CHAPTER FIFTEEN
I t was almost 3:00 am when the weight of everything that had happened seemed to settle in the calm of the night as Madison sat at the bar of The Serpent Pit. Now that the crowds were gone and most of the lights were out, the neon bar signs were all that was left on, producing a cool glow over the worn countertops and familiar faces around her. Kade sat beside her, his arm casually draped over her shoulders, and Sadie was a few stools down from them, a pile of paperwork spread in front of her like usual, and Jagger had just leaned down to kiss the top of her head before going behind the bar to get everyone something to drink.
It had been a month since everything had gone down. A month since Madison had the most traumatic week of her life. A month since her boyfriend–she was still getting used to that part–and his family practically slaughtered a bunch of bad men and saved her and the others.
So much had happened, and yet, in this moment, the world felt calm to her.
Gremlin and Scales were in the back of the bar, bringing in inventory from the cooler to get ready for the next day. Madison could hear the familiar bickering between them that had become common after the shooting–Gremlin scolding Scales for trying to do too much while he was still healing. The sound made her smile. It was good to hear that. It was good to hear them still trying to take care of each other because they’d come so close to losing Scales. If Jagger hadn’t stepped in to donate his blood when they got there, they would have.
“You’re not Superman, Scales,” Gremlin’s voice called out, exasperated. “Take it easy, or I’m telling Sadie you’re out of the rotation next week.”
The laughter from the group at the bar was enough to fill the space around them. Madison let herself laugh, too. It wasn’t just the sound of people enjoying each other’s company–it was the sound of people who had survived such an incredibly difficult ordeal, who were still standing.
Sadie paused for a moment, looking up from her papers, and gave Madison a soft smile. The girls were both wrapped in their men’s Rebel jackets and there was a mutual understanding that they were protected, loved, covered. “You know, I’m really glad we’re all here. After everything... It feels nice, doesn’t it? To just be together like this.”
Madison nodded, feeling the warmth of her words settle into her chest as the men agreed around them.
Jagger slid a drink in front of each of them, his voice breaking through the moment. “Got some good news for you all, too,” he said, wiping his hands on the bar towel before setting it aside. “Warren and the Rebels found 24 more girls. They’re home now. Safe.”
The air shifted with the information, but it was with relief. The mention of the others who had been taken was still a hard topic to discuss. But 24 girls were back where they belonged.
“So, are all of them still alive?” Kade asked Jagger as he pulled Madison in closer to his side.
Jagger looked at Sadie and then back at his brother. “No. Sadly, there were a few that didn’t make it by the time we found them.”
Madison felt a knot in her throat at the news.
“But,” Jagger continued. “Those men are all being apprehended in their respective states.”
Not everyone had made it, but some had, and that was a victory.
“That’s… Good,” Madison said, her voice tight but strong.
“What happened to not involving the cops?”
Jagger shrugged at his brother’s next question. “There’s only so much we can do. The anonymous tips after we got the girls away from them should be enough to get the ball rolling with law enforcement.”
There were so many loose ends but it was a start. The Rebels couldn’t exactly go around killing everyone involved, the numbers were probably in the dozens–maybe, even more. Who knows how many of these rich assholes were waiting in line for their very own sale after their party? She hoped they’d find everyone who even so much as inquired about that underground shit that Montana had been doing.
“I’ve still been keeping in touch with Amari, too. And the girls I was with... they’re all doing well.”
Sadie leaned down the bar as she reached her arm out, placing her hand gently on Madison’s. “How are you doing, though?” Her voice was filled with genuine interest and caring.
Madison’s eyes met hers and she swallowed. There were days when it felt impossible to answer that question, when everything seemed too much to put into words. But tonight, at this moment, it was easier.
Maybe, because she wasn’t alone anymore.
Maybe, because the people around her were the closest thing she had to a family.
Kade’s hand lifted to brush her red curls behind her ear, and Madison let herself lean into it. He was so good with his touches. Soft, careful, gentle movements of his fingers on her hair or her skin.
“I’m... I’m doing better,” she said, her voice steady. “I’ve been going to therapy. It’s helping. I know there’s still a lot I have to work through, but... planning the move to Arizona with Kade... it’s been helping me focus on the future. On what comes next instead of what’s already happened.” She paused, glancing down at her hands before looking back up at Sadie. “It’s been nice, you know? To have something to look forward to. To know that there’s more than just... all of this, isn’t it?”
Sadie squeezed her hand, the unspoken understanding between them clear. “I’m proud of you,” she said quietly.
Kade smiled at Madison, his eyes softening as some hair fell across his forehead. “We’re figuring it all out together. One step at a time.”
The simple words hit her deeper than she expected.
Together .
It was a word that carried so much to it now—so much more than it had a month ago. A month ago, they were fighting with each other for the wrong reasons, struggling to keep their distance. And then they’d gone through something so earth-shattering that it showed them they needed to appreciate the most important thing that was right in front of them.
Jagger stood leaning against the counter, his hands tucked casually into his pockets as he settled into the conversation. He’d had a similar moment with Sadie once and it was a wild feeling seeing it come full circle with his brother. He allowed himself another moment to watch Madison and Kade as they shared a quiet moment between them, but he couldn’t resist pushing a little teasing their way.
“So, Madison,” Jagger said with a raised eyebrow, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “What on earth made you agree to move across the country for my idiot brother?”
Madison snorted, rolling her eyes but not missing a beat. “I always planned to travel after school,” she said, tossing some hair over her shoulder. “And your brother was the perfect excuse. Now, I don’t have to carry all my boxes by myself.”
“Always a princess,” Kade smirked. “It’s more than that, though, and you know it.” His eyes met hers, and there was something raw in his gaze. “I’m the luckiest bastard alive because you want to stay with me. It’s not just about the move. It’s you, choosing me.”
Madison’s chest tightened, and she didn’t need to say much in return; she just kissed his cheek softly.
Before the moment could linger too long, Sadie broke in, her voice dripping with mischief of her own. There was a reason Jagger and her were perfect for each other, after all. “Are you sure it’s not just his dick that sealed the deal?” She gave Madison a teasing look. “I mean, I have the older version but they are brothers so it’s gotta be similar in make and model. I’ve made plenty of rash decisions based on Jagger’s, uh, charm.”
Madison burst out laughing, grabbing the straw from her drink and throwing it at Sadie. “You’re terrible,” she said, but the laughter was contagious, and soon they were both giggling.
The boys, on the other hand, shared a glance that could only be described as disbelief. Kade’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked between Madison and Sadie, almost speechless at how brazen they were. Jagger let out a low chuckle and shook his head.
“You two are something else,” Jagger muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. “Seriously. How do we get anything done with you two around?”
Kade just shrugged, clearly trying to hide his amusement. “I don’t know,” he said, “but I’m definitely not going to be the one to stop them.”
“Thanks, K. That’s great. Really great.”
Madison gave Kade a wink. “Hey, if it weren’t for your dick ,” she teased, “I could be moving across the country with some other guy.”
Kade gave her a playful smile. “Lucky me, then.”
The door to the bar creaked open, drawing everyone’s attention. Jazlyn and Camille walked in, almost too wrapped up in each other to notice they were being watched. They were holding hands, their heads tilted together as they whispered and laughed. It was almost too cute—especially considering that not so long ago, they were enemies that were barely able to stand one another.
Sadie, clearly unfazed by the lovebirds’ arrival, waved them over. “Alright, you two. Get over here and start signing.” She leaned back, a satisfied smile on her face as she looked at them.
There was no more hesitation about the next moves they were making and Camille nudged Jazlyn with her shoulder, still smiling like it was the most normal thing in the world. The girls’ chemistry was undeniable now, and though it was sweet, it was a little sickening to everyone who remembered how they used to be at each other’s throats. But that was love.
Sadie’s excitement was palpable as she started explaining the documents to them. “Alright, here’s the deal. You’re both taking over the bar, and we leave for New York next month. We’re leaving everything here in the bar and apartment as far as furniture and decor, etc. You won’t need to buy anything unless you want to. We’re just taking our personal stuff with us when we go, okay?”
Kade’s eyes widened, his jaw almost hitting the counter. “Wait, next month? That’s before we even move in September!”
Sadie just shrugged, unfazed by his reaction. “Yup, that’s the plan. We’re not waiting around.”
Kade blinked, still processing it. “But that’s before we move.”
Jagger chuckled, tossing a rag over his shoulder. “Yeah, I know. I need you to help me with my boxes, too. Hope you’re not expecting me to thank you the same way as you–,” He shot Kade a pointed look. “Get thanked by your princess, though.”
Kade groaned. “Fine.”
Madison’s phone buzzed in the pocket of her jeans and she answered it quickly to find Alison calling her.
“Yes?”
“Where are you?” Alison’s shrill voice came through the phone.
Madison smiled at the worry in her voice. “I’m okay. I’m just still at the bar.”
Ever since she’d gotten back from the hospital, Alison was on a mission to take care of her. She took turns taking her to therapy and even hired a chef the first two weeks so that Madison could focus on healing. Madison told her it was ridiculous of her to spend so much money on her for something so simple and Kade had offered to come take care of her as well. Alison wasn’t having that though and stated she needed to heal under a woman’s care right now.
At first Kade was upset that she didn’t want him around, but then she had explained it to him that too much, too fast wasn’t going to work well under the circumstances of Madison being a survivor of rape and assault. He could be the best man in the world–and she knew Madison thought the world of Kade–but he had to give her a little space and let her get into a good habit of rest, exercise, therapy, self-care. Alison had even arranged to allow Madison to take the finals she’d missed so she could walk at graduation. That was the first place she went outside of the house besides therapy that first week and she was glad that no one would allow her to miss it. Green Light had taken a lot from her, but the people in her life refused to let it be any more than what was already gone.
“You know you have to text me if you’re going to be late,” Alison whined.
“I know, I’m sorry. Time got away from me,” Madison apologized and watched as Kade took his phone out of his pocket and began to send a message next to her.
“Are you coming home tonight or staying with Kade?”
Madison looked down as Kade placed his phone in front of her so she could read the screen filled with messages from the last couple of hours.
Ali Cat:
Are you guys still out?
Kade:
Yes. I’m right next to her.
Ali Cat:
She didn’t call me tonight to let me know she’d be late. I start to worry.
Kade:
I know. She wants to stay with me tonight.
Ali Cat:
Idk if that’s a good idea.
Ali Cat:
She might need more time before having sex again.
Ali Cat:
Kade.
Kade:
Sorry, phone was on silent. You know I would never ask her to do anything she wasn’t ready for. She’s been asking for days to stay and I think if I keep refusing her it’s going to make it seem like I don’t want her after what happened.
Kade:
And I’m not going to do that either.
Ali Cat:
I’m calling her.
Kade:
Go ahead.
Alison’s sigh of irritation came crackling through the receiver of Madison’s cell. “Hello? Are you there?”
Madison cleared her throat before answering. Seeing Kade’s transparency of his interactions with her friend helped ease the last of her hesitation about that very decision.
“Yes, Al. I’ll be staying with Kade tonight.”
There was a pause. “And you’re sure?”
Madison and Kade’s eyes locked when she answered, “Very sure.”
After another few seconds she finished up her phone call. Kade was about to grab his phone back when Alison sent him another text. He opened up the message and showed it to her again and they both shared a laugh when they read:
Ali Cat:
Do you think if I got Air Tags that they would register all the way from Arizona?
Kade:
Goodnight, Ali.
And Madison, for the first time in a long while, felt like everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. She felt like she was on the right track to healing and she couldn’t wait to be with Kade again. To feel his hands on her. Feel him inside her.
Kade must have noticed her breathing change and her face flush because he gave her thigh a very deliberate squeeze before trailing his hand back up to rest around her shoulders and set their attention on the others around them once more.
Jagger was finishing up changing the taps while Jazlyn and Camille were deep into the paperwork with Sadie, the occasional scribbling of pens breaking the otherwise comfortable silence as they worked.
Camille, leaning back in her chair with her drink in hand, couldn’t resist throwing a playful jab. “You two should be careful getting so close,” she teased, raising an eyebrow at the way Jazlyn and Sadie kept exchanging glances. “I heard about that epic kiss from back in the day. Don’t go rekindling any old flames now.”
Sadie’s face instantly turned red, her usual cool demeanor slipping as she flushed under the teasing. “Oh, shut up, it was one time,” she muttered, trying to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. “That was, like, forever ago.”
Jazlyn, not missing a beat, glanced up from her papers with a grin. “Still, that one kiss led me to kissing this one every day so I’ll never regret it,” she said as Sadie rolled her eyes in response.
Camille was already taking the seat at the bar next to Kade, settling in comfortably as she poured herself another drink. “I’m good with how the bar is set up,” she said, swirling her glass. “As long as we keep the sex dungeon room, I’m happy. Make sure that’s written into the contract, Sadie.”
Madison nearly choked on her drink at the mention of the secret room. Her hand flew to her mouth, and Kade instantly reached over, gently pounding on her back to help clear her airway. She gasped for breath, looking up at Kade, who was practically laughing at her.
Sadie scribbled in the paperwork without missing a beat. “I know, Camille. I’ll make sure it’s all written in,” she said, her voice shaking with suppressed laughter.
Jagger, who had been watching the entire exchange with a smirk, leaned in toward Sadie, his voice low but teasing. “You can keep the setup,” he said, his eyes flicking to the paperwork, “but you’re taking the toys with you. Those stay with us.”
Sadie’s blush deepened, but she simply shook her head, refusing to dignify that with a response.
Jagger, however, wasn’t done. As he looked at Sadie, his voice dropped even lower, just for her ears. “I already found a nice place in New York. We can make a room there, too.” His words were a whisper, but the intent behind them was clear.
“You’ve got everything figured out, don’t you?” she teased back, though there was a softness to her voice that made the teasing seem warmer than usual.
Before Jagger could answer, Gremlin and Scales walked in, both holding several black envelopes. They handed them over to Sadie, who immediately jumped up with a huge smile on her face, her blonde hair bouncing as she skipped around the bar to distribute them to everyone.
“Here you go,” she said, passing an envelope to Madison before giving one to Jazlyn.
Jazlyn raised an eyebrow, taking the envelope and giving it a curious look. “What’s this?” she asked.
Scales, who was standing nearby, shook his head with a grin. “We’ve got a little surprise for you,” he said. “Gremlin and I did the graphic design work on these. Now that we know the place and time, we were able to finish these up.”
Gremlin gave Sadie a tight hug, practically swallowing her small frame with his large one as he kissed the top of her head. “I hope you like them, Sadie Sweetwater.”
Sadie pulled back from her friend, her smile widening as she opened her own envelope and pulled out the contents along with everyone else at the bar.
The papers inside were black and glossy with the effect of neon throughout. The invitation was to a wedding and looked like the interior of The Serpent Pit.
“Oh my God,” Madison gasped. “Are these...?”
Sadie nodded, her grin impossibly wide. “Wedding invitations,” she said, her voice full of emotion. “For our wedding. Next year. Oh, guys,” Sadie beamed at Gremlin and Scales. “These are perfect. I couldn’t love them more.”
“Here?” Kade asked, raising his eyebrows. “At The Serpent Pit?”
“Of course!” Sadie said, as she looked around the room. “If that’s alright with the new owners, of course,” she added, glancing at Camille and Jazlyn.
Jazlyn and Camille exchanged a look, their smiles wide.
“Hell yeah,” Jazlyn said, leaning over to kiss Camille’s cheek. “We’re in. We’re definitely in.”
The room was filled with even more excited chatting and laughter, the group celebrating together because it was important to hang on to the things that made you happy. Even Jagger, usually so composed, couldn’t help but grin ear to ear at his little family.
“You know,” he said, raising his drink with a laugh, “I think this all might work out after all.”