Page 35 of Beautiful Madness

Finally, Joe began yanking atthe line in his arm. “I’m getting out of here. You’re going to need me.”

Max leaped to his feet andgrabbed Joe’s hands. “Stop it, Joe Patrick! I love Kait, I do. But I’m nevergoing to exchange vows with someone who can’t put me first. Who can’t putusfirst.”

Joe went still, his tormentedstare glued to Max’s angry one. When he said nothing, Max continued.

“Your brain wants somethingyour body can’t handle. You have to accept what you are, Joe. If you don’t,you’re going to die here.” Max shook his head. “I can’t watch that happen.”

“You’re turning me down?” Joeasked him. “You’re not going to marry me?”

“You’re not going to give upthis life so Icanmarry you?” Max shot back.

“I don’t like ultimatums,” Joemuttered.

Max put his hands on his hipsand glared at Joe. “And I don’t like dead husbands.”

“How many dead husbands yougot?” Remy asked, slipping around the curtain to stand at the foot of Joe’sbed. He looked at me. “I tracked you to the riverbank, where I then found whatlooked like a hundred piles of black dust and a lot of fucking blood. Yougood?”

I nodded, glad to get away fromthe agony of Joe and Max’s relationship—or soon to be ended relationship. “Thedetective was hurt, but he’s okay. Did he tell you I picked up Jared’s scent?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “Tellme?”

“I left him sitting in thehallway outside this room.”

“No one was in the hallway.”

“Son of a bitch.” I started tostride from the room with Remy but turned back at the door. “Joe, listen toMax. Please. At least until you heal. Then we’ll talk.”

“I know what that means,” hesaid. “I know your intentions. I won’t be reduced to security guard for youroffice, Kait.” He looked at Max, then reached out to take his hand. “I can’t,honey.”

I slipped out, leaving themalone. I’d rather have fought a thousand daywalkers than face my friends’heartbreak.

ChapterEighteen

“We’re going to need to take acar,” Remy said. “I can’t hunt with you if you’re running.” He patted his luckystake. “And Dolly is ready to taste some blood.”

“Yeah,” I said, texting Rick asI hurried to my car. “We’ll start at the river and track the bastards to theirnest. One way or the other, those assholes are going to tell me why they smelllike the alpha.”

I paused at my car door whenRick returned my text.

I’mfine, Kait. Going home for a hot shower and a warm bed. Be careful.

Remy got into the passengerside and buckled up. “Let’s go,” he said. “I’m curious to see if the wolf isstill alive.”

I glared at him as I drove downthe street. “You—”

Before I could get more thanthat one word out, Sam rushed from the shadows and stood directly in the path ofmy car.

“What the fuck,” Remy said.“Another delay. Run him over.”

I stopped the car and for a fewseconds, Sam and I stared at each other through the windshield. He wasn’twearing his true face, but it no longer seemed to matter. I knew him, and itwould be hard for him to hide from me now.

Who he was never left his eyes,no matter what face he wore.

He had to know I’d heard abouthis recent murder spree—and that I knew he’d lost control and killed aninnocent.

Finally, I put down my window.“Get in,” I said.

“Who is he?” Remy asked, toyingwith the blade he’d pulled.