Chapter 63: Darkness and Salvation
I shrug. “What? I love that movie!” He picks me up and kisses me deeply.
Reed comes over after he cleans himself off. “Thank you, Maddie.” He hugs me.
“I told you that you'd either be consumed by it or weather it out,” I reply.
He looks into my eyes before he hugs me again. I weathered it because of you. Thank you.”
I shake my head. “I just helped what you do if you care about somebody.”
“We are lucky to have you, sugar,” Jake replies.
Fine. I will let them have this. “That you are.” We all laugh. “I love all of you guys.”
Cameron smiles, “Maddie, you've more than proved that. You're the last piece of the puzzle that we needed. You'll always have a family in us.”
Jake pumps his fist in the air. “Now, let's go party.”
Max grins. “Great idea, Jake.”
Dumbfounded, I look at everyone as my adrenaline starts to fade. “So you all aren't concerned that I like being a butcher?”
Levi puts a hand on my shoulder as he looks between Lynn and me. “No, Maddie. Lynn shoved a coat hanger in a Duke's ears after she drugged him with herbs. So not much about who she is friends with can surprise me.”
Lynn shrugs. “I guess Gran rubbed off on me more than I realized. I knew I had read it somewhere.”
Drake says, “You also commented how the mob handled rats, and you baited him like a pro.”
Lynn gasps. “Gran, wow!”
Luther’s eyes glaze over briefly as he reminisces. “Lynn, it is why you'd have made a good spy if you weren't so opposed to torture as a means of interrogation and death.”
“It's not for everyone, man. My wife hates it,” Cam adds.
Levi nods. “We all do what's necessary for the common good. My family always has. I guess I should say our family. Maddie, you are a force to be reckoned with. The people will love you.”
Ryan looks around. “I'll clean up with some of their men. I'll meet you back at the club. Go blow off some steam.”
“Thanks, Ryan.”
“No problem, Boss.”
I giggle. Zack gives me a look. “Come on.” I throw a dress on from my bag, and we all leave. We went back to the club to finish our night with some drinks, dancing, and chatting. We are one big family, and I couldn't be happier.
Reed’s POV
Maddie allowed me the closure that I didn't know that I needed. I feel lighter now. But I also feel something else. It isn't jealousy, but it is a longing…a deep-seated longing. What should I do? What can I do? I am falling for Maddie more and more each day. Her darkness is my darkness, and her light is my salvation. As much as I would love to pull her into my arms and kiss her senseless, I can’t. It would be too much for her. She is barely just starting to accept her connection to Zack. I will just bide my time and see if the ties that bind begin to loosen. If not, I will have to have a talk with Zack. I just hope that it doesn’t cost me everything.