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CHAPTER ONE

MADDEN

“Daddy!”

I hear h it sounds distant … as if she’s far away But she was just right next to me

“Dad! Get up! Pwease, Daddy! Get up! You’re scaring me!”

Belle sounds shielded, and although I canand terror in her tone, I can’t physicallysince she first screeched my name from what sounded like a distance

“Help! Somebody, pwease! Help!! Daddy, can you hear me? Get up!”

Dahtmare? The pitch of Belle’s tonespectruhten with panic

No… That isn’t quite right

Panic, yes But so My chest… I heave a breath as I clutchto cradleheart The pain intensifies, a dull nu down my chest and left arm as cold sweat beads acrossthus causes my stomach to roil in nausea and fear

This can’t … fuck, I can’t die Not here Not now I feel Belle curl against le to move my arm around her shoulders, to co pains has ht to hter’s face one last time, the weaker I becoirl She cries silently against my chest, and each raspy sob she sheds stabs atheart even more

“Belle, move out of the way, darlin’” I hear hter “Mad, open your fuckin’ eyes, man You’re scarin’ the shit outta Belle” Carter touches my neck then smacks my cheek What the fuck? Sure, asshat I’m havin’ a da me out of it When I do come out of this, this fucker has one hell of a set Auntie!”

“What the fuck happened to him?” Maverick asks Are both of my friends fuckin’ idiots? Never mind, stupid question

“Mav, call 911,” Carter orders

“Don’t you die on ot a kid to raise,” Carter whispers as he tilts my head and presses ainst my chest … one, two, three, four, five I count in my conscience as he counts aloud “Motherfuck!” Air puffs my inner cheeks like the marshmallow ht for breath that is le for life, the further away I seem to fall

“Daddy!” Belle squeals as she charges forward, and I barely have time to brace myself for her impact as she launches into the air, torpedo style, ready for ht irl intothe attorneys and courtroo the floor Da so quickly I was just awarded sole custody of Belle I don’t need to give theht before the ink dries on the damn documents I tuck Belle closer to my chest and inhale the sainst ht I hurry fro hectic, lad this shit is over All I want to do is go home, just me and my Belle

“Madden, you’re going to be okay” Carter’s voice is loud, but he still see at ive iving me mouth to mouth God only knohere Carter’s mouth was last …

“Madden, can you hear me?”

I wish I could scream: If I fuckin’ could, don’t you think I’d respond? “I hear the aht Laney has Belle She doesn’t need to see your pussy ass die at her fuckin’ birthday party” He punches again—one, two, three, four, five Fuck … those lips are too da Booty Judy? I’ll kill the fucker or haunt his ass one “I need for you to squeeze my hand Let me know you’re still with me Come on, man”

Fuckin’ drarass of hter and all her friends Yet, he doesn’t hear h I’ht and fear coursing through my mind Fuck… I hope I don’t piss ain I will forever be known as the “hefty heart attack dad”

“Everyone, please clear out of the way!” Strange voices echo around me

> Suddenly I feel crowded, a di the sky in darkness This is it My breath is stolen now, and the realization that ain, the piercing knife twisting deeper

My heart fights against every thrust of a heavy fist Words swirl around uess is at the hands of the friggin’ Hulk Commotion in every direction Air swooshes acrossh low brightens over my e…

“Daddy! Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!”