Page 22 of Cries of Cassie

"There was no other option!" Ripper finally snaps and pushes Maddy back a step. "Victor had three guys posted across the street making sure nobody left. Had I sent her on her way after she was screaming your fucking name, they would have been on her immediately!"

I watch with tears in my eyes as the man I love deflates. Every cell in my body demands I go to him, to soothe his pain, except I know when I'm not wanted. Hell, he doesn't even know I'm here.

"All those years..." Maddy whispers, sounding so broken. "Wasted."

Koa glances back at me, face a little pale like he can't hide his feelings. "Maddy, she's always been strong enough to know what was going on."

"Stalking her social media and hacking into security footage wherever she is doesn't mean you know her either, Koa," Maddy mumbles.

My heart plummets to my stomach as his head turns to look at Koa. This is it, the moment he'll see me. What will he do? How will he react? All I want to do is run and hide from the impending confrontation, but I can't. Not if I’m eager to work this out and prove to him he doesn't need to worry about me.

Then there's no more guessing. He's staring right into my soul, looking like he regrets everything. After a few beats of silence when I think I might collapse from the tsunami of emotions and revelations, Ripper adds more information.

"Nobody was supposed to know she was here. One of Victor's men wandered where he wasn't supposed to and caught sight of her. I didn't mean—" He stops with a frustrated growl and turns away from us. I don't want to see him beat himself up over a situation he did his best to manage.

Neither Koa nor Maddy tries to make my apparent stalker feel better, so I find my voice for him. "If I'm in any kind of danger, that's on me. Not Ripper. I made a scene which is also your fault, Shade."

Oof. Why did I whip out his road name?

Maddy aims his intense gaze at me next as he straightens to his full height. "Don't you ever call me that. Ever."

Tilting my chin up and cocking my hip, I force the urge to cry down until I can be alone. If this is the only opportunity I have to show Maddy that I can handle this life and the dangers it possesses, I'll shove all the vulnerability aside for now.

"What do I call the man who uses me as a booty call and declared I'd never be on the back of his bike unless I'm getting fucked on it?"

Koa sucks in a small breath and starts inching toward me as Maddox does the same. Before anyone can say anything, I plant my hand on my hip and scowl.

"You have a lot of explaining to do before I call you Maddy ever again. But for now, I'm tired and, quite frankly, I don't like the way you're staring at me like you have the right to be pissed. So, Koa, can you show me where I'll be staying? Please."

Koa might be the only man around who deserves my manners. Social media stalking is not as bad as following me, right? My options are limited. Don't judge me.

Koa doesn't even glance at the other two. He just smiles and aims his arm toward the hallway. "Of course, baby."

Brownie points to him for making me the priority right now. Don't cry.

With a flourish, I toss my red hair over my shoulder and follow the sexy biker. "Oh." I turn just before I'm out of Maddox's sight. "Please send someone to get everything I'll need. I'm sure you can figure it out considering you know me so well."

With that parting shot, I waltz away and nudge Koa onward. Halfway up the stairs, he chuckles. "Damn woman."

"Thank you," I say, my false bravado fraying around the edges.

Thankfully, Koa stays silent as he walks me down a hallway of the upstairs seating area and nudges open a door.

"This will be your room for now. I sent one of the old ladies here to freshen it up while we were in the clubhouse."

Stepping in, I'm glad to see there's little personal touch. It's comfortable and plain, giving me nothing to attach myself to. For now, Koa said. I won't be here forever, so why love the guest room, right?

"Cassie..." Koa murmurs, reaching out to run his fingers down my arm. "We want you here. Please, please come get me if you need anything. Nowhere is off-limits. Sleep well," he says quietly and clicks the door shut behind him.

With a deep sigh and Jell-o legs, I flop onto the bed and spiral. I really need to get my phone out of my car so I can rant to anyone but the four men I'm living with now.

Chapter Fourteen

Parker (Spider)

Idon't want her here. Even just the topic of Cassidy has caused so many issues between the four of us in the past. Not because she was the other woman but because our life has been a complicated mess for a long ass time. Not even Koa's hot mouth can fix this colossal fuck up.

I'm not sure who's to blame. Maddox probably. He pushed her too hard, and she came back ready to retaliate. The timing was super fucking unfortunate.