Fated Series. Book #2
"Be possessive of me, own me, keep me, because if you do then nothing and no one else can." - Maddox.
My name is Maddox Vallero, and I'm dead.
Well, that's not quite true. I'm alive in the breathing, walking, talking sense-but...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Chapter 50 The Beginning of An End Maddox
I sighed into my bowl of cereal before pushing it away and stretching. My back had been killing me all morning. I shouldn't have worked out last night, but of course, I did—because God forbid Mateo suspects anything.
I don't even know why it matters. I should be asking for help. I should be saying the pills aren't working again. That I'm in agony, again. That I've already passed out—several times—from the pain.
But no one saw. Conveniently, it always happens when I'm alone.
So here I am, being a little bitch about it and pretending everything's fine, because apparently, I still haven't grown the balls to speak up.
I stood slowly, planting my hand on the table to steady myself, then leaned back to try and stretch the muscles in my lower spine. Which was a bad move because a searing shock gripped my lower back like a fist made of knives. My lungs crumpled into dust, and I hissed through my teeth.
Kill me now.
I had four meetings today. Four.
And all I wanted to do was lie flat on a hardwood floor and never move again.
I needed a pill. Or maybe eight. Gathering whatever scraps of strength I had left, I started searching the kitchen for the bottle—still waiting for Sophia to show up with Jax. We've been driving to work together lately. It's kind of a thing now. A routine.
A routine I like too much.
It's the only thing getting me out of bed in the morning. The thought of seeing her. Of seeing them. If I could just convince her to move in, life would be perfect. I've brought it up a few times. Softly. Casually. I've planted the seed and I've been watering it on schedule.
Eventually, she'll cave.
I mean, come on—I'm a delicate flower. I need constant Sophia-based sunlight or I'll wilt.
While I was still rummaging through drawers for the pills, my dad walked into the kitchen like he owned the place. "I thought you were coming over for breakfast," he said, heading straight for the counter—where he proceeded to steal my abandoned cereal bowl for himself.
I blinked. Did I forget again? Shit. "I did? My bad."
"All good. Nice having your mom to myself for once, without you hooligans stealing all her attention."
I laughed and gave up the search. I'd ask Sophia for something later if it got worse. "I bet if I called Mom right now and asked if she missed me, she'd say yes."
My dad rolled his eyes. "Well, of course. She's your mom. She has to say that."
"And you're my dad," I shot back. "You're supposed to say you missed me too."
