Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series, Hayley Lawson [books you have to read TXT] 📗

snarky demeanor was absent. She patted Ryder on the shoulder a little awkwardly. “Sure. I’ll start digging.”

Ryder had to hold her emotions in check. “Thank you, Vicky.”

Vicky nodded wordlessly and left.

They inspected the body, and Willard was right—there were no bites on Javier.

The Madness was spreading another way.

Chapter Nine

Massimo stretched his legs. He’d fallen asleep in the chair on the porch, and his bones were aching a little from sleeping awkwardly. The sun wasn’t up yet but would be soon, so he needed to wake the others.

Today was going to be a day he wouldn’t forget. He was going to stand up for those who were weaker than him. He got to his feet and stretched his arms out above him. “That feels better.” Massimo looked at the empty glass on the table by his chair. I drank Ryder’s blood, and I don’t feel like draining anyone. Massimo was relieved. He’d been very afraid that the blood would change him, force him into becoming a monster like the Forsaken of old.

His hands went to his face, which felt smooth. Then he looked at his hands, which were less wrinkled. Massimo looked at his reflection in the window. It was hard to see clearly, but he totally looked younger, taller, and more handsome.

Giddy, Massimo winked at himself and headed to the bathroom to check himself out properly.

Ryder heard a commotion in Massimo’s living room. It sounded like everyone was talking very quickly. The sun hadn’t risen yet, but Ryder knew it was time for them to go since they’d planned to get to Afana’s bunker just after the sun was up. That way they’d have most of the day.

Fluffy pawed at the door, asking Ryder to let him out.

“Sorry, Fluffy. I’m coming now. How’s your head?” Ryder slipped on her boots, grabbed her weapons, and headed over to let Fluffy out. She knelt beside him and ruffled his head. “Have you got a hangover?” Ryder grinned. Her head was okay, thankfully. Last night with Javier had sobered her and the others right up. Everyone had fallen to sleep after they’d laid Javier to rest.

No one came to wake me for my turn to watch the house, she realized. Part of her wondered why, and another was grateful as hell because she’d taken such a beating yesterday. She was in a lot of pain from yesterday’s fight, but she knew she could fight through it to free everyone. She would worry about recovery once it was all over. The adrenaline would keep her going for as long as she needed it to.

Ryder wrapped her arms around Fluffy and rested her head on his, and he nuzzled his nose under Ryder’s chin. He was warm and…well, fluffy. “Your name suits you, you know.” She winked, and for once Fluffy didn’t growl back.

Ryder looked into Fluffy’s big orange eyes. “Thank you for waking me last night. It’s nice to know you’re always here, Leandro.” She smiled, then got to her feet and opened the door.

Fluffy headed quickly toward the bathroom.

Ryder went straight down to the living room, where everyone was talking excitedly. “What’s going on?” she asked Clint.

“It’s Massimo. He’s no longer an old man,” Clint answered. “Look.” He pointed at an unfamiliar man with black hair who wore the clothing Massimo had been wearing last night.

“Massimo?” Ryder asked, and the man turned around. Massimo was no longer hunched over. His spine was straight, his hair was black, peppered with a few gray strands, and he was radiantly handsome.

“Yes, Ryder?” Massimo’s face was glowing.

Ryder was gobsmacked. “Shit, Massimo, apparently my blood is the good stuff!

Carter stood beside Ryder with his mouth open. He was as shocked as she was. Everyone in the room was staring at the man, trying to work out if it actually was Massimo.

Fluffy came back into the room and walked over to him. He sniffed Massimo and looked up at him, then went over to Ryder and sniffed the bandage around her forearm. Fluffy wagged his tail. He knew what they’d done.

Carter shrugged. “Well, if Fluffy approves, it must be Massimo,”

Fluffy growled at Carter. He still hated being called Fluffy, especially by Carter. Thanks to him, everyone called him Fluffy now.

Massimo smiled. “I’m an upgraded version. Massimo version 2.0, you could say.”

Carter scratched his beard. “Oh, yeah, that’s definitely Massimo.”

Ryder grinned. “Damn! You said you were better-looking than Leandro, but I didn’t know you weren’t exaggerating.” She turned to Fluffy. “Only joking.” She winked. “Carter, looks like you’ve got some competition on your hands with this hot stud in the gang.” Ryder loved the fact that Carter believed he was the best-looking guy here. It was so easy to wind him up about it.

Carter turned to Graham with an exaggerated expression of remorse. “Graham, you’re dumped, mate. I’m sorry, there’s a new man in my life now. No hard feelings, yeah?”

“Nothing is hard anymore,” Graham deadpanned.

Carter winked at Massimo. “What do you say, good-looking?”

Massimo basked in the compliments. “You’re making an old man blush.”

Ryder chuckled. “You’re not an old man anymore, Massimo. The upgrade looks good on you.”

A few of the men looked at one another, Ryder knew what they were wondering—how the hell did it happen?

“How do I get an upgrade?” Carter asked.

Massimo pushed his hand through his black hair. You could tell he liked the feel of it, “You have to be a vampire.” Massimo told him matter-of-factly.

A few of the men weren’t too happy with the answer. I can’t have them thinking Massimo was sneaking around stealing people’s blood. “I gave Massimo some of my blood last night,” Ryder told them. “We needed a strong vampire. A vegetarian vampire wasn’t going to cut it.” The men looked at her bandage. “I dripped my blood into a glass and gave it to Massimo. It was my idea. Massimo didn’t want to do it, but I’m grateful he did.”

The men nodded. Clearly, they were happy to have a strong vampire on their side as well.

“Is everyone