Shattered Trust (Shattered #2) Read Online Free Page B

sofa and plops down on it. “Just for the record, I don’t approve.”
    “Of what?”
    “Of him moving in.”
    “If we decide to live together, that’s none of your business.”
    “What about me then? You gonna leave me behind, the way you did when I was four?”
    “I didn’t leave you behind. Gramps put me in the Meadowlark Mental Health Facility, the same place he put you in two weeks ago.”
    Madison fists her hands, worries them against her stomach. “You didn’t come home for a year. I was all alone. With Gramps and Olivia. No mother, no father, no sister.” She lances Madrigal with her glare. “You all abandoned me.”
    Madrigal blinks as her mouth pinches into a tight, white line. “Did they abuse you, Madison?” she asks.
    “No. They treated me right enough. But I missed my big sister. I missed Mom and Dad. And I only had Blue for company.”
    “Her stuffed teddy bear,” Madrigal says by way of explanation to me. “Sweetheart, something happened yesterday.” Her voice quivers.
    “What?” A shadow rolls over Madison’s eyes. I don’t think she can take much more tragedy.
    “Gramps.” Madrigal clears her throat. “Gramps didn’t commit suicide.”
    “He didn’t? But you said—”
    “That’s what we all thought. But the police believe he was murdered.” Madrigal’s lips tremble as she says that last word.
    Bending from the waist, Madison drops her elbows on her thighs. “Who would kill him? Who?”
    Madrigal takes a seat next to her on the settee. Much like I did last night when I broke the news, she sweeps a hand down Madison’s amber-colored hair. “I don’t know, sweetheart, but someone’s been arrested.”
    Madison jerks up. The look of desperation on her face as her gaze bounces from Madrigal to me is heartbreaking. “Who?”
    “Uncle Mitch.”
    “Noooooo!” She jumps up, points at me. “Is that what he came here to tell you?”
    “Yes.”
    She rushes at me, fists flying, and pounds on my chest. “Take it back. You take it back!”
    Madrigal rises from the settee and embraces her sister from behind. “Maddy, please.”
    I gently clasp Madison’s wrists to stop her from hurting herself. She struggles in my hold, pushing and pulling, until she realizes I’m too strong for her. “Let me go.”
    I instantly free her. “I’m so sorry, Madison.”
    The look of hate she shoots at me would put a lesser man in the ground.
    “He didn’t do it. I don’t care what they say. He didn’t do it.”
    “I know,” I say as kindly as I can. “And I’m going to do my very best to prove just that.”

Chapter 4
    Madrigal
    In tears, Madison races for the door, but before she gets there, I step in front of her. “Where are you going?”
    “Riding.” A hiccup escapes her, a clear sign of her distress.
    “You’re upset. You shouldn’t be on a horse right now. You could get hurt or injure Marigold. I’d prefer it if you went up to your room.”
    Madison tosses her head. “You’re just like Gramps. I won’t be kept a prisoner. I won’t.”
    “Maddy, please.” I place my hand on her arm. She’s vibrating from the emotion coursing through her. “It’s just until you calm down.”
    “I hate you.” She flounces out. But instead of heading for the stables, she stomps up the stairs, making enough racket to wake the dead.
    After Maddy’s outburst, I drop my face in my hands. When Steele puts his arms around me, I bury my head in his chest. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
    “She’s a teenager. The drama comes with the territory.” He drops a kiss on my head before he stands back to study me. “So what do you need to do next?”
    I laugh bitterly. “I don’t know. There’s so much to take in. So much to do.”
    “Let me help. Please. I can move in temporarily. As long as you need me to stay.”
    “Are you sure? Don’t you have enough to handle with Mitch’s defense?” Clamping my hands together, I turn away from him. “I know we talked about moving in