said to my father, but he’s pissed,” she said.

“Good.” Ryder wanted that man to be as pissed off as he was. How could her father not see how wrong this was, how unhappy Madison would be?

Madison sighed. “I’m sorry.” She pulled the engagement ring from her pocket and held it out to him. “Please take this.”

“No.” He crossed his arms. “I bought that for you. I don’t want it.”

“We both know why you bought this, and now that the charade is over…” Her voice trembled.

“Keep it. Sell it. I don’t care what you do with it.” He dug his keys from his pocket and turned to leave.

Madison grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Ryder, please.”

“Please what?” he snapped. “Is this really what you want, Madison?” He gestured toward the house. “Money, status, power? Because if it is, we both know damn well I can give you all of that. You don’t have to stay here.” His heart thrashed violently in his chest as he stepped up to her, their bodies inches apart. Everything in him wanted to yank her into his arms and never let her go.

“You know it’s not about any of that.” Her voice was low, pained. “The money and everything that comes with it means nothing to me.”

“Your choices certainly say something different.”

“That’s not fair.” Her bottom lip trembled.

So help him God if she started crying right now… He inhaled deeply in an attempt to gather his strength. “Then why, Madison? Why are you walking away from the life you worked so hard to build for yourself?” Hesitantly, he took her hands into his, the ring now clasped between their joined palms.

Instead of pulling away like he thought she would, she took a step closer. Maybe he was finally getting through to her.

“I love you, Madison, and I can’t stand the thought of leaving here without you,” he said softly.

She rested her forehead against his chest, and her stuttering breath shattered his heart even more. “I’m sorry, Ryder. I wish things were different. I really do.”

“Madison, come in—” An anguished groan tore from Mark’s throat.

Madison straightened and twisted around. Mark collapsed on the front porch. “Dad!” she screamed and ran toward him. Ryder was right behind her.