Reign of Brayshaw (Brayshaw High #3)(75)

“Madman...”

I nod.

Yes, brother.

“Say it,” Royce demands.

“We made a mistake.”

Royce plants his feet directly in front of mine. He lifts his palm, so I lock my hand in his, letting him pull my chest closer.

Deserved anger and resentment radiates off every inch of him, but even pissed at me, we’re family first. “We didn’t spend the last few years rebuilding this fucking town, growing our team, for nothing. We aren’t placeholders. These old fucks don’t get to step back in and tell us what our next move is supposed to be. We were the next move before Dad got home and Donley slid back into light, and everyone knew it. Let’s remind them, Madman.”

I nod, fucking ready. “We go to the Graven Estate.”

Royce scoffs, stepping back, but a hint of a smirk tips his lip, humor finding its way in his eyes.

“What?”

He licks his lips. “Graven Estate is nothing but ash, brother.”

My mind races.

“She went in like a boss, burnt it to the ground.”

My eyes fly to Victoria when she speaks.

She glares at me, pushes off the wall and then disappears into Captain’s room.

The fuck?

Royce’s hard slap to my back has my eyes flying to him.

“Told you, crazy shit, bro. Wait ‘til you hear the rest of it.”

My eyes slim. “You gonna fuckin’ tell me or not?”

He lets me go, pausing at Captain’s door. His eyes hit mine, hardening. “Nope.”

He goes inside, but my feet freeze in place, my eyes sliding sideways when movement catches my attention.

Bishop stares at me.

“What?”

He shrugs against the wall, pushing off just the same. “Surprised is all.”

“Yeah, you were probably hoping I’d never fucking be back, huh?”

Bishop stares blankly. “Nah, man.” He shakes his head, moving his earphones into place. “I’m surprised you ever left. Didn’t expect that. Not from you. Not when it came to her.” He grabs his side and limps back into the waiting area.

I’m about to drop against the wall when Captain’s door pushes open again and Victoria sticks her head out. “He’s asleep right now, but I thought you’d want to know... when she’s done back there?” Her eyes slide between mine, and I’d swear pity is hiding behind her shield. “They’re bringing her in here. It’s a double room so...”

My chest stiffens, but I manage a tight nod.

She pokes her head back in and out again, this time concern is marked. “Don’t leave, Maddoc,” she whispers before she disappears.

As soon as she’s gone, I allow myself to fall against the wall.

Fuck, man.

I take a deep breath, attempting to settle myself.

I was only gone for a few weeks, how much could have really happened in that time?

Does she hate me?

Even as I think it, I laugh at myself.

Yeah fucking right, that’d be too easy.

My baby, she’ll forgive me.

Or worse, she won’t even be mad. It’d be easier if she was.

I have no fucking clue what happens now. All I know is we’re done listening to others, we’re done taking orders. They promised this town to my brother and Raven, we’ll fucking show them how strong they are. We’ll stand at their sides – a king and queen and their knights.

They did what was asked of them, and they were hurt after.

No fucking more.

With us or against us, period.

Our town.

Our people.

Captain’s girl?

My back slides against the wall, my ass hitting the floor.

Fuck.





I groan, my hand lifting to my hair, but something keeps it from extending. I blink several times, trying to focus and slowly, the white walls come into view.

My eyes jerk down, finding I’m in a fucking hospital bed, tubes in my arms.

My jaw clenches and I slam my head against the pillow, grinding my teeth when it causes a slight pain in my shoulders.

I close my eyes, replaying what I last remember in my head – the maid, the girl, the crash. Leo and Vienna.

Maddoc.

I gasp, shooting up in the bed.

My eyes scan over every inch of the room but only Victoria is here, sleeping on a little couch in the corner.

Maddoc.

Maybe I imagined his voice, his hands.

I bite into my cheek, shaking my head.

Angry and confused, feeling like a weak and lonely bitch, I tear the tape from my skin and tug the stupid ass IV from my arm, pushing the tape back down as best it’ll hold. I bend my elbow to help stop the bleeding and I throw the blanket off me, finding my body is fine. Bruises, but at this point, I might as well get ‘em tattooed on.

I reach over, turning off the monitor beside me and remove the blood pressure cuff, peel the little stickers stuck to my chest, and tug the one free from the dressing around my ribs.

I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, giving myself a second to take a breath, and then slowly stand.

Once I’m sure my feet are steady enough, I take the four steps to Cap’s bed.

His eyes open when I pull at his blanket. They fly to mine, worry followed by sadness clouding the color in them. He lifts his arms so I can climb in, covering myself with the blanket.