Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series by Hayley Lawson (pdf e book reader .TXT) 📗

After today they needed a comedy. Massimo looked at his Will Ferrell collection and pulled out Talladega Nights. He could screw with their heads another day on world history.

He played the DVD, and everyone in the room fell silent, completely in awe. Massimo loved watching people’s faces the first time they saw the TV. They were mesmerized and laughed at all the right parts. Massimo was happy with his selection. The day’s events had been washed away by a few hours of laughter, just like in the good old days. The only thing missing was popcorn.

Everyone was tired, and the adrenaline had left their bodies once the movie had ended. The alcohol and food had made them sleepy.

Massimo got up from the couch. “Ryder, you can take Leandro’s room. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

Leandro had snuck off to his room earlier. Tired little pup, Ryder thought, smiling to herself.

“Vicky, you can take the guest room.” Massimo walked over to Vicky. “I’ll show you where it is. The rest of you can crash in the living room, I’m sorry I don’t have enough beds for everyone. There are blankets in the cupboard.” Massimo pointed to the cupboard, so everyone knew which one he meant. “We need to get up in a few hours, so I recommend everyone gets some sleep. I’ll wake you when it’s time.”

Ryder wondered what song he’d be singing in the morning. Maybe instead of Here Comes the Sun, it would be something more like, Here Comes the Merry Motherfuckers Who Are Going to Rip You a New Asshole. It didn’t really rhyme, but Ryder thought the sentiment was spot on.

Everyone said their goodnights and headed to the different rooms in the house.

Carter and the other guys got comfortable on the sofa, chairs, and floor using the blankets and pillows for makeshift beds. None of them complained about their sleeping arrangements. They were a good team.

Ryder was shocked that she’d been able to find so many great people. All her life, she’d been surrounded by people who would cheerfully kill her to get what they wanted. There were good people as well, like Terrier, Mama Lou, Natalie, and all the people on Level Six. Ryder couldn’t wait until her two groups of friends were together, and that would happen soon.

Massimo walked over to Ryder after showing Vicky her room for the night. “What type of plant is that?” Ryder said as she pointed to a green plant that had sharp spikes on it. She poked a finger at it, and the spike broke her skin it was like a tiny dagger.

“It’s a cactus. They normally grow in deserts. I’ve had this one,” Massimo paused as he thought, “for years, since before the World’s Worst Day Ever.”

“I’d like to learn more about the World’s Worst Day Ever when you have a free moment,” Ryder asked.

Massimo greeted that question joyfully. “Of course. There is so much history I’d love to fill you in on.” Massimo smiled. He was as happy to tell Ryder as she was to learn.

Ryder smiled back at Massimo. “I would like that very much, and thank you, Massimo, for everything.”

“It’s the least I can do. We can chat about it on the walk to the bunker tomorrow.” He smiled fondly at Ryder. “I’ve been meaning to speak to you privately,” Massimo told her quietly.

The two decided to go outside and sit down on the porch since everyone was settling down for the night.

Ryder’s finger trailed over the knife marks in the chair arm. “I’m sorry about Sergei and Yegor breaking into your house. And about this.” Ryder touched the scar.

Massimo waved his hand. “Don’t worry about that. It’s just stuff and you weren’t the one who broke in, so you have nothing to be sorry about.” He smiled warmly, and Ryder knew he meant it.

“Thank you, Massimo. Why did you want to speak to me?” Ryder asked.

Massimo hesitated for a moment. “I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I think you’re right. Afana was always a monster, and you need a strong vampire by your side to win this fight.”

Ryder couldn’t believe her ears. She leaned forward. “What are you saying, Massimo?”

“I think I need to take you up on your offer,” Massimo replied.

Ryder knew he was dancing around the words. He needed her blood to get stronger, and she needed him to be strong. “You need my blood.”

Massimo nodded.

Ryder flipped her wrist over, revealing her veins to Massimo as she rested it on the arm of the chair. “Take it. I need your help. We have to free them at any cost.” Even if it’s my life, she thought.

Massimo started to fidget. He was feeling uneasy about this, and Ryder didn’t want him to back out. She knew the struggle Leandro had to get him to drink rabbit blood, and this was even worse. She needed to act fast before he changed his mind. “I can pour it in a glass, and you can pretend it’s wine.” Ryder smiled and got to her feet like this decision was already made.

Ryder left Massimo on the porch and went into the house. The house was quiet, except for the men snoring and the low volume of the TV.

She grabbed a glass and made sure it was clean, then found a rag to stop the bleeding. She didn’t want to bleed out. Then she picked up the new knife Graham had given her. She’d hoped the first cut wouldn’t be on her. She made a cut on her forearm, and made sure every precious drop went into the glass. Ryder wasn’t sure how much was blood he needed, so she filled the glass. As soon as Ryder started to feel dizzy, she bandaged the cut. Depending on the results, Ryder knew that she may have to repeat the whole thing again in the morning, and she was willing to do it.

Massimo instantly turned to Ryder when she stepped through the door and onto the porch. His eyes