AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I lead her in that direction, grateful as hell that they're here.
They meet us halfway. Olive immediately throws her arms around Makenzie, pulling her into a big hug. She whispers something to my girl, who nods, hugging her hard. It's the first chink in her armor I've seen all day.
"Carmichael," Madden says, extending his hand to shake mine.
"Banks."
We step aside, giving the girls a little space.
"How's she doing?"
"Still standing," I mutter, watching as she and Olive whisper back and forth. Everyone else in the room has gone back to what they were doing, but their eyes drift toward Mackenzie every few seconds. Everyone except Bianca, anyway. She doesn't gawk at my girl. She simply smiles at her and goes back to work, making it clear with one look that she's firmly on Team Makenzie.
"The video came down about an hour ago." Madden rubs his jaw. "Getting the reposts down is going to be a helluva lot harder. She needs to issue a response of her own."
"She won't." That's not who she is. She won't give him a single inch of real estate in her life that he doesn't steal from beneath her feet. I don't know if she genuinely doesn't care if people believe him, or if she's just that tired of dealing with him. Either way, she won't be convinced to issue a response. I know her. And I know she meant it when she said she didn't care this morning.
She won't fight back, not because she doesn't believe she's worth it, but because she doesn't view him as an enemy worth fighting. And I'm going to ask her to bend on this one. She doesn't have to fight back. She doesn't have to say a goddamn word. I'm here. And I've been spoiling for a fight since I found out he put his hands on her.
"What are you going to do?" Madden asks. I don't know if he sees something on my face, or if he knows where my mind is at because he'd do the same fucking thing in my shoes. But he knows I'm not going to let this ride. Not today or any other day.
"I'm going to do what I should have done two days ago. Find him and kill him."
"Need help?" he offers, a savage grin on his face.
"I've got this one, but I do need a favor."
"Name it."
"Keep an eye on her for me. I can already tell these bitches are going to be catty today. Make sure she isn't facing their bullshit alone."
"We've got her," Madden promises, glancing at his wife and my girl, who still have their heads together, whispering. "Just do me one favor."
"What?"
"Break his fucking hands for me."
"Already planned on it."
Madden holds his hand out for me to bump his fist.
I stalk back to Makenzie, placing my hand on the small of her back. "Angel baby."
She and Olive break apart, her bright eyes coming to my face. "What is it?"
"I need to take care of something," I murmur, leaning down to brush my lips across hers. "Don't even think about leaving this house until I get back."
Her face falls. "You're leaving?"
"Only for a little while. I have some business to take care of." I nod at Olive and Madden. "They're going to keep you company for me."
"You're going after him, aren't you?"
"Who?
"Zion," she says, narrowing her eyes on me. "Don't treat me like I'm stupid, and don't act like you are, either. You know exactly who I'm talking about."
"I do." I press my lips to her forehead, careful not to smudge her makeup. "And I'm not answering that question, angel baby. All you need to worry about is looking like the goddess you are."
